We’ve seen 18 examples of the very unusual Rokon motorcycle here on Barn Finds over the last decade. Oddly enough, I’ve written about all of them, and here is #19! One of the motorcycles was a rear-drive only RT-140, similar looking to the Trail-Breaker but with only rear-wheel drive. Two have been the very rare and even more unusual dirt bike, the RT-340 with a snowmobile engine! The rest were 2x2s like this 1964 Rokon Trail-Breaker that’s listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Fort Mill, South Carolina. The seller is asking $4,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to PRA4SNW for the 2×2 tip!
I’ve yammered endlessly about my 1971 Rokon Trail-breaker Mk III, and even did a “Scotty G’s Garage” article on it. I start and ride it every time I go to the storage facility to check things out, which isn’t often enough. This example for sale here appears to be even nicer, and is an older model from when the company was still made by the Nethercutt family, famous for Merle Norman Cosmetics and also the Nethercutt Collection, a mind-blowing museum in Sylmar, California. They sold the company in 1964 to their biggest Rokon dealer, but made them in California until late into 1964. It all moved to Vermont after that, and it’s still there today. I like the side rack, or it’s more of a protector, so your pants don’t get caught in the rear chain. These things can be dangerous, especially the early ones before all of those churning bits were covered with factory shields.
Speaking of churning, yes, the front wheel has a chain on it, and it provides power for incredible traction. I’m still amazed when I go up a steep hill just how much traction there is, especially with the giant tires. This one has new tires, by the way, along with a new driver’s seat and passenger seat (which is removable), and also new paint, and the coolest part: an electric start! This one already has a belt and suspenders: a kick start on the Albion transmission, and a pull starter. I would love to have electric start on mine, but I guess it isn’t really needed.
The engine is running in the above photo, and I can hear the ding-ding-ding-ping-ping-ping from here. These were normally powered by a Chrysler Power Bee (or West Bend) two-stroke 134-cc single (you mix the gas and oil), with around 8 horsepower. Power is sent through the Albion three-speed transmission with the big shift lever on the left side, as shown above. Third or high gear is down, then one up from that is neutral, which is where you’ll start it. 2nd gear is just above neutral, and the top setting is a super low 1st gear. I use mine in 3rd gear 90% of the time. $4,500 isn’t unreasonable for these monsters, but I only paid $3,000 for my restored Rokon a few years ago. Have any of you ridden a Rokon?
This one looks great. I’ve always wanted to ride one, these are probably more my speed. It’s incredible what these can do. You don’t need a Sherpa, or mountain goat to get up a hill if you have one of these, thats for sure.
I do have a question for anyone whos ridden these….. What are they like going downhill? Like, really steep hills, are they just as sure footed as they are going up?
They are, Dave, as long as you have traction and the tires don’t start slipping in the mud, wet grass, leaves, gravel, etc.
Thanks Scotty. After asking I started thinking ( because I always think AFTER I say something or ask something lol). But that makes perfect sense. I have this thing about going down steep hills, whether it’s walking, or running a piece of equipment, I’m way out of my comfort zone. Going up a hill I don’t mind. ( I probably sound like I’m a little off my rocker to most of you) Thank you again Scotty
-Dave
Yes super cool!! Better hurry posted 38 weeks ago.
It looks like a great trail bike, but be really careful of it on pavement or any hard surface. The knobby tires have very little traction on any hard surface.
They will get out from under you in a heartbeat and it will hurt. Ask me how I know.
Whenever I see one of these featured, or any of the authors similarly owned vehicles, I say, “on no, he’s thinning the herd”, and am somewhat relieved to see someone else is. These are pretty crude, but one must remember, in 1964, off road adventures were unheard of. Hiking only took you back so far, something was needed. This is the classic, “necessity is the mother of invention”, and this was the beginning . It’s strange how things develop, why not just a 4wd ATV? Well, Jeep/Scout had that covered, there was no need to expand on that.
These are actually quite complicated, mechanically. They have a driveshaft to the front, and a gearbox( hidden), with u joints and an over ride clutch. If the front didn’t have that, it wouldn’t turn. It’s a lot of hardware spinning, and consequently, can have some handling quirks, a lot of folks I read took the front chain off, to stabilize it some, but then lost the “AWD” thing, and the author will agree, getting this stuck is no fun. I would have to think it needs more power, but adequate for most back woods adventures. In my neck of the woods, you need a slew of off-road permits and not the easiest to load in a pickup, a small trailer is best, but I think it was designed to go anywhere, and I bet it shall. Out the back door would be the preferred method.
Oh, one more thing for SG,,,how do you get the extra gas contained in the rims,,,out? Ka-BOOM!!
I used to have the RT 340 in the early 80s. I was a blast to ride and was really great for climbing hills I wish I still had it.
I also had a RT 340. went fast, didn’t stop. No engine braking, hence disc brakes front and rear. They moved out Vt to New Hampster years ago.
Incorporated in VT in ’64… moved to Keene, NH in ’67… then moved to Jaffery, NH in ’81… then to Rochester, NH in 2001. …and I believe they are still there…
I love reading about these when they are featured, thanks Scotty. I have been interested in these since I first saw the one featured on Pawn Stars.
I had to do a double take when I saw this was from 1964. I didn’t know they made them that far back. And then to see it in this condition, amazing.
From the amount of time it’s been advertised, I would say that the seller is in no hurry, and maybe that right buyer is out there somewhere. Maybe an EBay ad would help.
I have a good friend that has 2 of these. You could maybe get one from him when you pry is cold dead fingers from him.
shouldnt we all have one in the collection?
I love the company history. A real merican story…