Calvin Franks Three Wheeler ???

[JackFlack]

Anybody here ever here of a Calvin Franks 3 wheeler?

They use Rotax engines like Tiger's do, but only thermo/air cooled?
Chromoly Frames.

[team-red-rider]

WHAT that thing is AWSOME

[ATC-Eric]

Post more pics!

Is it yours?

[edog]

Looks like a Tigger to me.

[JackFlack]

Here is another Picture.

[JackFlack]

No its not a Tiger. Was made by Calvin Franks. Not water cooled.

[edog]

No its not a Tiger. Was made by Calvin Franks. Not water cooled.

Just busting you chops,You No Tigger from The Hundred Acre Woods.

Looks cool,bigger :pics: maybe?

[Yamada]

The front wheel do not seems to be centered. What is the size of the engine?
Very interesting. Also, the rear shock dont seem to be on one side of the swingarm

[edog]

The front wheel do not seems to be centered. What is the size of the engine?
Very interesting.


Looks good to me.:welcome:

[JackFlack]

The guy says it a 350 needs a rebuild, but he has a 250 crank for it too.

[Yamada]

Looks good to me.:welcome:
Maybe, I just look at it too quick.

[erectordale]

that's a new one to me looks cool though

[Bryan Raffa]

wonder how many of thoes were made or if it might be this one? L@@K'S close right down to the tires..Where did you get that pic from?

[JackFlack]

From what the guy told me, he is a old school racer. Says Calvin Franks made a bunch of them.

[Bryan Raffa]

A franks 3 wheeler IMO is more rare than a tiger because there was only a hand full of each model made,, One in the condition thats is in the pic you posted I would have to say is worth BIG Bucks!!
Heres a few other's they made that ya never see,, The Maico and The KTM...I think there was one more but I cant rember...KX maybe The first one is a 84 rotax also

[JackFlack]

His motor must be like that first one.

He said the exhaust of his Rotax comes out the back.

[dizasterzrfun69]

so is this for sale somewhere or what?

[ATCwithdrawals]

Geez, I would try to buy it from this guy if I was you. very nice trike, definetly a rare peice.

[3tigers]

isnt it kelvin franks? not calvin franks.

[chris200x]

The guy says it a 350 needs a rebuild, but he has a 250 crank for it too.

More info please? who is he? Is it yours? Is it for sale? are you buying it? did you buy it? HOw much? got better pics? :D

[KASEY]

its for sale with a quad too,, for $5500,,,
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mcy/295781446.html

[Dirtcrasher]

You guys have got to be kiddin me.... All these years on this board and you pull yet ANOTHER rare 3wheeler out of your arses!!!!

[Billy Golightly]

isnt it kelvin franks? not calvin franks.


Yes, Kelvin Franks. Theres a guy here on the forum (Tecate4Life) that has 3-4 of his machines, and actually new Kelvin when he was younger.

[Bryan Raffa]

You guys have got to be kiddin me.... All these years on this board and you pull yet ANOTHER rare 3wheeler out of your arses!!!!


just think of all the ones that are out there that NO one even know's are there or in a shed,barn,backyard,under piles of junk,over grown with brush. Theres tons of rare pices waiting to be found!!:D

[oldsking86]

jACK IF YOU CAN GET IT CHEAP GRAB IT!!

[Bigbore]

its for sale with a quad too,, for $5500,,,
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mcy/295781446.html
It's already be taken off Craig's list.


Where's the for sale info? I'm willing to put up!

[Bigbore]

No its not a Tiger. Was made by Calvin Franks. Not water cooled.
For not being water cooled it has a nice radiator shoud on it. Where is it and whats the guys number? I want to call and buy it.

[KASEY]

510-305-4559 fremont cali,,,

[4cylinders]

hey, there's pics of them on .org, if you want to see what they look like.

