Tote Gote

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A Tote Gote is a Trail motorcycle/scooter made from 1958 to 1970. Ralph Bonham the inventor of the Tote Gote is credited with being the inventor of the off-road cycle.

History

The tote gote was invented after the creator Ralph Bonham got tired of walking when he went hunting in the hilly mountains of Utah. He got the idea in 1957 about making a "Off highway cycle" He then started playing around with several designs. After about a year he had his first "Mechanical Gote" he later called the catchy name "Tote Gote". Because it would "Tote" deer out of the woods But it would also climb like a mountain goat. The first Tote Gotes could only go 5 mph up hill or down. It was to slow for functional use. And would, "Buck like a bronco" when to much throttle was applied. He played around with the design of the gears and horsepower of the engine. And after changing the design four times the first Tote Gote was created in November of 1957. He then used the Tote Gote for its intended purpose to haul deer out of the woods, and just exploring the back country. After sparking the interest of several hunters. He decided to produce one and see how it would sell. With in a few months of completion the second Tote Gote (first of production) sold on June 1, 1958 to a man named David Andrews from Salt Lake City. That same year he decided to mass produce Tote Gotes. He estimated that he would sell 25 a year at the end of 1958 he had sold 119. In 1959 he sold 1,200. In 1960 it was 3,700. And 1961 the Bonham Corporation was shooting for 7,000. It is unknown after 1960 how many Tote Gotes were sold. Because after 1959 there was no record published on how many Tote Gotes were produced. The next version of Tote Gote came out later in 1959 and given the designation of Model A or the "Scamp". Soon after he had developed the Tote Gote, Ralph called in his father to help with the business. His father, Bond Bonham, who has had some success with previous inventions, Bond was president of Bonham Corporation. As where Ralph did what he liked best research and development work. He worked on continual improvements to the Tote Gote as well as on several new products. Some new products over the years were the loadstar III a three wheeled Tote Gote for use around warehouses and nursery’s. A more street based model called a colligete for use around collage campuses, A regular mini bike call a "Mini Gote" For fun, A few mysterious 4 wheeled prototype vehicles made for the military, Tote Gote trailers for hauling a Tote Gote behind a vehicle or cargo behind a loadstar III, A family-fun trike called a "dune gote", And several models of the "NOVA" shaft drive Tote Gotes. The earliest models used chain drive and had an advanced system of Gears, Pulleys, Sprockets and springs. The first Tote Gotes were single speed using jack shafts, sprockets, belt pulleys etc. And used a belt drive centrifugal duster clutch. Another thing Bonham put on there Tote Gotes was a rear piece of screen behind the seat to put you hunted game on. In order to keep your hunted games and operators legs from getting stuck in the chains and belts, Bonham used side screens mounted on the back sides of the frame and near the clutch. The early models did not offer a lighting system. Models such as the collegiate came stock with a lighting system. Although the NOVA had lighting as an option it did not incorporated it stock do to an accident when spilled fuel was ignited by exposed wires, resulting in a small brushfire starting. The later NOVA model series incorporated a worm gear drive shaft rather than a chain drive. The Nova series also incorporated several other features and options such as a two speed centrifugal clutch. A Special lever that can change the speed (Hi-free-wheel-lo) free-wheel was used push the NOVA because the belt put allot of tension. Another interesting thing about the nova is that the engine mounted forward rather than sideways so that it could match up with the drive shaft. There was another model marketed towards families called the dune goat. It was very much like a common 3 wheeled trike of that era but had front suspension and a 6 horse power Tecumseh engine. Although there is little to no information on the "dune gote". There is some information on the Model 103 trike with a model name of beginning the "Loadstar" Some other later models also had a more extensive features the later renamed charger 501. (formerly the loadstar III they abandoned it because charger sounded more peppy) had a 3 hp Briggs & Stratton engine, The model 505 was the same as 501 but had a higher load capacity. The model 504 was more of a people carrier than a workhorse. The model 502 was the "Big Brother" to the models 502/504 and featured a six horse Tecumseh engine, a quarter-ton load capacity, and a swing down tail gate. The loadstar and Spartan had 3 wheels (III meaning three wheels) its intended propose was to not go on trails but to provide a utility vehicle for around construction sites and warehouses. But as for trailers Bonham made some basic models they included were simple with sheet metal sides, and no modern legal requirements such as: tail lights, turn signals, etc. Some trailer models included: Model 101 a simple two wheel trailer that could carry 4 tote gotes and did not have sides. Model 102 was the same as 101 but it had sides and three wheels (Two in back one in front).The idea behind the three wheel idea is that it would stand upright when unhitched. This was more for commercial use as well as non-commercial. Model 103 was the must rugged model and had a 500 lb. payload. Had larger wheels, and could carry four Tote Gotes or two chargers. Another model Bonham made was a Snow mobile/Dune buggy vehicle called a Spartan. The Spartan consisted of a rear track driven sled type vehicle using a six horse power Tecumseh engine and the Bonham "Climb-away transmission" (centrifugal duster clutch). It came with skis for the front of the machine for in snow. But it also came with wheels for use in sand, dirt, swamp and during the summer months. The max speed of the Spartan was 28 mph. An accessory for the Spartan was canopy curtains so you could keep rain and dirt and snow off of you. After producing Tote Gotes for thirteen years the Bonham Company closed its doors in 1970. They sold off the remaining parts off for several years after they closed. Meaning New Old Stock parts (or NOS) are hard or sometimes impossible to find. Today Tote Gote are still very trail worthy machines and can out climb most dirt bikes. You can still get several parts from a few small online retailers. Or fuel petcocks at you corner hardware store. And there are several Tote Gote enthusiasts that restore and sell parts and Tote Gotes to other Tote Gote and non-Tote Gote enthusiasts. Another bonus is that many small engine companies that made the engines for Tote Gotes are still in business. And many new engines will fit Tote Gote frames. All and all the Tote Gote forms to make a Powerful, Strong, Easy to ride and pleasant to the eye machine.

