The scooter below is my 1949 Hydra Glide that has gone through a number of changes since I picked it up in 1978 as a basket case from Stan Brizzy of Dagger's Vintage Motorcycles. A few years ago he was bought out and is, or was, known as "The Hogspital" at the same location just off 34th street north in St. Petersburg. The bike has a "72" Shovel motor, a "79" 4 speed transmission, Screaming eagle carburation in, wide open drag pipes out, and Coker 16" Gangster whites, Kick only (if you can't kick start it, you don't deserve to ride it) and soon will be sporting one of those new Gator solos by A Sweet Seat. By the way this is a 25 year old picture.

Bikers that have been around for more than a coon's age might remember POP White's shop up a few miles from Tampa in Odessa. Pop was friendly to all Harley riders and had a large collection of vintage Harley parts we all wanted in stock. Before 49th street swallowed up Mc Mullen Booth and the Bayway bridge was built, it used to be a great day trip on country roads... I think his shop may still be operating. Spider was the last proprietor that I know of. Spider was Pop's right hand man taking care of all the mechanic work that came in. The junk pile in the picture had several tons of bike parts to it's credit, then along came this chick from California in a school bus and she bought it all and hauled off a large part of U.S. motorcycle history to parts unknown . Pop had an old 16' travel trailer filled with running harley motors and transmissions he bought over the years and put away like a savings account filled with Iron Gold. Pop's been gone for a few years and I wanted to repay his help and kindness with a few words and pictures. His funeral procession to the other coast was the largest motorcycle funeral the state had ever seen at that time. I was back a little more than two thirds of the way, and couldn't see either end of the procession. I don't know how many scooters were there, but I have yet to see a gathering that was as big or even half as big. I think most clubs were well represented and brothers came from as far as Alaska (at least his tag was from Alaska). A special thanks to those who took care of him when he couldn't take care of himself in the last few years he was here...

I should have bought that three wheeler for $1500 when I had the chance...

Take a close look at this pile of motorcycle parts, is that a pan right hand case? A Vespa and what is that strange full bodied bike just in front of the vespa? Frames and rims everywhere and a waste high pile of transmission parts and a carburator pile nearly as high...

Below are some old pics of some old machines including the webmaster's first chopper, a 305 honda scrambler. 3 months after it was finished guy traded me his 1963 Corvette split window coupe even up!!!