[KASEY]

THE CRAIGSLIST link still works for me,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[GoodKarma]

The link stilll works, but it's not showing up on the search I used this morning to find it. Here's the photos in the listing:

http://d.im.craigslist.org/*Edited**Edited*/yP/NaHf9rjHomVOT0GbIFWbik8qmYo9.jpg
http://d.im.craigslist.org/I8/hy/jH662jTugOVsS9cWdW3sMsi08HI0.jpg

http://a.im.craigslist.org/FL/76/Biq89snrQGcMgi1hNBtSJ0mLlOp3.jpg
http://d.im.craigslist.org/MY/jl/wsakN1J8owk6XXUqmvHPhOCKA8MD.jpg

RARe or not, a little too steep for my little checkbook. I just thought it was a cool looking roller!

LOL, the word editor is bleeping out the first photo!

[Orangecnty250r]

I totally missed this thread, Very cool machines, I figure someone grabbed them already. Bigbore?? Am I right??

[scooterroo]

what the heck kinda four wheeler is that? very strange. seems to be set up for flat track, tt . kinda looks liek a converted trike. the top pic looks as if the bars bolt up and go thru a neck like triples would...hmmmm modified early r?

[Bigbore]

I totally missed this thread, Very cool machines, I figure someone grabbed them already. Bigbore?? Am I right??
Working it. We talked today for a while. I'm in the running. I'll let you know what happens. We did talk about the old days and racing. Felt good talking with someone from the period.:beer

Note: It's only a 250. He said that someone swapped the crank for a 350 crank and space the cylinder. He's going to finish it up and reinstall the 250 crank and put it back together. This motor is a hard one to get parts for, it is a rear exhaust on the cylinder / rotary valve motor. Franks built 3- 3wheelers with this motor and hard a hard time getting rid of the last one...this one. It would be a nice 3 wheeler to have to park next to the Nicholson, but its got to come at right price. I'd like to have a Tiger 500 more but this is still a good piece of history.

[NOS_350X]

Hmm about 3 hours from me. And boy what i would do to let my banshee sit on the side of a race and run that ole 450 killer!!

[nd4speed]

The quad nose plastic is Suzuki Quadracer and the frame looks to be the same.

Looks like the frank's motor is in the quad? But why the rad shrouds if it is air cooled?

What a find!
http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1871&d=1092250980

[thefox]

Maybe it is not a rad shroud, maybe it is used to keep the dirt off the air filter or something?

[IrvSLedman]

Hmmm.. that is pretty freaking sweet man, Bigbore, good luck getting ahold of that thing..

[iowarotax]

Its a liquid, you can see the cooler line running down the side.

[scooterroo]

if you look at the pic of it facing you it clearly shows a neck there. i know that quadracer bars dont attach like this. and you can see radiators on the sides where as a quad racer had the radiator under the hood. somebody put a quadracer front nose on it or something, but to me the thing looks like a converted trike.

[88 Turbo Coupe]

I wonder how much you can talk him down. Worth a shot!

[4cylinders]

hey, when I tried the link it came up'' deleted by owner'' .

[200x newby]

the radiator on an air cooler: they made a kit that replaces the head with one that has water jackets and when the water starts to heat up it starts to surculate and that is why the radiator is there and still be air cooled.

[nd4speed]

if you look at the pic of it facing you it clearly shows a neck there. i know that quadracer bars dont attach like this. and you can see radiators on the sides where as a quad racer had the radiator under the hood. somebody put a quadracer front nose on it or something, but to me the thing looks like a converted trike.

I was looking more at the quad frame but the thing is so heavily modified and the pictures are too small.

[nd4speed]

I still think the motor in the quad is like the one in the pic of the frank's trike I posted. The filter, coolant line, the head, and Rotax with left side kickstart.

And that thing hanging down off the frame behind the front wheel is the filter guard.

Looks like the whole trike could be put together if the motor runs.

[88 Turbo Coupe]

I called the seller and says they are both sold.

