Author Topic: Honda Flat Trackers!!  (Read 40448 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Ecosse

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,051
  • Member #4139
    • My 550 walk around video
Honda Flat Trackers!!
« on: October 12, 2008, 10:51:38 pm »
I'm not generally into these things but at this point I'm hoping Motorcyclist Retro (are ya listening guys?) does a piece on 'em! Who here can shed some light or personal info?

http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/classics/bike.asp?id=25
1974 CB550K     
                 
            Help stop TORTURE and SLAUGHTER of cats, dogs, and other kept animals.                                                  www.animalsasia.org

                                  Your 1%er name

                                                A WORTHY EFFORT: http://www.honorflight.org.

Offline GroovieGhoulie

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,753
  • I have to return some videotapes.
Re: Honda Flat Trackers!!
« Reply #1 on: October 12, 2008, 10:59:17 pm »
Sorta on-topic, here's an Australian member of the "Vigilantes" and he appears to be flat-tracking a 750.  Odd technique and even has the stock 4-into-4s and seat!


Offline Ecosse

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,051
  • Member #4139
    • My 550 walk around video
Re: Honda Flat Trackers!!
« Reply #2 on: October 12, 2008, 11:01:40 pm »
I love that shot! I read somewhere these guys did some stunt riding for the Mad Max films.

Looks like flat tracking without the dirt to me.
1974 CB550K     
                 
            Help stop TORTURE and SLAUGHTER of cats, dogs, and other kept animals.                                                  www.animalsasia.org

                                  Your 1%er name

                                                A WORTHY EFFORT: http://www.honorflight.org.

Offline Ecosse

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,051
  • Member #4139
    • My 550 walk around video
Re: Honda Flat Trackers!!
« Reply #3 on: October 12, 2008, 11:25:38 pm »
More visual stimuli.

CB450 based?
1974 CB550K     
                 
            Help stop TORTURE and SLAUGHTER of cats, dogs, and other kept animals.                                                  www.animalsasia.org

                                  Your 1%er name

                                                A WORTHY EFFORT: http://www.honorflight.org.

Offline gerhed

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,801
Re: Honda Flat Trackers!!
« Reply #4 on: October 13, 2008, 05:11:42 am »
Ricky Graham won the Grand National title in '84 on the
Honda RS750D.
After much expensive screwing around Honda had finally built a motor almost exactly like the
Harley XR750.
For a brief period Honda sold this motor to qualified
folks for around $8000--I believe the full race Harley motor was about twice as much.
I was introduce to flat track on July 3rd, 1962 at a race on the mile track at the Detroit Fairgrounds.
Carroll Resweber and Bart Markle contested. Resweber carried the #1 plate at the time, I think.
This event changed my life !
This was the same summer that "The Great Escape" came out
so I was a gonner for sure!
« Last Edit: October 13, 2008, 05:21:31 am by gerhed »
Rides: 75 CB750F, 48 Indian Chief, 67 Triumph TR6, 63Honda CA95
          83 XL600R in CB360 Frame
          3-wheel electric tilting cycle

Offline 754

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 29,058
Re: Honda Flat Trackers!!
« Reply #5 on: October 13, 2008, 09:09:22 am »
Did the Vigilante ride that out??..

 or kiss the pavement..??
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 KB02

  • Take it easy there, Sonny, I'm an
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,760
Re: Honda Flat Trackers!!
« Reply #6 on: October 13, 2008, 09:34:33 am »
Ah, good ole' flat trackin'. The origanal drifters!!!
1978 CB750K Project
2000 Ducati ST2
...and a pedal bike

Join the AMA today!!

My project thread Part I: K8 Project "Parts Bike"
My project thread Part II: Finishing (yeah, right) touches on Project "Parts Bike"

Offline Ecosse

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,051
  • Member #4139
    • My 550 walk around video
Re: Honda Flat Trackers!!
« Reply #7 on: October 13, 2008, 10:41:22 am »
Gerhed, Thanks! You probably already know about these guys then.

http://www.metisse-motorcycles.com/

754, I wondered the same thing; could have gone either way I think. :-\

KB02, I'm with ya on that and in the 80's Audi rally cars continued the trend!
1974 CB550K     
                 
            Help stop TORTURE and SLAUGHTER of cats, dogs, and other kept animals.                                                  www.animalsasia.org

                                  Your 1%er name

                                                A WORTHY EFFORT: http://www.honorflight.org.

Offline gerhed

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,801
Re: Honda Flat Trackers!!
« Reply #8 on: October 13, 2008, 01:04:21 pm »
The Metisse looks good to me--a little steep on the price, maybe.
I think I'll stick with my TR-6--almost the same ?

