Age, Gender, Occupation, # of Motorbikes

[FileStyle]

38 years old , father of two , married for 15 years and work as a draftsman / fabricator / shop foreman in the Decatur , IL area. own two china girls , have built a total of 4 motorized bikes. and currently have 1700 miles on my daily mountain bike with a kings 80 cc. easy 30 mph. , top speed has been 38mph.

 

[trackfodder]

I just lost about a foot and a half of script so here we go again. I am 72, unemployed, and living on SS & retirement from Phillips Petroleum R&D dept. I have been married 51 years and have a son 50, and a daughter 47 and one 40. 3 grandkids and a great grand daughter any time now. I have built some over 14 motorbikes in my lifetime and owned at least 145 motorcycles. I still have several. My main ride is an 1100cc Honda ACE Cruiser Shadow, followed by a Kawasaki W-650 retro bike that resembles an early Turnip Bonneville but is much quicker off the line and tops at 110. The only other I carry ins. on is my wife's 250 Yamaha Virago.. Then there is the 83 Honda Magna 1100cc. It has an OH oiling problem so is off-line at present. It is a 140 mph machine with 114 hp and will do 1/4 mi in the 10's. Two Norton Atlas 750's, one a 1965 the other 1968. A 1956 Matchless G-80 500cc single I am restoring (again) ,1974 Yamaha RD250 with 350 cylinders, 1974 Kawasaki KZ 650 in need, Hodaka Ace 90 to do, and a 1979 Vespa P-200E needing a main bearing. Then there are the motorbikes. A Happy Time 80cc on a classic Schwinn Cruiser frame that is about to get powder coated, my last build, a powder coated Monarch frame with 5-1/2 hp Jiang Dong sloping OHV on governor (cruise control @ 42 mph/3100 rpm). The bike features a rubber wheel that once supported a clothes dryer drum driving a full-time bike lighting generator and a 3-speed Sturmey-Archer tranny as a jackshaft and Worksman heavy duty industrial rear wheel with #41 chain .drive. Before that a 3 hp Clinton from a Yazoo high-wheel lawn mower The frame is Rollfast. it is also full-time lighted and chain final with (2) 4-1/2" saddle tanks from exhaust tubing with bulged ends and caps from power steering reservoirs. The fuel taps are on top with stems extending to the outlets in the bottom. The fork is a Jap repro Schwinn springer. The previous one is a 20" Schwinn cruiser with a Briggs & Stratton model N with chain drive. It has a Schwinn spring fork. All 3 have idler clutches and rope starting.
I know centrifugal clutches are nice but just not OLD enough for the nostalgia. When we had a centennial celebration in Bartlesville Ok.I was to escort Jim Bole's old Chrysler and Toly Arutunoff's Ferrari. I wasn't used to riding that slow and my belt started to get sticky and I was about to ram the Scotch Highland band in front of me and had to withdraw. I also have a few boats, a San Juan 21 mk2 sail cruiser, 17 ft daysailer, (2) Sunfish's, 12 ft Hoby Alpha sailboard, 24 ft singles scull, and a 14 ft aluminum fishing boat to retrieve my R/C racing boats, of which there is 25 or 30. My favorites are a 55" version of the Scarab from Miami Vice and Chip Hannaur's 42" Miller American unlimited turbine hydro. Another is a 6 ft version of the Allyson powered Atlas Van Lines unlimited. It only has a 2.2 hp 2.2c.i.Quadra engine. I am waiting for a chainsaw motor I can gear up to make it GO. I assembled a 24 X 25 ft shop with no assistance other than concrete work. It houses my machine tools and a Lotus 7 clone (Locost) I am doing from scratch. It has a 1" square tubing frame that is like a stick model airplane. The motor is a 120 hp DOHC 1.6L Toyota 4A-GE from an 88 GTS. It will weigh 1200 lb and run ~120 mph. With proper tires they will corner at 1.25 G's. I am at a standstill needing over $300 to buy ally and have it powder coated so I can assemble it. I am one heck of a good maintence man and inventive, resourceful and creative, but I am also 72 and nobody wants me. This stuff keeps my mind active so it doesn't ferment. When the car money comes I will probably disappear here, but for now, lets play.
Keith (Trackfodder) Williams

 

[Dan]

Mr.Williams, it's a pleasure to meet ya. Thats one heck of a resume. Pics, we need pics!

