So... what it this blog about anyway? Well, I needed a place to write about my bike-related endeavors. A place to write about bike modifications, motors, rides, types and all of the other stuff that comes to mind. Colorider of course is a combination of Colorado-rider I live in Colorado and I ride. I know clever.
I have already kicked this off with a bang. Last night I bought a Schwinn Jaguar cruiser style bike. Add this to my Trek mountain bike, and my classic Schwinn Stingray sitting in the garage. My wife is really excited about my filling the garage up with "one more thing." We won't even talk about the TerraTrike I purchased earlier this year.
The goal behind the new cruiser is that I plan to Install a 2-stroke motor onto it and maybe even try it out as a commuter. It just sounds like a very fun project. So far I have decided that I know I want to go with the 2-stroke for simplicity's sake.
So what got me going on this crazy idea anyway?
Over the last month or so I have been looking around at some of the less expensive motorcycle kits. Everything from the Kikker 5150 Hardknock to a number of other kits out there on the market. I have been wanting to build something with two wheels, something that is greener than my car. Something fun though. Since I finished with my MA I have been feeling like I needed something to fill the homework/thesis gap. Not that I have a ton of time on my hands, I just feel the need to get my hands dirty making something. I want to spend time with my 5-year old tinkering on something.
I am pretty handy. I'm the kind of guy who would happily hand paint flames on his own car (I did it this last Christmas eve), I love to make stuff and I am not shy about standing out in a crowd. Seems like a motorized bicycle is a perfect project.
This last weekend I was walking in Old Colorado City with my family when we stumbled upon Whizzers of Oz (local Whizzers dealership). They had a bright red bike out front, I knew that was the sort of project I was looking for. Bikes, motors, sweet! There is something so cool about the idea of getting back to the true roots of motorcycling.
I am pretty sure I'll be going with and engine from Thatsdax.com I emailed the address on the site and I am working out a pickup for next week. No postage or waiting. I have already got my brother and my dad all stoked up about this project. They both want to do one too.
Progress on the motor-bike so far includes:
- Bought the "host bike" for $119 USD at Target (brand-new men's 26-inch Blue and silver Schwinn Jaguar)
- Filled the tires up to full capacity (40 psi)
- Adjusted the seat, it was completely loose. (Seriously after seeing how loose it was I am thinking it wouldn't hurt to go over the whole bike with a wrench set and make sure it is really put together correctly.
- Applied a small flashlight to the handlebars with some electrical tape as a temporary safety device.
- Took the bike on it's maiden voyage around the block just to get a feel for it (the tires were so flat in the store I didn't get to ride it until I got it home, I think they do that to prevent people from taking them for a spin in the store).
Future "plans" (just what I got in my head so far):
- Install the motor
- Get it running well
- Customize/accessorize (I love the old school fenders but want the sturdier ones than the factory ones you get these days, I'd love to do some cool stuff with the tank and maybe a rack in the back and some hand-built lighting solutions. Signals? Whitewall tires?)
- Design a custom paint scheme
- Strip the whole thing down and paint
- Reassemble
- Start a second one :)
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