Steve’s toys…

The boss (that would be Steve) is a pretty cool guy.  Like everyone here at CSC motorcycles, he’s a gearhead, and there’s just no telling what’s going to appear around the factory next.   In the last few months, Steve has been picking up some very interesting small vintage bikes, and I snuck around a bit this morning to grab a few photos.

The first is a vintage Tote Gote Blazer (not to be confused with the Chevy SUV of the same name).  Tote Gote made bikes from 1958 to 1970.  A guy named Ralph Bonham founded the company.   Tote Gotes are essentially big mini bikes designed for off road use, and they have dual range drive systems (one for low speed, and one for really low speed).  Steve’s is from the early 1960s, and it is unrestored.   It’s  pretty cool.    These bikes were made in very small numbers…this is the first one I’ve ever seen!

An original, unrestored Tote Gote...this is a big mini bike designed for off road use

Tote Gote engine details...rope starter and a dead short ignition shut down feature...lawn-mower-like simplicity!

Check out the Tote Gote's dual range drive system!

Steve’s next vintage bike is a 1960 Cushman Iron Eagle.   This is a magnificent motorcycle.  You’ve heard us talk about Cushmans here in the blog before.   Back in the day, Cushman was a major competitor to the Mustang.   Mustangs were considered a bit more high end, and they were a bit more exclusive (there were a lot more Cushmans running around compared to the total Mustang production run of approximately 20,000 motorcycles).  In looking at this one, it’s easy to see why the Cushman sold in such large numbers.   It’s beautiful!

Steve's 1960 Cushman Iron Eagle...a very cool motorcycle!

Deep red paint...this is a sleek motorcycle!

Engine details on the Iron Eagle...chrome seat springs...kick starter...it all works!

The third bike in this trilogy is one Steve picked up just a couple of weeks ago, and it’s a very rare animal.  Honda only imported a small number of these 1968 125cc twins, and this is a very clean and original example.  Take a look at this one, folks!

A 1968 Honda Super Sport 125 cc twin...wow!

Twin cylinders and a single carb...a very cool and well engineered product!

Yep, just 4015 original miles!

And of course, this discussion would not be complete without mentioning Steve’s 1953 Mustang Pony.  This is the bike that started it all…Steve bought it on Ebay intending to restore it for his dad, Ed.   After seeing his Pro-One customers’ reactions to the original Mustang and looking at its design, Steve decided to start the California Scooter Company and build the bike Mustang would be making today if they were still in business.   It’s a great story about the start of a great company…the California Scooter Company!

My good buddy Sully checking out the '53 Pony

One of my favorite photos...a new CSC and our 1953 Mustang Pony!

With the nice weather on us, and the oil companies doing what they love to do, we’ve sure been busy lately.  While I was shooting the above photos, a nice young lady named Sandy and her brother Chris popped into the showroom to check out our new CSC motorcycles.  Like a lot of people, Sandy was immediately drawn to Josh’s custom Greaser (the one with the purple flames and apehangers), and she was happy to let me grab a photo…

Sandy on Josh's custom Greaser

Okay, guys, enough photography of pretty girls and motorcycles….back to work!