70cc Tomos Silver Bullet “MusclePed” – BikeBound

Brew’s Buzz-themed Two-Stroke “MusclePed”… 

We’ve all the time cherished {custom} builds that draw inspiration from bicycle historical past. In any case, most of us began out on pedal bikes, and the previous adage nonetheless rings true in our ears:

“A motorbike is a bicycle with pandemonium attachment, and is designed for the especial use of mechanical geniuses, daredevils and lunatics.” -George Fitch, 1916

We’ve seen quite a lot of bicycle-themed builds in recent times, from MotoRelic’s “Grownup Schwinn” to Berg & Co’s 300cc “Dream Bike” to BikeBound’s personal moto-inspired ’54 Schwinn klunker. But when there’s one man within the {custom} world born and bred to meld pedal and motorbikes right into a singular entire, it’s Steve “Brewdude” Garn of BREW (Blue Ridge Electrical & Welding) — a legend in each realms of two wheels.

As a younger man, Brew was a nationally-ranked motocross rider. Within the early 80s, he opened his workshop within the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, and shortly BREW bicycle frames had been a fixture on the highest ranges of bicycle racing — at one time, half of the USA triathlon group rode BREW frames, they usually had been widespread amongst many different racers as properly.

Brew was making waves with motorbikes as properly. He positioned 2nd on the AMD World Championships, was inducted into the Worldwide Grasp Bike Builders Affiliation (IMBBA), and have become a 5-time #1 AMA Nationwide Land Pace report holder.

The bike you see right here began life as an ’88 Tomos Silver Bullet moped, however Brew envisioned a {custom} pitbike impressed by one in all his favourite boyhood bicycles:

“1968 was the peak of muscle bikes such because the Stingray. Western Auto bought a Murray Buzz bike, which I purchased with the cash I made with a paper route, together with cash from lawn-mowing jobs.”

Brew constructed the body and lugged chopper fork from scratch, utilizing USA 4130 and Columbus Rambo tubing to copy the design of his ’68 Buzz. The gasoline tank is custom-built from aluminum, and the entire paint, powder, and graphics had been finished in-house.

The unique two-engine engine was seized, because the house owners had forgot to run premix, however that was no drawback for Brew, who rebuilt the motor with a 70cc Airsal massive bore equipment, modified porting and headwork, two-petal high-flow reed valve, {custom} 6061 ally consumption, 24mm Keihin carb, and extra. He estimates the engine now makes 5 hp, which is lots sufficient for one-wheeled antics:

“The bike all the time fires up on ½ a pedal stroke again kick. Sure, to begin the bike, you pedal backwards! The facility is wonderful and can simply pull a wheelie! The 2-speed transmission, being an automated, shifts firmly, and once more, A WHEELIE!”

The nickname, “Code Blue,” couldn’t be extra particular. We first met Brew on the AMA Bike Pace Trials at Bonneville Speedway in 2021, the place he was racing his 1974 Kawasaki H1 Mach III Purple Individuals Eater.

Miracle on the Bonneville Salt Flats

We’d simply left once we heard Steve had gone into cardiac arrest whereas kick-starting his H1 for his subsequent run. What adopted was the “Miracle on the Bonneville Salt Flats” — Steve very actually died on the salt and got here again, revived after 3-4 minutes with no heartbeat. In hospital phrases, a Code Blue is when a affected person requires resuscitation. Says Brew:

“That is my first bike accomplished since that journey, so the identify ‘Code Blue.’”

Beneath, we discuss to Brew for extra particulars on the construct, and we’re wishing him a good time at Gasoline Cleveland, the place he’s taking “Code Blue” and his BMW “Inexperienced Hornet” cafe racer this weekend.

“Code Blue” MusclePed: Builder Interview

• What’s the make, mannequin, and 12 months of the donor bike?

The donor bike was a 1988 Tomos Silver Bullet moped that includes a 50cc two-stroke engine and had a two-speed automated transmission.

The bike had only a few miles on it and the household that had it forgot so as to add oil to the fuel. This two-stroke engine requires a gasoline/oil premix for correct lubrication. Due to lack of oil this engine wanted a brand new piston. So, I opted to put in a 70cc Airsal equipment.

• Why was this bike constructed?

That is my private pitbike and journey at occasions.

• What was the design idea and what influenced the construct?

1968 was the peak of Muscle bikes such because the Stingray. Western Auto bought a Murray Buzz bike, which I purchased with the cash I made with a paper route, together with cash from lawn-mowing jobs.

The bike bought was truly the identical blue as utilized to this bike! The Buzz bike options Purple Line tires. So, in the event you discover, a purple pinstripe painted on every rim.

• What {custom} work was finished to the bike?

Brew {custom} body constructed with USA 4130 tubing. My design look was to copy my authentic Buzz bike from 1968. The Brew-built chopper fork is a lugged design, and featured fork blades from Columbus Rambo bicycle tubing.

The gasoline tank was constructed from aluminum together with the bungs and gasoline cap from LowBrow Customs.
Paint work, powder coating, and graphics all finished right here within the Brew store.

• Does the bike have a nickname?

Sure, this venture began in early 2021, then, cardiac arrest on the Bonneville Salt Flats on race day.
That is my first bike accomplished since that journey, so the identify “Code Blue.”

• Any thought of horsepower, weight, and/or efficiency numbers?

Initially this engine put out roughly 1.7hp.

The engine modifications embrace:

• The 70cc Airsal Massive Bore equipment, the 24mm Keihin carb with the {custom} consumption constructed from 6061 aluminum right here within the Brew store.
• The reed valve was upgraded to a two-petal excessive movement.
• The ports had been modified within the Massive Bore equipment together with some reconfigured head modifications.
• The exhaust was from Treatland and modified.
• The CDI ignition is from Treatland utilizing their race curve CDI.

Estimated HP now could be 5hp.

• Are you able to inform us what it’s prefer to journey this bike?

The bike all the time fires up on ½ a pedal stroke again kick. Sure, to begin the bike, you pedal backwards! The facility is wonderful and can simply pull a wheelie! The 2-speed transmission, being an automated, shifts firmly, and once more, A WHEELIE! It’s SO MUCH FUN to journey!!

• Was there something finished throughout this construct that you’re significantly happy with?

Sure, the design, coloration, and adapting this body with a moped engine got here out precisely as deliberate.

• Is there anybody you’d prefer to thank?

• Due to LowBrow Customs for the numerous elements and tidbits.
• Spectro Oil meeting lube, transmission oil, and with Spectro SX2 premix oil.
• And to my spouse for the numerous smiles and encouragement throughout these occasions.

Comply with Steve “Brewdude” Garn

Extra Brew Builds

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