Dang this one really brings me back! My dad went to the go kart and mini store “to get a new clutch” for our go kart and told me only my sister could go. I was super upset because I loved going to that store even if it was just to look around. Well my dad came back home and had bought me that exact mini bike! Best day ever! 🤘👊
Being a good old boy from Georgia that grew up riding some mean yard carts, I love y'alls videos. I got to build them with my grandfather and wrench on them with him. y'alls stuff brings back a lot of good memories, he passed away a few years ago from brain cancer. That was a very hard time in my life. But that's enough of the sentimental stuff.. You guys should build the mini bike from Dumb and Dumber.
I have a manco mini bike and I think its the same one. I put 5 hp engine on it, torque converter, and I upgraded the brakes. I love that thing, so much fun!
This brought back memories, just like the one I had as a kid, mine was bad about breaking the chain and throttle cable....we always bought multiple master links.
I remember pulling the governor on my old go-kart. I had a fishing line tied to it that you could pull. It would give a nice little boost we use to call it the turbo back then.
Brings back great memories! I had a 5hp Alexander Reynolds chopper mini bike with similar suspension. Top speed was 45mph... it had a pretty small rear sprocket and I bypassed the governor of course! It did have a mechanical rear disc brake which pretty much did nothing! Hey, I had big feet!
My buddy and I rigged up his childhood minibike when we were like Seniors in HS. Did not have a spring so we used a rubber band on the throttle. OF COURSE is broke on a course like you have there, but there were deep ruts from heavy equipment using the access road we were on. I. Went. Flying. Time stood still. I looked like Charlie Brown missing the football on his kick. Immediate hilarity, couldn't breath because I was laughing so hard. Tore the side of my jeans up, but otherwise I was ok. No broken arm or collar bone. You guys bring that day back for me.
You guys are living the dream, His legs gives him a two stroke advantage. Thanks for videos just built a doodle bug with 212 lots of fun, taco is next up. Keep em coming.
Y'all could make your own race with a $10 entrance fee. Then you could make the entrance fee the prize money and weld up some trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
In my fleet I have 3 of these manco t birds, great little bikes but if you drop a 212 on it, make sure to box the engine mount. They'll flex, throw chains and crack the frame.
I know of two people that have died in separate incidents hitting tractor implements while riding around a yard on motorbikes, granted they weren't wearing helmets but still, being injured isn't fun for anyone. Hopefully the only risky stuff you attempt is driving old stuff down the road that has a chance of cutting out and making you push it home, rolling a kids cart on yourself or over drive tyres and a sunvisor. Stay safe!
I love scrub brakes, so simple and don't require any fiddling! But yes, they do disappear when its wet out. When its dry out, you can almost stand on them and it'll lock that rear wheel up!
That is awesome!!! I bought a original manco Thunderbird for $50 from a garage sale and put a 212cc predator in it and I can't keep the front tire on the ground!!! Love the vids!!!
In case anyone is wondering the average hearing from the auto clutch & 35 chain is about 6:1 or at least 60 teeth on the driven sprocket.give or take. Trev New Zealand.
Hey guys I've been a subscriber since the og cheap minibike builds several years ago. Yall inspired me to build my minibike which happens to be a manco thunderbird so I'm very excited that yall finally have one!
I had that exact same mini as a kid. Chains were the bane of my existence. Even worse when it came off and got caught between the sprocket n the wheel. We ended up extending the front end and putting apes on it to “chop” it.
That mini bike is cool. Y'all should take that flats boat out an do a fishing vid didn't know he loves on the water an maybe switch it up a little. Or get it going if it don't run. Either way nice score on the mini bike. This was a great lunch time vid to watch. Back to work in the skid steer I go.
Manco Thunderbird was my first minibike and is still my favorite minibike. I recently watched my son ride the same minibike I rode at his age. That was special. I am happy to still have it.
I have an older version of this minibike, I believe it's a 1969 Bird Engineering Thunderbird. Very similar but it has spoke wheels and no rear suspension at all. It's going to be a rough ride but I'm excited to get her finished and ride her.
I've got an original Bird Thunderbird, rescued from a scrap pile. Now sports a Hemi 212, shaved head, billet rod and flywheel, upgraded cam, rockers/pushrods, big bore carb, header, and so on. Added a chain brake, but still has the scrub one too. It is one fast and scary ride.
