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Great to see so many Dad's who were real fathers in our youth , not that common today so salute to real dad's !
My kids also dreamed motorcycles and i also raced on the weekend motocross . pic of my old RM400 with my young son who's 1st bike was a 1969 CL125 Twin and became a stunter and my daughter who grew out of her honda scooter
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Love that TM400! I was a drooling 11-year old kid when Roger DeCoster and Joel Robert ruled the MX world. With its monoshock, yours appears to be more recent than an early-70's Cyclone.
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So cool, Chip. Such a common theme for those of us of a certain age. I graduated from the Briggs & Stratton to a Yamaha Mini Enduro, and ignited a lifelong motorbike passion. Maybe I’ll find one of those and do a similar thing!
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Gentlemen,
Looking at that old picture of Charley on his Mini Trail got me thinking about where that bike is now. I don't have the phone number of the guy I sold it to 20 years ago. He bought it for his son who would be 24 today. But I remembered where he lived so I drove over there so see if he still lived there two decades later and lo and behold, he answered the door. I had to explain who I was and then he remembered me. I asked whatever happened to the little bike and I was shocked when he told me it had been sitting out in the weather by his back fence for the last 15 years. It didn't run and was covered with dirt and leaves. He told me he just never got around to throwing it out and if I wanted it I could have it!!!! I was so happy to get my son's very first motorcycle back! I hauled it home and it's in my garage and out of the weather. I've already ordered $600 worth of new parts and by the time I'm done it will be brand new again. How cool is that?
Chip
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Chip
Perhaps onset of hypothermia even.
Regards, NRTM
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Chip, on the 'cool' thermometer that is well below zero (F)!!
Please keep us across the rebuild, looking forward to seeing a picture of it beneath an excited youngster.
Good luck with the project.
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Chip that's an amazing story, and the little thing survived so well, the chrome even shines......
Maybe go easy on the replacement, scratches bring back memories, a bike is only original once.
Someone told me a story about his triumph twin and how another friend restored it to a very high standard.....he did not like to drive it much afterwards, said it did not look like his old bike, it made me think.
best of luck with the project, you have a unique opportunity.
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As the young ‘uns would say, ‘awesome’.
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What parts? That doesn't need parts, it just needs a good bath!
With a quick carb clean and fresh gas I'd bet it still runs fine.
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(06-03-2018, 01:11 AM)PowerDubs_imp Wrote: What parts? That doesn't need parts, it just needs a good bath!
With a quick carb clean and fresh gas I'd bet it still runs fine.
Gentlemen,
It's hurt worse than it looks. There is a hole knocked clear through the left side engine case and the shifter shaft is bent badly. The bike has a lot more rust than is apparent in the photos. It's all fixable but there would be easier bikes to bring back to new. I am enjoying tearing this bike down and looking forward to the final result.
Chip