Feb. '85 issue of "Cycle" magazine has articles and pictures concerning
the Honda flat track effort--by Alan Girdler
as well as great coverage of the auction of McQueen's bikes in Las Vegas.
Rides: 75 CB750F, 48 Indian Chief, 67 Triumph TR6, 63Honda CA95
          83 XL600R in CB360 Frame
          3-wheel electric tilting cycle

Offline Ecosse

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,051
  • Member #4139
    • My 550 walk around video
Re: Honda Flat Trackers!!
« Reply #9 on: October 13, 2008, 05:04:42 pm »
The Metisse looks good to me--a little steep on the price, maybe.
I think I'll stick with my TR-6--almost the same ?

Feb. '85 issue of "Cycle" magazine has articles and pictures concerning
the Honda flat track effort--by Alan Girdler
as well as great coverage of the auction of McQueen's bikes in Las Vegas.

How generous of you to offer to post scans of that article Gerhed! ;D

'Gerhed'... as in Herr Gerhed? Is that German for gear-head?
1974 CB550K     
                 
            Help stop TORTURE and SLAUGHTER of cats, dogs, and other kept animals.                                                  www.animalsasia.org

                                  Your 1%er name

                                                A WORTHY EFFORT: http://www.honorflight.org.

Offline 754

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 29,058
Re: Honda Flat Trackers!!
« Reply #10 on: October 13, 2008, 06:05:18 pm »
Nope, it would end in kopf..

..like zahnradkopf... is sprockethead..
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 bill440cars

  • Feeling More & More,
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 12,358
  • Tryin' To Slow Down "Time"!
Re: Honda Flat Trackers!!
« Reply #11 on: October 13, 2008, 08:13:40 pm »


        Now, I'm not one for the early Triumphs, but that was one incredible good looking bike, in "Metisse" form! 8) ;)
Member # 1969
PRAYERS ALWAYS FOR: Bre, Jeff & Virginia, Bear, Trevor & Brianna ( Close Friend's Daughter)
"Because HE lives, I can Face Tomorrow"                  
 You CAN Teach An Old Dog New Tricks, Just Takes A Little Bit Longer & A Lot More Patience!! 
             
Main Rides: '02 Durango, '71 Swinger & Dad's '93
                  Dakota LE 4x4 '66 CB77 & '72 SL350K2
Watch What You Step Into, It Could  End Up A Mess!

Offline GoatBaSS

  • Could someone find an
  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 760
  • To weird to live, to rare to die.
Re: Honda Flat Trackers!!
« Reply #12 on: October 14, 2008, 05:23:24 am »
According to my info, Honda did just that, sold the engines, you brung da frame. Beat Harley so bad for two years HD protested and got them banned. Honda said well two years of wins is better than nothing and left dt racing. It is a 750 and is still on the same floor of Barbers....
Ricky Graham won the Grand National title in '84 on the
Honda RS750D.
After much expensive screwing around Honda had finally built a motor almost exactly like the
Harley XR750.
For a brief period Honda sold this motor to qualified
folks for around $8000--I believe the full race Harley motor was about twice as much.
Leethal # 3046?
1972 CB750K/900CC Red Headed Dunstall, 1975CB750FSS Gone BNF: 1974CB500T, 1976CB750K X 2

Offline Ecosse

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,051
  • Member #4139
    • My 550 walk around video
Re: Honda Flat Trackers!!
« Reply #13 on: October 14, 2008, 09:57:02 am »
Love it! Maybe Motorcyclist Retro will cover it. I 'd like to see tech details of that motor too.
1974 CB550K     
                 
            Help stop TORTURE and SLAUGHTER of cats, dogs, and other kept animals.                                                  www.animalsasia.org

                                  Your 1%er name

                                                A WORTHY EFFORT: http://www.honorflight.org.

Offline 754

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 29,058
Re: Honda Flat Trackers!!
« Reply #14 on: October 14, 2008, 08:25:22 pm »
I would love to see a pic of 1 of the 4 Champion frames made for CB 750, for dirt track..

One was in Rocky Cycle  sponsorship, perhaps ridden by Hocking...
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 Ecosse

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,051
  • Member #4139
    • My 550 walk around video
Re: Honda Flat Trackers!!
« Reply #15 on: October 19, 2008, 06:33:06 pm »
Here's an oldie but a goodie.
1974 CB550K     
                 
            Help stop TORTURE and SLAUGHTER of cats, dogs, and other kept animals.                                                  www.animalsasia.org

                                  Your 1%er name

                                                A WORTHY EFFORT: http://www.honorflight.org.

Offline bill440cars

  • Feeling More & More,
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 12,358
  • Tryin' To Slow Down "Time"!
Re: Honda Flat Trackers!!
« Reply #16 on: October 21, 2008, 09:39:48 am »
Here's an oldie but a goodie.

           Whoa!! :o I LIKE that bike!! 8) ;)


          I just found my NEW wallpaper for my PC! ;) Thanks for posting THAT one! :)
Member # 1969
PRAYERS ALWAYS FOR: Bre, Jeff & Virginia, Bear, Trevor & Brianna ( Close Friend's Daughter)
"Because HE lives, I can Face Tomorrow"                  
 You CAN Teach An Old Dog New Tricks, Just Takes A Little Bit Longer & A Lot More Patience!! 
             
