When I lived in NY I had a Kawasaki 650SX - it was mildly modified and pretty fast for what it was.  I used that machine for several years and loved every minute of it.  I would say it was probably the most fun I ever had on the water.  After many hours of use, I upgraded to a 1996 750 SXi twin carb model in 2001, and I sold the 650 SX..  I only rode the 750 once, and I ended up getting very busy with Scream And Fly and other projects, so the 750 just sat until I moved to Florida in 2003.  I still remember how fast that 750 was - it blew my 650 away in every aspect.  I really want to ride this machine again.

:: 1996 Kawasaki 750 SXi Jet Ski sat unused since 2001 - click to enlarge ::

You would think that since I moved to the west coast of Florida with plenty of intercoastal and rivers here that I would have used the Jet Ski a lot.  Well, believe it or not, I never even uncovered it.  So it’s been sitting unused since 2001; crazy, right?  I remember that I properly winterized it prior to putting it away in New York, so the machine should start right up.  I gather you understand by this post that I suddenly have an interest in using this machine here, and that’s precisely what I am planning on doing.  I’m going to pull the dormant Kawasaki out of the garage this week and prep it for use.   I’ll post another update soon, but I’m looking forward to getting out on the water again.

Just arrived - my new GHP Pro XXL in candy apple green.  Since I was so impressed with my other GHP, I figure two is better than one, right?  I already started ordering parts for it, but you’ll have to wait until the build is complete to see what parts are going on this frame.  I’ll say this much though, it will be as cool as my previous build - if not even better.  Just look at how cool that color is.  Oh yeah, and Greg Hill even signed it for me too!  Is it any mystery why I like these frames so much?  I’m pretty excited.

:: GHP Pro XXL in the new candy apple green color - click to enlarge ::

:: Signed by Greg Hill, one of the greatest BMX champions of all time - click to enlarge ::

Related Links:

• GHP BMX
  

For as long as I could remember I was always fascinated with outboard motors - especially small ones.  I remember looking at them and studying the various colors and styles over the years, eventually becoming very fluent with every year according to their colors and other features.

The very first new outboard motor I owned was a 1985 Evinrude 2.  I remember that one summer Al Grover’s Marine in Freeport, NY was running a sale in the local Pennysaver paper - $289 for a new Evinrude 2 horsepower engine.  I asked my dad about it, and to my surprise he said “Let’s get ready and have a look.”  Well, we bought one, and I loved it, even though that outboard was so temperamental and constantly needed adjustment to the fuel mixture.

:: 1989 Evinrude 3 horsepower motor is old dealer stock, never used - click to enlarge ::

The next year we went back to Al Grover’s and I traded in the Evinrude 2 for a 1986 Evinrude 4 Deluxe.  The standard model 4  had the same exact twin-cylinder, 5 c.c. powerhead as the Deluxe model 4 horsepower Evinrude (with the exception of CD ignition), though it had a much smaller midsection and lower unit, and it only had neutral and forward gears.  The Deluxe model was based on the older 4.5 horsepower midsection and lower unit, which resembled the 6 and 8 horsepower engines - it had full gearshift and just looked much better.  My dad saw the value in this and purchased the Deluxe model for me at $686.  It was one of the greatest outboard motors I ever owned, and I should never have sold it back in 2001.

Recently I found this 1989 Evinrude 3 horsepower motor, which is basically a detuned standard model 4.  It weighs 36 pounds, and it’s in mint condition.  Apparently, it’s an old dealer stock item that was never used, and it appears as though that is indeed the case.  I have not run it yet, but I checked it over, and everything looks good so far.  This engine is exactly the same as previous years’ standard 4 horsepower engines from Evinrude and Johnson.  I’ll probably keep it for a while and maybe pick up a small boat to keep in the back just to go cruising up the canals here. I think I’m going to have a lot of fun running this little motor.

Almost anyone that’s into BMX bikes - both real and toys - will remember the Spinmaster Flick Trix finger bikes from about 10 years ago.  I remember the girl I was dating at the time, Debbie, bought one of these for me when we were at Toys R’ Us one day.  Alright, I’ll tell you more about Deb later, but for now let’s talk about BMX toys, ok?