[Bigbore]

I called the seller and says they are both sold.
I did too. He said that the motor in the trike was still in pieces and that he was going to piece it back together. He said that someone in NJ bought both the trike and the quad.:(

He said it was a "kid". 88 Turo Coupe how old are you? Did you get them? What was your offer? Must have been good!

[88 Turbo Coupe]

Not me I'm not the "kid", but I believe the Franks quads and 3 wheelers ARE, without dispute, THE holy grail. How many complete Franks quads and 3 wheelers has anyone ever seen for sale? All I've ever seen are a couple of swingers for sale. Tigers a A DIME A DOZEN. The Tiger line DOES NOT even compare to what the Franks rides are.

[mymint87]

Tigers a A DIME A DOZEN. The Tiger line DOES NOT even compare to what the Franks rides are.

:w00t: :welcome:
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I TOTALLY AGREE

[Orangecnty250r]

Tigers a A DIME A DOZEN. The Tiger line DOES NOT even compare to what the Franks rides are.

Well we both know Tigers truly aren't a dime a dozen (32 accounted for I do have a little updating to do so maybe high 30's tops) but I will agree Franks are sweet rare machines (rarer than tigers for sure but a different type of rare machine). Tigers in my eyes although different from each other in the slightest details were the rarest production line machines....Yes Franks are super rare racers...I would love to pick one up someday but more custom "garage" built than a FACTORY racer. I highly doubt a "KID" bought these machines.

[Bigbore]

When he said it was a kid he was refering too someone in the 20's.


I also agree that thier one rare machine.

[mymint87]

Well we both know Tigers truly aren't a dime a dozen (32 accounted for I do have a little updating to do so maybe high 30's tops) but I will agree Franks are sweet rare machines (rarer than tigers for sure but a different type of rare machine). Tigers in my eyes although different from each other in the slightest details were the rarest production line machines....Yes Franks are super rare racers...I would love to pick one up someday but more custom "garage" built than a FACTORY racer. I highly doubt a "KID" bought these machines.

Dude,
I feel alot of defensive posturing in your post.....:postwhore

Just an opinion from a triker, refrain from flaming off on us as the "Franks" start to appear and the value of the Tigers go down. :welcome:

Your a great member here and while I will joyfully accept your opinion on trikes. I dont consider you a defining expert authority.

As of this moment, I'm very leery (to say the least) that YOUR catagorizing prowless should be hammered in stone

FEEL FREE walk softly as we ALL go through the process of putting the 3 wheeler puzzle back together

At what amount of sq footage is the point when you define a building as a factory? OR....LOL .......at what quantity do you defined an actual production line?...Im just trying to make sense of your logic as I incorperate other opinions as my own.

I guess what I'm saying, a triker could argue the that (pardon the PUN) OCC is a custom chopper fabrication Shop and NOT a FACTORY and while the chopper frames are basically the same, the details are different, like you say the Tiger is.

One could also ask you if your Idea of a production line is when the master fabricator comes up a design but then turns the process of building over to a bunch of "FLUNKS" rather than the originator himself following through and wrenching to finish his work of art?....

When production line numbers are few (compared to the BIG 4)wouldn't you expect the quality control to be less than a JAPANESE production line or a master builder hands on til its finished? in other words...they're a POS?

I highly doubt that Franks had a bunch of parts thrown on the kitchen table as the wife prepared dinner...

Obviously theres more than ONE Franks Trike, so maybe he had some parts on the couch too......LOL

Isn't "GARAGE" built generally accepted as more like a one off conversion?....ALot of people may feel that Franks are another factory racer (just like the Tiger) but alot more collectable

Lets try and find another catagoration for these Trikes mentioned ...........or is there already one in place that I'm unaware of?....hate to see trikers dump the "garage" stamp on it .:welcome:

and while were at it, let look at the Nicholson.....let see, "185's full suspension factory garage built factory rider raced prototype for the 200x"...???

maybe the defining line will always be blurry?