I had that same mini bike as a kid, we always tried to take only right turns because of how big the sprocket was as it would hit rocks and break. I remember how bad the breaks were, just a metal plate that rubbed against the tire to stop. It was alot of fun to ride especially as a little kid.
When I was a kid I would go to work with my dad and clean spark plugs all day, fun times man fun times. Anywho when I would complete the cleaning process I would have to test the plugs. To do so you add spark with the plug in a chamber and as you are watching the spark across the electrode you elevate the compression in the chamber. The compression is what actually makes a plug fail. Just some old skool food for thought, don't ask how old 🤣. Keep up the great videos guys!
Man I love these things! I have 2 of them. My kids have one with a stage 1 79cc and mine has a stage 1 212cc with a 54 tooth sprocket to keep it from launching into orbit every time I take off! It does snap chains quite a bit though. My biggest piece of advice......clutch band brake.
I had one of these when I was younger my uncle gave it to me I swapped the little 3.5 out for a 6.0 hp Honda power washer motor and it would fly lol with that huge sprocket on it I would cruise cross county’s lol I think I commented on your video awhile back saying the man I thunderbirds are the best mini bikes on earth
I picked one up a few months back. Threw a hydraulic disc brake kit from amazon as well as a (pls don't hate me) 48v 1800w electric system. So far, its been an amazingly fun build and she rips too. Lots of torque and a pretty solid top speed. Hope to see more of this bike in the future! I also purchased mine running for $200. It had a 4hp Robin-Subaru engine.
I have one of these Thunderbirds. I got it for my son back in the early 90s. Somewhere I may have the original paperwork too. Yesterday I got a wild hair and put in a carb kit and it runs great. All parts are original. I want to get in that race haha!
This is awesome, I always wanted one of those! That 3.5 Tecumseh sound takes me back -- I did have/ride many bikes/karts equipped with similar engines that sound just like that. Good luck with this one, I look forward to whatever you change or upgrade on it. Stay safe!
I wanted one of those so bad in the early 90's. It retailed for $599 at the local hardware store. I ended up making something similar one out of black gas pipe using this one for spec. Used wheel barrel wheels and even had that 12" drive sprocket.
I just bought a Manco Thunderbird today! Could be pre-Manco, No name on the seat. Missing the gas tank and chain guard, otherwise, very clean. The guy said the engine was blown, but it has great compression. His wife said it wouldn't start. Can't wait to get her going tomorrow!
Good Catch on that spark plug guys! I have been told that sometimes the atmosphere/compression created inside the cylinder can cause a weak plug to do exactly what yours did. Really good catch guys.
Man that front fender is what's got the top end so low! Its providing lift instead of down force! Lol ....I bet it's got another 3 mile an hour in it if you take it off!
I have a manco as well. My front forks are frozen. But to add breaking i installed a clutch break. I kniw in the case of chain throwing its useless. But gold gps chain should hold up. Mine came with a non hemi predator. But i got a tecumse or however is spelled off a snowbliwer thats 6hp i may downgrade and put predator on something else
The original was by Bird Enterprises and had 1/4" diameter spoked wheels and was called the Thunderbird. Their emblem was an Eagle with the motto " Bird-Masters of Motion" .
I can't wait for you guys to hit a million I haven't been here for long but I've been here since May. You guys have taught me everything I need to know.
I bought one just like yours back in October, but it didn't have the original engine or handlebars. I couldnt get the centrifugal clutch to tote me around, so I swapped it for a 212 with a CVT - she pulls wheelies now with a top speed of 32MPH (so far). If you guys can "upgrade" the brakes from the scrub brake to something a little more safer, that would be great! Maybe from parts at GPS?
WOULD love to see more car stuff ( CARS and cameras). I really enjoyed the auto cross video with the nova.. maybe a video on the nova and how you set it up for the next race
Mine didn't have an engine at all.so I put a stage one predator and changed the bask sprocket to a 60 tooth just for clearance on rocky roads.it was an absolute riot.if I ever grab another one I'll leave it stock.
