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BOARDTRACK REPLICA ~ 'THE ROTAVATOR'
board track racing ~ look it up on the web! The bikes have an appeal to me due to their very 'basic' nature, just an engine, wheels and frame. No brakes, clutch and in some cases throttle! ( engine ran full throttle, earthed the mag to 'reduce' power!)
Obviously mine will have to have brakes and a clutch as I want to actually use it on the road. I would love to use a JAP V twin but they go for stupid money so I settled on a JAP single. Got a 600cc side valve off EBay, it's off a Howard GEM rotavator. Dates from 1950 but they were made for ages.
The idea is to use the JAP engine, three speed hand change Albion gearbox and clutch and possibly BSA bantam hubs. I will make a frame, girder forks and the distinctive drop handlebars. Probably use a 'brooks' bicycle saddle and have some 26" wheels built up for that skinny vintage look.
It's the combination of simple frame, drop bars and minimalist look that appeals to me. Trick will be to hold to that look? given that I will have brakes and a gearbox it will be the controls that might clutter it up.
basic sketch of the idea/ geometry ~ the 'kink' in the front down tube is intentional, need to move the engine forward a bit to allow for the gearbox which will be just in front of the rear wheel. might have to put a bend in the rear of that frame section as well? I will have to wait until the gearbox arrives!
ideally the lower frame would be a simple 'U' shape (with no 'kinks') like the ones below.
Going to use 21" wheels ~ allows for a better choice of tyres, probably ENSIGN ones as they have the right looking tread pattern
I now have the gear box so a rethink of the frame geometry is next ~ the gearbox is tiny! yippee! should allow for a better frame shape.
Had some ideas about how to keep the handlebars free from controls, might do a 'dual lever' braking system similar to that used on tractors!
all the above are authentic boardtrack racers
found the picture above off a site ~ very useful
the above is 'The Zenster' recently built by Odgie ~ definitely inspirational!
modern take on the theme?
Wall of Death bike ~ variation on the theme but I like it!!!!!!!
Found these pictures of a NUT boardtracker ~ apparently it stands for Newcastle upon Tyne!
( thanks for letting me use the photos Rick!)
A company in the states is making frames!
my engine and gearbox below
managed to get the fan and housing off!
my girder forks!
I'm not the first to have thought about doing this, fantastic looking machine!
http://oilyracer.blogspot.com/2011_08_01_archive.html#7498751151615966140
Build pictures
headstock
hopefully as scary as sh**e
If you have to ask why? then you will never understand...........
Q. why use a side valve, they are not a 'high performance' engine?
A. I like the idea of it, end of!
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