Big D Cycle Blog

Mid-O this year was an interesting mix of events. The dirt Track races were rained out on Friday night, and we had to scrounge the swap meet for a valve adjuster after the yellow bike ate one. The 275 sportsmen bike destroyed a piston, rod, and rocker arm when it decided it did not want to continue anymore in Saturday morning practice. We then had to share the one yellow bike for the rest of the weekend. Ryan ended up with two first places, and Jerrett placed with two thirds and a second. Ryan did score enough points to retain the sportsmen 750 number one plate. The dirt tracking pictures are from a practice session we went to before leaving for Ohio.

We have taken on a long time customer’s collection for storage while he is away. We preformed the restorations on all three of these bikes. Also, we have taken on a 59 Bonneville. At the moment we are looking it over , and it looks like the consensus is a complete restoration. Also, we have yet another Square four coming together in the back.

This is the newest bike in the Big D racing fleet. It is going to be a 750cc motor in a T-120 frame. It is being purpose built to compete in the Euro American Twins and novice GP classes at Mid-Ohio this year. It will also qualify for the BEARS class in AHRMA, as well as clubman in the CMRA. Jerrett Martin will be riding the bike. Keith has put a lot of time and thought into the setup of the bike, and its been tricked out all the way. One of the coolest things about it, is that the motor will be left hand shift. So, the rear drum has had the sprocket teeth machined off, and the brake has been located to the right side. A dirt track quick change rear wheel setup has been used, for easy gearing changes. This bike is a collaboration of Big D fabricated parts, and left over spares from the Les edwards collection we recently acquired. It also has a hand made aluminum catch pan that is really neat, although it is not pictured mounted on the bike. We will keep posting photos of the progress.

Recently, we have been working on a former Les Edwards Triumph Trackmaster to compete in the dirt track events at Mid-Ohio. This bike is being built for a customer, who is going to let Ryan compete on the bike in hopes of obtaining the grand national number one plate that is up for grabs. This bike is being put back together more or less as it was, when Les Edwards was tuning the bike. Some components are being updated like the rear brake, etc. Keith is building the motor to Big D Racing specs, and we have a dirt track aficionado assisting us with setup and providing more information on Triumph dirt trackers then anyone person should know. We will keep you updated with the bikes progress, and the results from Ohio. Included in the photos, is a picture of Dave Hansen making a move on the same bike back in the day.

We had our open house last Saturday, thank you to everyone that came out. We would especially like to thank Dennis Tackett and the NTNOA for manning the grill for over 200 hungry people. also special thanks to the Discovery Channel and Cafe Racer Magazine for coming out and covering the event.

MORE PICTURES CAN BE FOUND HERE

Finally this project is complete, and we won’t be flooding the blog with pics of its progress anymore.

The 1000cc Trident is rolling and running. Just waiting on the paint work to come back, and needing some final wiring.

We recently reunited Dave with two of his former Les Edwards rides. Dave will be taking both of these bikes back home with him. This is the man and machine that beat King Kenny Roberts at the 1974 Astrodome TT, thirty six years later.

Some pictures of a Comet motor coming together. This bike is being restored by Keith and Steve.