Okay, so I finally got my hands on a Mini Trail Honda 70, something I’ve wanted to mess with for a long time. I’ve always loved those little bikes – they’re just cool, you know?
First things first, I found one online. It wasn’t in the best shape, to be honest. The paint was faded, there was some rust, and the seat was ripped. But the engine turned over, so I figured, “Why not? Let’s do this!”
Getting Started
I hauled it back to my garage and started taking it apart. I mean, really taking it apart. I labeled everything – every nut, every bolt, every wire. I even took pictures along the way so I’d remember how it all went back together. Trust me, that was a lifesaver later on!
- Took off the wheels, the fenders, the handlebars… everything.
- Cleaned every single part. Lots of scrubbing and degreasing.
- Sanded down the frame and any rusty spots.
The Fun Part (and the Frustrating Part)
Then came the painting. I went with the original color – a bright, classic red. I used a spray gun, which was a bit tricky at first, but I got the hang of it. It took a few coats, and I had to wait for each coat to dry, which was agonizing because I just wanted to see it finished!
While the paint was drying, I worked on the engine. It wasn’t too bad, just needed some basic maintenance – new spark plug, oil change, that kind of stuff. I also cleaned the carburetor, which was surprisingly gunked up.
Putting it All Back Together
The seat need recover.I ordered new foam and cover online.
Putting it all back together was like a giant puzzle. Remember those pictures I took? Yeah, they were essential. I spent a good few evenings in the garage, just bolting things back on, connecting wires, and slowly but surely, it started to look like a bike again.
The Moment of Truth
Finally, it was done. I filled it up with gas, turned the key, and kicked it over. It sputtered a bit at first, but then… it roared to life! I took it for a spin around the block, and man, it was awesome. All that work, all that time, it was totally worth it.
It’s not perfect, of course. There are still a few little things I want to tweak, but that’s part of the fun, right? It’s a project, and it’s mine. And honestly, riding that little Mini Trail, feeling the wind in my face… it’s just pure, simple joy.