 

[ryanatdrewreysolutions]

My name is Ryan - I am 23 and live in Las Vegas.
I am a web developer and graphic designer.
I own 2 motorbikes I have built, I am keeping those.
The next few I make I am trying to sell - already sold 2 for $650 each.
I am this close to making Motorbikes a real side business!

 

[Spikedfox]

Jon 24mNC Pc repair (unemployed working for self, and not living with or off my parents) its so sad to see a man in so few words

Im a mad scientist, Ive made boats from weed eaters and osb (i was 10) ive rebuilt totalled cars, worked construction and currently 2 non motored bikes waiting for a 80cc soul

 

[Knappom]

I'm a 16 year small boy, living in Norway. Currently applying for Industrial Production education.
I've tinkered with bicycles and small motorcycles since forever, but only the last year have i actually combined the two, and it's awesome!
Of MB's i've got a Stihl chainsaw powered one i got from a local carwrecker, and a "Jobu-Knallert" prototype from 1952 (!) They had problems with the engine noise, so it's a one-off, and i'm currently restoring it.
When it comes to real production bikes, i have a few more, especially pre-war Harleys, that my father picked up when they were still "trash"
I've made a "small" list

192? Husqvarna "Kattunge" 200cc
1921 Harley Davidson 1000cc w/ sidecar
192? Harley Davidson 1000cc Boardtracker project
1922 Harley-Davidson 1000cc
1923 Harley-Davidson Stroked 1100cc
1926 Harley Davidson 1200cc w/sidecar
1929 Harley-Davidson 750cc "the ****tiest 750 ever made"
1932 Harley Davidson 750cc Completely original, except for left tank half.
1932 Indian Chief 1200cc w/reverse gearbox from the only dispatch-tow in Norway
1934 Indian Chief 1200cc
1937 DKW RT/3 98cc
1937 Ariel Red Hunter 500cc
1938 NSU 500cc Almost a pure copy of a Norton
1938 Ariel 350cc
1938 New Imperial 150-225cc One of 3 imported to Norway in '38
1940 Nimbus Humlebi 4-cylinder
1941 Zündapp KS-600 600cc shaft drive w/sidecar
1941 Zündapp KS-600 600cc shaft drive under restoration
1943 Ariel 500cc
1948 Excelsior Autobyk 98cc -Essentially a MB with a Villiers engine
1952 Ariel Red Hunter 500cc
1953 Tempo-Villiers 98cc
1954 IFA K-125 125cc
1955 IFA K-125 125cc Enduro bike
1955 ZiD K-125 125cc
1955 ZiD K-125 150cc
196? Puch VS50 2-stroke
1961 Tempo Corvette 50cc
1962 HMW 50cc
1968 Lambretta 150cc
1978 Tempo Panter 50cc
1983 Suzuki 50cc
198? Puch Maxi 50cc
199? Yamaha Sting 50cc
2003 Off-brand Scooter 50cc

What's that? I can't hear you over the sound of how spoiled i am

 

[TexasDav]

Im a farm boy hillbilly at heart, been with my childhood sweet heart 40yrs married 34. I’m 55 and been in the automotive collision 40yrs, counting school, Been teaching auto collision the last 26 yrs and love teaching. Been riding all my life, that’s how I met my wife, me and her brother used to build Hondas back in the 60's when I was a kid. My dad my wife’s dad and all my uncles were coal miners in West Virginia. Most of my wife’s family and mine are there and I own 10 acres and a cabin there. Came to Texas in 76, and it has treated me good. This is a great state, hot though. Two grown kids, my son is an artist working for a graphic and sign company and my daughter is a house wife giving me two great grand kids. I have built many bikes and cars but never for my self. I enjoy the build, not the up-keep. I jump from one thing to the next and always full on. I love these bikes and built one for me and rebuilt one for my son and a restored a scooter for my daughter. I am the built in warrantee for all the cars and trucks, bicycles, motorcycles, in our family and they are all old and falling apart all the time. Also they come with free parts and labor. So my bike is simple and it is easy and gives me great pleasure riding to work and I always take the long way. I love people and think everyones life would make a great movie, the struggle and drama we all share in this life. and first and formost I am a Christian.

