Ive been looking and reading here only a few weeks, but am very impressed!, never really knew there was a movement like this (old guy, 'out of the loop').
Im 59, been around mechanics and machine work all my life (former motorcycle wrench) but had to sell my last m-cycle about 3yrs ago 'cause I realized I wasnt so good at keeping up with the game anymore (its dangerous out there!). Still, classy bikes are soooo nice........and here I discovered bicycles can be a way for me to keep revved.
In about 1963 I had a real, original ratrod, possibly a CWC built (as I try to visualize it now), brush painted red adult sized frame, cream wheels with pinstriping and a 'racing' leather saddle. It weighed a ton, but was built like a tank; oh how I wish I had it now!
In 1965, for my 12th B-day, my folks got me my dream, a new JC Penney's version of the Raleigh 3spd. It said 'Made in England' , maybe on the fender? (but from research now it looks to have been an Austrian made, under license version), and was light and fast.
By the time I was 15 motorcycles had caught my attention (I wanted to go up hills like I went down hills on the bicycle), and I got my first of many, a bobbed and beat Indian Chief flathead twin that I cleaned up and traded soon for a bobbed and beat 1948 HD 74.
The 'English' bike was in beautiful shape and was sold to a neighbor kid.
Add 30+ years and over 20 motorcycles.......; fast forward:
In the late 80's I had my right ACL rebuilt and needed rehab, biking was supposed to be good so I stopped at the LBS and found a Schwinn cantilever frame, maybe 10-15 yrs old, with a straight MB type fork, ss-coaster and MB tires. Should have kept that one too, but the MB thing hit me and I traded it in for a 18spd Takara. It worked fine but last year I bought a Trek 7200 and sold the T to our neighbor.
About two years ago I swapped a bunch of m-cycle stuff for a (1972?)BSA (appears to be a) Wayfarer, 3spd with 'lots of patina'; it cleaned up great, black, with a wonderful head badge and most decals intact. I flipped the 'northroad' bars and put on a Brooks B-66 a friend gifted me with and it was quite the 'pathracer' for a start. It is a work in progress, mostly original with a few 'sensible mods' ongoing. I call it my 'Pubman'.
Recently I got a real Raleigh Sports off CL and have it in 'tourist' configuration, again, black c/w headbadge and decals.
I 'thought' I would stick with a modest collection/selection of English bikes, and was really looking for a Triumph badged one, and linked onto RatRodBikes........and once I hit the gallery, especially the Board Track Bikes, I was hopelessly gone.
So......within the last couple of weeks a real GT Dyno Deuce (CL again) came home and what a gem!, heavy duty, and lovingly cared for by the original owner and bike mechanic who rebuilt and upgraded the wheels, red brick tires, crankset, etc. (thanx John!). This was to become my boardtracker, but it has become more of a 'rod', in keeping with its original '50's style bobbed fenders and flat black/flames paint. It fits right in with our local 'cruiser car' night at the A&W.
And there are already more, each different in character and possibilities.........so many bikes, so little time!
Life is good!
>-<=>
Im 59, been around mechanics and machine work all my life (former motorcycle wrench) but had to sell my last m-cycle about 3yrs ago 'cause I realized I wasnt so good at keeping up with the game anymore (its dangerous out there!). Still, classy bikes are soooo nice........and here I discovered bicycles can be a way for me to keep revved.
In about 1963 I had a real, original ratrod, possibly a CWC built (as I try to visualize it now), brush painted red adult sized frame, cream wheels with pinstriping and a 'racing' leather saddle. It weighed a ton, but was built like a tank; oh how I wish I had it now!
In 1965, for my 12th B-day, my folks got me my dream, a new JC Penney's version of the Raleigh 3spd. It said 'Made in England' , maybe on the fender? (but from research now it looks to have been an Austrian made, under license version), and was light and fast.
By the time I was 15 motorcycles had caught my attention (I wanted to go up hills like I went down hills on the bicycle), and I got my first of many, a bobbed and beat Indian Chief flathead twin that I cleaned up and traded soon for a bobbed and beat 1948 HD 74.
The 'English' bike was in beautiful shape and was sold to a neighbor kid.
Add 30+ years and over 20 motorcycles.......; fast forward:
In the late 80's I had my right ACL rebuilt and needed rehab, biking was supposed to be good so I stopped at the LBS and found a Schwinn cantilever frame, maybe 10-15 yrs old, with a straight MB type fork, ss-coaster and MB tires. Should have kept that one too, but the MB thing hit me and I traded it in for a 18spd Takara. It worked fine but last year I bought a Trek 7200 and sold the T to our neighbor.
About two years ago I swapped a bunch of m-cycle stuff for a (1972?)BSA (appears to be a) Wayfarer, 3spd with 'lots of patina'; it cleaned up great, black, with a wonderful head badge and most decals intact. I flipped the 'northroad' bars and put on a Brooks B-66 a friend gifted me with and it was quite the 'pathracer' for a start. It is a work in progress, mostly original with a few 'sensible mods' ongoing. I call it my 'Pubman'.
Recently I got a real Raleigh Sports off CL and have it in 'tourist' configuration, again, black c/w headbadge and decals.
I 'thought' I would stick with a modest collection/selection of English bikes, and was really looking for a Triumph badged one, and linked onto RatRodBikes........and once I hit the gallery, especially the Board Track Bikes, I was hopelessly gone.
So......within the last couple of weeks a real GT Dyno Deuce (CL again) came home and what a gem!, heavy duty, and lovingly cared for by the original owner and bike mechanic who rebuilt and upgraded the wheels, red brick tires, crankset, etc. (thanx John!). This was to become my boardtracker, but it has become more of a 'rod', in keeping with its original '50's style bobbed fenders and flat black/flames paint. It fits right in with our local 'cruiser car' night at the A&W.
And there are already more, each different in character and possibilities.........so many bikes, so little time!
Life is good!
>-<=>