The Provo, Utah factory.
The ad for the "Trail Skeeter"
A Tote Gote model 780 with worm gear drive shaft.
a typical Tote Gote with flatbend trailer and lighting system

The model system:

Typically the first number is the horsepower rating of the engine and the following numbers refer to different models within that horsepower rating (e.g. the 600 is a 6 hp model) and the 610 is the same with lower gearing - the 531 is a 5 hp model with rear suspension and the 530 is the same with lower gearing - the 760 is a 7 hp model and the 750 is roughly the same but with a 12" rear wheel - the 665 is very similar to the 600 (but has rear suspension). For example, the 403 is a 3 hp model and the 404 a 4 hp, with the 414 being the low geared 4 hp model.

Models:

Model Letter: B (first model) Chain drive this model was started when Ralph Bonham got the idea in 1957 and produced it. He later played around with the design to make it more trail worthy. The first model could only go 5 mph up hill or down. It used the "Climb-away" transmission/clutch. And used a 3 horsepower Briggs & Stratton. Ralph Bonham had to play around with the design 4 times before it was trail worthy. In 1959 the name was renamed to the model "A" or "Scamp" then changed to "Skeeter" in 1960 to 1962. The trail skeeter was slightly different than the model “B”. Rather than having side screens they put louvered sheet metal sides with the word “Trail Skeeter” painted on the sides. In 1962 when the "Trail Skeeter" was retired it was kept in the factory showroom with the newer models.

Model letter: P Chain drive basically a Model B. But with a larger frame, and an arch design around where the clutch was mounted. And used a 5 horse power engine Rather than a 3 horsepower.

Model# 403 Chain drive

Model# 600 Chain drive it had a 6 horsepower Briggs & Stratton engine in it. With the double jackshaft setup. And also had the Bonham “climb-away” transmission. This model utilized a lighting system.

Model# 610 Chain drive same as 600 but with a 12 inch rear wheel

Model# 665 Chain drive Same as model 600. But with full suspension.

Model# 666 Chain drive

Model# 430 Chain drive

Model# 430-5 Chain drive

Model# 431 Chain drive

Model# 431-5 Chain drive

Model# 531 Chain drive, 5 hp model with full suspension

Model# 530 Chain drive, Same as model 531, But with lower gearing.

Model# 700 Chain drive, this is a very unique model. It is the only model that used flat casted metal on the swing arm and back part of frame where the swing arm mounts to. Towards the front of the frame was regular hi-tensile steel tubing. It used a 7 horsepower Tecumseh engine with a tear drop gas tank mounted to the frame. It also had an unusual seat rather than having 2 separate seats it had one big seat with a diamond pattern. This was very mini-gote (Model 500) like

Model# 750 Chain drive, 7 hp Briggs & Stratton, Front suspension

Model# 760 Chain drive, Same as 750 But with 12 inch rear wheel.

Model# 770 Chain drive this model was one of there largest with a tractor tire for the rear wheel. It was powered with a 7 horsepower Briggs & Stratton. With a "Climb-away”, transmission/duster clutch. It was done in soft tail/front versions. It had rear band brakes with Timken bearings for the wheels. This model had a one piece seat with heavy foam inside. This is the only model that did not have a back fender.

Model# 670 Bonham worm gear drive model this was one of the last models that they made. It also happened to be the fastest model they made. The top speed of the "Super-nova" 8 horsepower Briggs & Stratton model being 38 mph. With the 6 horsepower Tecumseh being 36 (but less torque). It had a small lever that would move the pulley linked to the clutch so you could select hi/lo belt range. It had rear disc brakes and front band brakes. The Bonham "Worm Gear drive" was actually made by national tire and wheel components. They offered a lighting system on the nova series. So that way it could be made street legal. The rubber engine mounts between the frame and engine plate were made by the LORD ® Corporation of Iowa. Bonham also made several deluxe variants of the 670 which had white-wall tires and red seats (This also went for showroom models). The front tires were made by Bridgestone, The back where made by Armstrong of New York.

Model# 780 "NOVA" Same as model 670 but it offered a slight different frame. Rear-suspension Grab-bar in back, Frame slightly chopped to utilize swing arm.

