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TACO Mini Bikes Series Classifications

There are 4 series of TACO mini bikes frames manufactured in the ten years that STEEN’S was building mini bikes. From 1963 to 1965 TACO mini bikes are made at STEEN’S location #2. From 1966 to 1972 TACO mini bikes frames are made at Hi-Performance Metal Fabricators (A subdivision of STEEN’S) and assembled at STEEN’S location #3

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The SERIES I is classified as a bolt together frame. This was done for easy and cheaper shipping. The first TACO’s were made as a kit to be shipped out around the country. All except the first model FRIJOLE which was a weld together kit. The SERIES I was built under John Steen‘s owner ship of the company.Original designer of the SERIES I mini bikes is unknown at this time.

John Steen Series I

1963 Golden TACO – Bolt together frame.   

1964 TACO – Bolt together frame.

1965 TACO_55 – Bolt together frame.

1965 TACO – Bolt together frame.

1965 TACQUITO – Bolt together frame.

1965 BURRITO – Bolt together frame.

1966 TACO_55 – Bolt together frame.

1966 TACO_33 – Bolt together frame.

1966 TACO22 – Bolt together frame.

1965 FRIJOLE

 

Golden TACO  TACO

BURRITOTACQUITOTACO 99  TACO 55

TACO 22 TACO 33TACO 55

FRIJOLE

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The SERIES II is classified as a welded together frame. This was done because the SERIES I was not strong enough and would bend and crack at the fork neck and at the top center bolting point of the frame. The seat mounts are welded on top frame rail. The SERIES II was also built under John Steen‘s owner ship of the company. Original designer of the TACO_44, TACO_66, and newer TACO_99 was Lynn Wineland and Jack Poet.

John Steen Series II

1967 TACO_66 - Welded frame, higher seat mounts.

1967TACO_44 - Welded frame, higher seat mounts.

1967 TACO_22 - Welded frame, higher seat mounts.

1968 TACO_99 - Welded frame, higher seat mounts.

1968 TACO_44 - Welded frame, higher seat mounts.

1968 TACO_22 - Welded frame, higher seat mounts.

1969 TACO_99 - Welded frame, higher seat mounts.

1969 TACO_44 - Welded frame, higher seat mounts.

1969 TACO_22 - Welded frame, higher seat mounts.

TACO 66        TACO 44        TACO 22

 

 

        TACO 44        TACO 22

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The SERIES III is classified as a wide frame, and the seat mounts are welded to the bottom top frame rail. The SERIES III was also built under John Steen‘s owner ship of the company. Original designer of the New wide frame TACO_22, TACO_44, TACO_99, T100, and FRIJOLE was Jack Poet and Lynn Wineland.

John Steen Series III

1969 Tail 100  - Wider frame, lower seat mounts.

1969 TACO_99 - Wider frame, lower seat mounts.

1969 TACO_44 - Wider frame, lower seat mounts.

1969 TACO_22 - Wider frame, lower seat mounts.

1969 FRIJOLE – Different fork neck, and seat mounting.

T100

        TACO 44        TACO 22

 

FRIJOLE

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The SERIES IV is classified as the “Suburban Gas of Pomona TACO Mini Bike”. John Steen sold the company in 1969 so under new owner ship, new classification. 3 new models are introduced under "Suburban Gas of Pomona". The F85 Matterhorn‚ Super Trail 100‚ and the Trail 102. The Super Trail 100‚ and the Trail 102 are the same frame‚ but use a different swing arm set up. The F85 Matterhorn‚ and the Trail 102 use the Zundapp engine. These two bikes are STEEN'S first and only Mini Trail Bikes.

Suburban Gas of Pomona’s Series IV

1970 Tail 100  - Wide frame, lower seat mounts.

1970 TACO_99 - Wide frame, lower seat mounts.

1970 TACO_44 - Wide frame, lower seat mounts.

1970 TACO_22 - Wide frame, lower seat mounts.

1971-72 F85 – Zundapp engine, Mini Trail Forks.

1971-72 T102  - Zundapp engine, Mini Trail Forks.

1971-72 Super Tail 100 - Mini Trail Forks.

1971-72 Trail 100  - Wide frame, lower seat mounts.

1971-72 TACO_99 - Wide frame, lower seat mounts.

1971-72 TACO_44 - Wide frame, lower seat mounts.

1971-72 TACO_22 - Wide frame, lower seat mounts.

T100

TACO 99        TACO 44        TACO 22

 

F85      T102       Super Trail 100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No other information at this time for any other STEEN’S TACO Mini Bikes. This is the end of an era just like the Muscle car. By 1973 it seems that STEEN’S would only manufacture mini cycles and the company would be sold one more time to Alsport an east cost company. They would rename the company Alsports/Steens and they would close their doors in 1977.

 

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Home | History | Models | Family Tree | Engines | Parts | Catalogs and Brochures

Catalog Errors | Ads | Articles | STEEN'S Locations | Mac’s Corner | Videos

John Steen’s Racing Record | email Contact and Links | Registry