MHPVA News Blog: Owosso Bike Fest

SCROLL DOWN FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE MICHIGAN HPV RALLY AUG. 21-22. IT'S STILL HAPPENING.

By Mike Eliasohn

Photos by Mike Eliasohn and Julie Turner

Having missed the first 15 Owosso Bike Fests, I wasn't about to miss the 16th, so on Sunday, Aug. 7, I was in downtown Owosso.

Actually, Bike Fest starts the day before, with a late afternoon/evening via the rail trail to nearby Ovid and return. Then from 9 to 3 on Sunday is the show and "swap meet," that is, people selling bikes and parts, which takes place in the block-long alley and parking area behind the sponsoring House of Wheels bicycle shop.

The event is, of course, a great opportunity for cycle nuts, as opposed to cycling nuts, to sit or stand around and talk about bikes.

I couldn't go to Owosso Bike Fest without a bike, so I created/assembled this rat rod Roadmaster. It and parts were scrounged from Cycle-Re-Cycle, the community bicycle shop in Benton Harbor, where I volunteer. The frame, fork, chainring, chain and front wheel are from the 1970s? Roadmaster, but there's parts from at least nine other bikes. Here I'm attaching the information sign/price tag, for $25. I received some compliments, but no buyer. (JT photo)

A view of the alley/parking area behind the House of Wheels, where Owosso Bike Fest takes place. Bikes and parts for sale are intermixed with bikes entered in the people's choice judging. (JT photo)

My personal favorite, created by Randy Cates of nearby Chesaning. His son, Rod (if my notes are correct), seated in rear, said the frame, built by someone else, was found in Tawas Bay! and given to Randy, who turned it into the Rat Bastard. Stand on your head and you can see that part of the frame consists of an upside-down diamond frame. But that puts what was originally the head tube very close to the ground, making it a bike for very smooth pavement only. (ME photo)

Another homebuilt stretch cruiser, with a western theme. Ride 'em cowboy! (JT photo)

Terry Gerweck of Monroe on his 1959 Cushman scooter, which is in the process of restoration, though it obviously runs. "I had one when I was a kid," said Terry, which was his obvious rationale for buying this one. It will be a resto-mod restoration, not intended to look like it was new from the factory. He also has bicycles at Bike Fest for sale. (ME photo)

A close-up view of Terry's 1959 Cushman. Behind it is one of the bicycles he brought to sell. (JT photo)

Bikes with green tags, like this one at left, were entered in the judging. (ME photo)

Next to this delivery bike (notice the size of the basket!) was a Good Humor tricycle. On what turned out to be a hot, humid day, ice cream would have been perfect, but I never saw any being sold, so presumably the tricycle was there for show. (JT photo)

This bike would be perfect for Friday night football games where the host team name is the "Tigers" (for instance, Benton Harbor High School). If my memory is correct, the tiger was created on flexible foam, so it doesn't interfere (too much) with the steering. (JT photo)

Another view, with a nice manufactured stretch cruiser behind the tricycle. (JT photo)

The 1960s Raleigh RSW 16 on the right was an interesting bike. The seller was willing to negotiate, but the starting price was $400. The RSW 16 had 16-inch wheels and a Sturmey-Archer 3-speed hub. A folding version came later. (JT photo)