The Spinmaster finger bikes were miniature BMX bikes licensed from real models of the day - Redline, Hoffman, DK, etc., and they featured die-cast frames and interchangeable parts.  The bikes were designed to do actual ‘finger bike tricks’ (don’t laugh, it’s actually pretty fun) and there were kits with ramps and other obstacles so you could literally build a miniature skate park.  I thought the original Flick Trix bikes themselves were very cool and quite realistic for what they were - but like many toys, these didn’t last long, and soon they were nowhere to be found.

:: Hutch Trick Star Bike Shop kit is very cool and turns us all into kids again - click to enlarge ::

With the resurgence in retro-BMX, Spinmaster created a new line of finger bikes - and these are much better than the originals.  For the first time, popular bikes from the 1980s are available and they are highly detailed.  Retro bikes include the Hutch Trick Star, GT Performer, P.K. Ripper, and Mongoose Supergoose.  Additionally, there are new-school bikes available as well from Mirraco, S&M, Fit, and Hoffman - all of which are accurately modeled as well as a toy this size could be.

:: Original 1999-series Spinmaster Hoffman with included U-lock/stand - click  to enlarge ::

I’m sure you know, I jumped aboard and bought the retro Hutch and GT models.  These are great - the detail on the decals, pedals, Skyway mag wheels, and frames is amazing. I know Spinmaster worked closely with the companies to get these right, and it shows.  Unlike the originals, these new finger bikes have die-cast cranks that are removable and caliper brakes as well as interchangeable pedals and grips.  Even the Hutch Pro pedals are accurately modeled.  Put simply, the level of detail on the new Flick Trix bikes far surpasses that of the original line.  When it comes to miniature replicas, it’s the details that matter - and Spinmaster did their homework here.

At first I thought doing tricks with finger bikes was a bit silly, but pretty soon I found myself running these little bikes inside my bathroom sink and over small obstacles.  I kid you not.  I’m sure if I were younger I would be taking these cool little bikes with me to school, passing the time by doing mini-tailwhips on my desk.  Just last week I went out with some BMX-riding friends and I pull out one of these little Flick Trix bikes.  Pretty soon everyone was passing the little bike around, mimicking real tricks with it to the point where I realized how addicting these toys can be.

:: New retro 1985 GT Pro Performers available in factory colors - image to enlarge ::

The standard kit includes a full bike as well as an extra set of wheels, trick bars, and a stand for about $10.00.  The Bike Shop version includes a full bike, additional frame, trick bars, wheels, pedals, grips, pegs, and tools as well as a display stand.  These sell for about $15.00 each.  Are you asking me if you should buy them?  I say absolutely, but please don’t get them just to resell on Ebay, that’s lame, and you can’t just buy one - you need to have a fleet of these cool little bikes.  If you also want to learn finger bike tricks, by all means do, but I just like having these little bikes on my desk.  Great job, Spinmaster.

:: New Flick Trix bikes offer stunning detail: Note visible welds on gusset - click to enlarge ::

I’ll be posting many more photos and updating this review soon, so don’t forget to bookmark this article!

Related Links:

• Spinmaster Flick Trix
• Hutch BMX

I won’t make this a long, boring post - I think the photo is worth all the words I could possibly say.  What you see here is a brand new, fresh out of the box 1986 GT Pro Performer frame and fork.  These particular frames are tough to find NOS, and this one came from the infamous “Earl stash” that is almost legendary among BMX collectors.  This frame’s serial number indicates that it was built in December of 1985, but its condition would suggest that it was made yesterday.  Yes, it’s that mint - even the paint has that new, grippy feeling.  No, I will not be building it, but I do not think I will be selling it… Yet.

:: 1986 GT Pro Performer freestyle frame and fork, brand new - click to enlarge ::

To me, the GT Performer is one of the quintessential 1980s freestyle bikes - these bikes are the icons of what 1980s freestyle BMX was all about.  This bright green color is also typical of the era - loud colors were a staples of 1980s fashion.

:: That is Eddie Fiola’s sister in the above late-1985 GT ad - Eddie was on tour at the time ::