Yes, I am still alive! I know it’s been a while, Klunkers, but I’ve been busy… well… kinda just enjoying my summer if I’m being honest.
Big shout out to the folks keeping this site alive with all the comments! You know who you are! Should we maybe open… a forum?? Maybe that’s the future of Klunkers.ca…?
Anyway that’s about as much as I’m going to digress as I don’t wanna get off-track on this sick new Klunkerson from Klunkers reader, Nick D.!
Thanks for sending it in Nick, although I disagree with one thing… I think “Klunkerson” is a cool name!
Here are the deets in Nick’s own words:
I bought my Klunkerson in Vegas at a low ebb, when I was mourning the loss of my stolen DMR Trailstar (British dirt jump bike ). If you happen to see an orange Trailstar in Stamford, CA, it’s probably mine, I’ve never seen another orange one.
The Klunkerson looked so cool amongst all the other bikes on the shop floor, and the disc brakes sealed the deal. I rode out of that bike shop a happy man.
As you can see, it’s mostly original. But:
- I found a Haro front load stem on ebay first and since then I’ve changed….
- The seat to a United BMX .
- Pedals are Shimano DX.
- Chainring is a Dartmoor 33t, puts the ratio the slightly easier than 2:1, and a new chain because of that.
- Front disc I changed to a 203mm and changed both brake cables and the housings to compression-less, which makes an amazing difference. It’s made the original brakes really really powerful.
I really didn’t like the design of the decals, or colour, so I have sprayed over them and added my own ratty logos.
I’ll probably change the tyres next, the back is a bit worn ‘cus I like skidding more than a man in his fifties is supposed to.
Anyway, thanks for your lovely site, I found it when I was looking for more info on Klunkersons and now I thought you might like to see my version of it.
It’s still a really stoopid name though, right? Klunkerson!!!
What do you think, folks? Should Nick keep going with the mods—or is it good as-is?
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Less is more. Looking good Nick.
Reminds me of the Stones 1966 classic song, Paint It, Black! 🎶
I want to see it painted, painted black
Black as night, black as coal
I want to see it painted, painted, painted, painted black. 🎶
Klunkerson is a little cumbersome on the tongue.. but it is a sweet looking ride. You can always rename it, like Gordon S does his.
Enjoy the heck out of it and buy some good locks to slow the thieving low-life’s down!
They use to hang horse thieves in the Old West!
Happy Trails
Mark P
It Needs some Raider Logo and badges. I mean come on we’re talkin Vagas you got the team in town. I built a bad ass beach cruiser out of a standard Electra Cruiser 1# in mat black I called the Black Hole . On that one it had a 1” bar stem so I changed the stem with a Black Opps stem adapter so I could install a 11/8 bmx Black Opps stem to clamp some Black tall D style ape handle bars with a eye brawl head light / Black just over the front tire that I installed Maxxis 250 Hookworms to keep this bad boy rollin in style. Also some custom metal work to the chain guard to give this ride the a brawler look as for many years that was the Oakland Raiders reputation at the time I built this rides reputation on A team of miss fits that win games. Players nobody wanted the under dogs win or loose we loved them anyway. So after the mods were done on the bike that include a seat made by Sunlite as well as the handle bars made by Sunlite I forgot to mention the manufacture of . The seat was Black with charcoal silver flames . Yep we start getting the silver and black theme going on the build only fitting. The bike had the tough look gangster as the history of the city is known to be not to mention the 1 percent motorcycle club that took off out of Oakland that found it’s way globally. So standing back and looking what is left what was missing on this gangsta Klunker Beach machine ? Emblems and badges to finish the Black Hole. So at that time living in Hollister California birth place of the biker as it’s known for near Salines California I new just where to find those missing dress up things to finish the bike . So I began frequenting every dangerous dive mom and pop liquor store I could find you know the ones with bars around the windows broken glass in the parking lot meth attics scratching there lottery ticks etc. Perfect ! So the hunt was on I found key chain stuff with casted emblems and the same for wallets as in those dives there was plenty of Raider me robe aliases everywhere to be found . So I harvested what I found and modified the stuff for the bike with hack sawing and some file work grinding and radiusing the back side of some of the badges to fit the tubes of the forks and other frame tubes. So when I was finished with the Raider badges I then mounted them on the chosen spots of the bike with two sided Automotive tape used today from the factories to put the emblems on . Used 3M brand. Sadly I lost that bike in a fire along with many other builds in Napa California including a 1931 Ford 2 door coupe street rod. The bike I called the Black Hole was well like by of course Raider fans. So there you have it give it the Raider touch to finish this sinister ride I already see the skull and cross bone graphic you might just take it all the way. Just food for thought. I had a lot of fun doing the Black Hole bike. Well Nick are you In? Silver and Black 😎☠️💀☠️💀☠️💀☠️💀☠️💀☠️💀☠️💀☠️💀☠️ Have Fun🤠
This bike just sparked the memory of the Black Hole build Nick it put a smile on my face as I wrote thanks for the post. This bike really hit home as I miss the one I lost with many others. It was one of my favorites.