Model# 303 Collegiate (Street and trail based, collage campus bike. Model name: Trail skeeter also made by Bonham Tote Gote. It was the model B frame but with sheet metal side covers. And more options. This was the Later Deluxe model B released in 1959.

Model# 500 (mini gote) to compete with the mini bike movement of the 1960's. This model was more child designed model that had chain drive, Front and rear suspension. The early models utilized a 4 horse power Briggs & Stratton(R) and they later ones utilized a 7 horse power Tecumseh engines.

Model# 101 (trailer) 2 wheel trailers that could carry 4 Tote Gotes. This was there lightest trailer. And had sheet metal sides.

Model# 102 (trailer) A three wheel trailer (Two in back one in front). This was a medium duty trailer that could carry 4 Tote Gotes. It also had a fold-away storage bed. And had sheet metal sides.

Model# 103 (trailer) A 500 lb rating trailer there most heavy-duty trailer. Could carry 4, tote gotes or 2 chargers with room to spare. And had sheet metal sides.

Model# 660 (Spartan snow mobile/Dune buggy) this was Bonham’s version of the snow mobile. It utilized a rear track and front skis. The front skis could come off and be replaced with 8 inch tote gote wheels for summer and spring use. The main idea was for recreation and Checking in eras that vehicles could not get to.

Model# 501 (Charger 3 wheel trike) Light duty trike, For Recreation or light commercial use.

Model# 502 (Charger 3 wheel trike)

Model# 503 (Charger 3 wheel trike)

Model# 504 (Charger 3 wheel trike)

Model# 505 (Charger 3 wheel trike)

Model Name: Dune Gote, More family-fun designed trike. It used model 500 rear shocks. For the front shocks and only known to have been produced in soft tail Versions. It is probably the rarest model with only one is known to exist! And various prototypes such as a few 4 wheeled vehicles for military use. And several prototype Tote Gote Trail Bikes (The was one on eBay® in November 2005)

Trivia:

The forest service used chain and nova drive Tote gotes.

At the factory, the new Tote Gotes were painted with a low pressure flow of paint from, literally, garden hoses. The frames were placed over a large tub of paint with the hoses on either end. The paint was then pumped up through the hoses with a person at each hose aiming the flow of paint over the frame. The excess paint ran off the bottom and back into the tub. The frames were then rotated as they dried to keep runs to a minimum. Most were red, fewer yellow, and some green (mostly for the Forest Service) and some novas were an aqua-marine color. The brand of paint used was leaded Sherwin-Williams.

Ralph Bonham Originally wove basketball and fishing nets. After selling several nets he started to produce these in his basement at his house and the Pomona plant (which would later house the Tote Gote plant) He invented a machine called a jig that could weave these nets. He also had ladies weave these in his basement of his home through the early and mid 50's.

The company that made the "Climb-away" Duster clutch actually built these clutches for snowmobiles. The companies name was Deepco.

There was originally a company before Bonham called "Luther Trail Gote" after Bonham’s Tote Gote came along the Luther company had to change there name to "Goat" instead of "Gote", Due to copyright issues.

The company that made the rubber sandwich engine mounts for the nova was called the LORD, Corporation.

After, Bonham went out of business in 1970. Some of the ex-engineers started a company called trailer blazer. The design of the trail blazer is an old model “B” frame with a solid fiberglass shroud around the three horsepower engine. With the words “Trail Blazer” painted on the sides. The solid fiberglass shroud around the engine would not let enough air in witch often cause the engine to over heat. Some believe that the late model trail blazers where made in Japan. But After only 4 years the company went out of business in 1974.

Advertising:

Among some of the picture advertising there was: A picture of Ralph on a Tote Gote shooting a rifle, A man jumping a model B off some small sand dunes, Two colligate Tote Gotes parked on a lawn with people having a picnic in the background, A several other photos of people having picnics.

Some drawn advertising was: A family on Trail Sketers. And, a Man in the snow driving a Spartan snowmobile Tote Gote going towards a mountains cabin.

Some accessory’s where:

Front metal box for gas can or other items, A front saddle bag (Bonham called it a “Grab Bag”, A 6-volt delta Head light, Or sealed beam general electric head light (White only), A rear rack that folds down (Bonham called it a “Pak Rack”), Snub downs later called snuber rubbers (or rubber snubers) also known as bungee cords, Front and rear tie chains for snow, a snow plow blade, either a front Buddy seat or a rear buddy seat with rear foot pegs, Tail lights (The collegiate came stock with rear tail lights), A side car, and front brakes (Although most models had front brakes some did not such as the model B. Thus it is why it was an option.

Competitors

Tule trooper, CYCLE-TRAC using a rear snowmobile track, Cushman with there trailster model using there own Cushman® husky engine, Luther trail gote/goat, Yard marvel®, Pack-mule, Trail Blazer (after the Bonham company closed several employees tried to start another trail cycle company it failed.), Trans-sport, Mustang, Hathkit, Hillbilly, Forester, Trail King, Pak-cycle ( a variant made by Luther trail gote/goat) And Explorer there are probably many more trail cycles, the 50's and 60's was the golden era of the trail scooters.

External links