Grizz-Pod Teardrop Trailer - New tow truck - 66 Chevy

[grizz]

I have been looking at all sorts of small bikes, mopeds, etc for some time, with the intention of using it to go to the shops, and to sling it in the back of the Transit when we go away with the Teardrop trailer.

These things appeal to me because they are a bit different, ugly, naked, and seem to get the "Back to Basics" ethos kind of right.

I have watched them on Ebay, Autotrader and anywhere else they infrequently do pop up. Unusually I saw one advertised on Gumtree, as I kept an eye there too for small cheap Quads and Pitbikes for some time now. We had friends over yesterday, so I only got to speak to the seller at about 7pm last night.
Story was his son is trading up at age 17 now, bike in average condition, no Tax/MOT, I got his price down by £50, which would cover MOT/Tax and then I would have to buy a battery and sort the flat rear tyre.

My neighbour who moved my and Nicola's houses when we moved here said he would help me fetch the Madass if I bought it for £5's worth of Diesel, I gave him £10 in stead, and we were home an hour after leaving with the bike.

With hopefully around 2BHP on tap from the 50cc Honda based engine, it falls a long way short of the 100BHP the 1200GS brings to the party.

I will need to get it MOT'd and Taxed in the new year once I have given it a good going over. The back wheel has a fast leak, which could be anything, I did not investigate fully. The front right indicator has a dodgy connection and works intermittently. The battery needs to be charged, or replaced, and I believe it will then be ready for its test.
For now I have removed the one mirror stalk as it was missing.
I have also washed the whole thing with Cif and Fairy liquid on an old tooth brush, and a bigger brush to get old oily and dust residue off the engine. I then washed and rinsed the whole bike again, as it had been up to the farm to get most of the pics I will post today.

This is a learning curve as always, so info, advice, comments, pisstaking etc greatly appreciated.



Cat Scan just after it got home. Harley was over and on top of it, as previous owners have cats too.











Wanted to get a pic next to the big John Deere Tractor, but it was parked tight between other implements.

JCB will have to do.




Back at home after a wash and clean.

Nicola has seen it and just commented "UGLEEEE ! " and walked away. So not impressed.

Clean enough for now.

[Cliffmeister2000]

Very nice!
I've been watching for a Honda 90 Trail or such for a long time. No luck yet.

[grizz]

Thought I would share over here as well, as this board and members have a share in the build of my trailer.

Last night was the Retro Rides Awards night for 2010.

The Grizz-Pod was voted winner of the "Readers other Modifications" forum. Voted by members of www.retrorides.proboards.com

The trailer has passed the 45k views mark recently, it amazes me that people still go there to look at the thread.

I hope it inspires or motivates people to go out and build their own.

So thanks to all of you for motivation, advice and help before, during and after the build.

There have been friendships started here as well, and those of you know I do appreciate it.

[S. Heisley]

Congratulations, Rian! You have been a very fortunate man lately....all well deserved, I am certain.

[grizz]

Congratulations, Rian! You have been a very fortunate man lately....all well deserved, I am certain.

Hi Sharon, thanks.

Now I just need to find a new job, after Lily made me redundant in November after almost 14 years with them.

But I still believe it was the best thing for me, once I do find a new job,it will be good to strech my creative wings again and be appreciated for what I bring to the table.

[Steve_Cox]

Rian,

Your winning an award for your work is no surprise here. Congratulations.

[grizz]

Rian,

Your winning an award for your work is no surprise here. Congratulations.

Thanks a lot Steve, looking at your builds and signature, that is great praise indeed.

Nicola has been talking about me building another one, now that she understands how the builds go.

Maybe when summer comes and I have done a load of other stuff around the house, Grizz-Pod 2 will see the light.

[YuGun]

Congrations of your award.

[down under tech]

Hi Grizz:It does not surprise me that you won the Retro Ride Award. You took the necessary time to build a high quality teardrop trailer. When you build the Grizz-Pod II, they will have to give you another award. This time you will know it is coming your way. I also like your pit-bike. It needs a bigger engine though, "More Power". How about a 125cc screamer. Then you will be the fastest in the pits at the car shows. Congrats, You deserve it !!!

[Cliffmeister2000]

Grizz, I just reviewed your entire thread. Probably for the 3rd time. It is one of my all time favorites!

[doug hodder]

Grizz, congrats on your award...from the voting, it appears to have been a landslide in your favor! Well deserved! Doug

[grizz]

:applause:
Congrations of your award.

Thank you very much my friend.

[Miriam C.]

A well deserved award for sure! Looking forward to the next build!

[grizz]

Hi Grizz:It does not surprise me that you won the Retro Ride Award. You took the necessary time to build a high quality teardrop trailer. When you build the Grizz-Pod II, they will have to give you another award. This time you will know it is coming your way. I also like your pit-bike. It needs a bigger engine though, "More Power". How about a 125cc screamer. Then you will be the fastest in the pits at the car shows. Congrats, You deserve it !!!

Hi Johnny !!

That is great praise indeed from another builder I admire.

I was just telling our local postman today (Yes, we actually speak to him and know his name, its lovely living out in the sticks) that my next build, which Nicola is very supportive of, will have to be much more complex and "pretty"

WRT the Madass, it will get bigger power in time.

I have been offered a couple of pitbike engines by a guy, FOR FREE.

[grizz]

Grizz, I just reviewed your entire thread. Probably for the 3rd time. It is one of my all time favorites!

Cliff, if that is the case, then I am honoured.
Thank you very much.
I have recently gone through it again, and did giggle madly a few times at the fact that I built it myself, pretty much without plans, and rarely using accurate measurements.
I think if my dad was still alive, he would tell me I was mad, but he would also proudly tell his friends and show them whatever pictures I had sent him.
I know that certain threads I tend to revisit and re-read from time to time.
I was asked by one of the moderators on www.uber-retro.co.uk to do a copy and paste of the thread I have on Retro Rides, so if you want to see the "fast forward" version of the thread currently up to the 23rd May 2010, then follow this link.

http://www.uber-retro.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=164


Thanks for taking the time to respond every time you do, much appreciated.