Spooky Tooth

JunkyardDog

Active Member
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Jun 10, 2010
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Location
Chandler, AZ
I recently found out about the demise of Spooky Tooth Cycles. I have bought stuff from them (actually went down to their Bisbee store), and spoke with Roland Bosma a couple of times. He seemed really enthusiastic and committed. It is because of him that we can legally ride motorized bikes in AZ. He was a big part of the scene here. I am sorry to see him go.

It seems there was so much more he could have done with that business. He never got away from the Chinese engine kits (other than electric), and he never solved all the issues connected with these kits. Having some experience with these kits, I have found several issues, such as the clamp on motors, the clamp on gas tanks, the rag joint rear sprocket, and by far the worst issue, the clamp on chain tensioner with what appears to be a screen door roller. I am planning on building one of these bikes, and intend to solve all those problems. I wish Roland had taken more interest in the bikes, instead of the events.

Still, things will be different without him, and I have to keep remembering that he is the reason I can LEGALLY ride down the road (and even in the bike lanes) on a motorized bicycle in AZ. That was no small feat he managed to pull off. Despite some disappointments, I definitely wish him well, and hope things work out for him. He virtually created the motorized bike scene in AZ.
 
Spooky Tooth is out of business? That's sad.

It seems as though this is a tough business. I've seen a handfull of vendors come and go, and I've only been around a couple of years.

I've never seen anyone's books, of course, but I've gotten the feeling that even those who plug along aren't making money hand-over-fist. I think it's more like a labor-of-love for them.

There really should be a strong market for these. If high fuel prices finally force our society to get along with less of the automobile, then maybe there will be. But in the meantime good people have been starved out. What a shame.
 
It seems as though this is a tough business. I've seen a handfull of vendors come and go, and I've only been around a couple of years.

I've never seen anyone's books, of course, but I've gotten the feeling that even those who plug along aren't making money hand-over-fist. I think it's more like a labor-of-love for them.

There really should be a strong market for these. If high fuel prices finally force our society to get along with less of the automobile, then maybe there will be. But in the meantime good people have been starved out. What a shame.

I agree with what you said but as a whole I don't think it really adds up to more than a micro market of DIY tinkerer hobbyists who like doing things low cost themselves in the back yard. I think without the introduction of the hundred and a half china kits it would not even have the enthusiasts is does. Plus, at least half the guys I knew who built MBs in my area did so because they lost their license and then parked the bikes as soon as they got their license back.
 
I think MB'ing is not much of a long term hobby if you would, such as painting or collecting coins or the such.

I would think many many people build their first MB and then realize the ongoing work involved in keeping it safe and working well, and then give it up.

I myself have built several MB's since I started the hobby a few years back. I would love to park my suv and go full time MB and save huge dollars, but the reality is with wife and kids and distances involved, the suv will win out.

I live in a rural area and sidewalks are few and far between, and riding on the side of the road has almost got me killed many many times over.

My thoughts are if someone ever started a retail storefront chain and people could see them up close and test drive them, it may catch on huge, but that would take big money and lots of overhead!

Imagine a retail store in midtown Manhattan if MB's were legal there... lets say $700 for a solid form of transportation which can be parked in your apartment... I believe it would catch on quick with the huge savings one would see!
 
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