That's quite a life Joe and epiphany too. Don't let life get you down.
Tom
Tom
For Old Guys Only
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I hear you Joe. Standing by a wife or long term partner no matter what doesn't win you any prizes - but it says a lot.
Building bikes and blowing hot air on this forum helps though...
Building bikes and blowing hot air on this forum helps though...
Joe I didn't hit the like button because sometimes it doesn't fit the situation, I'll say I do like what you're doing. It takes a good man to take care of his wife, it takes a better man to take care of someone he doesn't have to.
Thanks Greg.
I have been told by my boss, daughters and others that I am a "hero".
I don't subscribe to that. I am more of a wandering lost soulman who still believes there is right and wrong in this world.
I'd rather sacrifice than destroy.
I have been told by my boss, daughters and others that I am a "hero".
I don't subscribe to that. I am more of a wandering lost soulman who still believes there is right and wrong in this world.
I'd rather sacrifice than destroy.
I imagine that I am qualified to post here because I my advanced years. I discovered gas bikes a few years back, when I turned 80. Mainly attracted by the ridiculously low kit prices, always was a cheapskate at heart. Now I see it as my freedom for when they eventually take my licence away. Since I dislike unwanted attention and know many hate it when they see someone having fun. I decided that hybrid gas/electric/pedals was the answer for me, that way I have a legitimate answer for those probing questions; its an electric bike with a generator. I am now on my third version of my perfect old guy's Beach Cruiser Hybrid and I already know it's not the last.
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Fun video David, could you post a link of the Australian engine side freewheel please.
Tom
Tom
Tom Here is the link to the free wheeling engine sprocket. There are a couple of videos that explain its advantages and show how to install it on your wheel at the bottom of the page. https://www.motorizedbicycle.ca/hybriped-hybrid-pedal-sprocket.html
Davideo, you're my inspiration.
I'm a few years shy of you.
After I retired in 2004, my wife got me volunteering at her office. Two months later, they put me on the payroll. I made a motorized bike, since wifey stayed late. She retired in 2008, and I'm still riding to work, but not often on a bike.
I've been working off and on for years in creating a twin pocketbike-engined motorized bike that'll weigh under 100 lbs. The frame had to have a multi-speeds and a shift kit, and I finally found one that fit my purpose. There's enough mid-frame space that I'll replace the pb engines for two fast, dependable Tanaka 47R kart engines.
With the proper mounts, I should be able to align the engines into a classic 90-degree "V-twin position" in the midframe.....and still pedal, of course.
I'm still gathering go-kart parts and pocket-bike parts and taking measurements and racking my brain.
Full time work and the pandemic slows my project, as well as finding the energy to teach 3 grandkids to ride their bikes for the first time.
And then I get sidetracked with another project of installing a 212cc Predator thru the gears of an 8-speed comfort bike, using jackshafts and timing belt pulleys.....
I've been married to my only wife for 46 years. As long as she's happy, I can play with my toys, lol.
I'm a few years shy of you.
After I retired in 2004, my wife got me volunteering at her office. Two months later, they put me on the payroll. I made a motorized bike, since wifey stayed late. She retired in 2008, and I'm still riding to work, but not often on a bike.
I've been working off and on for years in creating a twin pocketbike-engined motorized bike that'll weigh under 100 lbs. The frame had to have a multi-speeds and a shift kit, and I finally found one that fit my purpose. There's enough mid-frame space that I'll replace the pb engines for two fast, dependable Tanaka 47R kart engines.
With the proper mounts, I should be able to align the engines into a classic 90-degree "V-twin position" in the midframe.....and still pedal, of course.
I'm still gathering go-kart parts and pocket-bike parts and taking measurements and racking my brain.
Full time work and the pandemic slows my project, as well as finding the energy to teach 3 grandkids to ride their bikes for the first time.
And then I get sidetracked with another project of installing a 212cc Predator thru the gears of an 8-speed comfort bike, using jackshafts and timing belt pulleys.....
I've been married to my only wife for 46 years. As long as she's happy, I can play with my toys, lol.
