OzVMX Forum
Clubroom => Vintage Track => Topic started by: firko on June 23, 2009, 11:16:20 am
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I'm currently collecting parts to build a Benelli 650 flat tracker and during my research came accross the ex Gene Hartline Benelli Trackmaster in an American book. A little more research uncovered that the bike has actually lived in Australia for a good portion of its life. It sold at the Melbourne Motor Show auction in 2005 and disappeared from view. I'm very interested in viewing the bike or may even consider buying it if it was for sale and was wondering if anybody knows of its post auction history or of its current wherabouts?
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/BenelliTrackmaster1.jpg)
http://vft.org/xFamousBikes/BenelliTrackmaster/BenelliTrackmaster.html (http://vft.org/xFamousBikes/BenelliTrackmaster/BenelliTrackmaster.html)
For the build I'm using a Trackmaster copy frame made by an unknown builder that I got off eBay for a song and a 650 Benelli Tornado engine I got off Jonathan Houston. I'm building this on the elCheapo and rather than finding a period correct Barnes/Airheart rear wheel and brake combo I've decided to use latish Japanese motocrosser back wheel and disc brake preferably with a 19" rim but 18" will do. Does anybody have something they'd like to sell? I'm also looking for a set of 40mm or close road bike forks and triples. I'm not building this bike to any MoMs class structure so I'm not so worried about period authenticity. This is going to be a Bonanza/club day/garage queen fun bike. PM me if you have any info or parts you may want to sell.
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/BenelliTrackmaster10.jpg)
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firko is that the bike in question above ?
from what i can see its got early cut frame loops but not his pre 68 bike that would have been brakeless rigid frame, so this one is a little later perhaps from niel keens 69-71 truimph bends looking at them and with a support bar welded in the centre to pick up a top motor mount, been fitted with later rear glass (wont fit properly) and a modified front tank ( maybe a C&J), the forks look like 35mm mazzochi or similar in this pic, but they dont look like normal pre 74 racing forks, so they have been changed out over time, the right footpeg is welded out maybe to clear the cases, which seems to have caused issues later with the rear pedal placment so they must have later fitted a late model front hydrolic brake to run the rear disk as in the pic, which dont look right, but then again if he was using it for stunting would explain the mod for wheelies etc. So if your modifying a normal trackmaster copy take note of these bits and the pick up points as it going to need some welds and tube cuts, if its going to take this donk and that glass.
for a repro im not sure i would be going up to 40mm in the forks as they would be ugly, even in the legs unless you detabbed all the caliper mounts and the triples would also add to the issues, why not fit up any 35mm set, heaps of choices and then you can change the forks in an out if you want backing plates etc, im going through that Atm, i want to set up a front brakes for the 35mm forks , ( i need some front end stopping) but will put the spooler front end to one side and just use for static stuff.
I looked at the rear as well to fit in a TM style rear but the tracky has like a 22m axle and its wide, like about 32mm so im not sure whats going to work in there easy enough, be interested to see what you do as id like to do the same, ( but in a drum) easy and means i can drop the disk in for same reason above if static diplaying.
The pick up for the disk on the arm is in an OK place for a brake stay, but would need to be a short, Hand made jobby but its a straight run so thats oK, how are you mounting the foot pedal for the drum brake rod - or are you adimitt youll refit an airheart ? i think you issue will be spacers in the arm, unless you have a wide hub its going to look lost and off set.
Im changing my tracky back to pre 70 so im on the hunt for the 5" rear guard, a bates solo style seat and a tear drop tank. IF you can source them id be happy to do a deal on my rear seat and matching tank set, or portions of above, that should see you right for the above look anyway.
iwas going to add a picture in here but its ot allowing me that option ATM ?
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Thanks for the input Freaky, I knew you wouldn't be able to resist as this is your ball game. Yeah the photos are of the bike in question. I just got an email from the Aussie former owner and it appears that the bike has gone back to the USA to the original owners mechanic. No worries, I'll build my own and it'll look a lot better than the Hartline bike for a smidge of the price!