Thunderbird is a common name, given that it's a bike, not a car Ford can't really have any claim to it, that said Triumph had a Thunderbird(which in its original production run, pre dates the car) so you'd think they'd have had something to say about it.
Sweet bike. I have one of those mine is a 1997 I’m too big to ride it comfortably and that sprocket hits everytime I turn. Installed a 19mm carb on that Tecumseh cause the stock b was giving me too much problems and the new one was junk. Awesome find for 250. I’d like to see y’all modify that 3.5 a little bit like a header and maybe shave the eyebrows since it’s a flathead?
Have a great week everyone! We need to plan an enduro mini bike race for under 5hp bikes. Could be a ton of fun after corona is over.
cool i’m the first to reply!!!’
I have a gocart that yall could have
Full face helmets! No mask required.
Sounds great.
The Cars and Cameras Motorsports
Dang this one really brings me back! My dad went to the go kart and mini store “to get a new clutch” for our go kart and told me only my sister could go. I was super upset because I loved going to that store even if it was just to look around. Well my dad came back home and had bought me that exact mini bike! Best day ever! 🤘👊
Dude.. that's an awesome story. I can still remember the feeling when I got mine
Being a good old boy from Georgia that grew up riding some mean yard carts, I love y'alls videos. I got to build them with my grandfather and wrench on them with him. y'alls stuff brings back a lot of good memories, he passed away a few years ago from brain cancer. That was a very hard time in my life. But that's enough of the sentimental stuff.. You guys should build the mini bike from Dumb and Dumber.
Then re-create the scene where they are riding in the freezing cold and he pisses and they are stuck together
Devin Fowler that is cool sorry about your grandpa 🥺🥺He is in a better place now though
I'm from Georgia and we say "dut'nit" just like Ike 😃
Can you send me a link from Dumb and Dumber... I wanna see what you're talking about. Also I'm from Ohio.
@@bustinyanutz4195 uh oh.
I have a manco mini bike and I think its the same one. I put 5 hp engine on it, torque converter, and I upgraded the brakes. I love that thing, so much fun!
This brought back memories, just like the one I had as a kid, mine was bad about breaking the chain and throttle cable....we always bought multiple master links.
"Man, I guess I should have used the funnel" : Basically what everyone has said every time they have used a gas can without a funnel.
Not me I have a speed nozzle, race gas cans
Haha every time I forget and say oh well it'll be fine but then I'm covered from knee down in gas
I do believe that the bonehead gas pouring attempt is worthy of wearing the helmet all day award. Js.
I remember pulling the governor on my old go-kart. I had a fishing line tied to it that you could pull. It would give a nice little boost we use to call it the turbo back then.
Brings back great memories! I had a 5hp Alexander Reynolds chopper mini bike with similar suspension. Top speed was 45mph... it had a pretty small rear sprocket and I bypassed the governor of course! It did have a mechanical rear disc brake which pretty much did nothing! Hey, I had big feet!
I love this channel I’ve been watching for many years and u guys brighten up my day every time thx
That means a lot! Thanks!
Thanks
I had that exact mini bike when I was little and raced my dog up and down the driveway thousands of times.
6:26 good job Ike!!! 😂
My buddy and I rigged up his childhood minibike when we were like Seniors in HS. Did not have a spring so we used a rubber band on the throttle. OF COURSE is broke on a course like you have there, but there were deep ruts from heavy equipment using the access road we were on. I. Went. Flying. Time stood still. I looked like Charlie Brown missing the football on his kick. Immediate hilarity, couldn't breath because I was laughing so hard. Tore the side of my jeans up, but otherwise I was ok. No broken arm or collar bone. You guys bring that day back for me.
The new track is the hillbilly version of the the old track at Johns parents house 😁
That’s why it’s better, everything is more crazy and more fun down south
They can upgrade it too
Yes quite
You guys are living the dream, His legs gives him a two stroke advantage. Thanks for videos just built a doodle bug with 212 lots of fun, taco is next up. Keep em coming.
Really miss you guys outing down times on mini bikes and go carts.
Y'all could make your own race with a $10 entrance fee. Then you could make the entrance fee the prize money and weld up some trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
F****** amazing idea dude!!!! Fuck yeah!🤘🤙🏍😎
I was thinking the next mini mayhem could be at the vir kart track, I swear I remember hearing them talk about it in a video
Great idea you should be the new president!!!!
