![]() Now, with the internet, we know how good a chrome tank looks. All we ever got to see in 1969 or 1970 were ads in catalogues or the parts list and could only dream about what the chrome cylinder tank option was. Figuring all this stuff out is part of the intrigue in restoring a vintage mini bike. The poster shows the CR 500 with the Hodaka motor also had the welded jackshaft tabs too, probably in 1970 and later. The brochure shown shows both a CR 400 and a kit version, the CR 410. The original C-400 frame was susceptible to cracking the three welds along the tubing at the edge of the flat engine plate from the Tecumseh HS 40 motor vibration and the chain tension. This frame had the jackshaft tabs along with a different style engine plate that was folded over inside the frame tubing to make it stronger. I think the welded jackshaft tabs appeared a year later on a revised frame, hence the R in CR-400. A jackshaft kit Assembly with (mounting) carriage, part # C-405 may have been used to make the switch from motorcylcle chain #41 from the hodaka to the rear wheel sprocket which was a #35. The parts list also shows the Hodaka Ace 100 10Hp engine w/ 5 speed trans as an option, part #2044. There was no mention of Bonanza, but I believe they were at the same location and Bonanza was the parent company. The '69 parts list has this frame as the C-400 and the parts list also seems to cover the Scout MB 300. "My childhood C 400, first picture, for which I have the original brochures was called a "Scout" and was a 1969 model, from the Scout division, 1775 South First St. Look at all the brochures that are available and read them for clues. He has some beautiful pictures of his CR 500 with the hodaka. Have fun!īayAreaBurrito is another good resource on how these bikes were originally. Finding a complete roller with sissy bar, seat, and wheels at a decent price really puts you off to a good start. Just a set of wheels with the sprocket and brake are hard to find and expensive to get. I'm working on a second one for my son, and some Hodaka Ace 100 motors for when we want to try the bigger motor. Well, except for tire tubes, gas, oil, carb kit, and cables. I have had my CR 400 since 1970 when I was a kid and brought it back to life last year, totally original. We've seen that before as in one that I am currently making right, see photo of red frame and also yellow frame from a member in NY. It appears that your frame has been bent upward to allow a Briggs or other substitute non-original motor to fit in the frame. Re-chroming the forks and the sissy bar can also be one of the biggest restoration costs as well as finding the correct vintage and series of the HS40 motor, complete, and in good running condition or rebuilt. This bike originally came with either a Tecumseh HS40 4 hp engine or a Hodaka Ace 100 two stroke motorcycle engine with 5 speeds for the CR 500 model. Yours is a complete roller in decent shape, not too hard a restoration since there are sources like Bonanzamini for exact reproduction parts, but these can get pricey. "Yes, there's many people that want them and collect them. This information is a different thread, info from Marksteinhilber. I believe these all had the cylindrical gas tank as an option, with the exception of the CR500 which had it as standard. The CR500 essentially the CR410 but powered by Hodaka Ace 100cc Two stroke engine, utilized the jack shaft, right hand drive wheel. The CR410 powered by 4ph Tecumseh HS40 but utilized the jack shaft, using a right hand drive wheel. The CR400 powered by 4hp Tecumseh HS40, left hand drive I know there were three models, correct me if this info is wrong. Do you have a survivor that is unchanged? Have a bike that you got new? Original advertisements? Bonanza Spec sheets Anything at all. Figuring out what parts go to what year (to the best of our ability).Īny information at all to help us restore these bikes or even just to help date them would be helpful. It would be really helpful to people like myself that were trying to do research on a new project. With all the interest in the Bonanza choppers I think if would be a good idea to consolidate the information. Could we make this the official Bonanza chopper CR information thread? There is a ton of knowledge and information but Its a bit scattered out.
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