Main Rides: '02 Durango, '71 Swinger & Dad's '93
                  Dakota LE 4x4 '66 CB77 & '72 SL350K2
Watch What You Step Into, It Could  End Up A Mess!

Offline bill440cars

  • Feeling More & More,
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 12,358
  • Tryin' To Slow Down "Time"!
Re: Honda Flat Trackers!!
« Reply #17 on: October 21, 2008, 09:50:16 am »
More visual stimuli.

CB450 based?

         No doubt, the 750s are TOUGH, but these 450s are mighty good looking bikes at that. 8)

Member # 1969
PRAYERS ALWAYS FOR: Bre, Jeff & Virginia, Bear, Trevor & Brianna ( Close Friend's Daughter)
"Because HE lives, I can Face Tomorrow"                  
 You CAN Teach An Old Dog New Tricks, Just Takes A Little Bit Longer & A Lot More Patience!! 
             
Main Rides: '02 Durango, '71 Swinger & Dad's '93
                  Dakota LE 4x4 '66 CB77 & '72 SL350K2
Watch What You Step Into, It Could  End Up A Mess!

Offline dusterdude

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 8,429
Re: Honda Flat Trackers!!
« Reply #18 on: October 21, 2008, 01:20:23 pm »
Sorta on-topic, here's an Australian member of the "Vigilantes" and he appears to be flat-tracking a 750.  Odd technique and even has the stock 4-into-4s and seat!


odd technique is because he`s going the wrong direction.damn aussies cant even race in the right direction...geez. ;D
mark
1972 k1 750
1949 fl panhead
1 1/2 gl1100 goldwings
1998 cbr600 f3

Offline Ecosse

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,051
  • Member #4139
    • My 550 walk around video
Re: Honda Flat Trackers!!
« Reply #19 on: October 21, 2008, 07:22:56 pm »
OK, this one was a little harder to find. From what I gather the engine of this less than successful attempt was based on the CX twin, turned side ways and given a chain drive.
1974 CB550K     
                 
            Help stop TORTURE and SLAUGHTER of cats, dogs, and other kept animals.                                                  www.animalsasia.org

                                  Your 1%er name

                                                A WORTHY EFFORT: http://www.honorflight.org.

Offline mgmuellner

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 167
Re: Honda Flat Trackers!!
« Reply #20 on: October 22, 2008, 10:28:59 pm »
I went to the indy mile this year which ran on the motogp weekend.  That's some fantastic racing.  Thanks for the pics.
73 CB750
69 CB350
73 RD350
73 z50 (2 of em)
01 SV650

Offline Ecosse

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,051
  • Member #4139
    • My 550 walk around video
Re: Honda Flat Trackers!!
« Reply #21 on: October 23, 2008, 10:19:27 pm »
Dug up another one.
1974 CB550K     
                 
            Help stop TORTURE and SLAUGHTER of cats, dogs, and other kept animals.                                                  www.animalsasia.org

                                  Your 1%er name

                                                A WORTHY EFFORT: http://www.honorflight.org.

Offline Terry in Australia

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 32,918
  • So, what do ya wanna talk about today?
Re: Honda Flat Trackers!!
« Reply #22 on: October 23, 2008, 10:33:09 pm »
Sorta on-topic, here's an Australian member of the "Vigilantes" and he appears to be flat-tracking a 750.  Odd technique and even has the stock 4-into-4s and seat!


odd technique is because he`s going the wrong direction.damn aussies cant even race in the right direction...geez. ;D

It's funny isn't it Mark, nowadays a Vigilante wouldn't be seen dead on a Honda, but back then anything went, even for an outlaw club. I'm guessing he stole it..............  ;D
I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline gerhed

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,801
Re: Honda Flat Trackers!!
« Reply #23 on: October 24, 2008, 01:58:00 pm »
I had a set of vintage (meaning old and rock hard) Carlisle 19" flat track tires on
a 3-wheeler I built in the late 80's.
« Last Edit: October 24, 2008, 02:05:14 pm by gerhed »
Rides: 75 CB750F, 48 Indian Chief, 67 Triumph TR6, 63Honda CA95
          83 XL600R in CB360 Frame
          3-wheel electric tilting cycle

Offline Ecosse

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,051
  • Member #4139
    • My 550 walk around video
Re: Honda Flat Trackers!!
« Reply #24 on: October 24, 2008, 02:36:47 pm »
Newer kit. Engine info anyone? Dig that frame too.
1974 CB550K     
                 
            Help stop TORTURE and SLAUGHTER of cats, dogs, and other kept animals.                                                  www.animalsasia.org

                                  Your 1%er name

                                                A WORTHY EFFORT: http://www.honorflight.org.