 

[hiker472]

I'm 44 and have been married for (I think) 6 years to my first wife. She has a son (in Iraq) and a daughter (who knows where) and me?? Well, I'm too young to have kids! My wife and I own our own homes (mines paid for) and currently I am at her house for this winter. Yeah, I know what you're thinkin', but if we lived together 24-7-365 we'd kill each other, and besides that this arrangement works well for the both of us!

I live up here where Moses left his shoes, in Upper Michigan, and although it's as economically depressed as a third world country, I really love the country up here. I used to drive log truck until the wood market dropped out the bottom and decided to go to college for a Business degree to kill time. Next year I'm going to change my degree to web graphics (business is sooo boring!) and computer programming.

I only own one MB so far (I'm a newbie) and most likely more will follow!

 

[Bikeguy Joe]

I'm a 16 year small boy, living in Norway. Currently applying for Industrial Production education.
I've tinkered with bicycles and small motorcycles since forever, but only the last year have i actually combined the two, and it's awesome!
Of MB's i've got a Stihl chainsaw powered one i got from a local carwrecker, and a "Jobu-Knallert" prototype from 1952 (!) They had problems with the engine noise, so it's a one-off, and i'm currently restoring it.
When it comes to real production bikes, i have a few more, especially pre-war Harleys, that my father picked up when they were still "trash"
I've made a "small" list

192? Husqvarna "Kattunge" 200cc
1921 Harley Davidson 1000cc w/ sidecar
192? Harley Davidson 1000cc Boardtracker project
1922 Harley-Davidson 1000cc
1923 Harley-Davidson Stroked 1100cc
1926 Harley Davidson 1200cc w/sidecar
1929 Harley-Davidson 750cc "the ****tiest 750 ever made"
1932 Harley Davidson 750cc Completely original, except for left tank half.
1932 Indian Chief 1200cc w/reverse gearbox from the only dispatch-tow in Norway
1934 Indian Chief 1200cc
1937 DKW RT/3 98cc
1937 Ariel Red Hunter 500cc
1938 NSU 500cc Almost a pure copy of a Norton
1938 Ariel 350cc
1938 New Imperial 150-225cc One of 3 imported to Norway in '38
1940 Nimbus Humlebi 4-cylinder
1941 Zündapp KS-600 600cc shaft drive w/sidecar
1941 Zündapp KS-600 600cc shaft drive under restoration
1943 Ariel 500cc
1948 Excelsior Autobyk 98cc -Essentially a MB with a Villiers engine
1952 Ariel Red Hunter 500cc
1953 Tempo-Villiers 98cc
1954 IFA K-125 125cc
1955 IFA K-125 125cc Enduro bike
1955 ZiD K-125 125cc
1955 ZiD K-125 150cc
196? Puch VS50 2-stroke
1961 Tempo Corvette 50cc
1962 HMW 50cc
1968 Lambretta 150cc
1978 Tempo Panter 50cc
1983 Suzuki 50cc
198? Puch Maxi 50cc
199? Yamaha Sting 50cc
2003 Off-brand Scooter 50cc

What's that? I can't hear you over the sound of how spoiled i am

Wow....do you need a foster dad?

 

[Bikeguy Joe]

Actually, you could retire now if you sold half those bikes.