I thought of the roady 40mm front end as my mate Mike Middleton has a set of skimmed down GSXR750 forks and triples in his CR450f flat tracker. Mike reckons the triples have the correct offset and the forks work well and are pretty light once all of the gizmo brackets are machined off. However I've given it a bit more thought and you're probably right and perhaps I should use 35mm forks. I've got a few sets of CZ forks and they're good in the fact that they don't have any brake stay or mudguard brackets and look pretty smooth. The triple clamps are billet and pretty light so rather than spend up on the fat forks, I may as well go with the CZ units as I've already got them. I have a speedway spool front hub and will look into whether it's adaptable to the 19" Borrani rim I want to use, failing that my mate Mike has a Kosman spool front wheel from his Triumph that he'll sell me. I'll set up the pegs and brakes using whatever fits and will probably use a speedway style swinging footpeg like Jonesy has on his Redline Nourish. I've got a spare left side Rickman brake pedal so I'll see if that's suitable, if not I'll make something.
The MX back wheel is just the ticket. I'm going to get a new swingarm made for my frame as it came with a Triumph swingarm and it's a bit narrow. I'll have the frame guy make it to suit whatever wheel I end up with. Below are some shots I took this morning of the engine sitting loose in my frame. I was originally a bit worried that the Benelli motor wouldn't fit as it's a humungous lump of typically overengineered Italian alloy. As you can see it'll go in with no problems and I've already worked out how I'm going to mount it. The frame is "Trackmasterish" but has some features from other makes. It's obviously home made but the workmanship is pretty good in the actual tubework but the brackets are rough as if two different people had a hand in it. I have to remove most of the mounts anyway do I'll do it much neater. Another point I don't like is that the frame is MIG welded which no matter how good the welding is (it's good)), it always looks a bit rough. I'll lightly grind them back and bronze weld over the top to tidy the whole thing up before powdercoating. The bodywork was also aquired on eBay and except for some fork damage up front which is easily repairable is in good nick. If I'm careful I may be able to save the cool period flame job too!
I'm keeping the engine stone stock, and even keeping the electric starter for ease of operation. I realise that Benelli 650s aren't in the same league as XS650 Yamaha or Triumph engines but they're as reliable as a Holden 179 and it'll still be plenty fast for this old fatboy to have some fun. I'll just pull it down and replace whatever needs replacing like rings or whatever. It's from a low mileage bike that crahed back in the 70s so it shouldn't need much. The frame cost me $40US,the bodywork $100US and the engine $400AU so I can't see why I shouldn't have it on the track for under 2k.
I'm trying to have it ready for next years Bonanza at Broadford where we're hoping to have up to 30 flat trackers there. Jonesys trying to get the flat track boys revved up for the event. Already Phippsy's OK'd that he's bringing his ex Eddie Lawson Shell OW Yamaha 750 and my old SC500 Champion and Jonesys bringing his Nourish and maybe his #1 frame number Trackmaster BSA750. Pete will hopefully bring the green Astro he built for his daughter Kristi. The Kurri club blokes have talked about coming along which will swell the ranks considerably. It'd be cool if you could bring a few of your bikes as well Freaky.
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/benelli%20003.jpg)
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/benelli%20007.jpg)
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/benelli%20009.jpg)
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YOur right that is an interesting frame....... im not sure its a trackmaster copy cause the runs and bracing are too far removed, the only like point is the backbone, which is common enough, even in styleisation. maybe even for a tt500, im actually thinking its somthing else like a gringo or a similar mock up, i have seen this before so its not too back yard, as in if there is more than one its a shop job, let me think about this a bit more and it will come too me. it does look like a short track or a TT frame,(where are the peg mounts) and what i cant see is the swing arm pivot bolt , where does that connection go through high up or low ?
its a lot smaller in the backbone tubing than the trackmaster too, is it chromo or just mild steel ?
Looks too like that back loop has been up in for a champion rear glass and picks up on the top of the glass as it goes through the loop.
For the front wheel you'll get the same effect for next to stuff all by using a TX, honda or similar period front wheel and just ditch the rotors off, still pre 75 and was done by all the pro novice guys and under, at the time when amatures looked to save money ( as you know spools arent cheap) i think i paid $30 for a complete TX wheel ( alloy) and also got a xs650 recently (with the steel rim) for about $15 so they are cheap as, and easy to get your project of the ground you can review it later if need be, or you stumble across a bargin spool. which happens. see TX wheel in pic below
personally i wouldnt use that seat it dont fit right unless you cut the sides and fill the back, try a champion, or use the later Trackmaster and it will cover it over properly.
