Mini Chopper Built For 10-Year Old Grandson

2006 - Volume #30, Issue #5, Page #24

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William Jennings' 10-year-old grandson wanted an ATV of his own, but Jennings felt they were too fast to be safe.
"They'll go 60 mph, and I knew he would, too, so I told him we would build one," says Jennings. "He is mechanically inclined so he helped build it."
The frame, front forks with wheel and brake drum, and the gas tank were salvaged from an old 550 Honda motorcycle. A Murray garden tractor provided the rear end drive assembly axle and brakes. A 12 1/2 hp Briggs and Stratton provided the power, and a jackshaft and clutch assembly transfer the power from engine shaft to drive shaft.
"I had to use an idler pulley and spring for the clutch assembly with a foot clutch releasing the spring tension so my grandson can shift it," says Jennings. "We kept the regular five-speed transaxle rear end from the Murray."
Connecting the motorcycle frame to the garden tractor rear end was almost as much of a challenge as the clutch assembly. The first step was to cut the Honda frame down so it would match up with the Murray rear end.
"I cut 4 in. out of the rear risers and 2 in out of the top tube that comes down to the rear risers," says Jennings. "Then I cut 3 in. out of the front tubes and cut the frame off where the swing arm to the rear wheel went."
He welded cross supports under the frame to support the running boards and cut a plate of 3/16-in. steel as a base for the engine. He cut a hole in it for the engine shaft and bored out mounting holes to match the engine mounts.
"The motorcycle frame was about 12 in. overall, so I had to widen it and bring it back on both sides to fit the mounting brackets for the transaxle," explains Jennings. "I welded 1-in. tubing up for the rear fenders and covered them with 1/8-in. plate. I left the rear tubes for added strength and welded steel plate between them and the rear risers. It's kind of built like a tank in the rear end."
Jennings built a seat over the top frame tubes using 3/4-in. plywood and foam covered it all with Naugahyde. While the rear wheels are original, the hubcaps came from a golf cart.
"My grandson wanted to dress it up a bit with the hubcaps and flame kit," says Jennings. "We have had it in a parade or two and he has driven it for six months. It is geared to only run 10-12 mph, and he has been after me to speed it up. I want to be sure he has a handle on it before we put anymore speed to it."
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, William Jennings, RR 1, Box 222, Foster, Mo. 64745 (ph 660 832-4889).

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Mini Chopper Built For 10-Year Old Grandson AG WORLD 30-5-24 William Jennings' 10-year-old grandson wanted an ATV of his own, but Jennings felt they were too fast to be safe. "They'll go 60 mph, and I knew he would, too, so I told him we would build one," says Jennings. "He is mechanically inclined so he helped build it." The frame, front forks with wheel and brake drum, and the gas tank were salvaged from an old 550 Honda motorcycle. A Murray garden tractor provided the rear end drive assembly axle and brakes. A 12 1/2 hp Briggs and Stratton provided the power, and a jackshaft and clutch assembly transfer the power from engine shaft to drive shaft. "I had to use an idler pulley and spring for the clutch assembly with a foot clutch releasing the spring tension so my grandson can shift it," says Jennings. "We kept the regular five-speed transaxle rear end from the Murray." Connecting the motorcycle frame to the garden tractor rear end was almost as much of a challenge as the clutch assembly. The first step was to cut the Honda frame down so it would match up with the Murray rear end. "I cut 4 in. out of the rear risers and 2 in out of the top tube that comes down to the rear risers," says Jennings. "Then I cut 3 in. out of the front tubes and cut the frame off where the swing arm to the rear wheel went." He welded cross supports under the frame to support the running boards and cut a plate of 3/16-in. steel as a base for the engine. He cut a hole in it for the engine shaft and bored out mounting holes to match the engine mounts. "The motorcycle frame was about 12 in. overall, so I had to widen it and bring it back on both sides to fit the mounting brackets for the transaxle," explains Jennings. "I welded 1-in. tubing up for the rear fenders and covered them with 1/8-in. plate. I left the rear tubes for added strength and welded steel plate between them and the rear risers. It's kind of built like a tank in the rear end." Jennings built a seat over the top frame tubes using 3/4-in. plywood and foam covered it all with Naugahyde. While the rear wheels are original, the hubcaps came from a golf cart. "My grandson wanted to dress it up a bit with the hubcaps and flame kit," says Jennings. "We have had it in a parade or two and he has driven it for six months. It is geared to only run 10-12 mph, and he has been after me to speed it up. I want to be sure he has a handle on it before we put anymore speed to it." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, William Jennings, RR 1, Box 222, Foster, Mo. 64745 (ph 660 832-4889).

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