Prince George Vintage Motorcycle Club

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: yamadirt on October 08, 2019, 11:43:47 AM

Title: Flat Tracker info wanted
Post by: yamadirt on October 08, 2019, 11:43:47 AM
Hey fellas. I was driving over by Costco yesterday when I caught a glimpse of what I thought to be a cafe racer project in the back of a pickup. I quickly switched lanes and followed the truck till he stopped at a nearby business. I jumped out and asked if I could check out his bike which I immediately realized was actually an old flat tracker. We talked for abit then it ended up in the back of my truck. I've always wanted an old flat tracker. Anyway he wasn't positive on what engine it would have had in it or any real history on the bike. He was told it had a Honda engine in it and was raced by a local Prince George guy. I was hoping maybe someone on here would recognize it and maybe have some info on the bike. I am curious what vintage it might be and what engine(s) would be correct. It does have a cable drivin tach and only a single coil so I'm guessing old Honda XL350-500?
Title: Re: Flat Tracker info wanted
Post by: yamadirt on October 08, 2019, 12:53:50 PM
I'll try again to add pictures later.
Title: Re: Flat Tracker info wanted
Post by: Dennis on October 09, 2019, 10:53:37 AM
I'll try again to add pictures later.

Adding pictures is pretty easy if you do it through a photo service web place like Imgur.

Somewhere I posted details on how easy it is.  Trying to just add them from you computer just doesn't seem to work.

Peace & Pictures, Dennis
Title: Re: Flat Tracker info wanted
Post by: stevecrout on October 09, 2019, 03:59:24 PM
I still seem to be able to load up from computer.  I use windows 7.
Title: Re: Flat Tracker info wanted
Post by: yamadirt on October 10, 2019, 12:29:48 AM
I don't own a computer. Do everything on my "smart" phone.
Title: Re: Flat Tracker info wanted
Post by: yamadirt on October 10, 2019, 09:23:48 AM
https://s.amsu.ng/e91OzDqAmaRN
Title: Re: Flat Tracker info wanted
Post by: yamadirt on October 10, 2019, 09:29:07 AM
https://s.amsu.ng/shStnWM3smMN
Title: Re: Flat Tracker info wanted
Post by: yamadirt on October 10, 2019, 09:30:26 AM
https://s.amsu.ng/GF0us0O5jGlN
Title: Re: Flat Tracker info wanted
Post by: yamadirt on October 10, 2019, 09:34:26 AM
https://s.amsu.ng/pQWGUg9BkaBN
Title: Re: Flat Tracker info wanted
Post by: Dennis on October 10, 2019, 01:38:29 PM
Wow.  That's a great find.

I can't identify the frame. 

"We talked for abit then it ended up in the back of my truck."  I'd love to know the back story on this.  Was it on its way to the dump? 

Despite my vowing to not bring home any more orphaned motorcycles, I wish I was the one who ended up with it in the back of my truck.  I actually have an xl250 I bought for the purposes of making a flat tracker, but other than tearing it apart, haven't touched it in several years now.

Peace & Grease, Dennis
Title: Re: Flat Tracker info wanted
Post by: yamadirt on October 11, 2019, 11:35:38 PM
Story is the guy picked it up from a guy who was cleaning a shop out. Apparently the bike had belonged to a relate who had maybe passed. The bike was then brought to this guys kids place and from what he said was no stored well so it was picked up from there and had been riding around in the pickup for a couple weeks when it caught my eye. After talking with the fella I could tell he wasn't sure what to do with it. I asked "how much?" We came to $300 and loaded it right there in the Andre's parking lot.

Now the search for a correct engine begins. I know from measurements the 78-82 XL engines won't fit. Neither will the 83-87. So must be 77 and prior. If anyone has any early 70s single Honda thumpers that I could get measurements from I'd really like to build this correct.
Title: Re: Flat Tracker info wanted
Post by: kaziff on October 22, 2019, 02:33:11 PM
Hey Dennis, I cant open the picture but would love to have a look, can you send it to my work email?
Guy
Title: Re: Flat Tracker info wanted
Post by: yamadirt on October 24, 2019, 11:27:03 AM
So I believe I need a CB,  CL or early XL350 engine. Does anyone have an engine or frame I could get measurements from?
Title: Re: Flat Tracker info wanted
Post by: Dennis on October 24, 2019, 04:36:27 PM
So I believe I need a CB,  CL or early XL350 engine. Does anyone have an engine or frame I could get measurements from?

