No, this restored, repainted-red 1968 Rokon Trail-Breaker 2×2 “Can’t drive 55”, even downhill with a tailwind. With a nod to the real Red Rocker, Sammy Hagar, this Rokon – pronounced by some as “Rock On” – will jar your bones loose, sort of like being at a Sammy Hagar concert. The seller has this 2×2 red rocker listed here on eBay in Roswell, New Mexico and they’re asking $5,995 or you can make an offer.
The Rokon name wasn’t attached to these machines when they first appeared on Charlie Fehn’s drawing board in 1958, or even in 1963 when the patent was finally approved. Although, he didn’t officially get it until 1966. The government moves like a glacier sometimes. It wasn’t until Merle Norman Cosmetics owner, JB Nethercutt, had owned the company producing the Trail-Breaker for several years that the biggest distributor, Orla Larson – owner of a Vermont ski lodge called “On The Rocks” – that the Rokon name came about.
In 1970, the company offered several colors other than yellow, so the restorer took some liberties here, and I like it. It makes it look newer than it is as they never came in red in 1968. The black front rack is a nice touch, and you can see that his one is wearing new Maxxis Bighorn tires, which seem to be popular replacement tires. I’d go with replacement Goodyear rubber to keep it looking original. These motorcycles are pretty light at around 180 pounds.
Rokon came out with a rear-wheel drive version in 1970 known as the RT-140 without the hollow wheels as the Trail-Breaker had. These 4.5-gallon hollow wheels could be filled with just about any liquid from gas to water or could be left empty to help with floating your Rokon across water on its side if needed. I haven’t tried that yet and most likely never will. The seller appears to have polished these wheels, mine aren’t this shiny. The front wheel is powered via a driveshaft that runs through the frame to a “miter box” on the front under the rack, which turns the chain seen on the left side of the front wheel.
The miter box is better seen here. It’s a cool system but there are a lot of moving parts churning and I’m always paranoid about something going wrong on mine even riding it at 10 mph. The engine should be a West Bend (or Chrysler Power Bee) two-stroke single with around 7 or 8 horsepower. It sends power to a three-speed Albion transmission with a centrifugal clutch, and a big clunky “shifter” seen on the left side. Third gear is all the way down, followed by neutral up one and those are the only two spots my Rokon shifter is ever in since I’m not climbing Mr. Everest or anything like that. This example looks nice but it’s priced at the top of the market so they may be getting some lower offers. Have any of you seen Sammy Hagar in concert, or owned a Rokon? Extra points for answering yes to both!
A splendid trip down Rokon memory lane from our knowledgeable tour guide, Scotty “Dr. Rokon” Gilbertson. I saw Sammy Hagar in Erie, Pennsylvania on the “I Can’t Drive 55” tour. About 10 seconds after the concert bus left my rural home town, gracious passengers began passing liquor bottles around the Greyhound. This seemed downright neighborly and increased my perceived odds of returning home from 80% to at least 85%. I have not owned a Rokon, though, so you’ve got me beat there. Maybe I’ll buy this one… or maybe I’ll decide to stay married. The only red rocker I’m likely to own will be on my porch.
Ha, I like the red rocking chair idea, Todd. Thanks for the great dip into your concert-going past!
I first heard Sammy singing on Ronnie Montrose’ first album. I first saw Sammy opening for Boston, circa 1978. I’ve been a fan ever since. But I’ve only seen the Rockon in pictures. A cool bike, but, sadly, not enough trails left in my area to ride it locally.
Big C, that brings everything full circle for me. I’ve never seen Sammy Hagar in concert, but the first time I saw Van Halen (with Dave Roth) was around 1976. Believe it or not, they opened for Ronnie Montrose (!) and Journey and blew them both out of the water.
I saw Andy Williams in Branson. Does that count?
I never made it past the Kingston Trio, just kidding, I’m a rocker, but went to very few concerts. Had much better sound at home and none of the paranoia.
Howard, you are right. Rock crowds were bad places to be. I got dragged to a Clapton concert in the mid 70s, music was okay, but the pot was so thick in the air, I swear I was high. People were throwing lit firecrackers from the balconies on the crowd below. None of that at the Williams affair, just kind gentle people, all of whom I assume, drove Ramblers.
I saw the “Sam and Dave” tour, when Hagar and Roth went out together, sometime in the 2000’s. Sammy opened, and blew David Lee away. Roth had everything turned up to “11”, and it was barely listen able. Couldn’t make out half the songs. He was trying too hard, I guess.
Kinda hard to be VH without Eddie. They should have hung up their guitars to show him the proper respect. Its not like they need the money. Plenty of cold beers to drink as you cuddle with much younger gold digging women. Why go on stage and embarrass yourself? Rock, is a young mans game.
finished that just bout when the clock passed ’69 into 1970. Avoided all the above w/luck & beginning my national 2 yr circumvention (hit all parameter states, returned for college). Never went back till singer/song writer’s era (2nd wave of ‘the folkies’) in ‘80s. Possibly a smart decade/good choice. Enjoyin the 3rd wave now (nuttin like live performance – by self or others).
Now the ‘2 wheel drive motorcycle”? Really love the detailed (personalities, what they went thru, manufacturing processes, etc) history as with most automotive deep dives. Never thought I’d enjoy such a subject asa kid, adult.
(Porsche & Tatra, same, MB relationship w/ Borgward, Ford/Ferrari, Honda – early & late, etc). It gets into world history (of surrounding era), economic policy, corporate relations, industrial arts, human development, chit, I can go on (& on &…
Just sign me as
– CarGuy
Auction update: the seller lowered the asking price to $5,495. Maybe still a bit high given the year and color change, in my opinion.