wrenching4fun
Active Member
All of us get some form of satisfaction from this hobby or we wouldn’t go to the trouble. In the beginning, it was all about resurrecting a so called “donor bike’, usually a cast off from a dumpster or yard sale, to make it useful again. At that point, investing as little as possible in each build was a key goal. Some early builders developed an itch to use the hobby as a creative outlet and took the hobby to new levels by replicating early board track racers or vintage Harleys and Indians. Some of these early creations were truly inspiring and continue to be today.
Then there were those who chose to challenge the limits of bicycles by emphasizing speed. Engines were modified to increase rpms and horse power with better carbs, different timing, reeds, and porting. Others found ways to cram larger and larger 4 strokes like Predator 212s tied to a CVT into a frame. All of this led to an interest in racing, primarily in Southern California, with an impressive, but short-lived, degree of interest and success.
At the same time, some builders formed loosely-organized clubs to sponsor urban excursions similar to those held by moped clubs. Interesting videos of rides through major cities like LA were posted online showcasing points of interest and dubious traffic law observation. Conspicuous among the content was the high incidence of breakdowns and some of the creative ways of overcoming them. Bikes with Ape Hangars, fishtail exhausts, custom paint jobs, and colorful rims attracted a lot of attention from drivers and pedestrians.
Throughout this evolution, vendors continued to promote different versions of engines and other equipment to support the hobby. The cost of building a bike was generally low, mainly due to cheap imports, allowing nearly anyone to pick up the hobby. The consistently poor quality resulted in high frustration especially among participants with limited mechanical ability or tools, causing high turnover in the ranks. More determined members turned to higher quality engines and drive components in an effort to improve reliability and safety. Utilization of Morini engines, flathead B&S engines, and aftermarket products by Grubee Inc, Sic Bike Products, and Staton Inc. offered alternatives, but as stated already, not everyone possessed the skills to make something other than a “plug n play” option work.
Nevertheless, diehards persevere and continue to enjoy the brotherhood of the build. As I age out of the hobby, boosting speed and riding in parades to showcase my work becomes less and less important. This morning, for example, I felt a strong sense of satisfaction just tidying up my cables and wiring with zip ties. In the past, I would have been thinking about a paint scheme or cursing the rain for keeping me from riding my new build. Truth is, if the sun came out right now, I’d probably jump on the Ebike and go for a slow easy ride with the wife. One thing that never changes is change.
Then there were those who chose to challenge the limits of bicycles by emphasizing speed. Engines were modified to increase rpms and horse power with better carbs, different timing, reeds, and porting. Others found ways to cram larger and larger 4 strokes like Predator 212s tied to a CVT into a frame. All of this led to an interest in racing, primarily in Southern California, with an impressive, but short-lived, degree of interest and success.
At the same time, some builders formed loosely-organized clubs to sponsor urban excursions similar to those held by moped clubs. Interesting videos of rides through major cities like LA were posted online showcasing points of interest and dubious traffic law observation. Conspicuous among the content was the high incidence of breakdowns and some of the creative ways of overcoming them. Bikes with Ape Hangars, fishtail exhausts, custom paint jobs, and colorful rims attracted a lot of attention from drivers and pedestrians.
Throughout this evolution, vendors continued to promote different versions of engines and other equipment to support the hobby. The cost of building a bike was generally low, mainly due to cheap imports, allowing nearly anyone to pick up the hobby. The consistently poor quality resulted in high frustration especially among participants with limited mechanical ability or tools, causing high turnover in the ranks. More determined members turned to higher quality engines and drive components in an effort to improve reliability and safety. Utilization of Morini engines, flathead B&S engines, and aftermarket products by Grubee Inc, Sic Bike Products, and Staton Inc. offered alternatives, but as stated already, not everyone possessed the skills to make something other than a “plug n play” option work.
Nevertheless, diehards persevere and continue to enjoy the brotherhood of the build. As I age out of the hobby, boosting speed and riding in parades to showcase my work becomes less and less important. This morning, for example, I felt a strong sense of satisfaction just tidying up my cables and wiring with zip ties. In the past, I would have been thinking about a paint scheme or cursing the rain for keeping me from riding my new build. Truth is, if the sun came out right now, I’d probably jump on the Ebike and go for a slow easy ride with the wife. One thing that never changes is change.
