The Early Days of Torker BMX - Interview with Doug Johnson -
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 ส.ค. 2024
- While at DirtyFest, we also had the pleasure of sitting down with Doug Johnson, one of the family members of the Johnson family that started Torker BMX! Itʻs an interesting story about a fatherʻs love for his "last place" son!
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Wow, straight from the source and the original bike also. Makes it very real. Can’t wait until y’all’s Torker is done.
Yeah, it was unreal to hold that original frame in my hands! We are so very lucky! Thanks for the comment and for watching another one! 🤙🏼
Dang Kevin!!! That trip was the gift that keeps on giving. Loving all the content you’re sharing from Dirty Fest. So rad!!! 🙌❤
I have to say meeting Kevin and Bernie was amazing!!
I hope everyone involved with Torker realizes how big there impact is to the street guys too. In the north east of New England we didn’t have a lot of tracks, so most of us were not competitive, but still very devoted to bmx lifestyle. I still ride my 1983 280X and get stopped on the street to talk about it. Now on my new MX26 I’m getting stopped twice as much, everyone with a great Torker story, unfortunately a few stolen. I don’t think any other brand had such a diehard following, thanks to everyone involved for bringing it back to us!
Glad you picked up an MX26, hope you are loving it, and glad others are stopping you to share stories!! BMX is such a huge family and community!!
This is awesome! Thank you so much for taking the time to share this with us! It's been a pleasure to talk to people like Doug and Bill to learn more about this iconic brand! Appreciate you watching! 🤙🏼
Thanks for stopping by and doing the interview Kevin, you and Bernie were awesome! Side note - I sent this to Doug this morning and he was so happy , and extra bonus points today is his Birthday, so everyone please help us wish Doug Johnson a Happy Birthday!!!!
This is awesome. And A Happy Birthday to my Uncle Duke!!!
More bonus points. I absolutely love this. Especially because it gives more history behind the origination of my Family's brand!
@torkerbmx You guys are welcome! It was a pleasure talking to Doug and the next interview we share will be with Bill! Looking forward to that one because that was a fun conversation. Bill is the best! Happy Birthday Doug! 🤙🏼
Glad we could document this to share this with the world! 🤙🏼
This guy is such a comedian. What a fascinating story. Thanks.
My Uncle always has had the ability to deliver the comedic relief. Thank you for the comment!
That was one of the most interesting, and entertaining guys you've interviewed. I feel stupid. I wasn't even aware that Torker had gone out of business at one time. I always loved Torker as a kid, they are so unique looking. You could spot one from a mile away, but like a lot of kids my paper route wouldn't support my desires. I didn't even know anybody that owned a Torker, I just saw ONE frame and fork on the wall at the bike shop and in the magazines. 🤑The American bottom bracket on the original Torker looks huge, and the frame looked like it weighed about 40 lbs. Aren't you guys jacked to jump into the next Torker build? We sure are!🤙
I used my paper route to fund my Diamond Back and then later my Kuwahara. Had to save up a lot of coins for those things! Sold the DB to put toward the Kuwahara. Don't feel bad man, I had no idea about some of the stuff that we learned through this interview too! The coolest thing was to talk to Doug and Bill (his interview is coming out soon) so we appreciate you taking the time to watch it and learn along with us. Thanks man! 🤙🏼
Great interview!
Thanks brother! 🤙🏼
👋
Having the top tubes being one solid piece from the front tube to the drop outs makes for a stronger frame, especially with 2 tubes. the 2 tubes oppose upward bending forces that the earth puts on the tires and then translates to the bottom tube.
That totally makes sense! Thanks for sharing this with us and for watching! 🤙🏼
I’m on my second torker. I was always on GT’s but switched it up when Haro masters came on the scene.
Grab your third one!!!
There's just something about that double top tube! I'm a huge fan of the Torker and the Haro! Thanks for sharing that and for watching! 🤙🏼
I've a Torker frame and forks from back in the day. It has peg bosses on the back dropouts and high up on the fork legs. I remember taking off the pegs and losing them somewhere. I'd love to know more about that particular frameset.
That's awesome! Unfortunately we only saw Doug at the Dirtyfest event but if we get a chance to go back, we can try and see if he or anyone else has more info on those old school Torkers! Thanks for the comment and for watching!
Cool story! I wonder why his dad went with a double top tube for a race bike.
Steve Johnson's Son here. My Papa John(Texon, Johnson Engineering, and Torker Engineer) designed everything to maximize efficiency. This is the reason for the Double Tube Top Frame, that was originated by Steve Rink , whom my Papa John knew from the Aircraft realm.
Thanks for sharing this! This is so cool to see family members popping on here and sharing more info about the Torkers! 🤙🏼
Would you guys like to know how the BMX started. Panda was the first. If you guys come to Honolulu give me a call and i can show you all the books and information on the BMX history from 1972 to 1998. I even have the first full hydraulic shock bmx.
Thank you so much for that offer! I may just take you up on that as I'd love to see what books you have on it! Appreciate the comment and you watching! 🤙🏻