Several years ago I bought a Sears 1971(?) "Trail tamer/Blue Darner" from the original owner. There were, I believe, two variations of the minibike with the cycle-styled fuel tank. The deluxe version (as shown in your illustration) had a jackshaft, sissy bar, F/R suspension, chrome fenders, etc. The budget model, which I have, lacked these features. However, I believe the same frame with jackshaft brackets were used for both bikes although my bike didn't come with that feature, either. I've also seen various factory brake systems and engines on both bikes. Today after spending approximately 4 hours on yard work, I rolled out my Blue Darner and with a few pulls on the rewind, I proceeded to take a few spins around the block to cool down and relive my younger days.
My first mini bike was a Woods, I love that little mini bike had a 3-horse Tecumseh engine on it then I moved up to a Rupp Roadster with a five horse, that was a wicked piece of machinery then I had a Kawasaki two stroke mini bike they were kind of rare, then I moved on to Suzuki dirt bikes, thanks for posting that really brings back a lot of memories, oh yeah every time it rains I think about my Rupp mini bike, broke my damn shoulder on that thing LOL good times😅😅
1971. I remember walking into a Ben Franklin department store,( Indianapolis, IN, West Side, 10th Street), and seeing an orange minibike in the entrance. . I was 10 years old. I would sit on that bike and dream that night about owning it. It never happened. My mother was just like Ralphie Parker's Mother,( the Christmas story). No minibike, but she finally caved in on the BB Gun when i was 13. Thanks for the memory. S
I'm more into the Carl Heald Kits myself, but any historic memorabilia is Always Cool. I just found the channel so I will be checking it out. Eventually i will post my restorations of my 2 Super Broncs, 2 Super Trykes, 1 VT 8 & a VT 5. All 6 are starting from the wheels up. Lots of sabdblasting rims frames & all parts repaint rebuild motors & enjoy again for a while n sell them to fund this "addiction" Keep up the Great work.....
Thanks, good to see them! Still have the 1969 very basic Sears mini bike my dad got my brother and I, moved quickly to Honda 50’s But still have the mini bike!
My sister and I had the smallest model it was fun I know we learned on several occasions what a hot muffler would do the inside of your leg. We love that damn thing though it was yellow
My father gave me his from when he was a kid He repainted it black and silver “my choice , I liked the raiders” for my birthday when I was 12 it was a little Indian 5 hp centrifugal clutch And the kill switch was a metal tab you grounded to the spark plug 😂 ouch
I miss the Sears catalog, we always looked forward to it, especially at Christmas!
Several years ago I bought a Sears 1971(?) "Trail tamer/Blue Darner" from the original owner. There were, I believe, two variations of the minibike with the cycle-styled fuel tank. The deluxe version (as shown in your illustration) had a jackshaft, sissy bar, F/R suspension, chrome fenders, etc. The budget model, which I have, lacked these features. However, I believe the same frame with jackshaft brackets were used for both bikes although my bike didn't come with that feature, either. I've also seen various factory brake systems and engines on both bikes. Today after spending approximately 4 hours on yard work, I rolled out my Blue Darner and with a few pulls on the rewind, I proceeded to take a few spins around the block to cool down and relive my younger days.
My first mini bike was a Woods, I love that little mini bike had a 3-horse Tecumseh engine on it then I moved up to a Rupp Roadster with a five horse, that was a wicked piece of machinery then I had a Kawasaki two stroke mini bike they were kind of rare, then I moved on to Suzuki dirt bikes, thanks for posting that really brings back a lot of memories, oh yeah every time it rains I think about my Rupp mini bike, broke my damn shoulder on that thing LOL good times😅😅
remember rupp mini bikes ?
I had a rupp scrambler!!
1971. I remember walking into a Ben Franklin department store,( Indianapolis, IN, West Side, 10th Street), and seeing an orange minibike in the entrance. . I was 10 years old. I would sit on that bike and dream that night about owning it. It never happened. My mother was just like Ralphie Parker's Mother,( the Christmas story). No minibike, but she finally caved in on the BB Gun when i was 13. Thanks for the memory. S
I owned one from Montgomery-Ward, similar to the 5hp model. It was a Christmas gift in 1970
I'm more into the Carl Heald Kits myself, but any historic memorabilia is Always Cool. I just found the channel so I will be checking it out. Eventually i will post my restorations of my 2 Super Broncs, 2 Super Trykes, 1 VT 8 & a VT 5. All 6 are starting from the wheels up. Lots of sabdblasting rims frames & all parts repaint rebuild motors & enjoy again for a while n sell them to fund this "addiction" Keep up the Great work.....
Thanks, good to see them! Still have the 1969 very basic Sears mini bike my dad got my brother and I, moved quickly to Honda 50’s But still have the mini bike!
My sister and I had the smallest model it was fun I know we learned on several occasions what a hot muffler would do the inside of your leg. We love that damn thing though it was yellow
I HAD ONE ROAD IT EVER DAY I WAS COOL 😎 OR I THOUGHT I WAS. 😂
Awesome history.
We had one that looked like that as kids....it was fun as hell
To bad Sears doesn’t exist these days we used to have one very close to home and I remember going there all the time
Got the 3.5 hp.for Christmas 1969
Love to have a cope of that , I have all 3 of them bikes , way cool
Wish i could get a brand new 1971 mini bike for or $150 bucks.
My father gave me his from when he was a kid
He repainted it black and silver “my choice , I liked the raiders” for my birthday when I was 12 it was a little Indian 5 hp centrifugal clutch
And the kill switch was a metal tab you grounded to the spark plug 😂 ouch