Gordon S.,
The Oakland Raiders vs the Denver Broncos was a legendary NFL rivalry back in the day!
No Raiders or Broncos in the State NFL KLUNKER SERIES!
You’re like the Godfather of Klunkers. Better start writing and assembling that book!
I grew up in NE and my grandparents heated and cooked with hard, Black Pennsylvania anthracite coal.
It had a shiny, jewel-like, Pitch Black submetallic lustre to it!
When it burned, you sometimes would get leftover Coal clinkers, (like Clunkers!) hard, brick-like deposits created when non-burnable materials in coal fuse together due to high temperatures during combustion. These needed to be removed and pitched out.
Nick, maybe you can call your bike the Black Coal, or Anthracite.
Or the Black Mamba also comes to mind.
Just random some thoughts on names…
Man that sound’s rough. I was shocked in 2008 when we were, looking to buy and all the houses had basements which was way cool but used oil heaters back there in Maine. We sissy’s out here use far back as I recall use gas and we cry about that . Up North where I’m at now it’s propane. The whole city runs on it. Or burn wood. Propane is getting steep&steeper. But Governor Greasy Gavin wants to ban both and go electric that cost big time. I have a house that runs all on electric boy $$$$$👿. I guess Cali is for the well off only .
Every time I see a Klunkerson I want a Transition Klunker as that is the smallest that I fit on. They bought look stout. Heck those two models might out last the cock roach when earth freezes over. If I was short I think I’d put some flat track bars on the Klunkerson and some Surly Extra T tires on it and find a school with a nice baseball diamond and do some big slides . The fork angle is perfect for that just as a Harley XR 750 miler or for the half mile oval. The proper fork angle on the Klunkerson will help the front end from washing out. Yep that base ball diamond up the street growing up as a kid was more than just for baseball and an old Schwinn with a set of strait leg forks was the ticket for such kind of riding. But from what I see the Klunkerson head tube and fork set up looks perfect. The Transition on the other hand with that raked out front speaks down hiller . That rake keeps the rider from flipping over the bars and helps keep the rear planted on the ground avoiding high speed endows . Two totally different rides . The only thing those bikes have in common is they are single speeds and stiff frames. These two bikes do two different things so the point is you can see that a collection of bikes of a similar category can become a set of golf clubs. So if you have one Klunkerson why not two as that baseball diamond up the street is waiting for you. 🤷🏻♂️
‼️ Klunker Alert ‼️
Check out the Priority Sauce Single-Speed with the rust/grease-free Gates Carbon Drive belt instead of the traditional chain linkage!
I have been wanting to try out the Gates Carbon Drive belt system for a while now, and this may be the ticket!
The Frame/Fork is Ultralight 6061 T6 Aluminum, Not steel, but it light
46t front sprocket / 22t rear sprocket.
Tires: 27.5″ x 2.4″ WTB Intersector
[They also have a more coastal layback, beach cruiser bike, called the Priority Coast.]
Priority is out of NYC geography.
Chainrings are more self cleaning for small rocks and gravel the pulley system is not and can get both the pulley and belt damaged therefore it is best to stick on the street with the Priority Sauce . To replace the belt as it is one piece you must split the rear of the frame you can see where you must at the right rear section of the frame where there are two bolts to do so above the axel . Aluminum frames known to crack. For the price of the Sauce I heard on the review that furnished crank ain’t gonna cut it as it is trash just like comes on the State Klunker but the difference is the State cost much less so the crank as sold on the State ride is acceptable. The handle bar stem set up I Don’t Know ? 80’s ?…? Something? Or a garage sale find . Glad my kid brought up the Idea of getting the Priority a couple weeks ago. When I mentioned the above he dropped the Idea like a hot Potato and hunted down two Transition Klunkers on the net in fine shape and pulled the trigger one in green and one in blue with the plate red wheels stem seat post and some other little flashy parts . ( sharp) My kid installed Maxxis Holly Rollers on the two . The tires will make these rides great for both street and dirt . Knobby type tires that roll well on the pavement. My opinion that may not be the same as others but (SORRY) the Priority Sauce is something you would see on the QVC Home Shopping Network at 3A.M. for 199.00$ plus free shipping if you make the mistake of buying two. This bike makes the Sully look good to me. Ouch! I’ll still say the Haro Klunkerson is the best deal for the Money if you fit on it as it is a bit small for the six and six plus footers and for a few more buckarews the WTF Avenger for the Taller is even a better deal for what you get but the Avenger is hard to find as it was a Limited run. Like a broken record I wish Haro would build a Klunkerson in a 19” frame . Even if they up the price a bit for this type of bike it’s hard not to want or buy one. The review I saw on the Priority Sauce mentioned it sales for around 800.00$ . Mmmmmmm really I’ll be dammed.
