I got started in the motorized bicycle thing while doing a favor for a guy named Roy. ( Pan Head Roy to be exact )
I met him in early Nov 2014.
A scruffy little Vietnam vet. Late 60's , and a bit down on his luck. ( I thought )
I was in the midst of adding the finishing touches to a Honda Bobber build .
The guy walks into my shop and promptly asks if I can motorize a bicycle.
I was busy at the time, and not paying proper attention to Roy.
My answer was a very poorly thought out " sure I can " .
He then left the building.
About a week later he shows up with an old Sears trike. A china doll kit and a case of Papst .
Roy is a very observant man. He knew my weakness.
Again , I was in the middle of a job and not in the best of moods so I was not in the mood for long conversation.
I asked a few questions :
#1 is the bike stolen . Answer = no.....
#2 what are you going to use it for. answer = I want to ride it home......
I assumed home was in Astoria Or. The town I live in . Silly me......
I then informed him that I'd look at the bike and get back to him.
Later that week I had some time to look at the bike. It was a death trap....
Bent frame / shot crank / etc. Looked like it had been in a head on with a truck.
Called Roy and told him the bad news.....
He then informed me that he had very little cash and asked what I could do.
Now I am known around here as a soft touch for a hard luck story.
I'm a vet and ALWAYS willing to help out a brother.
So, he's got me.....
I scrounged around and came up with an old English road bike frame that was straight and a Nishiki that had been in an accident.
Between the two I ended up with a ride-able 27" 10 speed bike. For no $
After modifying the frame to fit Roy's short inseam ( dropped the seat post 4" and sectioned the frame ) Roy was happy with the bike. ( 6 Hours ).
I then installed the CG and set up the bike. No frills . ( 3 Hours )
That's when Roy explains that home is in the deep south.... Like Alabama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And that he had walked from there to Victoria BC. where his hip gave out on him.
( I'm now listening ,very intently, in absolute terror. )
He had managed to hitch a ride to Astoria where he had been lay'd up for a while and just needed to get back home ???????????
After a moment to take all of this new info in. I offer'd to buy him a buss ticket home.
No , sez Roy , It ain't on my bucket list...... I'm going to ride there .
Back to the bike / re enforce the frame / designed and installed a dampening system for the engine / wired in lights with a pair of wheel driven dynamo's mounted on the 20" trailer wheels . ( did I forget to mention the trailer? ) Built from the rear of the trike he brought me.
Add fenders.
New tires .
A horn.
And about a million reflectors..
(16 + hours ) I lost count....
I then explain to Roy that he needs to break the engine in properly before he leaves.
I'll have to come back to this. I have to run to the shop. Trust me it get's better......
I met him in early Nov 2014.
A scruffy little Vietnam vet. Late 60's , and a bit down on his luck. ( I thought )
I was in the midst of adding the finishing touches to a Honda Bobber build .
The guy walks into my shop and promptly asks if I can motorize a bicycle.
I was busy at the time, and not paying proper attention to Roy.
My answer was a very poorly thought out " sure I can " .
He then left the building.
About a week later he shows up with an old Sears trike. A china doll kit and a case of Papst .
Roy is a very observant man. He knew my weakness.
Again , I was in the middle of a job and not in the best of moods so I was not in the mood for long conversation.
I asked a few questions :
#1 is the bike stolen . Answer = no.....
#2 what are you going to use it for. answer = I want to ride it home......
I assumed home was in Astoria Or. The town I live in . Silly me......
I then informed him that I'd look at the bike and get back to him.
Later that week I had some time to look at the bike. It was a death trap....
Bent frame / shot crank / etc. Looked like it had been in a head on with a truck.
Called Roy and told him the bad news.....
He then informed me that he had very little cash and asked what I could do.
Now I am known around here as a soft touch for a hard luck story.
I'm a vet and ALWAYS willing to help out a brother.
So, he's got me.....
I scrounged around and came up with an old English road bike frame that was straight and a Nishiki that had been in an accident.
Between the two I ended up with a ride-able 27" 10 speed bike. For no $
After modifying the frame to fit Roy's short inseam ( dropped the seat post 4" and sectioned the frame ) Roy was happy with the bike. ( 6 Hours ).
I then installed the CG and set up the bike. No frills . ( 3 Hours )
That's when Roy explains that home is in the deep south.... Like Alabama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And that he had walked from there to Victoria BC. where his hip gave out on him.
( I'm now listening ,very intently, in absolute terror. )
He had managed to hitch a ride to Astoria where he had been lay'd up for a while and just needed to get back home ???????????
After a moment to take all of this new info in. I offer'd to buy him a buss ticket home.
No , sez Roy , It ain't on my bucket list...... I'm going to ride there .
Back to the bike / re enforce the frame / designed and installed a dampening system for the engine / wired in lights with a pair of wheel driven dynamo's mounted on the 20" trailer wheels . ( did I forget to mention the trailer? ) Built from the rear of the trike he brought me.
Add fenders.
New tires .
A horn.
And about a million reflectors..
(16 + hours ) I lost count....
I then explain to Roy that he needs to break the engine in properly before he leaves.
I'll have to come back to this. I have to run to the shop. Trust me it get's better......
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