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1977 Torker MX

First produced frame by Torker and rare due to no drilled caliper support and serial #93

The first frame designed by a very young Steve Johnson was actually called the Peddlepower frame sold by the Peddlepower bike shop. The double top tube design captured everyone's attention and for the larger rider this a good first attempt.

The head tube was quite mellow at 70 degrees and the seat tube was ultra mellow compared to Redline and Mongoose. The other noticeable difference was the "fish tailed" gussets and forward pressed/welded dropouts. This unique combination combination along with a Speedo dual position fork gave for some superb handling. Soon after the test Steve began production of Torker forks. The pre-production Torker MX frames did not have a drilled caliper mount but when the frames were designed as complete bikes they started to drill them for calipers. My Torker is a pre-production MX frame serial #93.

As stated by Bob Osborn, "What does this mean for a purchaser of a Torker MX? Well folks, because of the additional surfaced area and the double joint contact at the steering head afforded by double top tubes, and because of the highly effective location of gussets, and because the entire frame is made of 4130 chromoly, this bugger is exceptionally strong." Bob continues on handling, "The Torker MX handled flawlessly under all conditions: bookin' down straights, blasting berms, or sailing over jumps."
The bike features all the parts from 1977 and this was the year that Redline introduced the Pro Line stem.

Pictured is a prototype with square clamps versus the rounded Redline stamped clamps that became famous. The Femco rims were never laced. All the spokes and nipples were polished to get that new look. The inspiration on this was the July 1977 double coverage by the BMX News featuring Kevin McNeal on the cover and Bicycle Motocross Action featuring RL Osborn during the testing of the MX.

1978 Torker introduced the Low Profile model for younger riders like myself and swooped up one to replace my 1974 Redline Square back. I was coined "The Torker Kid" from that point and rode a Torker to the end of their run in 1984.

VEHICLE

Frame - Torker MX, pre-production MX non-drilled caliper with serial #93
Fork - Speedo dual
Stem - Redline prototype with square clamps
Bars - Kawasaki
Grips - Hunt Wilde from Cash Matthews, NOS
Headset - Schwinn
Rims - Femco, NOS
Spokes - .105 gauge polished
Front hub - ACS
Rear hub - Bendix
Front Tire - Motocross 20 x 2.125, NOS
Rear Tire - Motocross 20 x 2.125, NOS
Chain - Schwinn
Chain ring - Addicks 46 teeth, NOS
Cranks - Ashtabula 7 1/2", NOS
Bottom Bracket - Schwinn
Pedals - Union rat traps from Cash Matthews, NOS
Seat - Mesinger padded, NOS
Seat post - Redline
Seat post clamp - Prototype Redline never mass produced
Pad set - Torker didn't make pads yet
Enjoy!

Last edited by JT (2009-08-01 10:40am)