Does the exh. pass the frame tubes ? and are you going to cut the frame an mount it low off the motor or are you going to try and set it up like that in the frame, if your going to all that effot to mod it id go the full deal and see if you cant hang it, but those Repo tubes dont look much when you compare them to the big trackmaster tubes.
Im trying to sort out tripples for a champion Frame ATM and i cant get my head around the tapered bearing bit, i have found 2 set of triples in the shed and one i see is a betor ( see other thread) have no idea what they were off and also slim bombadier style betor forks that fit in, although i havent used them cause im still going down this TM path ATM, i might be able to trade them if you want that flusher look.
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Freaky....Thanks for the front wheel tip. Anything to save money. The frame is extremely light so I'll assume it's Chro-Mo. The swingarm pivot is high, you can see it about three quarters of the way down the backbone. As far as where the motor sits I'm guided by the swingarm pivot. I need to have the countershaft as close and level with the swingarm pivot as possible so it'll be sitting pretty much where it is but a bit more upright.
I like the seat base and rounded tail over the square style Trackmaster or Champion style. If I cut the frame tail section off it may look better. The tank and seat actually could go back a couple of inches which will fill the gap a bit better. I'll take another photo tomorrow with the tank further back and the swingarm mounted which will put it in better perspective. I'll give it some thought but in the meantime I'll borrow Alans Trackmaster seat/tail and see if it fits better. I think you're right, it's more a short track frame than a miler or TT bike. The frame has never been finished so the pegs and brake pivot aren't fitted. It's got mounts for a 650 Triumph according to the Texan I bought it off. The dumb bastard was going to use it for motocross but it got too much for him. Still, a good deal for $40!
The stock pipes came with the engine and they run down under. I want to use a similar setup and not run through the frame pipes. Thanks for the fork offer, I'm interested in the Bombardier (Betors?) forks if you're not using them. What do you want to swap? What's the drama with tapered head bearings that's doing your head in?
Below is Alans Nourish which I'll use as a guide for peg placement and geometry.
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/jones%20nourish%202.jpg)
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/jones%20nourish.jpg)
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actually your right cut the rear loop off, it shouldnt be there anyway the tracky has a cross brace bend across/under the seat, and a simple support rod that bolts behind top shock mount that then loop back up and holds up the rear of the tail.
my Steering head issue, well it has no front end so i need to find somthing that takes tapers ( not sure what i need) and a right sized lower clamp part. ifd prefer the TM front as its alloy and i like the front wheel and forks, and im not so smart when it come to mix and matching.
so far these are my 2 options i found in the shed --> http://ozvmx.com/community/index.php?topic=7885.new#new
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why cant i put photos in this thread ? i cant see the option in the additional options part ? has somthing changed ?
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bring it on! battle of the tiwns at blayney long track.
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forget blayney nsw dirt track championship held at nepean in august are running a battle of the twins class (max of 12 bikes) and it is open to any twin modern or old.
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There's been a bit of a change in plans for my Trackmaster Benelli. The first and most important is that I've managed to get a genuine Trackmaster frame. According to experts I've spoken to it's a limited run frame from around 1976 when Trackmasters Ken Hensley was experimenting with Chassis adjustability. If you look closely at the photo you'll see that the swingarm pivot area features adjustable height locations. Used in conjunction with adjustible triple clamps, this provided a lot of chassis tuning capability to allow for ever changing track conditions. The bloke who sold me the frame told me it's to suit a Yamaha XS650/750 twin but those front engine mounts look too far apart to me. I asked the seller to send me the frame # but he 'd already sent the frame off before he got my email...or so he said. No matter what it originally housed is irrelevent as my big Benelli engine is going in there. Another interesting point is the lower seat subframe. Compare it to the above Hartline Benelli rear subframe and you'll see the difference.
Another change in plans is that I'll be using "mag" style wheels instead of wires. I've got a set of what I think are Yammy RD400 wheels from Walter that look cool but I also have a pair of magnesium Morris wheels from a Kawasaki superbike. A third choice is a Honda Comstar wheel from a CX500. I'd like an 18 or 19'' one to match. At the moment the Morris wheels are getting the go. I hope the frame gets here quickly as I want this bike to be on the track for the Broadford Bonanza in April.
Below: She's rusty but rare. I was never 100% happy with the other "Trackmaster copy" frame as the welding was not up to sctatch and I didn't know what it's history and origin were. I'll tuck it away for another project down the line. I have a notion to build a Honda 750 4 tracker but I'll settle for the Benelli for the time being.
