Arm Pump 7.7.06
Hello everyone! I am using this space on the site to help answer some of the questions I get asked daily, and to inform you of what's new here at the Vintage Factory. Our business has really grown this year, and thank you for that! We've got so many new, and unique builds we're working on, and will post information on those soon. So stay tuned! I named it "Arm Pump", because that's what I feel like I have, after going wide open 6-7 days a week. In upcoming "Arm Pump" columns, I want to share stories on, finding the Marty Tripes's RC Honda that John Roeder claimed in 79, different things happening within our business, new parts we're working on, life in general for me here at the Factory.
My life is pretty normal. I'm 43, I have a great wife, and 3 healthy kids, Andrew 24, Betsy 20, Craig 16. And I have a 3-1/2 year old granddaughter, whom I just can't get enough of. A lot of people question me as to why I sold Red Racer in 2003, just 11 months after I started it. One of the main reasons, My Granddaughter, Haley came along, and with both her parents working, I felt selling the business would give me the time, as well and money to help with her. So I did, and I took a year off, and spent it with her. It was the best time I ever had. We're the best of buddies to this day. Most recently, my wife felt the urge to get us a pet, a Jack Russell Terrier. I've never seen a Tasmanian Devil, but I have a pretty good idea as to what one would be like.
I spend most of my time working, or with my family. I spend hours at the computer, working on the site, as well as few others I do for people. Answering usually 100 plus emails a day, and search for parts when I can. The remainder is usually spent in the shop. Usually a 14+ hour day. But I love doing it, I consider myself very blessed to be able to do this for my living, so I try not to complain. I ride occasionally, but it's hard with my schedule. I raced Motocross from the early 70's up until the early 80's, then got married and started a family. Responsibility took over, which halted the racing, but I've been riding ever since. Now that my kids are mostly gone, I've entertained building me another bike to race, we'll see. I have to say though, that LOP 125 looks tempting, but those 30 waist vintage leathers don't... I do enjoy taking my mint vintage Honda VT500 Ascot out on the weekends for a drive when the weather is nice. It will do 0-60 in 5 minutes. As I'm writing this, I'm awaiting the mailman, I get parts in daily via mail, UPS, etc. It's like Christmas everyday here. My family thinks I'm crazy when I jet out the door, and make a run for the mailbox to get a box usually containing a crusty 25 year old part? Get with the program people..
I see the early to mid 80's machines are really growing in demand. Before you know it, the Bailey/Johnson/Wardy era machines will be the "thing" to own. Those were cool years. I saw those guys race at Anaheim in 1986-87. What races those were. I read earlier where David Bailey isn't doing so well, read about it on this weeks Racerhead on the Racer X site. http://www.racerxill.com/articles/detail/863/racerhead-27.aspx
I've pretty much been in the business one form, or another since the early days. I was very lucky to have worked with Tim McCool (T&M Eng.) and Ken Boyko (DG Performance) which allowed me to meet a lot of key people in the industry. I remember watching Tim hand make those pipes. Wow, what talent. He'd let me do some of the seat/dyno testing when completed, what fun that was. They run the mega exhaust company "Cobra Eng." still to this day. I am still most impressed by the memories I have of visiting Dave Miller's (Miller Mano, DMC Concepts) shop in those days. I remember Dave having more natural talent than anyone I had ever seen. Amazing is the only way to describe his work. I remember having business lunches with the Cobra gang, along with Harry Klemm, team mechanic for DG Performance in the 70's, wow, talk about stories to hear... and FMF's Don Emler, don't even get me started. I remember Bob Hannah coming into our office, driving his Ferrari, DG's Gary Denton, Gary Harlow (The G in DG Performance), John and Rita Gregory of JT Racing. Meeting with Darryl Bassani, working with Pro-Fab/Cal-Fab as it later was named, and Eddie Cole of Answer Products. Working with Laurie Blackwell, Greg and Mark's sister. And Kenny Boyko, what history he has. Going to Angels ballgames with Tim, Kenny, and his buddy, Pat Alexander of Team Suzuki. Remember Kenny's brother Teddy Boyko, who owned "Vulcan Cycle Works", they built trick XR75's, then he later was a test rider for DG, and headed up their BMX division. What a great experience getting to meet and work with some of those talented people.
I plan on making the trek to Chicago real soon to see my good friend, Terry Good. His site is http://www.mxworksbike.com/ . Terry is one of the nicest, and most knowledgeable people on Motocross history you will ever meet. He has the most complete collection of Mx works bikes on the planet, and adding more each month. Be sure and check his site regularly, he is adding lots of new information, and rare photos daily. His site rocks. The DVD's he offers are the best, if you haven't gotten them, you're missing out. I'm bringing the Tripes RC, we plan on recreating the 79 250 Hangtown race in his back yard against Hannah's OW Yamaha. I predict a different outcome this time. I'm sure he'll have something to say on that... I just hope nobody tries to claim the RC before the first moto...
I purchased all of the DVD's Danny "Magoo" Chandler is offering on his site, you have got to get these for your collection, they are hot! http://www.dannymagoo.com/index.html
I also see a new magazine is coming out from the creators of Cycle News, here is the site: http://www.mximag.com/ .
Also, check out the pics my friend Duane Brown of BBR http://www.bbrmotorsports.com/Home.htm sent me of his recent restoration on the Jeff Ward XR75 Racer they got from me a few years back. Man, he does nice work, and what a rare-trick machine! Although they specialize in the newer bikes, they have a background that goes way back to the vintage days. Very nice people.
Friend Andre Holstein Castro has come out with some bitchin' Mugen Replica Jerseys and T-shirts, contact him at ahcastro@netcabo.pt . These are available on Ebay as well under seller ID: Zilowski .
Well stay tuned, I hope you enjoy my ramblings, it's not to boast, but only to share. I enjoy telling, as well as hearing stories from Motocross past. To me, they were the best of times - ever.
Talk soon
Scott
