[Darren Chafin]

in reply to: Portland this year. #1422 |

I bought an old pre-war bike about three years ago at Portland for $75 I think. I found a matched set of tires before the meet was over. I like it. It has lots of patina believe me. It’s rather hard to chase the kids down with mini-bikes though while riding it. I’ll see if I can get a picture of it in the next day or two.

[Darren Chafin]

in reply to: My kids having fun #1412 |

Yeah I made those myself, and they were far superior to the ones Honda sold for them. The Honda kit was about $100 and they didn’t work very well. I had a chance to actually ride a buddies mini-bike before I bought them. There really wasn’t much too them and I thought maybe I could fabricate them myself. They were attached just underneath the foot pegs where I made mine to attach to the rear axle. The Honda design made it real hard to make any kind of a turn. It would take a country block just to make it turn around. Attaching the training wheels to the axle was the ticket. For all the bright ideas and smart engineering that Honda makes they had the training wheels for those little bikes all wrong. I think I had about $8 invested in the wheels from harbor freight and the steel was just lying around.

[Darren Chafin]

in reply to: My kids having fun #1408 |

Actually I designed those for my son. He isn’t using them now. My daughter could use that mini-bike though right now with the training wheels, but my son isn’t tall enough to move on to something bigger. 🙂

• This reply was modified 10 years, 11 months ago by Darren Chafin.

[Darren Chafin]

in reply to: Rare Pony Cycle #1407 |

It appeared to me to be a real deal. The frame wasn’t at all hacked together and the spring for the sidecar was of the same design. The frame was also one long bar from one side to the other making the side car not removable. I wanted to confirm with Terry and see what he thought maybe at the next meet.

[Darren Chafin]

in reply to: New Building going up at Portland #1385 |

Here are some more pictures of the building.

[Darren Chafin]

in reply to: Plain City meet #1381 |

I hope to have more information about this meet soon!

[Darren Chafin]

in reply to: What I want for Christmas #1375 |

Right now at the moment, Terry Hawk has the motor. I surrendered it to him during Portland. He has the needed parts to overhaul it. To my surprise the Pony Cycle used the same motor which is the continental. That’s why he had the parts to refurbish it. It had the original continental engine on it. I’ll have to take some pictures of the Simplex and post them.

[Darren Chafin]

in reply to: What I want for Christmas #1372 |

Yes it would be an easy fix for me to paint it all to an original color since I do painting for a career. I just don’t get that much free time to do it though should I want to change it to an original color. I do want to ride it. maybe even let my son and daughter ride it once in a while.

[Darren Chafin]

in reply to: Not exactly a scooter , but … #1371 |

I have two of these. It’s hard to beat them for just putting around the grounds looking for more treasures.

[Darren Chafin]

in reply to: 1948 Safticycle #1370 |

I like it! What’s the top speed for one of these? Were there different motors available with different displacements?

[Darren Chafin]

in reply to: What I want for Christmas #1343 |

That was me on the Simplex. My dad unfortunately sold it when I was about 14 or 15. I have missed it for some time and I have looked for another one to replace it for several years. I just happen to find one last year at Portland for sale and I didn’t waist any time buying it because it was so complete and unrestored. It was exactly just what I was looking for. It’s in really good condition with very little work needed to get it back to running condition. It’s only missing a chain guard and a taillight assembly. I hope to have it with me next year at Portland. My only dilemma is deciding whether to restore it to the condition of the way it was when I was a kid, or restore it to show condition as it was when it was new.

[Darren Chafin]

in reply to: What I want for Christmas #1338 |

The one on the far right is my cousin Heather. My sister, Alisha (center dark hair) next to my other cousin Jennifer (the blonde) would always run away from Heather so they wouldn’t have to play with her. They were so bad!

[Darren Chafin]

in reply to: News for VMBC website members #1335 |

The forums to my knowledge are up and running completely and correctly. We have fixed the registering problem and the clicking on your profile problem. Members are now ok to click on your profile to change your password or email address. You may also upload a avatar picture to accompany your posts. This is the little picture to the left of your post. Everyone will recognize you immediately after using the forums for a period of time.
If members experience any issues please email me at dchafin1122@gmail.com

[Darren Chafin]

in reply to: Test Topic #1304 |

🙂 😉 🙁

[Darren Chafin]

in reply to: What I want for Christmas #1274 |

We can now post pictures guys unlike the last lame forum. If you look at the picture in the previous photo you will see me on a simplex sportsman when I was about 11 or so. The others in the picture are my cousins and sister and a few friends. the three mini-bikes were all min at one time or another. I still have my first on which is the blue one with the blonde girl on it.

• This reply was modified 11 years ago by Darren Chafin.