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/trackmaster%20sonny.jpg)
Below: Yamaha RD wheels.
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/YAMAHA%20WHEELS.jpg)
Rare magnesium Morris race wheel from a GPZ Kawasaki superbike with coated Alumium disc rotor. I have two fronts so one will be used on the rear.
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/Morris%20wheel.jpg)
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what are the 2 hole mount mid way int he spine near the tank mount ?
still say its an ice bike.
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could be the top engine mount if it suits a xs650.the frame has a mount bolt in the middle of the lower craddle as 650 do,as firko noted that front mount looks funny most bolt right thru the motor no plates.
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what are the 2 hole mount mid way int he spine near the tank mount ?
I'd say they're top mounts which point towards a Yamaha motor. There's a Trackmaster Yamaha frame for sale on VFT right now. The front mounts look almost identical so I guess my frame is for a Yamaha. See below:
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/TrackmasterYamahaFrame1.jpg)
Did Trackmaster make a specific ice bike Freaky and if so what are the differences other than the possible lower seating position? None of my American friends have considered the ice racer option but that doesn't mean it isn't. I'd just like to see a picture of one if there is such a thing.
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Here's what appears to be a similar frame to mine, with the lower seat subframe. If it's not, it's a cool bike anyway.
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/rackmaster%20Suzuki.jpg)
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NA that Suzi is normal, just the guard is full forward in the frame ,and i think it was a oil in frame miler for a tri or bsa anyway, far bit of info on that bike doing the rounds, basically same as Tom hortons S500 in Dans. think thats still online too.
ICe bike are usually the same but they mess about with the fronts and rears for the Big full wheel covers and the bar position are usually set lower. They way your frame sits it would be good for a short person or somthing like the rear cover as it will still give the travel and gaps to get the wheel out etc with that rear. Just another idea. MY other one was for a Salt lake Bike, it may have been built that way for a for a stream liner cover, i know Don vesco and his guys where messing with that stuff for years in the late 60 and 70's particulaly i thnk he still has the worlds fastest 250/500 set back then, they also did a lot with TR2/3 motors and the ealry yamaha twins so check that option. get the frame numbers.
IT was done for something specific, whatever that was, its not a normal pre 75 dirt track frame.
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The frame's on it's way so I won't know the frame # until it gets here. I spent a couple of hours scanning the 'net last night and looked at literally hundreds of different Trackmasters and found none with the adjustable swingarm pivot or the lowboy rear subframe. I'm beginning to think I've got a pretty unique Tracky. There's little or no doubt that it's a Trackmaster when you compare the head gussetting and front section of the frame to a traditional Trackmaster XS Yamaha frame. Vegas Bob Neilson and Clyde Williams reckon it's a late development frame, made when Hensleys stuff had fallen behind in the technology stakes to C&J, Champion, Knight and many more. The photo below shows Clydes '78 Trackmaster TT500 which is different again, indicating that old Ken was trying new tricks. Because I've had such little response from my posting a photo of the frame on VFT, I wouldn't be surprised if my frame was a one off development frame, as Mike Middleton suggested.
Below: Clydes variable top shock mounts on his TT500 Trackmaster
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/clyde%20trackmaster4.jpg)
A simpler version of the adjustable swingarm pivot on Clydes Tracky.
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/clyde%20trackmaster%203.jpg)
I doubt very much that a flat track style frame would be any good for salt racing as the rake would be waaay too steep causing some nasty high speed stability problems. I've had a bit to do with a friends R1 Yamaha salt bike and we've raked it like a drag bike for more high speed stability.
The Suzuki is indeed a standard frame as I can see once it was blown up. It's a cool bike and is very much like Hortons bike. That photo was taken at the 1971 or so San Jose Mile. Those 2 strokes would be a hansful on a mile I'd reckon.
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Wont kow the rake till it gets here so all bets are off i reckon. Dont discount it being a clone either, lotsa guys worked out of cycle works and sonic, tracmaster ans star racer so it could be bits of anything, when they closed up there was 4 semis of pre bend tubes for all sorts of things they had a habit of making the bits fit. the welds will tell and so will the stamps, if its blank, keep looking as it true identity will turn up.
