$250 Manco Thunderbird Mini Bike Revival | The BEST Bang for Buck Mini Bike Project!

We bought a Manco Thunderbird mini bike for $250 in non-running but complete condition. In today’s episode we get the old mini bike running, rebuild the carburetor, make a few tweaks to the bike, and take it out for a rip on the brand new 2021 Isaac Grand Prix! These small old school style mini bikes with full suspension and 3-5 horsepower are so much fun- they’re easy to ride, decently powerful (but not scary), and they’re easy to store and transport. I don’t think you can have this much fun for $250 anywhere else!

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[terribleed]

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! 🤘👊

[CarsandCameras]

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.

[devinfowler]

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.

[thomasmoore]

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!

[michaelterry]

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.

[FJCoop]

I do believe that the bonehead gas pouring attempt is worthy of wearing the helmet all day award. Js.

[bobsbarnworkshop]

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!

[alexanderkuble]

I love this channel I’ve been watching for many years and u guys brighten up my day every time thx

[rileyfenley]

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.

[louisvaill]

The new track is the hillbilly version of the the old track at Johns parents house 😁

[crossthreadaeroindustries]

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.

[Lord_Verminaard]

"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.

[corysonsoucie]

I had that exact mini bike when I was little and raced my dog up and down the driveway thousands of times.

[trickfkitmakeitwork]

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.

[billwilliamson]

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.

[leelane]

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.

[kfxmatt]

I used to have one of these when I was a kid. Good times

[aaronmiller]

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!

[leoscustombuilds]

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.

[cobyburrow]

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.