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Up for auction is a rare 1968 Taco 22 with the original Taco frame that has the factory serial number on the frame and period correct Westbend 700 engine. This is not a reproduction frame with an engine that can be purchased at a hardware store. This mini bike is a true rare collector item that will only increase in value. See the video of the bike running below. Again this is the original Steen's Taco mini bike frame with serial number 8P2380 on the frame. The old Steen's Taco was offered with a lot of engine combinations and the Westbend 700 was just one of those options. This mini bike is more for a collector and not really meant to be ridden by a child. The Westbend 700 engine is nice and loud, it will certainly wake up your neighbors (of course back in the day this is exactly how they were designed to be). The Westbend 700 engine is over twice the RPM of your typical 4 stroke small engine (Briggs, Tecumseh, Predator) providing a lot more top end speed. It is really cool to hear it pop off at idle. The engine is a 2 stroke so it will need to have the gas and oil mixed for the fuel. The bike was tested with an adult on it and it started to gain speed pretty quickly and kept on climbing, it was at this point the rider let out of it as it was plenty fast enough for testing purposes. It will be up to the new owner to decide if they want to see what this engine can top out at. As mentioned, this bike will continue to increase in value as there are not a lot of the original Tacos’ around, especially with the 700 Westbend engine and the original factory serial number frame. The history of Steen's Taco is readily available through a quick and simple Google search. The video below shows the bike starting. I took off the chain so I could rev it up without worrying about the bike taking off on me. The frame was in nice shape before we started the restoration. Frame & parts were media blasted and the frame was painted Plum Crazy Purple, a color favorite of the era. Many new parts went into this build, starting with the Westbend engine that was torn down and built back up. The engine received a new Westbend 700 crankshaft with the PTO side now keyed 3/4 and tapped for a bolt, instead of the small 9/16 shaft. New PTO crank bearing, mag side has a roller needle bearing, new Westbend piston rings, all new seals and gaskets as well as new reeds for the intake. The Tillotson carb was just rebuilt with a new Tillotson kit and new trick aluminum throttle arm and bracket installed on the carb; all very nice. Engine has a new custom made polished pork chop exhaust header. The ignition is very healthy and the bike starts easily. Bike has a nice aluminum Westbend engine mount as well as the vintage hard to find Westbend air filter. New tires & tubes, precision wheel bearing and fork neck bushings so there is no slop in the forks. New lower fork legs and springs, chain & clutch. A very nice new custom Taco seat, foot peg, brake rubber, throttle, grips, cable, kickstand and of course the very nice Taco clutch cover. Also a new gas tank and petcock. The bike has a very nice original set of Taco Wheels as well. A custom chain tensioner was fabricated and installed, mounting to the engine plate and mounting bolt. So frame was not altered; easily removed if not desired but the chain will always stay at the proper tension and will not come off. You may need to adjust the carb for your area as we are in the desert. Carb adjustment is easy to do with only two screws on the side of the carb; one for low the other for high. A very nice rare vintage Taco mini bike for the collector or enthusiast. We have the reserve set at a very reasonable amout for such a rare bike. Check the out the feedbacks below regarding motorcycles we have sold on eBay over the years. NOW FOR A FEW NOTES ABOUT SHIPPING, ETC. I can crate the bike if needed for shipping for an additional fee. Ebay has a terrific tool for shipping quotes and with it crated you will have that many more options to choose from in addition to the standard motorcycle shippers. We have had great luck with Allied Van Lines/Federal Companies Motorcycle transport; these folks are very courteous and professional. We have never had a problem with a bike shipped by them. The best part is they pick up the bike our location and deliver right to your door. Of course there are many other options available as well, including jumping in your truck and picking up the bike from us in Tucson! Winning bidder must contact us within 12 hours after close of auction with payment information and full payment must be received within 3 days of close of auction. We will send you an email right after the close of the auction with our contact information including our phone number. We prefer Bank Wire Transfer / deposit directly into our business account as it is the safest payment method for both buyer and seller. Again, you may want to check out all our feedback but especially feedbacks on our bikes so you know you can bid with confidence. Good luck and happy bidding! As this is an old vintage bike this is an as is sale. eBay requires we select a specific option regarding a title. Of course there is no title with this bike as they never came with one, can provide a bill of sale if requested. IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR INTERNATIONAL BIDDERS: We welcome all international bidders and as a matter of fact have sold many of our bikes to bidders overseas. We just require that you contact us first before placing a bid. We just want to make sure you are a fully aware of all the regulations, etc. involved with getting a bike into your country. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding! Below are some feedbacks we have received for bikes we have sold over the years (we are very proud to have a number of people buy more than one of our bikes!) this bike is great and is a great addition to my collection thank you! Husqvarna: 250 4 Speed Oval Case (#381637601508) drghamm Absolutely Perfect and as described. These guys are the REAL DEAL! AAA+++ 1973 Fox Thunderbolt (380671908210) peyelot Great seller. Would buy again Husqvarna : CR 250 (#380640364849) pfobrien007 beautiful work Husqvarna : CR 250 (#111018383632) madjam19 This Husky 250 was restored to perfection! Wonderful folks to work with! Husqvarna (#380426575217) pacificcoastlocators*6277 It is everything I was looking for and everything you said it was. BSA (#110764989583) hnlf15 Very fast and accurate response, A+++++++ Triumph : Trophy (#380370128372) flat-hd Great transaction, easy to work with. Thanks Husqvarna : CR (#110679150247) chilie69 Totally excellent eBayers - smooth transaction, the bike is wonderful! Thanks! Other Makes : Ariel Arrow (#380273533734) thewris VERY NICE BIKE ! THANKS ! Other Makes : 400 Cross (#110581042935) fastway3 Highly reccomended seller, excellent communication, bike just as described. Ducati : Ducati (#110553374439) vintagerm nice guy just as advertised thxs LIL INDIAN MINI BIKE JACOBSEN 2-STROKE VINTAGE NR (#380252660038) jerry_57 Excellent ebay transaction and nice guys! bike is superb, tnx! Kawasaki : KX (#380225842206) mwmd Great Seller... Very helpful and would buy from again!!! Triumph (#110458245774) bbcbrandon Answered all questions, delivered what they said BMW : R-Series (#110443686971) kjames3214 great transaction. super people to deal with. was everything i had hoped. Suzuki : TS250 Savage (#110420572253) cyclesports15 great buy, very helpful, nice and easy transaction, love my bike!!!!! Triumph (#120426861561) chuckp949 love it, great seller, thank you. Suzuki : RM (#120434816687) marauder2256 Great seller, bike was as described and transaction went smoothly, very helpful. Suzuki (#120412845261) cartiam great bike Honda : Mini Trail (#110357964333) shannon40 I Thank you,your honesty and the personal dedication that you have Husqvarna : 250 OR (#110309788717) ipayfst1 great bike. thanks alot!! KTM : 400 MC5 (#120385391153) rcc0la02 A+++ Seller...Beautiful bike...Great Communication! Husqvarna : WR250 (#110287455091) 231931 Beautiful bike...excellent communication...very helpful! Husqvarna : 360 Cross (#110251732816) 231931 Great person to deal with.Many Thanks BSA : Goldstar SS (#110216453442) scottlaud Great transaction and communication with sellers. Great people /eBayers. Husqvarna (#110208291973) emjayem49 bike was clean and as advertised very happy Husqvarna : Husqvarna WR 360 (#110187058411) 9129doug Everything was great. Seller is A ++++++++++++++++++++ Husqvarna (#110173920699) bellante2005 ONE GREAT BIKE, This person knows his stuff. Husqvarna (#110110239741) rbennen2qn5-2008 BETTER THAN EXPECTED!!!! WOULD DO BUSSINESS AGAIN FOR SURE Husqvarna (#110137523648) davefournier Thanks for being a great guy .... Keep building those great old bikes Yamaha : YZ (#110137170735) ktmracer515 Great bike, super deal and fantastic communication. Will buy again! Husqvarna (#110094408251) garyoh123 2nd bike from Art and they are just as discribed......perfect thanks Art Husqvarna (#110084261233) oldschoolmxer Just as described. LAVERDA 150 DIRT BIKE MX LATE 60'S EARLY 70'S (#110038778605) drooperd great bike, Xlnt transaction. (#4615459974) 2wheelmxsteinwayhemi Absolutely gorgeous bike! 110% satisfied! Great eBayer! A+++++++++++ (#4626748420) bobbyk516 Art, Great bike thanks for everything, bike just as discribed a "10" (#110002764019) ktmracer515 The bike was everything i expected, great tranaction AAA+ (#4640823456) melsguy2002 Better than advertised - Beautiful bike, Art is a 100% quality seller. Thanks! (#4637172856) getduke Nice Vintage Honda! Great Seller! Thanks. (#4577822328) auctionaction1000 Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE Be sure to do your research to determine if this will work with your application as all sales are final and as is. IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING: International bidders please do not bid unless you know all the shipping limitations for your country.You are responsible for any and all customs, duties, etc. We offer combined shipping whenever feasible so email us for a quote!Sales tax is charged only if you live in AZ. Check out my other items! Mayer-Brothers Please email with any questions and we will do our best to answer them.Only those items pictured as they pertain to the item(s) are included in the auction/sale.