@@carterclark5171 Too smart idea President would be looking for the baby for the po hotoshoot.Trev New Zealand
I'll fly in from Sweden, easy!
In my fleet I have 3 of these manco t birds, great little bikes but if you drop a 212 on it, make sure to box the engine mount. They'll flex, throw chains and crack the frame.
I used to have one of these when I was a kid. Good times
I know of two people that have died in separate incidents hitting tractor implements while riding around a yard on motorbikes, granted they weren't wearing helmets but still, being injured isn't fun for anyone. Hopefully the only risky stuff you attempt is driving old stuff down the road that has a chance of cutting out and making you push it home, rolling a kids cart on yourself or over drive tyres and a sunvisor. Stay safe!
Fresh oil in an engine is always good, even if it is too far gone.
If you are trying to get it running.
I grew up on mini bikes and motorcycles in the 60s and 70s, but I bought my son a Manco Thunderbird in the late 80s. Great bikes.
I love scrub brakes, so simple and don't require any fiddling! But yes, they do disappear when its wet out. When its dry out, you can almost stand on them and it'll lock that rear wheel up!
back in the 60s most minis were 3 or 3.5hp a 5 was a rare thing
Kids were dumber then 🤣
@@donellmuniz590 noway kids use to actually go outside and learn hands-on shit now they are glued to electronic devices 24/7 and never out in nature
the 5s were always on actual Karts instead of bikes. my house was crazy tho, we had 8s on the karts and 5s on the bikes!
I believe the man I thunderbirds are 90s tho because I had a near mint one looked new and I’m only 27
@@bustinyanutz4195 what generation do you think raised those kids to be on phones all the time?
You can have a lot of fun on those . I had one and could ride it all day with no break downs . Good cheap fun !
That is awesome!!! I bought a original manco Thunderbird for $50 from a garage sale and put a 212cc predator in it and I can't keep the front tire on the ground!!! Love the vids!!!
I just got one today that came with a brand new predator 212 still in the box. I’m excited
In case anyone is wondering the average hearing from the auto clutch & 35 chain is about 6:1 or at least 60 teeth on the driven sprocket.give or take. Trev New Zealand.
You guys got everything, including the kitchen sink! Good video fellas its always fun to watch ya all.
Quick tip. I keep my old metal premix cans for filling karts and bikes. 1 quart. Works easier.
I am loving the kaiser truck
These are wheelie kings. I stretched mine 3.5" to keep it down. I also added a piece of rubber belting to the brake scrubber and it helps a bunch.
The stock 72 tooth sprocket didnt help.
@@robspear03 Gear it down to 60 tooth or ,6;1 ratio. Trev New Zealand
Bro I busted my ass trying to floor it on one of these with a 212 haha
DeJankify, Perspective........ The boys sure are getting classy for 2021 on us.
Hey guys I've been a subscriber since the og cheap minibike builds several years ago. Yall inspired me to build my minibike which happens to be a manco thunderbird so I'm very excited that yall finally have one!
Cool. I love that bike
@@isaacitllbefine7231 I do too it was my first minibike back when I was a kiddo and I still have it to this day! Just wayy sketchier now lol
I had that exact same mini as a kid. Chains were the bane of my existence. Even worse when it came off and got caught between the sprocket n the wheel. We ended up extending the front end and putting apes on it to “chop” it.
I found a mini chopper for 200 with a 7hp spent about 100 on a few parts now have a nice ride
My fav minibike and go cart channel with ratherbewelding and redbeard's garage
I bought the same bike for my kid. I have just as much fun as he does.
Had one just like this probably right around '92. Can only imagine how miles I put on that thing running around the yard.
That mini bike is cool. Y'all should take that flats boat out an do a fishing vid didn't know he loves on the water an maybe switch it up a little. Or get it going if it don't run. Either way nice score on the mini bike. This was a great lunch time vid to watch. Back to work in the skid steer I go.
my first "dirt bike" was a 3.5hp Tecumseh mini bike. brings back memories!
All you need is a thumb lever and cable hooked up to pull the governor open at high speed. Give it a Nitrous or Turbo Boost label.
