Well here goes another off-road build. As some of you may know my last build was a full suspension bonanza that I initially built for the Gambler 500 mini bike enduro. I got 2nd my first year and the second year I had made some major improvements to the bike but the race was canceled due to Covid. Well now the race is back as everything starts getting back to normal. I was planning on finishing my bonanza but I got burnt out on that project and there’s a few issues with suspension geometry and some other things that is making me want to take a break from that project. So this year I’m starting fresh with a 1970 Rupp Enduro. I’ve always liked the Rupps and I think they are built very well and have great suspension geometry and is an overall good platform for a new build. For those of you that don’t know, the gambler 500 mini bike enduro is a 100 mile endurance race held every year in central Oregon. I also have plans to attend other events throughout the country as this style of racing and mini bikes are becoming more and more popular. I have been collecting parts for the last few months and now can start mocking things up and start building. This is what I started with.
Pretty complete but had a hs50 that wasn’t original and overall was a little rough around the edges so I didn’t feel bad hacking it up to start this project. The plan is extended swing arm, custom triple trees and fork tubes, built predator 224 engine, bigger wheels and tires. I decided to go with these aluminum 10” wheels that are marketed as Honda Z50 wheels. They came straight from china. The quality is impressive for the price got the pair for less than $100
Now for tires I got these Duro tires. They are much bigger than stock as you can
Pictured next to stock 1970 Rupp tires and wheels
These wheels use Z50 hubs and I was able to order and use these wheel hubs and brake discs. Super impressed with the quality of these parts. High quality bearings with crush sleeves and they run very true.
Here is the frame. There are some repairs I need to make. The main tube coming from the engine plate to the steering neck was welded crooked from the factory and is damaged at the steering neck. I’m going to cut it off and make the required repairs
That’s all for now. Stay tuned for updates I have more parts on the way and am super motivated to get this project going. This should be a good build and I’m hoping this is one of the baddest rupps out there.
Pretty complete but had a hs50 that wasn’t original and overall was a little rough around the edges so I didn’t feel bad hacking it up to start this project. The plan is extended swing arm, custom triple trees and fork tubes, built predator 224 engine, bigger wheels and tires. I decided to go with these aluminum 10” wheels that are marketed as Honda Z50 wheels. They came straight from china. The quality is impressive for the price got the pair for less than $100
Now for tires I got these Duro tires. They are much bigger than stock as you can
Pictured next to stock 1970 Rupp tires and wheels
These wheels use Z50 hubs and I was able to order and use these wheel hubs and brake discs. Super impressed with the quality of these parts. High quality bearings with crush sleeves and they run very true.
Here is the frame. There are some repairs I need to make. The main tube coming from the engine plate to the steering neck was welded crooked from the factory and is damaged at the steering neck. I’m going to cut it off and make the required repairs
That’s all for now. Stay tuned for updates I have more parts on the way and am super motivated to get this project going. This should be a good build and I’m hoping this is one of the baddest rupps out there.