Those forks would look good on my second Champ.

I believe that Kenny Roberts welded his own bmx frames in house. At the time he was producing his own line of flat track frames. The flat track frames were not well received. The bmx project was short lived as he was off to Europe by 77/78 to win the Grand Prix title.

Not sure how he ended up with the same dropouts as a Champion if he did make them in his shop.

Killer bike, as always.

The drop out design of the Champion and the KR are similiar but they are also similiar to squareback versions from Redline, Gurney, White Lighning and others of the era. The drop out design was far from unique. The geometry of the frames was completely different and what set apart the Champion from the rest. It's not far fetched to believe that KR was influenced by the drop out design of the Champion. Flat track racing was a small community, these guys were around each other at the races and in their shops all the time. Ideas were sure to get "borrowed" on a regular basis. When you compare the frames side by side there are way to many differences to believe they came from the same shop.

[ July 19, 2006, 11:40 AM: Message edited by: DAN ]

I don't have first hand knowledge that Schwerma built the KR frames but it's something I never questioned. Roberts TZ750s were Champion framed and I believe most or all of the early 70s Yamaha dirttrackers were built by Champion meaning KR rode Champion built frames most of his dirttrack career. The Nor Cal dirttrack guys were a pretty inbred bunch(not literally). One of KR biggest supporters in his early years was Ray Abrams AKA A&A who was the first of the dirttrack guys to make frames, followed by Redline, Champion, Boss(Panda), and Trackmaster. I'm sure C&J made frames for someone too.

I love how a post goes from a really nice bike to Kenny Roberts and dirt track, as a connection does exist.

I am thinking that the old Champion shop was on the corner of Winnetka and Nordoff . I know they made both BMX and Motorcycle (Dirt, MX, Street) stuff.

I am thinking, but am not sure, the the current company of Champion Crane may somehow be related to the old company, as the Logo looks the same.

Root for KR Jr on the 211 powered KR @ Laguna this weekend.

Champion Crane is Mike Konle as in Linn Kastan/Mike Konle=Redline and later Champion after Schwerma offed himself.

[ July 19, 2006, 01:06 PM: Message edited by: RandyS ]

It's funny how far off some of the info on the internet is. This is Mike Konles bio from a vintage dirttrack website. Look when he bought out Champion. 5 years before Schwermas death.lol

Among other things that don't quite match up.



Mike Konle

1959: Bought Triumph TR-6 and rode in district 37 desert events. Became expert and attained #6 in district 37.
1963: Won overall “Green Horn” enduro. Became professional novice at Ascot Park. This was the first year that novices rode 250 cc machines. Mike rode a twin Yamaha on the flat tracks and a Nick Nicholson sponsored Greeves on the TT’s.
1964: Mike finished number two in amateur point standings behind the late Jimmy Nicholson.
1965: Became a professional expert and was sponsored by friend and fellow competitor, Dusty Coppage. Mike also enjoyed sponsorships from, Bell Helmets, Circle Industries, and Redline racing frames.
1968: Finished second motorcycle in the Baja 1000 riding a BSA Victor with co-rider Bob Ewing.
1969: Started riding Speedway in Southern California. One of very few that consistently was a top contender in both class A and class C events.
friend, the late Loyed Houtchins. He also provided Redline frame


Master of Ceremonies, Keith Mashburn and TrailBlazer Hall of Famer, Mike Konle
1970: Mike bought “Redline” and began manufacturing, frames, forks, etc. Mike designed and manufactured the now famous Redline dirt track bicycle. This was the beginning of the BMX style bicycle and Mike is credited by many as the first to produce such a machine. In 1972 he bought out Doug Schwerma's “Champion” frame company. In 1976 Mike dissolved his partnership, retained the name “Champion” and went on his own in the frame business. As the specialty frame business peaked, Mike decided to enter into the crane business. He named this venture after the frame business and Champion Cranes was born. Champion Crane is a very successful company and anyone that has seen the movie, Terminator 3, has seen Champion Cranes at work.

RandyS, very impressive bit of information. I grew up in WoodlandHills which was pretty close to the old Champion shop. Did you grow up in the San Fernanado Valley as well?

Was Trackmaster made by Champion?

I recall (circa 79-80) a square tubed (with a lot of holes)Trackmaster BMX frame ridden by a local 16 expert named Bobby Smith (out of the Beavers shop, nice guy). He even had jersey to go with the frame.

I don't know anything about Trackmaster other than they made frames for other people in the early 80s, they were in Hesperia or somewhere like that. I'm Nor Cal since day one.

notice in that Hall of Fame bio on Mike Konle that "Linn Kasten" somehow gets left out? the way it reads you'd think Mike Konle was Red Line and Linn never existed.

geeeez.

Tim,

When are you going to show us the Trackmaster frame I noted earlier?