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Whatever it is...and I'm betting it is a fair dinkum Trackmaster, it's a pretty unique bit of work. Once my unique engine goes into the equation it'll be a cool bike. I'm looking forward to riding this one myself.
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All good another one on the track is always a bonus :O) give us FT some cred .
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Here is another View of the 68 bike you might not have come across yet.
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d88/munchboxlive/Benelli.jpg)
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That's a really interesting frame Freaky. Any clues to its maker? The engine is a Laverda though, not a Benelli.
Any thoughts on the Aussie who bought Hortons TZ750? http://ozvmx.com/community/index.php?topic=11338.0 (http://ozvmx.com/community/index.php?topic=11338.0)
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Looking at the track in the background its a 1/2 mile racetrack, so its a short track frame, was a trackmaster or late sonic.
IF you follow the lower frame rails there is that trackmaster curve, from the head to the tail, and its got the big one peice spine, and the high swing arm point. they obviously just cut the lower rail out for the motor and swung it off that top support.
HAs a early Trackmaster tank and rear loop. Bates seat and pad, so im guessing very early 70's on the set up.
HAve no idea about the motor, just that Hartline bike you where looking at was 68s, look at the district letter its the same. BE near impossible for someone to run the same white plate number and district letter, this must be the other side of the wheelie bike in the pic.
Note BIKe also has the same front end, same tank, same seat. The grey/black bike paint foto may be how it ended up some years later then.
Whats the differance in the 2 motors, looks like the one you have in your bike just has the electric start section, case and cover look the same other wise, but im only going on what i can see in the fotos. I dont actually know shit on them big rigs
what got my attention was the stand, looks to go up and under, and those carbs look like a flat slide ?
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My apologies Freaky, it is a Benelli, and it's Gene Hartlines bike. You're right it's the pre electric start model from the 60s. Mines got slightly different shaped barrel and of course electric start which threw me. The carbys are the standard square slide Del Ortos*. It does look like a Trackmaster but looks like a different frame to the one that sold in Melbourne at the beginning of this thread. I wonde why he cut the bottom rails out? I'm going to try and keep them but if there's a clearance problem....they're gone.
I missed a possible opportunity to meet Gene Hartline without knowing it. He's a Hollywood stunt coordinator and was here in Sydney for a few months doing some Keanu Reeves movie. Apparently he was seen around town a fair bit riding a Buell. He now owns the Trackmaster Benelli again I believe.
*http://ozvmx.com/community/index.php?topic=8685.0 (http://ozvmx.com/community/index.php?topic=8685.0)
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He cut the bottom rail out so you can get that block of steel out, From what i have seen of these types of frame mods for those big cluckers they put a jack under the motor pull the bolts and its out, to do it the other way bolts out and lift you would need a few blokes i reckon.
'As with everything Gene did they were examples of the art of fabrication or as he used to say "First Cabin with all the boogie woogie go fast stuff"
Call it ....... Race thinking.
The motors a brace anyway like the ducati way of thinking at the time, 'as he worked at a benelli dealership at the time in 72'
Its a good clean early Photo of that side and should make a good referance for you, will try to get the other side for you too.
"Yes, Gene did some stunt work. He was the Bandit chief in the silent file at the beginning of "The Three Amigos" with Chevy Chase. Another movie,"Time and Time Again" had him as a cab driver. He did some work in,"Urban Cowboy" also.
He built two of the Benellis, One was sold and made into a hillclimber, The second bike was the one sold to Au but returned to the US, One of Gene's neighbors has it now in Colorado."
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We have another twin locally to be entered for the titles in Griffith, that will be 2 maybe 3 if Grasy enters his, Ando's XR750 from Wyalong may be another starter. If we get the numbers we will run the event- Battle of the Twins. Keep workin on it Firko.
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Firko, the US guys found us the otherside, Looks way better from this angle doesnt it, notice it has the white power stipe on the tank ( was it an orange tank or what ? )
Also the lower cross bar, never noticed in the other pics, thats make a bit of differance to the front section, obviously need to use those 2 cross supports if your going to do the chop. Go for it i say !
