Vrooom Special

VROOOM SPECIAL

GEORGE MARTIN

PROBABLY MOST OF us have thought of building a mini-bike at one time or another; very few ever reach fruition. Though they are always fantastic engineering masterpieces while in the dream stage, the finished product usually winds up little more than junk. This one is an exception in that it survived the usual "constructionstage deterioration." A boxful of Honda parts, some kart wheels and a few pieces of Tohatsu combine to make a mini-bike which swings in more ways than one.

The little bomb was built by Goris Guynes of San Mateo, Calif, who constructed the frame and even the clever leading-link front forks from scratch. The engine is an old three-speed Honda 50, and tank and seat are familiar Tohatsu. Believe it or not, the machine rides two-up with ease. It also performs creditable wheelies and will attain speeds of 50-55 mph.

Guynes has equipped it with lights, and has licensed it for the road. It presents an odd sight in motion both because of its racy appearance and because the engine is built right onto an extension of the rear swinging arm, bouncing up and down, waving its jaunty upswept exhaust pipe with the bumps in the road.

The builder has nicknamed his effort the "Vrooom Special," and has for a small outlay garnered himself a unique and "swingin' " machine. •