I’m sure if we all sat down and discussed what our dream bike would be, we’d all talk about the bells and whistles that we would want on it. Fortunately, I have a stable of bicycles that all serve a different purpose. But I had a void that I needed to fill, and that empty space required a “dream bike.” This bike wouldn’t really serve a purpose other than making me feel and look cool as well make me feel like a kid when I ride it.
So while we were at Interbike, KHS Bicycles Sales Rep, “Big Country” showed me the Hot Rod...oh man! It was like love at first sight! I was sold on this bike just based on its looks and I REALLY WANT ONE! I’m sure you’re asking what I would do with it since its built more like a kids bike…I’d ride it!
Priscilla and I go on hot bicycle dates all the time and this bike is the perfect date bike, coffee shop bike, beer bike, and an all purpose COOL bike.
You know you like it…
Perhaps Santa will be nice to me…if not…perhaps I can put it on my wish list for my bday in January 
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16 responses so far ↓
1 Chip Haynes // Nov 5, 2008 at 5:50 am
You know, Schwinn is still offering their Sting Ray “Krate” series. I saw a brand new Grey Ghost in the Schwinn bike shop on Drew Street in Clearwater just last Saturday. If you’re going to get one, get the original!
2 Michael // Nov 5, 2008 at 6:07 am
I used to ride your dream bike back in 1974. Best 3 years a kid could have. Defintely cool!
3 Dman // Nov 5, 2008 at 6:20 am
bananna seat bikes are WHEELIE MACHINES!!!
4 jdmitch // Nov 5, 2008 at 7:16 am
There’s a certain level of pimpitude that riding the Hot Rod would bring. People ride folding bikes with “small” wheels all the time… if you’re gonna ride small you might as well be stylish.
Either of the below mentioned would get you a little more comfort (adult-sized) with similar styling than the Hot Rod, though either would be at greater cost.
It’s a completely different price class, but I presume you’ve seen the Specialized Fatboy?
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=09Fatboy&eid=129
Though what would be less expensive than the Fatboy (though not less than the Hotrod, that’s a sweet little bike at a killer price) to buy virtually any Electra Crusier (the deluxe 1 or 3 comes in a candy red), toss on a Springer Fork ( http://www.electrabike.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=EP&Product_Code=469631&Category_Code=CFN ) and slap on your own banana seat.
5 Iron Man // Nov 5, 2008 at 7:18 am
My buddy Tony had a 3 speed Stingray with a suicide shifter. Dang it was cool. He couldn’t keep up with me on my 10 speed Sears Free Spirit, but he had style.
My dream bike is still being conjured in my head, but I do know it’s coming from Italy.
6 Clancy // Nov 5, 2008 at 8:59 am
Chip, Originals come at a price.
http://tinyurl.com/5k42×4
http://tinyurl.com/6fa3q7
7 Chip Haynes // Nov 5, 2008 at 9:20 am
You know, with all the bikes I’ve had, I’ve never had one of those. My loss.
Maybe some day.
8 Palm Beach Bike Tours / Matt // Nov 5, 2008 at 9:54 am
Our local bike shop is run by Wayne (http://pbbt.org/bicycle-shop) and he has a real soft spot for old bikes. If you click that link, you can see a really sweet 1960s Stingray that he has restored.
For what you’d pay for a 2008 Hot Rod, I bet you could get a restored bike. With history and because it is recycled, I’d rather have the classic.
—Matt
9 RL Policar // Nov 5, 2008 at 9:58 am
Matt,
My first bike that I “flipped” was a 77 Stingray Fairlady. It was sweet…pink! Bought it for $50, sold it for a few hundred.
10 Val // Nov 5, 2008 at 10:19 am
It’s nice to see that KHS is still making the Hot Rod - I used to sell quite a few of those when I had a shop. They’re quite a good copy, and very reasonably priced - Matt, you have obviously never checked out the going rate for a restored bike from the 60s-70s, especially one of these. The Hot Rod will be about 1/4 the cost of an original, and ready to go out of the box. Of course, the originals have an aura all their own, but for something to put some miles on, don’t knock the Hot Rod.
11 Palm Beach Bike Tours / Matt // Nov 5, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Pristine and restored, you’re right, Val, they are sometimes pricy. On the other hand, there are a lot of them out there that need work and can be had for cheap. Even some of the restored bikes I have seen in the sub-$300 range.
I guess I’m looking at it from a different angle… If want to go retro, I want to be retro. I’m not one for reproductions. I’m sure the Hot Rod is a fine bike but I’d always know it wasn’t authentic.
This summer, I picked up my Uncle’s old Sears bicycle… http://family.steinhoff.net/main.php?g2_itemId=33735
It has been underwater a few times during floods and is pretty beat up. If I can find a replacement seat at a reasonable price, I’ll go forward and restore the bike. The key to the bike is finding the right banana seat.
I’m kinda even like the rusted frame and am tempted to leave the frame rusted and just polish the chrome. Obviously any of the bike’s moving parts will probably need replacement.
Bike: Free.
Time: Lots.
Parts: $125, give or take the seat.
The Uncle said he’d do the Memphis MS-150 on the bike if I got it restored so I’m really hoping I can pull it together before next September.
—Matt
12 awgie // Nov 5, 2008 at 1:04 pm
When you get it, be sure to take it off some sweet jumps, you’ll prolly get like 3 feet of air!!
Those bars were the best for hanging my old herald-examiner newspaper bag, better than my sister’s Free Spirit 10 spd. anyways….
13 Heather // Nov 5, 2008 at 6:12 pm
RL,
Try to be very good because that bike is worth it. I own one, and love it. It would be perfect for your bike dates. Be advised though, people will stop you all the time while you are riding it or stop and chat while you are parked in front of the coffee shop.
14 El Diablo // Nov 6, 2008 at 7:39 am
I’m always looking for fresh souls…we could make a deal.
Just throwing it out there.
15 Quinn // Nov 7, 2008 at 12:52 pm
As far as having a fun bike that doesn’t have a purpose, This is my 29″ of Perma-Smile
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d19/karltoys/BIG-RIPPER.jpg
16 Magda // Apr 7, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Believe it or not,I just scored one of these on Craigs List for $80!!
Love at first site when I saw the ad,and since my last name is Rod-it couldn’t be sweeter.
My 10 year old daughter and I will share the banana seat and take it together to the coffee shop and have a blast this summer…
Still miss the Lil Chic I had in the 70’s,but this one’ll do!
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