Several types of motorcycles can be called ‘trackers.’ The original is the board tracker, named after the machines that raced on board tracks in the USA in the 1910s and 1920s.
In the 1930s, as the board tracks faded away, flat track racers appeared: street bikes modified to race on dirt or clay ovals. Past icons include the Harley-Davidson XR-750, but others include flat trackers from BSA, Norton and Triumph. This style is still popular today, with interest spurred by an intense rivalry between Harley-Davidson and Indian.
Flat track motorcycles (or dirt trackers, as they are sometimes known) do not have front brakes, but the slimmed-down style has been copied by builders of ‘street tracker’ customs.
Flat track racing covers a whole spectrum of participation levels—from pro leagues to grassroots ‘run what ya brung’ events. And that’s great for the custom scene, because the looser the rules are, the more creative builders can get. Christian Reier get his kicks on this rowdy Ducati Monster flat tracker. The 2001-model 900 i.e. might…
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We’ve got them in all shapes and sizes this week—from a Yamaha SR500 that’s gone electric, to a BMW R nineT built for a surfer. We also take a look at Mr Martini’s latest project, and a pair of vintage flat trackers from the Mecum auction in Las Vegas.
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If pushed to pick a golden age for flat track, most folks would suggest the late 60s to the early 70s. It was a time when Harley was facing a tough challenge from Triumph, and the Japanese manufacturers were on the rise too. The racing was fierce and the bikes were good looking. This (almost)…
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There are a handful of classics out there that look amazingly ‘right.’ In that category, we’d put machines like the Norton Manx, the Moto Guzzi Le Mans, and the early Honda CB750s and Kawasaki Zeds. In the V-twin world the Harley-Davidson XR750 fits into that category. But it didn’t just look good: it was also…
Read more »Uwe Ehinger describes himself as a ‘motorcycle archaeologist,’ and the description is apt. He knows where to find the most obscure parts,…
Read more »It’s all about nostalgia this week, with a special Brough Superior SS100, a new exhibition at the Petersen Automotive Museum, and a…
Read more »We love Royal Enfield North America’s Build. Train. Race. program for two reasons: it shines the spotlight on women in motorcycling, and…
Read more »Triumph France is about to throw the wraps off a new custom build-off contest for dealers, and we’ve got a sneak peek…
Read more »One of the raddest things about electric motorcycles is their ability to spark imagination. The possibilities are endless when you’re piecing together…
Read more »This week’s custom motorcycles come in all shapes and sizes—from a pint-sized flat tracker, to a stylish BMW R18. Plus we take…
Read more »Forty years ago, Yamaha made a brief foray into the flat track scene in the States with its XV750 race bike. Like…
Read more »Paint is the last thing that happens on a custom job, but it’s the first thing that people notice. And the livery…
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