I do.  I have a CB350 complete engine case with no internals.  I am (slowly) building a display engine so it doesn't need the extra weight.  I also have a CB350 (hardtail bobber) in the back room at my office if that is more convenient to measure from.

(https://i.imgur.com/6nEAz6y.jpg)

Peace and Grease, Dennis
Title: Re: Flat Tracker info wanted
Post by: yamadirt on October 27, 2019, 11:41:28 AM
I'm sure either would work fine. Are you busy this afternoon?
Title: Re: Flat Tracker info wanted
Post by: Dennis on November 18, 2019, 03:29:18 PM
Mike Olan (a.k.a. Yamadirt) was by today to measure my CB350.  Pretty clear its NOT the engine that was in his flat tracker.

We were talking, and I recalled the fellow who has a shop by Russel's (off First Ave), who has some flat trackers and knows about flat trackers.  Anyone know whom I am talking about?  Any information for contacting him?

It would be great to help Mike get this flat tracker back together.

Peace & Grease, Dennis
Title: Re: Flat Tracker info wanted
Post by: Hans on November 18, 2019, 06:00:04 PM
Yellowhead Pavement Marking.... the guy had the lock on the old Montessa market (or was is Ossa).  Super Dave picked up a CR480 from him when we went for a tour.  Can't remember the guys name though..  Russ would know.
Title: Re: Flat Tracker info wanted
Post by: SuperFly on November 21, 2019, 09:10:19 AM
Yellowhead Pavement Marking.... the guy had the lock on the old Montessa market (or was is Ossa).    Can't remember the guys name though..   

Rhett Cole   -   Insight Roadway Analysis...the shop beside Yellowhead

He won many races on a  BULTACO   ...     

https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/more-classic-motorcycles/history-of-bultaco



BSA BSA  BSA  BSA  BSA  BSA  BSA  BSA  BSA  BSA      NORTON     BSA  BSA  BSA  BSA   BSA   BSA  BSA  BSA  BSA  BSA
Title: Re: Flat Tracker info wanted
Post by: Hans on November 21, 2019, 11:31:04 PM
Bultaco, that was it, he cornered the market on Bultacos
Title: Re: Flat Tracker info wanted
Post by: yamadirt on December 05, 2019, 07:54:26 PM
I had a breakthrough today. Got ahold of Rhett who knew the bike and had valuable info on it. He also had contact info on the builder of the bike. Along the way I found another guy who used to compete against my bike in the early to mid 70s.
What I learned was the bike was built in the early 70s by CMR inc. It is a Curtis frame with Champion fiberglass. Has Hurst Airheart brakes. It was fitted with a very hot XL250 engine.
The guy who built my bike still builds bikes under another company now. I am going to bring my bike to him and he'll be able to give me more info on it and hopefully point me in the right direction while restoring this beauty.
Needless to say I am now starting the search for a 72-74 XL250 with the sideport intake and all the parts to make it go vroom.
I'm very excited!
Title: Re: Flat Tracker info wanted
Post by: Hans on December 07, 2019, 04:39:06 PM
That's going to be a cool project.
Title: Re: Flat Tracker info wanted
Post by: Dennis on December 09, 2019, 11:56:53 AM
If you are not 100% committed to 72 -74 Xl250, I have a 79 which I would gladly donate. 

Peace & Grease, Dennis
Title: Re: Flat Tracker info wanted
Post by: Dennis on December 09, 2019, 12:15:32 PM
Great history of Curtis frames on the web.

(https://i.imgur.com/bs0J19m.gif)
Title: Re: Flat Tracker info wanted
Post by: yamadirt on December 21, 2019, 10:57:57 AM
That's a good find Dennis. I really dig this vintage dirt stuff. Thanks for the offer on that 79 XL250s but I know those frames are quite diffrent and I don't want to alter my frame unless it is absolutely necessary.  I also would like the analog tach and points ignition. I just want it to be period correct.. I really appreciate the offer though.