Author Archives: David Russell

Hodaka Combat Wombat, motorcycle restoration

Restoration Project: Hodaka “Combat Wombat”

Posted on by David Russell
Restoration Project: Hodaka "Combat Wombat"
05
Jul

Hodakas incorporated competition-proven frame geometry, while at the same time attending to required street-legal equipment—though with minimalist (lighter weight) treatment. Built from 1964 through PABATCO’s demise in 1977, Hodakas were loved, at least initially, by the press and the riding public—possibly for relating to buyers as riders rather than simply customers—and filled a role in motorcycling not unlike American Motors Corporation in the automotive world: a small energetic competitor nipping at the heels of a sometimes deaf and monolithic establishment.

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American Journalism, Motorcycle Culture

There’s a Club for that:

Posted on by David Russell
AMCA's Perkiomen Chapter Annual Oley Meeting
19
May

Up front, let me state that from nearly any direction you arrive from, to reach the small town of Oley, the ride will almost certainly be beautiful. The old villages of southeastern Pennsylvania, settled by German immigrants in the early 1700s, contain surviving period stone houses and original hardwood barns that continue to be studied by historians and sociologists

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Dirt Bike Magazine, motorcycle oral history, Rick Sieman

“Wow, I’m in the lead! Hope I don’t f…”

Posted on by David Russell
02
Sep

The story behind an iconic motorcycle photo Do you remember this magazine, this monthly feature, and this particular photo? If you were riding dirt bikes in the 1970s (or desperately wanting one), of course you do! The magazine was DIRT BIKE, the feature was the last-page monthly “Crash and Burn” tidbit, and the photo was…well, […]

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Early Motorcycle History, Motocross Des Nations

Innocents Abroad: The American Motocross Team in Europe

Posted on by David Russell
11
Jul

“. . . the American character is in a large measure a group of responses to an unusually competitive situation.” David Potter While the new off-road sport of “Moto-cross” was sweeping across the United States, the presence and superiority of the elite European stars (brought over to publicize the sport and the European purebred bikes) […]

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Uncategorized

Early Motoring in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Posted on by David Russell
early map harrisburg pa
26
Jun

An examination of the advent of motorized transportation  in and around Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in the early 1900s Introduction For most of us, owning and operating an automobile is a requisite and routine aspect of living in modern America. We depend on our cars for all but very local and very distant transportation; our ability to […]

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Early Motocross, Early Motorcycle History, German motorcycles

SMALL MAICOS: THE 125s (Continued)

Posted on by David Russell
27
Dec

A continuation in our investigation of 125 Maicos; the first part of the series you can find here. Preparation: Getting Ready to Ride             The 125 Maico was a dichotomy. On one hand, it used a superb, unbreakable, fine handling frame. It had excellent suspension. It was light, and the engine produced the most horsepower […]

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Uncategorized

SMALL MAICOS: THE 125s

Posted on by David Russell
Maico 125
29
Nov

Chapter 2.3 Part 1 SMALL MAICOS: THE 125s             Although known primarily in the United States as a producer of large, powerful, off-road motorcycles, Maico was certainly no stranger to smaller bikes and road motorcycles. As we have seen, the company began by manufacturing small motorcycles, 200cc-and-under, which were initially used as personal transportation in […]

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Motorcycle garage, motorcycle resstoration, Yankee Motorcycles

Great Collections: A Visit with “Yankee Bob” Fornwalt

Posted on by David Russell
01
Sep

A continuation of our third installment of epic motorcycle locations. We’ve previously documented such iconic north-eastern bike garages as those of Mike Schantz and Stacy Clark. If you are a serious old motorcycle enthusiast and you live in the northeastern part of the greatest country on earth, you likely have heard of “Yankee Bob” Fornwalt. […]

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Motorcycle garage, Uncategorized

Garage After-Dark

Posted on by David Russell
30
Oct

A-plus Truck and Fleet is a business specializing in large truck maintenance, along with automotive work, in Lewisberry Pennsylvania. Owner Mike Schantz is a dirt rider from his youth, who can’t wait to push the last truck of the day out of the garage and start working on what he really loves. It’s at that […]

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