Trail Rider Magazine

Flashback! August 2025 5 It's with a heavy heart that I'm sharing the sad news that Trail Rider adver ser (VintCo), Cur s Leaverton, has passed away at only 61 years old. Gradua ng from Iowa State University with a degree in mechanical engineering and an MBA from Drake University, Curt was deeply passionate about all things internal combus on, with motorcycles being at the forefront. Curt's first venture was to design and reproduce a connec ng rod to rebuild his OSSA, which he restored with his father as a young man. With the help of his wife, the two found a factory in Taiwan that could manufacture just what he needed. Curt soon realized the motorcycle industry needed an a ermarket source for connec ng rods, and in 1993, the Hot Rods brand was born. That mul plied into the brands Pivot Works, Hot Cams, Cylinder Works, and Wrench Rabbit. The Italian piston brand, Vertex, was later added to the family of performance and maintenance products available worldwide under the C&L Companies umbrella. A er selling the C&L brands, Curt launched the VintCo brand, specializing in components for the vin- tage market, with the Ossa brand being a primary focus as Ossa motorcycles held a special place in his heart. As for the cause of Curt's death, it's a bit surreal to me, as Curt was taken as a result of a bizarre bicy- cle accident. Now, as an avid cyclist who begins each day by pedaling a mountain bike around a 7-mile woods loop near Trail Rider headquarters, I'm well aware that bicycle accidents can and do happen. In fact, a good friend and 70s New England NESC Expert, Bob Maihos, passed some years back while pedaling. A lifelong health freak, Bob died as a result of a massive heart a ack. Many were stunned and s ll miss that madman. Being a creature of habit, I've pedaled this same loop in the same direc on for 15+ years. Along this route are two huge trees that are heavily ro ed at the base. Now, trees fall in the woods all the me, and I'm sure these two trees will do so eventually. Pre y much each and every me I pedal past these trees, I think of what the chances are of being struck by a fallen tree while pedaling. On Saturday morning, July 12th, during my route, as I passed by those two trees, I consciously thought of that chance occurrence. Only hours later, while surfing Facebook, I learned of Curt's death. You can imagine my sadness, shock, and horror to have read that Curt died as a result of a heavily ro ed tree taking his life. Although we never met in person, I enjoyed dealing with Curt and his team at VintCo, along with inter- ac ng with him as a Facebook friend. We shared many similar interests, such as classic cars, sports cars, and, of course, motorcycles —both vintage and modern. I'm sure we would have go en along famous- ly. Of course, there are no guarantees in life, and the death of Cur s Leaverton is a harsh reminder to embrace every day as if it were your last, because it very well could be. R.I.P., Curt. You did a wonderful job during your short stay here on earth. On a more upli ing note, Ossa aficionado and great friend of Cur s Leaverton, Alex Snoop, will be host- ing his 2nd Annual Vintage Days at The Ranch in Warwick, New York, on September 6, 2025. A endees can look forward to some sweet trail riding, trials, grass track, and a vintage swap meet. Property own- er Ed Sobiech has recently acquired an addi onal 200 acres, giving us vintage freaks well over 300 acres to enjoy. Parking is plen ful, and camping is encouraged. Contact Alex Snoop at 845 978 7017.

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