ONONDAGA, N.Y. -- When Ray Panek and his family hop on their classic chopper bicycles this summer, they plan to be part of the biggest classic bike parade the world has ever seen.

Panek is setting out to break the Guinness World Record for largest parade of classic bicycles. The current record is 150 bikes.

Panek, 41, grew up riding his 1978 Desert Cat bike in Fairmount. He's been an avid fan of classic bikes and cars ever since. He looked so cool while riding his bike, he said, that all the girls in the neighborhood wanted to talk to him.

"I remember how much fun I had," he said. "I just want to carry on that childhood love and pass it along to my boys."

When Ray and Heidi Panek's three sons — Sebastian, 12; Augustine, 10 and Aleksei, 8 — were old enough, they too received chopper bikes. Heidi Panek has her own bike too, a 1978 Sears Free Spirit. All told, the family has a dozen classic choppers.

Panek's push to break the record began brewing in August, after more than 25 people from as far away as Rochester came to Eva's European Sweets in Solvay for a classic bicycle club meeting. The excitement, felt both by those at the meeting and those passing by who stopped to chat and look at the bikes, was palpable.

"It's way bigger than bikes," Panek said. "They carry stories, they carry history."

He's already received support from the community. BBD Coaters, located on Otisco Street in Syracuse, powder-coated several of Panek's bike frames in support of the effort.

"So far, there's been a truly warm reception," he said.

Panek, a teaching assistant and dance instructor with the Jordan-Elbridge Central School District, hopes to involve his students in the record setting process. A student from Marcellus High School, where Panek coaches cross-country, outdoor track and modified wrestling, lent Panek his 1979 Kia Highriser for the cause.

In order to qualify for the world record, the bikes must be at least 30 years old and the ride must be at least two miles long.

Panek said he's in talks with Marcellus town officials in hopes of having the ride on a Sunday in July. His plan, if approved, is to have the ride start at Marcellus Park and end at the high school.

Panek said he's meeting with the Marcellus Booster Club on Monday to propose using the ride as a fundraiser for the club.

"The plan is in its infancy, but I think it'll evolve quickly," he said.

Guinness requires that record attempts must be extensively videotaped and photographed, that all participants must be counted with either turnstiles, wristbands or a barcoded ticketing system and that two independent witnesses must give statements confirming that all the guidelines were followed.

Panek said he's looking for volunteers to help fill those roles.

"It's going to a fun, awesome time," he said.

Classic bikers or any other volunteers who want to participate in the potential record-setting ride can contact Panek by phone at 315-313-8300, or by email at wondertwins1@aol.com.

This feature is a part of CNY Nostalgia, a section on syracuse.com. Send your ideas and curiosities to Jacob Pucci: Email | Twitter | 315-766-6747