Even as a young teenager, Dan Hofer had a real bend toward engines.  When his dad was replacing a worn out lawn mower, he asked if he could have it to take it apart and discover what made it run. This was the beginning of his quest to rebuild primarily, motorcycle engines. He turned his parent’s backyard into a mechanic shop, stripping engines and putting side carts on some motorcycle models. He used these later to throw newspapers all through his teenage life.

   It wasn’t surprising that he graduated from college with a degree in mechanical engineering in the early 1970’s.  This early start only enhanced his designing and rebuilding of heavy industrial equipment in his career of 40 plus years.  For the past 20 years, he has been rewarded with his own consulting engineering business.

   In his spare time, Dan would build go-carts out of  lawn mower frames and golf carts.  His three children were driving these homemade cars with the clutch and brake mounted on the passenger side, as young as 4 years old.

    Finally he designed an oversized go-cart, powered by a 1500cc gold wing Honda motorcycle 82HP engine.  Last fall, this “mean machine” carried Dan on a 6,185 mile trek through all the scenic routes from Atlanta, Georgia where he resides, to Las Vegas, Nevada.  Dan likes the comfort of four wheels under him, while still experiencing the sheer excitement of a high rpm motorcycle engine pushing him around curvy, mountainous roads.  Truly, the best of both worlds!

 

 

Views: 401

Comment

You need to be a member of SOUTH EAST USA WHEELS EVENTS-Car and Motorcycle Events Calendar to add comments!

Join SOUTH EAST USA WHEELS EVENTS-Car and Motorcycle Events Calendar

Blog Posts

Muscle Car Values: What Moves the Number -by Mike Thies

Muscle Car Values: What Moves the Number

By Mike Thies

I should say up front that I am not an expert on every car, and I am not the final word on any one marque. There are people who know every casting number on a 1969 Hemi Road Runner , and I am happy to call them when I need to.…

Continue

Posted by Michael Thies on October 11, 2026 at 6:45pm

A Bite of History - 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback by Mike Thies

A Bite of History - 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback

Ford already had a runaway hit when the Mustang debuted at the New York World’s Fair on April 17, 1964. Initially offered as a hardtop and convertible, it combined sporty styling with a price everyday buyers could afford. Then came the Fastback in September 1964, bringing a sweeping roofline that gave the little Mustang a whole new attitude.  …

Continue

Posted by Michael Thies on October 9, 2026 at 6:37pm

© 2026   Created by Global Wheels Events.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service