As reader Beale D said when he submitted this find, “the price is insane but check out that rear suspension!” Joe Bolger was a pioneer of American motocross – his work led him to an induction in the AMA Hall of Fame. One of his odder contributions was his pitch to OSSA to utilize a rear suspension linkage designed by John Taylor at Yankee.
Turns out OSSA and the Japanese big four passed on the suspension, though internet rumors suggest that Suzuki initially said they were interested, then passed, and then released their “Full Floater” rear. Yankee offered the kit as an aftermarket option for OSSA customers in the US, and according to the seller (who spoke to Joe), no more than 15 kits were sold for Phantoms.
The seller took this bike to the Chehalis Vintage AHRMA National in 2008, as Joe Bolger showed up and spoke about the bike over a dinner. JOe apparently gave the seller “patent info, a Cycle World article and signed pictures.” Unfortunately, it seems that the seller never got this bike running as it doesn’t have cables and he’s never started it. He suggests that this should be on display at a museum. Find this Phantom for sale here on Craigslist for $10,000 in Medford, Oregon.
This bike-uriousity brought to you by Beale D!