Code Blue: 70cc Tomos Silver Bullet “MusclePed”

Brew’s Buzz-themed Two-Stroke “MusclePed”… 

We’ve always loved custom builds that draw inspiration from bicycle history. After all, most of us started out on pedal bikes, and the old adage still rings true in our ears:

“A motorcycle is a bicycle with pandemonium attachment, and is designed for the especial use of mechanical geniuses, daredevils and lunatics.” -George Fitch, 1916

We’ve seen a number of bicycle-themed builds in recent years, from MotoRelic’s “Adult Schwinn” to Berg & Co’s 300cc “Dream Bike” to BikeBound’s own moto-inspired ’54 Schwinn klunker. But if there’s one man in the custom world born and bred to meld pedal and motorbikes into a singular whole, it’s Steve “Brewdude” Garn of BREW (Blue Ridge Electric & Welding) — a legend in both realms of two wheels.

As a young man, Brew was a nationally-ranked motocross rider. In the early 80s, he opened his workshop in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, and soon BREW bicycle frames were a fixture at the highest levels of bicycle racing — at one time, half of the USA triathlon team rode BREW frames, and they were popular among many other racers as well.

Brew was making waves with motorbikes as well. He placed 2nd at the AMD World Championships, was inducted into the International Master Bike Builders Association (IMBBA), and became a 5-time #1 AMA National Land Speed record holder.

The bike you see here started life as an ’88 Tomos Silver Bullet moped, but Brew envisioned a custom pitbike inspired by one of his favorite boyhood bicycles:

“1968 was the height of muscle bikes such as the Stingray. Western Auto sold a Murray Buzz bike, which I bought with the money I made with a paper route, along with money from lawn-mowing jobs.”

Brew built the frame and lugged chopper fork from scratch, using USA 4130 and Columbus Rambo tubing to replicate the design of his ’68 Buzz. The fuel tank is custom-built from aluminum, and all of the paint, powder, and graphics were done in-house.

The original two-engine engine was seized, as the owners had forgot to run premix, but that was no problem for Brew, who rebuilt the motor with a 70cc Airsal big bore kit, modified porting and headwork, two-petal high-flow reed valve, custom 6061 ally intake, 24mm Keihin carb, and more. He estimates the engine now makes 5 hp, which is plenty enough for one-wheeled antics:

“The bike always fires up on ½ a pedal stroke back kick. Yes, to start the bike, you pedal backwards! The power is amazing and will easily pull a wheelie! The two-speed transmission, being an automatic, shifts firmly, and again, A WHEELIE!”

The nickname, “Code Blue,” couldn’t be more special. We first met Brew at the AMA Motorcycle Speed Trials at Bonneville Speedway in 2021, where he was racing his 1974 Kawasaki H1 Mach III Purple People Eater.

Miracle at the Bonneville Salt Flats

We’d just left when we heard Steve had gone into cardiac arrest while kick-starting his H1 for his next run. What followed was the “Miracle at the Bonneville Salt Flats” — Steve very literally died on the salt and came back, revived after 3-4 minutes with no heartbeat. In hospital terms, a Code Blue is when a patient requires resuscitation. Says Brew:

“This is my first bike completed since that adventure, so the name ‘Code Blue.'”

Below, we talk to Brew for more details on the build, and we’re wishing him a great time at Fuel Cleveland, where he’s taking “Code Blue” and his BMW “Green Hornet” cafe racer this weekend.

“Code Blue” MusclePed: Builder Interview

• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?

The donor bike was a 1988 Tomos Silver Bullet moped featuring a 50cc two-stroke engine and had a two-speed automatic transmission.

The bike had very few miles on it and the family that had it forgot to add oil to the gas. This two-stroke engine requires a fuel/oil premix for proper lubrication. Because of lack of oil this engine needed a new piston. So, I opted to install a 70cc Airsal kit.

• Why was this bike built?

This is my personal pitbike and ride at events.

• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?

1968 was the height of Muscle bikes such as the Stingray. Western Auto sold a Murray Buzz bike, which I bought with the money I made with a paper route, along with money from lawn-mowing jobs.

The bike purchased was actually the same blue as applied to this bike! The Buzz bike features Red Line tires. So, if you notice, a red pinstripe painted on each rim.

• What custom work was done to the bike?

Brew custom frame built with USA 4130 tubing. My design look was to replicate my original Buzz bike from 1968. The Brew-built chopper fork is a lugged design, and featured fork blades from Columbus Rambo bicycle tubing.

The fuel tank was built from aluminum along with the bungs and fuel cap from LowBrow Customs.
Paint work, powder coating, and graphics all done here in the Brew shop.

• Does the bike have a nickname?

Yes, this project started in early 2021, then, cardiac arrest on the Bonneville Salt Flats on race day.
This is my first bike completed since that adventure, so the name “Code Blue.”

• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?

Originally this engine put out roughly 1.7hp.

The engine modifications include:

• The 70cc Airsal Big Bore kit, the 24mm Keihin carb with the custom intake built from 6061 aluminum here in the Brew shop.
• The reed valve was upgraded to a two-petal high flow.
• The ports were modified in the Big Bore kit along with some reconfigured head modifications.
• The exhaust was from Treatland and modified.
• The CDI ignition is from Treatland using their race curve CDI.

Estimated HP now is 5hp.

• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?

The bike always fires up on ½ a pedal stroke back kick. Yes, to start the bike, you pedal backwards! The power is amazing and will easily pull a wheelie! The two-speed transmission, being an automatic, shifts firmly, and again, A WHEELIE! It is SO MUCH FUN to ride!!

• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?

Yes, the design, color, and adapting this frame with a moped engine came out exactly as planned.

• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?

• Thanks to LowBrow Customs for the many parts and tidbits.
• Spectro Oil assembly lube, transmission oil, and with Spectro SX2 premix oil.
• And to my wife for the many smiles and encouragement during those times.

Follow Steve “Brewdude” Garn

• Web: www.brewracingframes.com
• Facebook: @brewracingframes
• Instagram: @brewbikes

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