On a daily basis, Bagdad resident Gary Stewart can be found in his workshop near the home he shares with his wife of 26 years, Trish. Since retiring from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office in 2001, Stewart is using his creativity to build some unique three-wheeled trike motorcycles.
“Everybody tells I do a good job with this kind of stuff and I have never had any kind of formal training,” Stewart said.
From the framing of the body to installing the 350 Chevy engine, Stewart is responsible for building a majority these custom made vehicles. A longtime friend of Stewart’s, George Cain of Milton built the front end of Stewart’s most recent cycle.
Thus far at the age of 67, Stewart has constructed a couple of motorcycle trikes from his shop. The most recent took a year and six months to build.
There are several benefits to having a three-wheeled motorcycle trike compared to a regular motorcycle, Stewart said.
“It don’t fall on you when you get off, It backs up by itself, you don’t have to put a kick stand on it (and) it’s a lot safer on the highways, because you can see it coming,” he said.
Following his retirement from a 26-year career in law enforcement, Stewart did not start building the three-wheeled vehicles. He first used his creativity in wood working. During this phase, Stewart made numerous hand crafted bird houses and other wood crafts.
“I did this for nearly 17 years and I just got burned out on it,” he said. “I just went to go build three wheeled motorcycles for awhile.”
Stewart said the best part comes from building the unique vehicles.
“I’d rather put them together than ride them, I get more enjoyment out of that,” Stewart said.
Should he come across a difficulty in building a motorcycle trikes, Stewart said he seeks inspiration from his faith.
“When I have a problem, I take a break…and I ask the Lord by saying ‘I need some help on this’” Stewart said. “He ain’t failed me yet.”
Stewart says also enjoys keeping busy with this particular hobby, “I think it’s why I have lived as long as I have,” he said.
His wife, Trish is happy her husband has found this particular hobby.
“I think it’s wonderful, it keeps him busy,” she said. “As we all get older we need to stay busy.”
His latest creation is in the process of being certified by the department of motor vehicles in order to be cleared to driven on public roadways.
His motorcycle trikes receive a lot of looks on the road.
“I’ve put the blue (motorcycle trike) on the interstate before…one out of three (vehicles) will pull up beside you and you can see them taking pictures,” Stewart said. “It draws a crowd.”
While one motorcycle trike is complete, Stewart said he is in the process of building two more. Stewart even jokes he could look to built something bigger and more elaborate.
“When I get bored with that I told my wife I was going to start building helicopter,” he said. “She just looked at me and I told her I wasn’t serious.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Bagdad resident keeps busy creating unique motorcycle trikes