Vintage Fuel Drag Bikes

[MadRabbit]

The pictures of Carl Ahlfeldt's bike brought back a few memories.
The bike was built at D&K Engineering in the mid '70's. I worked there as a machinist, and did the machine work on that bike. As I recall that bike was started when Sam Wills still worked there. After he left a deal was set up with Carl to finish and run it.
I'm the guy sitting on the bike the other guy is Matt Gibbs, he was the welder there. D&K closed down the shop area not to long after that and I moved on to other things. Fond memories of that time.

[Keith Lee]

Originally Posted by MadRabbit

The pictures of Carl Ahlfeldt's bike brought back a few memories.
The bike was built at D&K Engineering in the mid '70's. I worked there as a machinist, and did the machine work on that bike. As I recall that bike was started when Sam Wills still worked there. After he left a deal was set up with Carl to finish and run it.
I'm the guy sitting on the bike the other guy is Matt Gibbs, he was the welder there. D&K closed down the shop area not to long after that and I moved on to other things. Fond memories of that time.

That adds some interesting info to the Orange Crush story.
Good to see a pic of the bike in the early stages.

[BLUE71TURBO]

Originally Posted by frank spittle

I think it was you who pushed Russ in the wheelchair Joe. Am I right? Boy he sure was skinny then. By the way do you remember what Collins did with the remains of "The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe?

Mr. Spittle, as of a month ago R.C. jr is in the process of restoring the ATCHISON, TOPECA & SANTA FE along with the SORCERER v8 dragbike.
I just located the CERIANI front end and i will deliver it to him next week.
The plan is to run both bikes side by side at events nation wide. For a whole lot of info go to sohc4.net and go to forums then click on " High Performance and Racing " You'll find the posts about the dragbikes along with a lot of photos.



The new chassis is being built at MDR.




The RUSS COLLINS Brothers, RC jr on the left with the SORCERER.




It will be restored to the WINSTON era bike.
Oh, this is my first post. I just joined this great website. my name is JON GAGE.

[Joe Smith]

Originally Posted by frank spittle

I think it was you who pushed Russ in the wheelchair Joe. Am I right? Boy he sure was skinny then. By the way do you remember what Collins did with the remains of "The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe?

It was a tug a war with TC but yes I believed I did the pushing...

The Russ Collins Triple or Motors was supposedly encased in some sort of plastic cube and used as a Coffee Table at his Shop, that was the way I heard it...

[BigNick1959]

When I told TC that I had read here that RC jr was restoring the triple (AT&S) he said "No ones restoring that fucking bike, it was crushed into a cube and they made a fuckin' coffee table out of it"!. So, the coffee table story maybe true!

[BigNick1959]

Originally Posted by frank spittle

This is I believe one of the last photos of T.C. Christenson's career. It was taken at the '78 IDBA World Finals where he fell victim in the finals to Kenny Annesley's amazing 5 wins in a row streak. T.C. was competitive right to the end.

TC was racing into the early 80's, I think 82 or 83. there is a poster on the shop wall promoting the race with a picture of him on it. when I get to work on Monday i'll check the date and post it.

[rgsdave]

Running Nitro on the streets of Kansas City, circa 1965. This is Richard Slavens testing different exhaust designs on his fuel Vincent drag bike.

[sorcerer]

Originally Posted by BigNick1959

When I told TC that I had read here that RC jr was restoring the triple (AT&S) he said "No ones restoring that fucking bike, it was crushed into a cube and they made a fuckin' coffee table out of it"!. So, the coffee table story maybe true!

Let Tommy know...there is a picture of the motor pod right above your post. This bike will be running by summers end. All it needed was a chassis, the motor pod, tranny, clutch, ignition etc.. is all there and working. almost completely unscratched. The tubing has been ordered, the front end is being delivered by our new freind....Jon, posting above and I spent today locating the wheels etc...piece of cake. The guys at the Honda site have sent parts and cash to get this done.

Bike has never been a coffee table but it is the world's first "Best Engineered Car" (bike) by NHRA and the first 7 second bike...of course everyone here knows that already. I can't wait to hear those 12 cylinders crackling!

RCJr.

what the heck...here is a pic I took last week

[BigNick1959]

Well I guess the "Coffee Table" story is just another drag racing urban legand! I'll be sure to tell Tommy.

Good luck with the build, such a piece of racing history I'm glad to see it being resurrected. I only wish I wasen't 2000 miles away, I'd love to hear thoses motors!

[skinner]

I still remember hearing that bike also TC 's I was at both Ohio Races when they went down.
Got a call from the UK and 18x4 slicks are being put on bikes such as John Hobbs
and double Triumph two face.
Really trying hard to figure out how to get all these old bikes back on the track
for fun and history have a few events lined up [chk event] but no big money just for the love of the sport, garage built bikes running to have fun. fuel,gas,
doubles,high gear only, cool stuff.
It sure would mean allot to the sport and small guys like me who never let there
dream die if some big names could show up at an event or two.

[BigNick1959]

WOW! Richard Slavens fuel Vincent, what a beautiful looking bike. SHOW AND GO!!!!

[Joe Smith]

Originally Posted by bignick1959

well i guess the "coffee table" story is just another drag racing urban legand! I'll be sure to tell tommy.

Good luck with the build, such a piece of racing history i'm glad to see it being resurrected. I only wish i wasen't 2000 miles away, i'd love to hear thoses motors!

It seems back in "The Day" there was a picture of this coffee table floating around...maybe it was just the RC camp pulling our leg back then...

[Keith Lee]

Maybe the engine pod just had a glass top, or a glass box constructed round it. That story certainly made it across to England.

[frank spittle]

Welcome to the JJ Jon. I know you are going to enjoy this thread.



rgsdave, we welcome you too. You have posted pictures of a Fuel Bike and rider I have not heard of. It is important that all Vintage Fuel Drag Bike racers be covered in this thread. Thanks for bringing Richard Slavens and his Vincent aboard. Please make sure he knows about this thread if you are still in touch with him.

[JOHN HANSON]

Can anyone identify this bike or rider? I bought the bike several years ago and this photo came with it.
I think the location was Irwindale, Ca.

[skinner]

Dosent that almost look like Larry Welch but I thought Routts Tri had front engine up a little in front. fuel cylinders looks like webco mags cant tell carbs or inj. harley rear wheel high gear bike I think , more pics from both sides, would like to see more cool stuff

[JOHN HANSON]

The name on the helmet is Ray. Cylinders are Routts, mags are Hunt and the injectors are Hiborn. Numbers stamped on the frame are BM7235.
I'll take a photo of the right side later.

[frank spittle]

I believe the frame was built by Boris Murray (BM7235). I don't remember Boris running injectors on any of the Triumphs he raced and that is not him on the bike. That was about the time he started riding the Denco Triple.....could have been a year or two later. This thread has brought out many Fuel Bikes I have never heard of. Keep it coming.

[skinner]

that looks like a 18x4 in the last picture. do you have any idea what it ran?
are those stock cases or someone else Routt made some and puma I think

[JOHN HANSON]

I didn't get a rear wheel with the bike. The cases are Triumph and look like they have been beefed up. The part of the first pic that's missing had a speed of 164 or 169. Can't make out the et.