Steen’s Frijole Mini-Bike: Small Frame, Big Legacy

In the world of two wheels, some legends come in pint-sized packages. Enter the Frijole Mini-Bike, built by Steen’s in Southern California in the mid-1960s. What started as a small shop with big ideas ended up shaping the mini-bike craze that swept across America.

The Frijole, Spanish for “bean”, wasn’t just a fun backyard toy. It was a serious little machine with a sturdy frame, compact design, and the ability to handle real engines. Unlike the clunky, cobbled-together minis of the era, Steen’s delivered a professionally built bike that riders could customize, race, and actually depend on.

For kids and teens in the ‘60s and ‘70s, the Frijole was freedom on two wheels. It meant you didn’t have to wait to grow up to feel the thrill of riding; you just had to kickstart it and hang on. These bikes tore through empty lots, dirt trails, and even early mini-bike races, carving their place in moto culture.

And then there was the Steen’s skunk mascot, a cheeky symbol of grit and mischief that became as iconic as the bikes themselves. Steen’s wasn’t about being polished or proper; it was about getting dirty, going fast, and having a blast.

Today, original Frijole frames are collector’s items, and the name still sparks nostalgia for anyone who grew up in the golden age of SoCal mini-bike culture. Steen’s proved that size doesn’t matter - heart, hustle, and a little skunk attitude do.