1969 Other Makes C250

Clear

You are looking at an exceptionally clean and rare vintage 1969 Rupp mini bike that has been converted into a combination of the Rupp C250 model and a Rupp TT 500, but without lights, in original condition. This mini bike is in exceptional condition for being 44 years old and not restored. Rupp started making mini bikes with the TT 500 and the C 250's then went into making Roadsters' and Black Widows. They did not make very many TT 500 and/or the C 250's and that is why this mini bike is so rare. The C 250's came with 2 and ½ Tecumseh motors and the TT500 came with Tecumseh 5 HP and this C 250/TT500 has been converted to accommodate a large Briggs and Stratton 5 horsepower engine. It even has a special cut out on the gas tank for engine to fit. These mini bikes are very hard to find especially one in original condition. It is completely original, the paint, seat, the footpegs -- so you can tell that it has been well taken of the last almost forty five years. It still has the original hand grips, which are very hard to still find on these mini bikes. It has Ninja stickers on the gas tank and on the rear plate holder which were on the TT500’s. It has the original hand operated disc brake and the original Rupp chain guard. The wheels and tires are original and are in great condition. Both chrome fenders are still in original great condition and these also are hard to find. The exhaust has is a custom made header that extends almost a foot towards the rear and over the rear fender and exits through the back with chrome plated exhaust, which is in great condition. The engine is a large 5 horsepower Briggs and Stratton with all of the original stickers. The bike has the original bars and levers. The front forks have a couple inches of suspension. This Ninja also has the original rear shocks also. The seat cover is original and in great condition. The paint on the tank is in great condition and has one small nick on the left hand side. The frame and handlebars have a couple nicks and scratches but again, this is an original, unrestored 44 year old mini bike so there a few nicks. My opinion. . .vintage mini bikes will never lose their value and only keep on escalating in price, especially mini bikes like this one in it's original condition. Rupp mini bikes are very hard to find on the West Coast similar to Lil Indian mini bikes because they were made on the East Coast – which makes it more desirable. The C250 mini bikes sold for $186 and the TT500's went for $297 back in the late sixties and that was a lot of money back then because I remember having to deliver a lot on newspapers back them to get my first mini bike. A little about Rupp - Rupp Manufacturing, Inc. was founded in 1959 by Mickey Rupp, with 8 employees housed in a 3,000 sq. feet facility, in Mansfield, OH. During that first year, Rupp manufactured Dart Karts.In 1960, Rupp expanded their production to making mini-bikes. Rupp made 1,000 mini-bikes that first year.In 1964, Rupp created a few snowmobile prototypes, and by 1965, became a snowmobile manufacturer making 500 machines that year. By 1969, Rupp employed over 400 people in a 180,000 sq. feet facility, producing a multitude of recreational machines including mini-bikes, ATVs and go-karts, and five models of Sno-Sport snowmobiles. By 1971, Rupp employed 850 people, and featured a research center, administration building, all-purpose proving grounds, a styling building, and even had some automatic computerized operations. In 1972, fueled by a soft market created by a couple of years of poor snow conditions, Rupp's profits dwindled and the company began to lose money. In 1973, Mickey Rupp was forced to sell the company which was facing bankruptcy. On April 1st, Rupp sold a controlling interest in the company to an investment group led by Joseph Hrudka. 1973 would also mark the end of the Rupp partnership with the Japanese engine manufacturer Tohatsu. In 1974 and 1975 Rupp saw a decline in overall sales, likely due to rumors of the company going out of business, nagging quality control issues, and the transition period under new ownership of Hrudka from the extremely popular and company founder, Rupp. By the Summer of 1977, the writing was on the wall and the 1978 model year would be the last for Rupp. This is a fantastic deal because my starting price for this original Rupp is only $495 and will go to the highest bidder after that. You will be hard pressed to find these anywhere and especially in this great original condition. The mini bike comes with a bill of sale only -- no titles on mini bikes. The paint or powdercoating might cost $150 to $200 if you wanted to "restore it". You add a couple hundred more for misc and your work and you can have a perfect vintage mini-bike for much less than the one that would sell for easily over $1250 and you get to say that you restored it -- which is very gratifying. The mini bike is being sold as is. I have tried to explain everything about this mini bike. . . in detail -- if you have any questions or want other pictures, please Email me. The mini bike is available to see and ride to "serious buyers" only. The bike has had no gas in it for several months but will start and run great. I have several transport contacts that will deliver this mini bike for half of what most large motorcycle transporters will charge. Please check out my other Ebay listings – a partially restored 1974 Yamaha 125 Enduro, a restored 1969 Bonanza BC 1200 minibike, an original Cushman Trailster, a restored 1968 Taco 44 mini bike, as well as a couple parts.