[thumperpilot]

Between 1976 and 1984, Steve Johnson took Torker out of his family's garage and built it into one of BMX’s best-known and best-selling brands during the sport’s first big boom.

He had a knack for identifying and signing some of BMX’s all-time best riders, allowing him to build and manage one of the BMX’s most dominant and successful race teams during that era. Here is his Hall of Fame induction speech, delivered by his son.

https://vimeo.com/44769319

2012 National BMX Hall of Fame - Steve Johnson from USA BMX on Vimeo.

[S.Brothers]

[powerlitekid]

thumperpilot, on 30 June 2012 - 08:14 AM, said:

Between 1976 and 1984, Steve Johnson took Torker out of his family's garage and built it into one of BMX’s best-known and best-selling brands during the sport’s first big boom.

He had a knack for identifying and signing some of BMX’s all-time best riders, allowing him to build and manage one of the BMX’s most dominant and successful race teams during that era. Here is his Hall of Fame induction speech, delivered by his son.

https://vimeo.com/44769319

Nice of steve to thank my dad for designing the Torker Two bar... Congrats to steve johnson

[Huntin4BMX]

Glad to see Torker and Steve Johnson getting the recognition they deserve.

Good job on the speech Michael, I can't even imagine how stressful and nerve-racking it must have been to stand up there in front of hundreds of Pros and industry people. You handled it well buddy! Major Props!!!

The props given to Steve Rink were well deserved, also. Lots of history there too.

[J.T.]

In 1977 when I saw this ad in BMXA I had to get one of these sweet Torkers. Luckily in '78 Steve designed the Low Profile version and my bike shop coined me The Torker Kid.

The frames, forks, graphics, riders, clothing (MAX), BB's, etc. were all so dialed! Loved how my Torker rode on and off the track.

At 15 started working at my local bike shop and got to work with Torker here and there as we sold a TON of Torkers! 1982 heard about the Haro Freestyler and called the Johnson's to place our order. Still have my original Freestylers and Torker's.

Raced Torkers until they closed in 1984 and what a sad day that was.

Fast forward to 1997 and my buddies wanted to race again so bought a new Torker cruiser. Got injured Freestylin' and never raced the bike.

2003 my Mom ask me to move all my "bikes" out of her house to mine. At that time I evaluated all that I accumulated and dabbled in fixing them up then saw others online doing the same.

My very first BMX bike I restored first, '74 Redline Squareback, but the second was my all time favorite Torker...Jason Jensen's black and copper mini. Everyone was blown away by it and last year I finally got to have Jason Jensen relive those memories by having him tote around his replica bike at Bellflower.

That reunion was fabulous to hearing all the origins of Texon then Torker, Max, and the Haro Freestyler. It blew me away by having the Johnson's and Team riders reliving memories with the Torkers brought out for the reunion.

All I can say is that it was long overdue and appreciate all the efforts Eddy King did to get all of us to recognize Steve and the Johnson's as a huge contribution to the sport of BMX/Freestyle.

Here are some pictures to enjoy of all there hard work and awesome craftmanship!




1977


1979 Team Torker


1979 Torker six bolt stem


1980 Eddy King replica




1981 Clint Miller, first race on the Torker cruiser and wins the National!


Torker sealed bottom bracket


1981


1981 Jason Jensen Replica


1981 Torker colors were amazing


1982 Bob Haro Torker


1982 Eddie Fiola


Max seat cover


1982 Haro Freestyler


My 1983 Torker Pro X




1984 Team Torker


1984 Torker Freestylist


1984 Torker mini


1st Texon frame built for Doug by John Johnson


Jason Jensen, JT, and Carolyn Bellflower 2011


Team Torker!


Carolyn modeling Eddy King's original jersey and replica bike


It was so cool to finally meet Steve after all the years of talking with the Johnson's afar BITD!



We couldn't make the HOF due to our little JT, Jemma, being born right before the event. She's already wearing the Torker colors and looking forward to having her ride my Torkers really soon!

Thank you Johnson's and Torker for all the great memories!

JT, A.K.A. The Torker Kid

[thumperpilot]

Cool stuff JT. Thanks for posting!!