Manco Thunderbird was my first minibike and is still my favorite minibike. I recently watched my son ride the same minibike I rode at his age. That was special. I am happy to still have it.
Loved Ike checking the spark plug!😂
I have one of those things and it is the most fun and simple to fix
I have an older version of this minibike, I believe it's a 1969 Bird Engineering Thunderbird. Very similar but it has spoke wheels and no rear suspension at all.
It's going to be a rough ride but I'm excited to get her finished and ride her.
Wait..what??? I watched until the end and John did not crash or break it? Well, except for the chain! 😂
I had the same mini bike in the 70s when I was 9
And I do remember the back scrub brake..
I've got an original Bird Thunderbird, rescued from a scrap pile. Now sports a Hemi 212, shaved head, billet rod and flywheel, upgraded cam, rockers/pushrods, big bore carb, header, and so on. Added a chain brake, but still has the scrub one too. It is one fast and scary ride.
John and Ike another awesome video. This Old Man enjoying early in the morning. 🚚😎💗💗
That beard puts the "Ike" in psycho. Hope it doesn't create enough drag to affect the CCGP lap times. Sick Manco!
I had that same mini bike as a kid, we always tried to take only right turns because of how big the sprocket was as it would hit rocks and break. I remember how bad the breaks were, just a metal plate that rubbed against the tire to stop. It was alot of fun to ride especially as a little kid.
I can't tell you how many times I have been shocked by a magneto. LOL
I was pulling plug wires on my 95 Ranger to diagnose a misfire, coil packs pack a hell of a punch too😵
Had one and loves everything except the seat suspension and the brake. Easy enough to fix and it was an off-road beast.
That's an awesome lil mini bike
When I was a kid I would go to work with my dad and clean spark plugs all day, fun times man fun times. Anywho when I would complete the cleaning process I would have to test the plugs. To do so you add spark with the plug in a chamber and as you are watching the spark across the electrode you elevate the compression in the chamber. The compression is what actually makes a plug fail. Just some old skool food for thought, don't ask how old 🤣. Keep up the great videos guys!
I do that regularly for my dad at his aircraft maintenance business. Exact same peocess! Clean, test, test with compression, then check the gap.
Man I love these things! I have 2 of them. My kids have one with a stage 1 79cc and mine has a stage 1 212cc with a 54 tooth sprocket to keep it from launching into orbit every time I take off! It does snap chains quite a bit though. My biggest piece of advice......clutch band brake.
7:06 famous last words "Are you ready Duu... KABOOM"
I had one of these when I was younger my uncle gave it to me I swapped the little 3.5 out for a 6.0 hp Honda power washer motor and it would fly lol with that huge sprocket on it I would cruise cross county’s lol I think I commented on your video awhile back saying the man I thunderbirds are the best mini bikes on earth
I picked one up a few months back. Threw a hydraulic disc brake kit from amazon as well as a (pls don't hate me) 48v 1800w electric system. So far, its been an amazingly fun build and she rips too. Lots of torque and a pretty solid top speed. Hope to see more of this bike in the future! I also purchased mine running for $200. It had a 4hp Robin-Subaru engine.
Heck ya guys these are awesome little bikes go karts or gone fishin has one just like this I’ve been wanting to get off of him
I have one of these Thunderbirds. I got it for my son back in the early 90s. Somewhere I may have the original paperwork too.
Yesterday I got a wild hair and put in a carb kit and it runs great. All parts are original.
I want to get in that race haha!
holy shit batman that rear sprocket is as big as the rear tire
That little motor needs all the leverage it can get.
This is awesome, I always wanted one of those! That 3.5 Tecumseh sound takes me back -- I did have/ride many bikes/karts equipped with similar engines that sound just like that. Good luck with this one, I look forward to whatever you change or upgrade on it. Stay safe!
I wanted one of those so bad in the early 90's. It retailed for $599 at the local hardware store. I ended up making something similar one out of black gas pipe using this one for spec. Used wheel barrel wheels and even had that 12" drive sprocket.
You guys are amazing thanks to you I made my first small engines purchase I got a little pit bike
It’s the beard weight. Major speed disadvantage, but it looks cool.
I would put some slightly taller handle bars on it. And a new throttle cable.
I've just gotta get one of those! Looks perfect.
