Wow! Dr J falls through earths atmosphere near Perris CA. What’s that say on his helmet? He likes mopeds too? Yes, this college professor flies a 30mph 1976 Puch Maxi to work in West Los Angeles traffic, at ground level. What a contrast, but we like it!
Ride 90 Dec 3 2011 went well with about 20 riders going from Myrons in Fullerton to the John Force Car Show in Yorba Linda. On the way out we passed by the old location of Myrons Mopeds, on La Palma just west of Euclid. Sam (who fixed mopeds for Myron) remembered crashing on a 17mph Solex there in about 1986 when it’s low front tire rolled off the rim. Of course Sam was leaning it way over.
Some amazing machines were there. Buster Naylor showed his 1912 Yale 4P, a pedal start 500cc moped that goes 35mph, 40 tops. It has a single 2″ wide leather belt transmission running from a 3″ front pulley on the engine crankshaft to a 24″ pulley attached to the rear rim. The manual ”clutch” is simply a lever that tightens the belt with an idler wheel. It sounds like a choo choo train starting out. Shaun got to ride it around the Myrons parking lot. Pachoo pachoo pachhooo. 100 year old moped! Another amazing machine was Doug’s custom made vintage board track racer replica. Its a heavy duty bicycle, modified to hold a 125cc 3-speed Lifan motor and to look vintage. Doug also showed everyone video of his past creations, including a propeller powered trailer, a sidecar, a jet engine bicycle, and a motorized bicycle with real train horns! Yes they’re four huge horns, weighing 35lbs, powered by an large air compressor with 2 cubic foot air tank, all on a motorized bicycle. He has to wear ear plugs since you can hear it from over a mile away. It makes inattentive car drivers snap back to full attention. Compared to that and the Yale, every other bike was just another moped. The car show was excellent, as always. Thanks for all your great machinery!
The next ride is Ride 91, in March 2012. To be announced in February. This is winter break.
Be aware that the group does not allow unsafe, obnoxious or illegal bikes and/or people. Your bike must be in good working order, cables lubed, tires aired, lights and brakes working good. You must be able to ride perfectly good through the city alone for all afternoon on a 30mph moped. There is no help (there might be, but you can’t count on it) if you break down. You must obey all traffic laws, including drivers license, moped license plate, motorcycle helmet, and liability insurance. You must be able to ride straight, and see things far enough ahead to not endanger the group with a sudden swerve or fast stop. Everyone rides at their own risk. Everyone has fun and arrives back soothed and relaxed, without broken bones and scraped-off skin.
As you may know already, the Myrons Ride picture mosaics, made by Shaun with the same old film camera, scissors and double-stick tape, ended at Ride 86. Many of our riders are taking their own pictures and video. Many still photos and some very nice music videos are being made in almost every Myrons Ride.
Now we have http://myronsmopedsgroup.tumblr.com/ this Tumblr site for viewing pictures. Anyone can compose and post Myrons Ride related pictures. Be sure to watch MXM Sam and Doug’s excellent video of Dougs replica board track racer bike and the Yale, with music lyrics about having a “last ride”, and an embedded tribute to “Dog” Daniel Nguyen. That will make you smile like Dog!
