Dig back deep into your riding past....... no, much deeper than that. Try to remember one or two of those very early bikes that really initiated you into the rhealm of Motorcycledom? I bet it's been along time since you thought about that first love, I know it was for me, but this past week I was reminded of that old ride when I got a call from an old family friend.
Seems he was a recent recipient of an early 60's Mini-Bike, called a Toulie-Trooper. He owned it in the late 70's and then sold it to a friend of a friend and since then it has changed hands some 4-5 times, mostly sitting in someones garage or barn collecting cobwebs. Being he's in his late 60's and has no need for it he called me. I was the one that sold it to him when I outgrew it in the late 60's early 70's range.
This mini-bike was one of those tube frame type with a rear brake and a 2-speed trans that only shifted while stopped. It had a centrifugal cluth and your feet rested on a floorpan directly infront of the seat like some 'woman's' bike or modern day scooter.
At 11yrs old it was my pride and joy. I repainted it a copper color, had my Mom sew some leopard print cloth together for my seat. I made a hinged plywood panel that she covered with the same material which allowed me to carry passengers on the rear. I applied the letters 'C H E E T A H' on the side and had my 'groovey ride'. Boy was I proud, but it soon lacked the power necessary to make it up certain hills. I discovered Briggs & Stratton made a 5hp motor the exact size of the tired 4hp it was then sporting. I saved up and did my first engine swap. Beefed up the transmission bracket (several times). Wore out several sets of brakes and tires and eventually out grew it's limited power and speed, but not after cutting off a finger in the chain sprocket and getting one good picture to remember these beginnings. (My first Engine Swap, first Repaint, first Custom Mods, first Reupholstery, etc, etc)
The Old Mini-Bike will once again be gracing my garage, undergoing amajor 'pimp job' and who knows, maybe there's another great picture forreadying itself for placement on my motorcyle wall of fame? Or at leastin the wall imbedded deep in my memories!
Enjoy!