It's an awesome bike. You won't regret it
I just bought a Manco Thunderbird today! Could be pre-Manco, No name on the seat. Missing the gas tank and chain guard, otherwise, very clean. The guy said the engine was blown, but it has great compression. His wife said it wouldn't start. Can't wait to get her going tomorrow!
I sent you guys a link to a 32' ford go cart on FB was a touch pricey but it is the only one like it I have seen.
Good Catch on that spark plug guys! I have been told that sometimes the atmosphere/compression created inside the cylinder can cause a weak plug to do exactly what yours did. Really good catch guys.
Ikes beard game is on point!
Man that front fender is what's got the top end so low! Its providing lift instead of down force! Lol ....I bet it's got another 3 mile an hour in it if you take it off!
I have a manco as well. My front forks are frozen. But to add breaking i installed a clutch break. I kniw in the case of chain throwing its useless. But gold gps chain should hold up.
Mine came with a non hemi predator. But i got a tecumse or however is spelled off a snowbliwer thats 6hp i may downgrade and put predator on something else
That's awesome 👌. I just picked up a thunderbird in good condition for only 50 bucks,love your channel also i switched my brake to a disk brake.
All components work together.
you guys def need a gokart/mini bike tool box you take everywhere is misc parts and tools to use lol
The original was by Bird Enterprises and had 1/4" diameter spoked wheels and was called the Thunderbird. Their emblem was an Eagle with the motto " Bird-Masters of Motion" .
Great video Manco made in Ft Wayne
Bill from ft Wayne Indiana
i think you guys should smog pump supercharge that flathead tecumseh, that would be a wicked little minibike power plant
Yay another mini bike
Recently picked me up a running Baja Warrior with a predator 212 for $200 off facebook, you can find ANYTHING it's fantastic
I can't wait for you guys to hit a million I haven't been here for long but I've been here since May. You guys have taught me everything I need to know.
👍
I bought one just like yours back in October, but it didn't have the original engine or handlebars. I couldnt get the centrifugal clutch to tote me around, so I swapped it for a 212 with a CVT - she pulls wheelies now with a top speed of 32MPH (so far). If you guys can "upgrade" the brakes from the scrub brake to something a little more safer, that would be great! Maybe from parts at GPS?
You should put extra weight on the bikes/carts when John is on them to even up the weight difference!
Man you guys have everything! Even the kitchen sink! Love your videos! Keep em coming!
Way to go Isaac shock yourself been there done that keep up the good videos guys be safe out there
Come on guys almost at 1 Million subs, can’t wait till you hit it!👍
Hey guys just received you shirt and it looks nice and fits nice
Looking good john. Keeping your foot on the pegs shaves off seconds
WOULD love to see more car stuff ( CARS and cameras). I really enjoyed the auto cross video with the nova.. maybe a video on the nova and how you set it up for the next race
YAY HE DIDNT HIT A TREE ..... sorry had to mention it. Great video Keep It Up!
Mine didn't have an engine at all.so I put a stage one predator and changed the bask sprocket to a 60 tooth just for clearance on rocky roads.it was an absolute riot.if I ever grab another one I'll leave it stock.
That was great guys lot of fun
Yooooooo I have a manco!! It's not a thunderbird but I love it!
Thunderbird is a common name, given that it's a bike, not a car Ford can't really have any claim to it, that said Triumph had a Thunderbird(which in its original production run, pre dates the car) so you'd think they'd have had something to say about it.
Wow you Guys are so close to 1M subs. May that day come soon coz y'all deserve it so much. I cant wait to see what you 2 have in stored for 2021.
Cute lil rig goes right along for a timely motor but great lil vid and I wonder how a predetor engine would go in it lol ..godbless
11:34 Getting blasted by a spark plug is better than a cup of coffee for waking you up. 🤣
great to see this Chanel growing, always love the new content, keep up the great work guys!
Sweet bike. I have one of those mine is a 1997 I’m too big to ride it comfortably and that sprocket hits everytime I turn. Installed a 19mm carb on that Tecumseh cause the stock b was giving me too much problems and the new one was junk. Awesome find for 250. I’d like to see y’all modify that 3.5 a little bit like a header and maybe shave the eyebrows since it’s a flathead?