 

[2door]

62, semi-retired mech.engineer. Married, 22 years to the same perfect woman, one daughter from a previous marriage who is now in the Air Force. Currently working part time as facility manager for a Denver based manufacturing company. Been a gear head all my life and have been around cars, bikes, boats and planes since I was old enough to know what they were. Served 6 years in the Air Force, drove F-4s and C-47 gun ships in Vietnam. Got my degree from U of Miami and went to work designing air conditioning systems for the York division of Borg-Warner until the Viet war fired up. Couldn't stay in the military, too much of an individualist. (in the Air Force, that's a crime)
Flew cargo in and out of Florida until the late 70s then moved to Colorado (needed a change). Been building and driving hot rods since I was 13; currently own a 1930 Ford 2door
Got involved with motorbikes after seeing one at a car show and got hooked immediately.
Current ride is a 6 year old Roadmaster with a CH-80 kit. Just topped my first 500 miles and enjoying it almost as much as punching holes in the sky. I even ride when its below 30 outdoors and that's saying something 'cause I'm not a fan of winter. Spend way too much time on this forum but enjoy reading what others have done to, and with these amazing little vehicles.
Tom

 

[TyDow]

Wow!! I'd thought I'd be the oldest person here! Whheeeewwwww! Well, I am a 43 year old BF. I am very new to this but very excited. I hope to have my second project done by the end of Jan. I lost my guy in Oct. He was a auto body tech for over 25 years. He was 44 when he passed. We started dong motor bikes together. I thought about quiting when he passed, but I find myself just fascinated with it all. Wish me luck everyone!

 

[Bikeguy Joe]

Good to see you here friend.

 

[2door]

Wow!! I'd thought I'd be the oldest person here! Whheeeewwwww! Well, I am a 43 year old BF. I am very new to this but very excited. I hope to have my second project done by the end of Jan. I lost my guy in Oct. He was a auto body tech for over 25 years. He was 44 when he passed. We started dong motor bikes together. I thought about quiting when he passed, but I find myself just fascinated with it all. Wish me luck everyone!

Welcome, Ty,
I think I recall seeing some earlier posts by you a couple of months ago. Good to see you're still involved with this great hobby. Keep us posted on your builds.
Tom

 

[bikebum1975]

Currently I don't have any motoeredbikes as of yet no money at the moment. I have a couple of bikes one is an old Schwinn continental 10 speed 27 inch rims that will be my first build. Going to drop a 50cc 2 stroker on it with a custom made under tube copper or brass tank haven't decided on that one yet. Also have an old 80s German single speeder that I am going to convert to a motored bike as well. I have in the works an idea for a custom sidecar I am toying with for my 10 speed. I will also be building a Schwinn cruiser chopper with a 50cc slightly hot rodded. But like any hobbies have to wait for the funds to come in plenty of ideas not enough cash always the problem ain't it? I have always been a biker as in pedal bikes never had a motorcycle yet pleanning on getting one of them yet too. Love scooters too. At the moment I don't work now looking for a job as a lot of others are I do a lot of odd jobs but my main thing I do computer repairs and tinker with a lot of things like a lot of you guys here I enjoy learning how things work. Of course sometimes hat can get me in trouble getting apart is easy getting back together again thats the hard part.
Knappam that's an impressive collection you have. YOu shold post some pics of those bikes would love to see some.
Jim

 

[trackfodder]

Hey Babe-You sure ain't the oldest frog in the pond. I'm 72 and have been doin it since the 7th grade. click on my handle and go to all my posts. Find BUILDING A PRACTICAL AND SAFE MOTORBIKE. That pretty well tells what/who I am and where I been. I think there are several of my vintage around here. It's something old guys do when they don't go buy their old age Hardly Davidson to be seen on. I have several motorcycles, but this is needed mental exercise while I am daring somebody to hire me. I ran out of money for the next stage of the Lotus 7 build from scratch and this I can do for practically free.

 

[yoseph]

17, college sophomore, have just 1 motor bike

 

[Plindy]

51, dwm, grunt, #1- 48cc raw. on 12/08 last fun ride, 1975 f250 with 400,000 miles or more. paid $200. with my house behind, 26 foot camper with wood stove. hope to build more! this place is better than tv.

 

[captainrichhill]

Like someone posted before, I thought I was going towards the top when it came to age @ 42yrs. Thanks guys. I'm an airline Captain. I have lots of hobbies and I love to tinker in the garage. That's why this hobby is perfect.
GREAT POST!

 

[unraw]

I'm 15, going on 16 this year. I own 2 MBs and have built many for other people. I work at a dairy barn and drive my MB to work every day.