Geez Gordon,
Tell me what you really think 💭!
Good analysis and feedback.
I am intrigued by the Gates Belt Drive Train but have never owned one. I agree it would be a city slicker bike.
Priority was recently selling the Sauces off at 70% off! Why is a great question to ponder.
Aluminum would not be my first choice for a Klunker bike frame.
The only aluminum framed bike I have is Kona Jake the Snake Cyclecross with a carbon fork.
I am looking to sell this off from the fleet!
Based on your review I will probably reconsider my priorities!
Well 2:05 A.M. Mark and it is great to wake up to a laugh. Like the last line of the reply. Anyway belt drive has it’s place on the planet like helicopters lathe type machines and Harley Davidson has been using belt drive quite some time and has proven to out last a chain but the belt has it’s place and the chain has it’s. All Harley’s run belt’s that rule the streets. However Harley’s XR750 Flat Track dirt oval race bike runs a chain. Chains make it much more easy to change gearing for track conditions as normally they run a master link. Also as I said before belts don’t hold up to off-road conditions. Little Rock’s and pebbles will soon destroy that part of the drive line. Belts being one piece make it a reel hassle to change on a Harley. The 05 Fat Boy I had you had to remove the whole softail swing arm to change the belt and on the Dyna models same thing. The bicycle in question you got to split the frame. Who wants that? 70% off still sounds like a bad Idea.👎 The sliding axle rear brackets on the Kona Huma another bad idea. 👎 Really a disappointment on the new Kona for me after I took a second look. In the end when it comes to transportation machinery etc. around the year of 1911 the old guys got it right up to about 1970. Now many new Ideas are like robbing Peter to pay Paul as the old saying goes. Chasing your tail. The new old stuff is rebuildable like my big Chevy Suburban. A new truck 3/4 to one ton you drive a computer that cost around a hundred grand that when things go wrong few can ever get it running right again. In the end it’s junk or soon will be. You can apply that to a bicycle them old Schwinn’s still in service and looking cool at the same time and rebuildable over and over. I don’t know how much longer I can hold off not going down the highway to (Low Key Motors ) and not walking away with a old restored Schwinn. There is just something about those bikes yep the old guys got it right. A pice of history a time capsule for sure and with a little lovin those old Swhinns will be here after we take Gods Bus. Think my bus is running late maybe God don’t wanna know what I think of Heaven neither.🦧Don’t think Heaven has electric guitars why do you think Keith Richard’s is still on planet earth.
Gordon,
Those Transition Klunkers look interesting. I am leaning toward the Breezer Repack or Haro Klunkersons a possible next ride.
I hope to get back to Maine this Fall and may see if I can find a Ti Carver Newsboy frame that I can build up.
One of my rellies may know of one..
What are those old restored Schwinn’s going for? I should check with my brother back in Maine and see if he has any classic Schwinn’s amongst the bikes in his barn. Problem with old bikes and cars in Maine is the salt air. Surface rust can settle in pretty quickly.
The old frames may need a good dose of naval gel or a light sanding/ sand blast..
Schwinn’s use to be the Porsche of the biking ecosystem back when I was a kid. I didn’t have the coinage to buy a Schwinn back then.
My new bikes were less expensive knock offs which I used for hauling newspapers on my paper routes, getting to the swimming holes or baseball fields, and woods riding behind the elementary school and Junior High. So much for tried wheels and straight fenders and chain guards. The rack and dual baskets on the back end were also great to haul a friend and extra sports gear along.
I was out on the Avenger this morning for a 21 mile run. Man, this bike moves when you put the peddle to the metal. Doing the same ride on my Avenger up against my State, I shave about 20/25 minutes off my time when I am motivated. A whole different experience.