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d88/munchboxlive/68s_.jpg)
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if your going to do the chop. Go for it i say
I spoke to Bob Neilson this morning and he reckons to chop it as well Freaky. I'm going to wait until it gets here before I commit myself. I'm hesitant to cut a rare frame unless I absolutely have to for clearance. That bottom cross brace is essential as it's the engine mount. The Benelli engine mounts with parallel mounts like -- rather than || if you can understand that! :-\
Bob was telling me that Hartlines Benelli was essentially stock except for some minor stuff. Even ran the stock carbys. He reckons it was still pretty fast and usually made the main at Ascot. He told me that except for Alex Jorgensons Ron Wood Norton,the Hartline Benelli was the best sounding bike on the track, because of the big revs it pulled. It's funny but I've got a lot of guys in California pushing me on this bike. They're all stoked I'm doing it. A couple of guys are chasing down Gene Hartline for me which will be handy as far as finding out the setup and learning the history. .......It's all good.
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Finally heard from Gene Hartline himself who has some interesting info on the origins of my 'odd' frame. Seems it is the prototype frame most everyone else thought it was..........Here's Gene,
"Well Mate , I built only two 650 Benelli frames and that is not one of them ......BUT ...... I worked at Trackmaster for most of its time and the rusty frame pictured is what I remember to be a Proto type of sorts, and I do recall Ray Hensley playing with a adjustable swinging arm pivot point and that is one of them .....Many stories on what happened to the Trackmaster Benellis ...One belongs to a friends Estate [ The one You Pictured ] and the other who knows ?..... Both had my name all over them and the motors were stamped all over with a stamp that said HARTLINE.... They were first 500cc and then pumped up to 650s .by the factory...a square bore stroke that was 84 by 84 and could not go bigger because the crank was to close to the main shaft of the transmission.... when we campaigned them the 750 cc motors were will on there way ....The rusty frame is as I remember like some Ray made for some [short ] racers that is why the top rail are lower and shock mounts look different........Ill look at it some more but I think it looks like some kind of Japanese motor mounts ....also the Benellis never had a full bottom frame ......SOOOO ..... Bobs Your Uncle ....Gene Hartline"
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this is a interesting read
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Another email from Gene that's gradually unveiling a bit more about the Benelli (and him!). It seems I'm going to have to send him some Vegemite!!
Because my "new" Trackmaster frame is apparently unique I'm now considering saving it for another project, probably using a 650/750 Yamaha engine for which it's made for. Seeing that I have to do some severe frame cutting and create a top rail for the head stay, the Texas frame already has an extra top rail and I'd feel a bit happier cutting up that frame than doing the chop on the Trackmaster prototype.
Mark , Good Show ....Line up chain and rear sprocket so its true with engine centered and remember you will need another tube below the back bone to hook up the top motor mount which is important ! ......My frame did not have bottom tube so I could get the Center of Gravity down low , ........also find a straight horzonial line , as close as you can , starting with the crank shaft center to the countershaft center,then the Pivot point center on swingarm and rear axle on the even side of a compressed shock.........Forks and shock size needs to be to Your personal tuning and comfort everyone is different length about standard 12 1/2 inches on shocks and fork tubes 27 inches extended .....that is a start and adjust from there......ALWAYS REMEMBER measure twice and weld once.........Cant tell for sure that frame will work but looks good on computer..........SOOOOOO Thats all You get out of Me for now !!!!!, ........Any more info. is going to cost Ya a couple of those king size belly buster jars of my and Your favorite the ever popular VEGEMITE .......Gene
----- Original Message -----
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Did I see a reference about building a Honda 754 flat tracker here somewhere?? ) ;D Closely know a bloke that dreams of doing just that....... ;)Cheers Tim754
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Now that the Cheney and my other little projects are out of the way I'm now getting stuck into the Benelli tracker, hopefully to debut at the HBBB next Easter. I'd had the engine set up in my original home made frame but seeing that I had a genuine Trackmaster sitting there doing nothing and probably would be for the forseeable future, Ive decided to go with it instead. The one proviso is that if I have to cut the bottom rails out to clear the sump as Gene Hartline did on his Trackmaster Benelli(see back on page 1 or 2) I'll can it and go back to the original frame choice. The Trackmaster is too rare and hard to find to chop it up for a fun bike. Below is a mock up I did this morning to check the feasibility. The engine seems to be sitting high but if you eye the crank centreline it's level with the swingarm pivot. The desirable spot. The forks are Yamaha R6 in '83 CR250 triple clamps and the wheel is from an RD350. The finished product will have Harley XR750750 Morris magnesium wheels.
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/benelli%20trackmaster%20010.jpg)