Rupp Industries was a Mansfield, Ohio-based manufacturer of go-karts, minibikes, snowmobiles and other off-road vehicles founded by Mickey Rupp in 1959. Rupp Industries operated from 1959 until bankruptcy in 1978.[2] Rupp vehicles are known for their performance and bright red coloring, particularly the snowmobiles and off-road vehicles.[citation needed]
Rupp Industries was born in 1959 when Mickey Rupp began assembling and selling go-karts from his basement. Originally Rupp Manufacturing, the name Rupp Industries was adopted by 1971. In that year Rupp employed 400, with 23 engineers in the R&D department and sales in the millions. In addition to their popular go-karts, Rupp began producing minibikes and snowmobiles in the early 1960s.
Rupp Mini Bike Serial Number Location
Mickey Rupp sold the company in 1973 when it ran into financial trouble. Although the company would continue to produce dirt bikes, minibikes and snowmobiles, they would never regain financial stability and by 1978 went bankrupt.[2]
Following the success of their go-karts, Rupp manufactured mini bikes from 1962 until the mid-1970s. Models included the Dart Cycle, Continental, Roadster, Scrambler, Hustler, Chopper, Black Widow, Enduro, Roadster 2, Swinger, Sprint, Digger, Goat, Ram, TT-500, XL-500, XL-350 and others. Rupp minibikes were made in a variety of styles with various features, including varying engine sizes, lighting kits and color options. Rupp offered upgrades to their bikes as well, including speedometers, luggage racks, lift bars, horns, mud flaps and crash bars.
The first Rupp minibikes were called Dart Cycles and were made starting in 1962. They featured a 2 1/2 horsepower, 4-cycle Lauson horizontal-shaft engine with a Fairbanks-Morse clutch (an optional 3 HP was available for an extra charge). The bikes came with front suspension and rear drum brakes. They were advertised in Cycle World and other magazines.
Rupp introduced their next line of minibikes in 1964 called the Continental. The 1964 Continental was rolled out with a 3 1/2 HP, 4-cycle Lauson engine as well as front and rear suspension. For the first time in 1964 Rupp also outfitted the bikes with a head and tail light. A chrome chain guard and chrome fenders were added features of the Continental. The Continentals had many models of their own, including the Electra, Custom, Special and Cub. All bikes were outfitted with 6" wheels. Late 1965 saw the Tecumseh 3 1/2 HP on the Continentals as well.
The year 1968 marked a first for Rupp minibikes in many ways, including the first and only year that the minibikes were made with disc brakes as well as the introduction of Tecumseh engines, which Rupp would use until the discontinuation of their minibikes. Rupp made significant changes to their Continental lineup and added the XL and TT models. In 1968 all Rupp bikes were available in metallic red, metallic blue or metallic gold and still featured the 6" wheels.[5]
Some changes were made to the Continentals in 1968, including replacing the Lauson engine with a Tecumseh. Models were also designated with a C followed by a numeric based on the engine size. Three models of Continentals were offered in 1968 including the C-350, C-250 and C-220 Cub. The C-350 was outfitted with a 3 1/2 HP Tecumseh engine as well as a rear disc brake. The C-250 came with a 2 1/2 HP Tecumseh engine and also had a rear disc brake. The C-220, or Cub was an economy model which featured a different (not chrome) chain guard, as well as a scrub type brake, smaller seat and different fuel tank. The Cub could be purchased not assembled at a discount.[5] 1968 marked the last year Rupp would make the Continental series of mini bikes.
In 1969 Rupp revamped their lineup with a totally new minibike offering and discontinued every bike from 1968. They also discontinued the disc brakes and replaced them with drum brakes. Rupp also introduced their first exhaust pipes to their bikes.
Rupp's greatest change to their mini bike lineup in any year was arguably 1970.[original research?] The frame was entirely redesigned, changing from a dual loop frame to a single loop frame, and spoke-type wheels were introduced. The Roadster and Scrambler's 6" wheels were augmented to 10" spoke wheels and a new model, the Enduro was manufactured. These 10" wheel bikes were outfitted with 4HP Tecumseh HS40 engines with a diaphragm carburetor and for the first time Rupp used a slanted engine plate, which tended to keep the torque converter belt tight as well as changing the "look" of the bike to more closely resemble a motorcycle. Many features of the bikes were changed including the gas tank, seat (notably manner of attachment), handlebars, exhaust pipe, taillight, chain guard, decals, new motorcycle style center kickstand, among others.
Rupp cut back their mini bike offerings in 1972. They still offered the Hustler, Scrambler and Roadster 2. No new Enduros or Black Widows were produced though some were sold. The major change to the lineup was the color scheme. All Rupps now came with black frames, swingarms and motorcycle fork; the gas tanks and rear fenders were the only painted items. The specs of the bikes remained the same. The Hustler and Scrambler were offered in red only. The Roadster 2 was additionally available in a copper color.
Rupp minibikes saw even more cutbacks to the lineup in 1973. The only bike that remained was the newly designed Roadster, stylized as the Roadster II. It continued to use a Tecumseh HS40 but with a larger blower housing. It came in two color options, brown and magenta. It continued to use 12" wheels on Rupp Trials tires, with 24 spokes only. Rupp sold their last minibikes in 1976.
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