Vintage Fuel Drag Bikes

[Keith Lee]

Originally Posted by frank spittle

Thanks Keith. I just love that bike. A true piece of history and one brave lady.

Yes, great to see it in action. Times are not announced at sprints, and I had not realised that with Sheelagh on board in the chair, the bike recorded 12.5s/114mph. None too shabby.

I have linked in a youtube video shot by Carl Wadkin of the bike running, which I am sure you will enjoy seeing.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Kompins#p/a/u/1/marBx_iQwNQ

[Dusty]

Bhead,

All the engines were pre-unit, because the unit 650cc didn't come out until '63, and we had a shop full of units. We would have to do a radical redisign on the Deuce to put unit engines in it. The shop was through racing by '66.

[frank spittle]

It has been a long time since I posted this picture but it is worth another look. Danny Johnson's "Goliath" was the fastest Fuel Bike in the world in 1972 when this picture was taken and you can see the frustration when he was favored to win but broke a chain. If you knew Danny like I did you know there was some salty language displayed too!

[bhead1968]

Originally Posted by Dusty

Bhead,

All the engines were pre-unit, because the unit 650cc didn't come out until '63, and we had a shop full of units. We would have to do a radical redisign on the Deuce to put unit engines in it. The shop was through racing by '66.

Gotcha, thanks so much. So, with that, were there any teams laying down record runs with unit motors?

[KillSwitch]

Thought you guys might enjoy this, everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask.

[Dusty]

Killswitch...
Nice post...Good reading. Takes me back a few years. Do you still have your twin engined job? If so when you gonna give us a look?

Dusty

[Unkl Ian]

Low 9s on a 4" tire ?

WOW !

[tin top tiny]

great pics,thanks

[mrmom9r]

This may be a little off topic (but then so are sidecars).AMCA meet Davenport,Ia.Sept. 1 thru 4- this year the featured marque is the Harley K models and Sportsters. Taking the Retro Rocket Fuel Sportster, should be lots of cool stuff there.

[KillSwitch]

Yeah, I still have the drag bike but my billfold is a little light between it , the hot rod and my BSA project. I plan to get back on it this fall.

[xsteinauge]

If you dont mind me asking ,How did you end up with that motorcycle?

[KillSwitch]

A friend of mine bought it from the original owners wife after he passed away, almost 15 years ago and I bought it from him. I think he got tired of me drooling over it. This an article about it from British Cycle magazine in 1990.

[Then-Came-Bronson]

a newbie here guys, i'am soooo hooked on the look of these vintage drag bikes ! my hats or helmet in this case off to all of ya ,thanks for the great pictures, heres one of my fav's from a few pages back, this thing just looks bad just sitting still ! i think i found my "next project" for the summer of "O-12"

[skinner]

Originally Posted by Then-Came-Bronson

a newbie here guys, i'am soooo hooked on the look of these vintage drag bikes ! my hats or helmet in this case off to all of ya ,thanks for the great pictures, heres one of my fav's from a few pages back, this thing just looks bad just sitting still ! i think i found my "next project" for the summer of "O-12"

I tried to Email you I have that same bike in Basment if you want it not going to build it have to many drag bikes right now [3] Its the first one and only one so far

[Jtw79]

All very cool go fast stuff! Love it all.

[frank spittle]

Here is another picture of John Dixon's brilliance. This was the first supercharged Fuel Bike I ever heard run. John built the entire bike in the mid '70s, or before the RC Hondas. You will note the blower was mounted at the intake instead of in front. It also had the widest slick ever used at the time. He was sooooo ahead of his time.

[frank spittle]

MEMORIES OF "THE FREIGHT TRAIN"


The second season on the double Harley was coming to an end and I was also nearing the end of my career of motorcycle drag racing. It was 1984, my 21st year drag racing motorcycles. I was 40 years old, an ancient age for riding Fuel Bikes at the time. Also, my Collector Car business was thriving with the new interest in Muscle Cars. I needed to devote more time to that. The "Freight Train" was ancient too with all the supercharged 4 cylinder bikes being faster and quicker. I was not ready to throw in the towel yet but made the decision the '85 season would be my last. I was very fortunate to have raced for over 20 years and not encounter any injuries.

The fall race at Farmington would be the last of the season. There are no special memories of that race so I will end the 1984 season here.

[skinner]

I had a call from J P cycle national motorcycle museum yesterday and there thinking of having a dissplay on dragbikes ask for mike alot of good history here that would make a great display I think.

[MeanMike]

[QUOTE=frank spittle=You will note the blower was mounted at the intake instead of in front. It also had the widest slick ever used at the time. He was sooooo ahead of his time.[/QUOTE]
I am running the same Magnacharger setup on my '77 sporty. Does anyone have a copy of an old Magnacharger catalog they can scan for me. In particular, I'm looking for the page on pulley sizes. The scan I have is in readable. Thanks.

[IMG][/IMG]

[frank spittle]

I ran a Magnuson on this Kawasaki but did not keep the catalog. I hope someone reading this did.