If you’re lucky, you likely have wonderful memories of your grandfather. Every family is unique, but my grandfather was someone who enjoyed building things. He was inquisitive, always tinkering, and a true do-it-yourselfer (probably long before that term became popular). It was simply a part of his nature; an intrinsic characteristic.

I remember my grandmother teaching me how to sew on the vintage Singer sewing machine that my grandfather had electrified for her. I also recall him fixing up a bicycle for me that someone had left on their property. However, I don’t recall him ever transforming a Singer sewing machine into a minibike.

But if he knew that someone else had done it, it would have definitely brought a smile to his face, maybe even a chuckle.

Apparently, someone else’s grandfather did just that, as this incredibly delightful Singer Sewing Machine Minibike recently found a new owner through Bring a Trailer. While it may not be operational, it is undeniably charming.

From a purely aesthetic perspective, the black and gold, highly embellished appearance of many vintage Singers would blend seamlessly in a motorcycle context. Some early Singers had elegant curves on their bodies that would also suit a motorcycle design.

These same Singers, if you’ve never attempted to lift one, were (and still are) extremely heavy for their size. They were built using steel, long before plastic bodies (and worse, plastic gears) became prevalent. They are incredibly sturdy pieces of equipment and can last practically forever if well-maintained and provided with spare parts. That’s why so many of them are still in existence today.

The Story Behind This Build

The seller’s grandfather reportedly took a 1930s-era Singer and combined it with a 50cc two-stroke engine from an Italjet Vampiro to create the foundation for this bike. It features a four-speed gearbox, a Dell’Orto carburetor, a kick starter, LED lights, a high-mount exhaust that exits just under the rear of the saddle, and a pair of 6-inch steel wheels. The front fork is fixed, but it has dual rear shocks.

It’s unclear whether this bike has ever been operational, but considering it appears to have no final drive, it seems highly unlikely that it has ever been ridden. Does it even have a fuel tank? That sewing machine is solid steel, unless it has been modified in some way.

As expected, it was sold without a title or registration and was strictly sold on a bill of sale. The auction concluded at a price of $800, with some commenters advising the seller to keep it due to the sentimental value it must hold for them.

That’s the essence of it, isn’t it? As it stands, this bike is a delightful motorcycle-shaped piece of art, crafted from a vintage sewing machine that likely has its own family history intertwined with the build. (On a side note: It would have been amusing if it were a vintage Husqvarna sewing machine, but you have to work with what you have, right?)

The new owner has the option to showcase this bike as-is or invest in significant additional work to make it a functional machine. Either way, the responsibility now lies with them, as they have acquired someone’s grandpa’s project bike. Even if it never becomes functional, it remains a unique blend of metal and stories, much like the finest motorcycles tend to be.