SpokesPeople (2023/issue2)

A Merry Old Soul in an Epic Bike Shop

DANIEL MOSSER • OWNER, EPIC BIKE SHOP NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

At frst glance, one would not associate the face of this cherubic-looking young man with that of a vintage pasttime. Daniel Mosser, and all 47 years of his existence, is not your typical vintage guy. He is, in fact, the founder and owner of a vintage bike shop; and an Epic Bike Shop too while at it.

I had come across his online page while Googling for a vintage bike shop in Nashville, hoping to visit one while I was on my work trip there. To my delight, Daniel replied and welcomed me to pay him and his shop a visit.

It was a rather scenic drive, through small winding roads and open green fields, in what this city girl would consider a country adventure!

After nearly an hour of driving, not knowing where I was on this side of the world and wondering if I was hopelessly lost, my trusty GPS led me to a little driveway of a huge compound with the assuring voice, “You’ve arrived at your destination!”

Daniel was not quite what I had expected. He did not ft my mold of a vintage bike shop owner. With a big smile and warm handshake, he greeted and welcomed me into his world of vintage glory.

I heaved a sigh of relief and triumphantly congratulated myself with the old adage – ‘Not all who wander is lost.’

Displayed promimently in the front of his garage was the epitome of retro style itself – a 1955 Chevrolet Belair gleaming in the warm glows of the afternoon sun. He had bought it when he was 12 years old and had restored it several times. But even that was to be outshoned by all the treasures that stood proudly around it.

1933 Western Flyer

This 1933 Western Flyer was originally a skip tooth bike (every other tooth is missing on the sprocket). I converted it to a Nexus 3-speed rear, and put a modern crank and sprocket on it. I then added the alligator seat, because the old one was rusted through and added a few cool accessories. One of my favourites is the clam shell exhaust tip which came from a vintage car.

Daniel was excited as I was to begin our official tour around. I felt like a big kid in a toy store, ooohing and gushing as he introduced each of his bikes like a proud daddy to his two-wheeled babies.

I learnt that customising or ‘modding’ bikes was his specialty. He explained how he’d retroft a vintage bike with accessories or a motor to transform it into a lean, mean, riding machine. And true enough, many of his bikes look so bad a**, you could imagine yourself a hell-rider tearing down the streets on them.