Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Backyard Bonanza: Bonanza BC 1200 Mini Bike

Back about 25 years ago, kids were actually permitted to go out outside and play unsupervised.  The coolest kids had parents that bought them minibikes.  The bikes were simple tube framers, powered by an old one lung lawn mower engine.  But what would happen if you put a racing go kart engine in your mini bike?  Find this Bonanza BC 1200 Mini Bike for sale in Kent, WA for $1,250 via craigslist.



Bonanza was a full range manufacturer of mini bikes back in the 1960's to 1970's, selling both assembled and kit bikes.  The BC1200 was their mid-range model with an actual front and rear suspension.  This BC 1200 has had a Briggs & Straton Raptor 3 motor, put in it.  The Raptor 3 was the 3rd and final generation of Briggs & Straton racing's one lunger.  Out of the factory, it produced 5hp and was popular with go karters and junior dragsters.  Tuners are able to get over 8hp of of it, but even with stock power, in a mini bike frame, this must go like a bat out of hell.


Obviously the subject of a restoration (many new parts the seller says), no mini bike I remember from my youth looked this good.  As the seller says:  "This is a big mini bike fast and powerful. This is not for a beginner it is way to much power for a young kid."



See a mini perfect for the super size generation? email us here: tips@dailyturismo.com

 Gianni is Daily Turismo's Pacific Northwest correspondent.

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7 comments:

  1. HunterSeptember 13, 2016 at 7:04 PM

    I've got a brace of doodlebugs, and they're terrifying. 40mph on lawnmower tires is asking for death. The one with a harbor freight 6.5hp engine will go faster than that, the other with the stock engine struggles, but will pass 30. It's an addicting sort of fun that makes me feel 10. And a gallon of gas lasts a month. Highly recommend minibikes, so stupid, so fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DailyTurismoSeptember 14, 2016 at 9:32 AM

      Hunter -- 40 mph on a doodlebug!?!?! I hope you have good health insurance! I can't imagine the harbor freight engine will last more than a few hours between rebuilds, but kudos to you and your next of kin!!
      -Vince

      Delete
    2. HunterSeptember 14, 2016 at 5:29 PM

      Let nobody doubt the extent of my madness.

      Harbor freight engines aren't worth rebuilding. $100 buys a brand new one. At least with a coupon from the back of whichever road&driver-trend you read.

      Delete
    3. AnonymousSeptember 14, 2016 at 11:38 PM

      From what I've heard the harbor freight engines aren't half bad.

      Delete
    4. daboo42March 17, 2017 at 12:08 AM

      I've got a harbor freight predator on my bonanza bc 1200 and it rips. It spins 5000 rpms, does over 35 mph and gets there quick. Reliability hasn't been an issue, as it starts on the first pull and runs all day. It has hop ups though. I've got it around 8hp. Solid engine though. Highly recommend them to anyone who has a mini bike or go kart.

      Delete
    5. daboo42March 17, 2017 at 12:09 AM

      I've got a harbor freight predator on my bonanza bc 1200 and it rips. It spins 5000 rpms, does over 35 mph and gets there quick. Reliability hasn't been an issue, as it starts on the first pull and runs all day. It has hop ups though. I've got it around 8hp. Solid engine though. Highly recommend them to anyone who has a mini bike or go kart.

      Delete
  2. DanteSeptember 14, 2016 at 1:37 PM

    So crazy! I was just surfing CL last night & was looking at this, now I see you featuring it.

    ReplyDelete

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