Caper Cycle

CAPER CYCLE

Cycle World Mini-Bike Test

THE ever expanding world of mini-bikes took a new turn with the arrival of the Caper Cycle Kingfisher from Ben Hunt Mfg. Co., 14 S. Palouse St., Walla Walla, Washington. The subject of the exact point of separation between a mini-bike, and a pure trail bike, is a rather fine line. In the past the size of the vehicle had a bearing on it, but the advent of the use of larger displacement, four-cycle engines on mini-bikes in the 35" or larger wheel base sizes expanded the term to include many different machines.

This month’s test bike, the Kingfisher, fits handsomely into this “new” category. It is a true mini-bike in both size and design, but by the use of 6" wheels and large tires, plus the 3 hp Briggs & Stratton 4-cycle engine it becomes a trail bike with unusual advantages. First off, it is light, an advantage the first encounter with extremely rough terrain will prove worthwhile. By the simple expedient of picking it up and walking onto easier ground the worst obstacles can be surmounted. Some qualification is required on this point because the Kingfisher is not alone in this category as several other companies are making similar bikes.

Caper Cycle also makes the Kingfisher with a Power Products 2-cycle kart engine for slightly less money, and with the West Bend 700 V-5 seven cubic inch kart engine at a higher price. The Power Products powered bike is called the Roadrunner, the other is called the Falcon; they are priced at $159.00 and $239.00 respectively. The Kingfisher sports an amazing low price of $189.00. A handy optional extra is a rack that fits onto the rear of the frame for carrying parcels or camping gear. Fenders and lighting equipment are also listed as optional extras at moderate costs.

In our test we gave the little red and black bike a thorough workout, over the roughest and most impassable areas we could find. The obvious disadvantages of a small machine with the ever-present small wheels is largely overcome by a well designed front end geometry and balance. Power supplied by the low revving 4-cycle engine accounts for a large degree of its flexibility and is greatly responsible for the relative ease of handling. Needless to say, to qualify as an off-the-road vehicle the low-speed torque available from a powerplant like the excellent Briggs & Stratton is absolutely a necessity.

Controls are standard; right hand throttle and a lever on the left hand for the rear wheel brake. Though no foot pegs are supplied, a handy corner of the tubular steel frame serves quite well as a perch for the rare times they can be employed. A generous selection of gear ratios was supplied with our test bike, giving a variation of uses from 20 mph road work to low ratios for climbing the steepest hills at a snail’s pace.

Spring forks are standard on all three versions but the rear end is rigid. The value of suspension at this point is still under hot debate but the winning half’s lack of employing a swinging arm or some form of active elements is settled by the somewhat prohibitive cost of manufacturing. It is obvious that the present day lowcost of such excellent forms of cycling fun would rise well into the realm of full size motorcycle prices, thus virtually eliminating one facet of their popularity.

It should be brought out that much of the success of Ben Hunt with mini-bikes can be laid to many years of building the widely accepted Caper Kart.

Specifications of the Kingfisher are; 90 lbs. weight, foam and black naugahyde upholstery, 34" diameter steel tube frame, 614" ground clearance, 36" wheelbase, 48" overall length, 31" overall height, 410/350 x 6 knobby tires, automatic centrifugal clutch, two shoe internal expanding brake, 3 quart fuel tank.

As a mini-bike, or a trail bike, the Kingfisher should fit the wants of anyone wanting to get in on the fun. •