A Blog about Motorcycles. Also at www.OldMotoDude.Com, on the OldMotoDude YouTube channel, and Pinterest. The motorcycles are mostly vintage, but really anything that catches my eye. 99.99% of the content on this blog is original material. Comments are always welcome. Use the search bar... you never know what you might find.
In 1964 I was given a mini bike by a family friend. It was a "Bitsa" at that time. All of the sheetmetal "Trim" was gone. The motor was a McCulloch "Mac 10" chainsaw motor.
ReplyDeleteIt turned out that the Mac was shot and rebuilding it was a $300 deal. My Dad bought a Clinton 3 and a 1/2 hp Lawnmower engine and sold the Mac to a guy that he worked with.
A welder/fabricator added a Jack shaft and improved the rear wheel mount and replaced the External Contracting(!!) brake with a modern cable operated drum brake.
I rode the wee beast for a few years before I had a driver's license. That brought on motorcycles and the Hiawatha sat neglected until it was sold to a friend.
It was a fun little cycle and I learned alot from it. Now, about 55 years later, I realize what a huge influence it was on me.
I have ridden about half a million miles in my life. I road raced for a few years. Toured all around the western US and did 3 weeks in New Zealand.
All because of the fun I had on a Hiawatha.
Great story. Thanks for sharing.
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