Originally Posted by leob1

Category- lack of attention to details
Location- Half a block from home, late 60's
Bike-My beloved green 'sting ray', ape hangers, 48" sissy bar, shorty fenders, and a square shouldered slick on the back.

I loved that bike, it was freedom on wheels., and I was a wheelie king.
I decided to make it cooler by replacing the 20" front wheel with a 16" wheel. I got out the old crescent wrench, unbolted the wheels, stuck the smaller wheel in the drop outs, and finger tightened the bolts. I stood back to see how cool it looked, and said to myself, yup, I am the MAN. Now this was before "lawyer lips" and bike helmets. I couldn't wait to see how it handled, so I hop on and rip off down the street. Not bad, time to try a wheelie. I lift the front wheel high off the ground, and watch is shock as it bounces down the street without me. I'll never forget that sight. If you don't already know, the front fork doesn't roll well at all. IT hit the tarmac, and the bike stopped, like many others, I of course did not. When I woke up, I didn't know how much time had passed, and the only thing I could think of was to go home. I have a vague memory of a distant voice talking ot me, by I just got up and walked home. Sometime later my mother asked why the lady from the other end of the street brought my bike, and separated wheel home.