Tuesday, November 17, 2009

VMBE Begins Labor Outsourcing Program in Moscow

Okay, well, technically it's accurate. But it's Moscow, Vermont. Not Russia. It's near Stowe.

And yuppies.

This is a picture of John "The Birdman" Adams welding up some braces on the frame of Hakker's Hawg on Monday 11/16. We're getting there.


Friday, November 13, 2009

Jeff's ride:

frame: Bozo (early 60's)
engine: Honda 5.5hp, 3/4" shaft
41 chain
60 tooth sprocket
Comet clutch
scrub brakes

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Welcome Fellow Mini Bikers

Welcome to Vermont Mini Bike Enthusiast. This blog site was created by 3 brothers who have just discovered the exciting world of old school mini bikes. And as the newbies to this really cool activity, we figured the best way to learn more and enjoy it to its fullest is to invite all of you to join us by taking part in this new venue for mini bike enthusiasts. It is our intention to create a place to share knowledge of mini bikes, ideas, stories, photos, parts & pieces, and general information.
In the future, it is our hope to provide info of events and gatherings such as fun rides, rallys, timed events, etc.
Although this blog site is still in its early stages, feel free to contribute your comments. All are welcome!

Brothers who dream together...

Six young brothers growing up in Burlington, VT in the early 1960's all shared the same desire, to build a mini bike that they could all take turns riding around their big backyard on North Union Street. Of course, there weren't too many young boys in that era who had the disposable income to spend on mini bike parts. And the hard working parents struggling to raise six boys didn't exactly view the funding of a mini bike as a budgetary priority. Therefore, the dream was put on hold as life continued on with schooling, marriages, children, careers, grandchildren, etc., and pushed that dream continuously further onto life's back burner.
But now, over four decades later, the three remaining brothers, all into their 50's have come to realize that even though the dream had faded into an old "remember when...", the desire had always remained.
To make a long story a little shorter, WE HAVE OUR MINI BIKES! Not just one to share, but one for each of us. Built together a little at a time, some old parts, some new, and some homemade. Two are running and ridable, and the third is awaiting a few parts to arrive for final assembly.
Although it is now November and we will soon stop raking and start shoveling, we're taking advantage of every opportunity to ride.
Meeting each Wednesday evening, Jeff, Jack and I (Ron) work on our bikes, helping each other, and all learning as we go. None of us has any prior experience with motorbikes of any kind. Never rode them, never owned them. So to a group of 50 something grandfathers this is not just a new challenge for us, but a chance to be kids again for a little while. The long wait was well worth it as it has proven more fun than we had anticipated.