t h e   b e g i n n i n g a r c h i v e s p h o t o s l i n k s d o n a t e !

11-05-08 . . Hey, I didn't call this website the "Harley Blog" did I? With the Sportster effectively finished, what to do . . what to do? Well, I always thought old mini bikes were cool, and I'd really like something to putt around on at the lake, so why not? I found this little beater in Dearborn, MO through Craigslist. It's a c. 1968 Rupp TT500 that somebody wisely put a newer Honda 144cc engine into. It ran good, looked terrible and was $50. Sold! I should clarify that last. It runs, but it doesn't GO anywhere. No chain. More importantly, no brakes, either. The forks are bent, the tires are shot, the neck bearings are loose, the handlebars have some suspicious welds and the seat is about 90% duct tape. For some strange reason, all those facts make me like it even more! The first step will be to take the whole thing apart, straighten the bent parts, paint it, grease it and reassemble the frame. I thought I might put a big cast iron tractor seat on it, but those are kinda expensive. Maybe an old bicycle seat, then? Drag bars or big ape hangers? Who knows. It might even become a mini clone of the sportster! My goal is to finish it with $200 or less total outlay. I'm $50 into it already. This should be fun!