I love this bike!
Just need to get a cape and an Avenger T-Shirt.
Happy Trails!
Actually, I would probably go with a Fairdale Taj 27.5″ over the Haro Klunkerson.
Funny yesterday was out riding my Sunday Similar to the Taj 27.5 I think either one is a must have I was having too much fun 🤩 on an affordable ride. The Sunday is strong light and fast. Could not ask for more . Did very little to it so I look at it as a bargain. Then came back took a glance at the Avenger and said what the hell and jumped on it and off I went on another ride the weather was killer that was part of the lure nice as it get’s . The Avenger a bit heavier but a touch faster. I tell ya those RaceFace Atlas pedals are the finishing touch on the Avenger a must . You really can lay down the power on the 175 crank with that big foot print wow 😮. That’s the first thing to come to mind when I climb abroad. A bargain sweet outta the box Mark we are lucky to have em. Glad you know what I’m talking about. A rare find. Anyway glad I took the Avenger out . That was the icing on the cake as it made me forget about the world is in the toilet. That’s what hobbies are for. Grabbing an electric guitar is the other escape. The vintage Schwinns in a single speed a running about 950.00 for a single speed model for the 1948 year / early 50’s and high fives for the mid 60’s era early to late, seventies at Low Key Motors Mark . The Marin repack old Swhinn vintage clones are big money 2,500.00 up. They run gears .Remember those, are bicycle history and that’s what your paying for and you can still use these restored period correct rides and use them as man cave decorations. Or just ride em. But as rare and cool as they are I would stick to a mellow trail short cut through town and just enjoy these bikes on the street. Gotta say the State Bike builds I did are far superior to those old bikes and keep the similarities as close as it gets to the handling that is iconic with the crank drop and thus the lower center of gravity. But the old Swhinns have a bit more drop. The new Breezer is right there as well. But I ‘ll always have a big hole in the old oil pump for the Old Original Swhinns. I guess because that was a big part of a life time on two wheels and a ingrained muscle memory of how they ride and corner. They felt like a motorcycle. Therefore the bikes were used as one. Repack is the example of that and that’s all one needs to know the rest is history. Add some fat tires a Brooks seat Flatrack motorcycle handle bars your good to go. That simple. Yep I get all jelly when I browse through the gallery Low Key Motors has posted on the site that includes the bikes for sale . Pure torcher but still gotta look anyway. The price of a single speed still doable on a budget.
Gordon,
Sounds like you have been getting more riding in. How is the knee doing? Do you feel like you are getting back to full strength?
Are you at a point of trusting it yet?
I have been out early and cranking the miles this week! The sun ☀️ is staying in bed longer so I am usually out a little after 6am.
I am looking forward to the Fall 🍁 riding season as long as the gales of November don’t come early, à la, the Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald!
By the way, this weekend marks the 50th anniversary of the Pearl Pass Tour CELEBRATION September 10-13th, 2026!
It claims to be the oldest mountain bike event in the world and is repeated year after year on a September weekend.
The 1st ride happened in 1976 when a group of Crested Butte rowdies pedaled and pushed their one-speed klunkers over 12,705’ Pearl Pass and into Aspen.
I believe that on the first year’s inaugural ride in 1976 also included a hardcore group Klunker riders from Marin county.
Been increasing my distance and exploring new routes. Try to work in some hills. Typically I can ride them fully seated. I am liking the WTB Volt Bike Saddle I put on to my State Klunker. It has a slightly lifted back end (think whale tail) which you can level in seat climbing. I may replace the stick saddle on my WTP Avenger with a Titanium Rails version of the Volt.
I haven’t had to walk either of my Klunkers up any hills yet! I do watch my knees. I sometimes stand and come off of my if I start bogging down on a steep ascent or go switchback / pump track style to carry the momentum up the hills.
Of course I ain’t riding San Frans Lombard Street either! Or Mount Tam!!
As soon as I wear out the stock tires that came with my State (CST Patrol 2.4″ tires) and the WTB “RANGER” tires, 27.5″x 2.25″ on the Avenger, I will get some faster treads for my riding preferences. This should bolster my sustained average mph in the asphalt jungle and on the concrete trails. Maybe at least on one of the bikes and leave the other for dirt and gravel trails and winter snow and ice.
Have you ever run on the Maxxis Hookworms ? Remind me what else you like for faster treads?
Bryter Layter,
Mark