5-7 HEAVEN, I find your story fascinating, you're full of great ideas. Keep on creating
Thanks Davideo, and guys,
MB's are great stimulation for body and mind.
Sadly, I had to get rid of my Diamondback Response w/Tanaka 47R engine. It'd always been too tall for my short legs. I'm shrinking and stiffening with age.
So I'm working on a Sixthreezero extended cruiser. Proactive response to an inevitable fall while stopping.
Now I can rest my feet on the ground and not tiptoe!
MB's are great stimulation for body and mind.
Sadly, I had to get rid of my Diamondback Response w/Tanaka 47R engine. It'd always been too tall for my short legs. I'm shrinking and stiffening with age.
So I'm working on a Sixthreezero extended cruiser. Proactive response to an inevitable fall while stopping.
Now I can rest my feet on the ground and not tiptoe!
Thanks for the link David, I am giving it a hard look to use on my Huffy Davidson.
Tom
Great Tom, keep us informed about your decision. I am a long ways away from trying my rebuild and I have high hopes for the future, seeing what the freewheeling sprocket does for eliminating unwanted chain drag during rides without engine power.
I was always told they were for keeping the hub shiny, the last bike I had with one was just a piece of leather loop with a rivet to make it hang in place.
When I was a kid everyone had shiny hubs, we fashioned loops from old car inner tubes and tied them loosely around our hubs. When we become bored and wanted to add some excitement to our lives, we got a cloths pin and a playing card and pinned the card to the bike fork and the sound made by the card rubbing on the spokes as we rode was close enough to a motor bike for us.
I used to snatch those dummy credit cards they would mail out in junk mail for that same reason and since they were plastic they lasted longer.
I still hoard those for bondo/spackling spreaders and light scraping duty.
what would you guys say to or ask your parents, if they were still around?
Funny, I was just thinking about this.
My dad is 87, and he's at that point where talking to him can be a chore. He either doesn't understand and my step mom has to be his translator, or he will come out of nowhere with vague stories of the very old days, like he's rerunning parts of his childhood.
It's a chore I gladly do when I can.
My mom died 13 years ago. There is SO much I'd ask her now. She used to be a great story teller. We would sit around under the giant willow in the summer with a fire and she'd tell us story after story about the mischief she and her brother would get into, things about my G pa and G ma, and a lot of family stuff.
My 2 sisters, brother and I would ask her anything and everything and she always had an honest answer.
My dad is 87, and he's at that point where talking to him can be a chore. He either doesn't understand and my step mom has to be his translator, or he will come out of nowhere with vague stories of the very old days, like he's rerunning parts of his childhood.
It's a chore I gladly do when I can.
My mom died 13 years ago. There is SO much I'd ask her now. She used to be a great story teller. We would sit around under the giant willow in the summer with a fire and she'd tell us story after story about the mischief she and her brother would get into, things about my G pa and G ma, and a lot of family stuff.
My 2 sisters, brother and I would ask her anything and everything and she always had an honest answer.
Tony,& Joe Saturday was my Dad's birthday 110 years ago. So I spent part of that beautiful morning talking with my parents at their grave site. It was uplifting. Talking with them was always easy and it still is. I mainly laughed but cried a little as well. I remembered our great times and simple things from the past and explained the current familial realities and blessings. I rode out on my Fat electric and the whole experience felt very childlike and innocent. It was a glorious, clean feeling and so worthwhile. I talked and asked about their basic values & pray that those are also instilled in me. I was gifted with wonderful parents that in the past I often took for granted. As a result of my visit I'm better equipped, reassured & confident to face the todays one by one and that's no small matter considering current events.
Old guys now have seen much; our parents endured so much more in the 20th. century and still that generation prospered in most metrics of that which really matters. Yet they weren't perfect either. They did well in order that we can too! So I'm proud of our father's generation & it's contributions laid on the scale of good & evil. Those accomplishments weigh heavily on the side of good. I hope others can truly believe the same of our own & future generations.
Make a positive difference in that which you choose to do.
Rick C.