Graeme's right, the framer is unfortunately a thing of the past if we want dirt track to grow into the twenty first century. The key to the future of dirt track is the involvement of the big factories and the mega dollar sponsor network. To get them involved the race bikes must be identifiable as similar to what Billy in the stands rides with his mates on the weekend. If the flat track framer of the past (and the speedway slider for that matter) remain as the race vehicle of the masses we won't see the big five involvement. Imagine a field of 450's from every major manufacturer as well as BMW, Gas Gas, Aprilia and the other Euros....all bikes easily adapted from existing motocross, enduro or dual sport models and that's just the 250's and 450's. The 650 twin cylinder road market is also extremely popular and offers up a lot of different variations on the 650/750 twin. With Triumph, Ducati, Norton as well as the Japanese and Korean products available to be modified into racers, the big classes offer even more scope for corporate involvement and compared to todays XR750 Harley or similar big dollar framer, offer a reasonably cheap entry into the sport. As the old song goes...The future's so bright I've gotta wear shades".
My whole reason for being involved in vintage motocross and dirt track revolves around my love of custom race framed bikes but I'm realist enough to see the factory framed bike as the future. The framer will however now become the basis of the ever growing vintage/nostalgia/classic (call it what you will) movement and will hopefully run in cahoots with the modern scene.
