Author Topic: Denis Curtis  (Read 1248 times)

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Offline bwaller

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Denis Curtis
« on: December 28, 2020, 01:40:50 pm »
It is with a sad heart I mention that Denis Curtis has passed away.

Perhaps not known by many here, but he was a motorcycle guy, and an old friend.

RIP Denis

Offline 754

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Re: Denis Curtis
« Reply #1 on: December 28, 2020, 01:49:28 pm »
 That is indeed sad news..  RIP Denis...
 One of the highlights of my misspent youth was going to The Curtis shop, in Richmond BC, it was impressive , to say the least . Very cool bikes came out of there...
Maker of the WELDLESS 750 Frame Kit
dodogas99@gmail.com
Kelowna B.C.       Canada

My next bike will be a ..ANFOB.....

It's All part of the ADVENTURE...

73 836cc.. Green, had it for 3 decades!!
Lost quite a few CB 750's along the way

Offline gschuld

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Re: Denis Curtis
« Reply #2 on: December 28, 2020, 02:47:29 pm »
RIP Denis.  I’ve only had brief interactions with Denis, and visited his shop only once(while they were in the middle of building the Island Classic International Challenge chassis sets for Team Mojo in California ), but for sure he was a skilled guy with a comforting tell it like it is personality.

I managed to acquire an early custom swingarm Denis made for a cb750, that still wore the original Curtis sticker on it.  He said he only used that image in 73/74 when he just started out.

I had the design recreated and had a few copy stickers made up.  I sent a few to Denis and he seemed to get a kick out of it and called me to BS for a bit.  He will be missed.

George

Offline Old Scrambler

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Re: Denis Curtis
« Reply #3 on: December 28, 2020, 03:29:06 pm »
George..........Tombstone material........ ;)
Dennis in Wisconsin
'64 Triumph Cub & '74 Honda CB750 Bonneville Salt Flats AMA Record Holder (6)
CB750 Classic Bonneville Racer thread - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,135473.0.html
'63 CL72 Project(s)
'66 CL77 Red
'67 Triumph T100C
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'77 750F2 Cafe Project
2020 ROYAL ENFIELD Himalayan

Offline dragracer

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Re: Denis Curtis
« Reply #4 on: December 28, 2020, 04:11:52 pm »
Rest in peace.

Offline Tintop

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Re: Denis Curtis
« Reply #5 on: December 28, 2020, 08:36:06 pm »
Very sad news Brent.  It was Denis' shop that did the modifications to my BOTM 550, & where i assembled it. Lots of memories. :'(
1977 CB550/4 Cafe - Speed Warrior / BOTM 03/11
1980 CB750F (project)
Whittaker GBF Vintage Racing Sidecar (XS750 power) - ITG / 151's / CMR Racing Products (SOLD)
1976 CB400 SS - stock / BOTM 04/11 (SOLD)
1973 CB750 K - basket case (SOLD)
77 CB550 Cafe build
550/750 Filter Thread
Sidecar Rebuild Thread

Offline bwaller

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Re: Denis Curtis
« Reply #6 on: December 29, 2020, 09:45:29 am »
Brian, as you know, he was very knowledgeable, and a good friend to many. He made such a breakthrough the last number of years especially building bike packages for the Island Classic teams.

I met him through racing at Westwood in 75, but as Frank mentioned he started his frame then mag wheel biz there. Then time with Honda Canada. So he spent a lifetime in the motorcycle business and racing.

He will be missed.

Offline turboguzzi

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Re: Denis Curtis
« Reply #7 on: December 29, 2020, 11:08:38 am »
never met Denis but just had a fascinating time reading about all his adventures and projects in the history section of his site. vincents, road racing, flat track, MX, what a guy! R.I.P.

Offline 754

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Re: Denis Curtis
« Reply #8 on: December 29, 2020, 01:01:45 pm »
    a link up to his page. .   ......     www.curtisracingframes.com
I should have  one of his swingarm stickers on a toolbox..
 Yellow with black letters  think it say Curtis Frames.
« Last Edit: December 29, 2020, 01:07:16 pm by 754 »
Maker of the WELDLESS 750 Frame Kit
dodogas99@gmail.com
Kelowna B.C.       Canada

My next bike will be a ..ANFOB.....

It's All part of the ADVENTURE...

73 836cc.. Green, had it for 3 decades!!
Lost quite a few CB 750's along the way

Offline cb550fcafe

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Re: Denis Curtis
« Reply #9 on: January 11, 2021, 07:15:02 am »
I am deeply saddened by the news. Denis was a super hero to me. He let me into his group of CMR racers when I bought my first frame to race a CB350 in the US. Denis would call me for updates to see how things were going. We discussed bike development, chassis settings and many other things. He had faith in me. We won the AHRMA National title the first year with the bike (2019). He was thrilled. Then we decided to build a CB550 powered Seeley. He worked very hard to give me a race winning bike. We were leading the AHRMA National points on both bikes in 2020 and then in August I broke my left foot. Denis would call and encourage me to get well and had high hopes of a return, I know now that he was fighting his own health battles while trying to uplift me. There are many times my phone rings and I check to see who it is, sometimes I answer. When Denis called, I always took his call, it would always turn out to be a great conversation. I will miss him. I will do my best to make him proud.

Offline 754

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Re: Denis Curtis Curtis Vincent !
« Reply #10 on: January 22, 2021, 04:31:03 pm »
 Another Curtis Frame from the B.C. days.
Maker of the WELDLESS 750 Frame Kit
dodogas99@gmail.com
Kelowna B.C.       Canada

My next bike will be a ..ANFOB.....

It's All part of the ADVENTURE...

73 836cc.. Green, had it for 3 decades!!
Lost quite a few CB 750's along the way