OzVMX Forum

Marque Remarks => Honda => Topic started by: ola_martin on December 16, 2010, 01:14:35 am

Title: Kelvin Franks Honda twin.
Post by: ola_martin on December 16, 2010, 01:14:35 am

I have once seen a pic of a Kelvin Franks made two cylinder honda 4stroke motocrosser. Looked a lot like a Metisse. Does anyone have photos of it??
Any other pics of 60's Honda-twin engine motocrossers are also welcome :)
Thanks

Title: Re: Kelvin Franks Honda twin.
Post by: Marc.com on December 16, 2010, 08:44:50 am

this is my favorite, raw and ready to go

(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg71/marcFX_photo/IMG_7787-1.jpg)

Title: Re: Kelvin Franks Honda twin.
Post by: firko on December 16, 2010, 10:14:52 am

I've got a genuine, 85km only 305 Honda Dream engine just waiting for a Yetman frame. I've had it in Cotton, M11 Bultaco Metisse and Hindall frames and the exhausts fouled on all of them. I was going to try it in the Rickman Monty frame I sold to Monty 34 but I think there might have been too much surgery. I've got too many projects on the go right now so it can stay in the garden shed until a Yetman or something similar pops onto my lap. They are a great little engine though, they perform pretty well for a fifties design and sound like a wailing banshee on heat. ;D
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/BolgerYetmanHonda%20eurospares.jpg)

Title: Re: Kelvin Franks Honda twin.
Post by: steve234 on December 16, 2010, 10:53:48 am

Firko you should drop that 305 into the Tom Cates rigid frame that's been on ebay for ever.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-CL72-Tom-Cates-Flat-Track-Racing-Frame-CL77-AHRMA-/300496649289?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item45f6fefc49

Title: Re: Kelvin Franks Honda twin.
Post by: Doggy Digger on December 16, 2010, 12:59:48 pm

Joe Bolger Bultaco, circa 1971 ....
(http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b431/DoggyDigger/bolger.jpg)

Title: Re: Kelvin Franks Honda twin.
Post by: Marc.com on December 16, 2010, 03:05:55 pm

What about an SL350 ola, beef up the forks and decent pair of shocks and you would have something lethal.

(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f20/240306/1972SL350Honda.jpg)

Title: Re: Kelvin Franks Honda twin.
Post by: bigk on December 16, 2010, 04:39:53 pm

Where can I get some of the drugs you guys are on?
Cheers,
K

Title: Re: Kelvin Franks Honda twin.
Post by: firko on December 16, 2010, 04:43:52 pm

Lethal alright Marc ::)....I saw a bloke killed on one of those SL350s at Menai back in the early 70s. He jumped a little pile of dirt that we'd all been jumping all arvo but this time he came down front wheel first and face planted over the bars. When he didn't get up we started taking the piss, thinking he was milking it for attention but unfortunately we were a little off...he'd broken his neck and had unfortunately died as soon as he hit the deck.
Having ridden a borrowed SL350 at Nepean dirt track a few years ago, it'd be the last bike I'd like to use for motocross unless it'd undergone some serious improvements in the frame, suspension and weight areas. Great engine though, it'd be a great thing for a flat tracker or for a different pre '75 motocrosser in a motocross oriented frame. You can still get some serious go fast bit for them.

Title: Re: Kelvin Franks Honda twin.
Post by: Marc.com on December 16, 2010, 05:02:17 pm

Quote from: firko on December 16, 2010, 04:43:52 pm

Lethal alright Marc ::) this time he came down front wheel first and face planted over the bars.....he'd broken his neck and had unfortunately died as soon as he hit the deck.

thats called Xtreme MX these days Firko ::), man you gotta get with the times.

anyway get the CL450 set up right and you can grab some serious air, RSC kit in this one takes it above 530cc, a real grunter and good alternative to Cheney or Rickman

(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg71/marcFX_photo/IMG_7755.jpg)

Title: Re: Kelvin Franks Honda twin.
Post by: firko on December 16, 2010, 05:32:44 pm

Here's a nice little CB350 flat tracker
                (http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/hondaside.gif.jpg)
And the 305 must have been pretty good for gun totin' Roy Rogers to throw a leg over one!
               (http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/RoyRodgersHonda_thumb%283%29.jpg)

Title: Re: Kelvin Franks Honda twin.
Post by: ola_martin on December 16, 2010, 09:20:04 pm

Thanks, great :)

Title: Re: Kelvin Franks Honda twin.
Post by: firko on December 17, 2010, 10:21:40 pm

(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/Honda160MX050.jpg)
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/Honda160MX052.jpg)

Title: Re: Kelvin Franks Honda twin.
Post by: firko on December 17, 2010, 10:30:26 pm

(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/HondaScrambler.jpg)

Title: Re: Kelvin Franks Honda twin.
Post by: JC on December 18, 2010, 10:24:55 am

Thats a sweet little bike #1C. That'd be the 160 or early 175 engine wouldn't it?

Title: Re: Kelvin Franks Honda twin.
Post by: miniwheels on January 23, 2011, 02:58:32 pm

Hi Guys, can anybody help me with a contact phone number of Kelvin Franks in Adelaide, I know he had an accident a couple of years ago and wasn't in the best of health according to VMX mag , his web site is still going but have tried to email and phone him recently but no such luck on a response ???, any leads would be appreciated.

Title: Re: Kelvin Franks Honda twin.
Post by: ji107 on February 11, 2011, 11:22:45 pm

Kel is in poor health, has closed his shop, got rid of everything and retired

Title: Re: Kelvin Franks Honda twin.
Post by: Mick D on February 11, 2011, 11:39:19 pm

Quote from: ji107 on February 11, 2011, 11:22:45 pm

Kel is in poor health, has closed his shop, got rid of everything and retired

That's a bummer :-\  FWIW kick back, relax and enjoy as much of the rest of the ride you can Kel 8) Cheers to you.

Mick.