I welcome ALL feedback...

[Billy Golightly]

This is pretty much hi-jacking the thread, but I'll spell it out for you how I see it flunk.

Factory >100 complete units
Shop <100 complete units
Garage <10 complete units

How they made the units in question I dont think is really a relevant point, the point of a factory is to make VOLUME of whatever its making.

Prototype: A preliminary design/idea built and made for the sole purpose of testing out the design or theory in question. Not widely used, and normally discarded after the testing procedure and next "version" has been completed.

Factory Racer: A rider whos been sponsored (Whether by cash, free parts, blah blah. A Factory rider is taken much better care of monetarily and part wise then a sponsored rider) by a major FACTORY type company to race a specific series or event where the FACTORY provides FREE parts, or pays the racer a large salary to compete under their banner in a series or specific event.

Sponsored Racer: A rider whos been sponsored (Normally only discounts on parts) by a SHOP, or small business to race a specific series or event. A lot of shops sponsor riders and give them great discounts, or if they are really good they might give them some free parts, but they are not paying them thousands and thousands of dollars. I'm currently sponsored by PROGRIP which by all means as a company could be considered a factory since they produce over a 100,000 hand grips a day in Italy. However, I only receive a discount on parts and have not been offered a dollar amount to race under their name. So therefore, I am not a factory racer.

[Orangecnty250r]

Dude,
I feel alot of defensive posturing in your post.....:postwhore

Just an opinion from a triker, refrain from flaming off on us as the "Franks" start to appear and the value of the Tigers go down. :welcome:

Your a great member here and while I will joyfully accept your opinion on trikes. I dont consider you a defining expert authority.

As of this moment, I'm very leery (to say the least) that YOUR catagorizing prowless should be hammered in stone

FEEL FREE walk softly as we ALL go through the process of putting the 3 wheeler puzzle back together

At what amount of sq footage is the point when you define a building as a factory? OR....LOL .......at what quantity do you defined an actual production line?...Im just trying to make sense of your logic as I incorperate other opinions as my own.

I guess what I'm saying, a triker could argue the that (pardon the PUN) OCC is a custom chopper fabrication Shop and NOT a FACTORY and while the chopper frames are basically the same, the details are different, like you say the Tiger is.

One could also ask you if your Idea of a production line is when the master fabricator comes up a design but then turns the process of building over to a bunch of "FLUNKS" rather than the originator himself following through and wrenching to finish his work of art?....

When production line numbers are few (compared to the BIG 4)wouldn't you expect the quality control to be less than a JAPANESE production line or a master builder hands on til its finished? in other words...they're a POS?

I highly doubt that Franks had a bunch of parts thrown on the kitchen table as the wife prepared dinner...

Obviously theres more than ONE Franks Trike, so maybe he had some parts on the couch too......LOL

Isn't "GARAGE" built generally accepted as more like a one off conversion?....ALot of people may feel that Franks are another factory racer (just like the Tiger) but alot more collectable

Lets try and find another catagoration for these Trikes mentioned ...........or is there already one in place that I'm unaware of?....hate to see trikers dump the "garage" stamp on it .:welcome:

and while were at it, let look at the Nicholson.....let see, "185's full suspension factory garage built factory rider raced prototype for the 200x"...???

maybe the defining line will always be blurry?

I welcome ALL feedback...

I am not the one that brought tigers into this post...And you sensed defensive posturing on my part....read your post...Maybe you took my garage term a little to literal and concretely. I do feel they are in a different rare category. I just now jumped on the computer for a second while I was in the house to get a drink.I am in the middle of building one of those common tigers ..I'll reread you post/rant this evening so I can respond.

[Dirtcrasher]

I think someone must be having a bad day..... I personally didn't read anything in OC250R's post to justify this rant. But then again you are the MINT MASTER, LOL......

[88 Turbo Coupe]

It looked like a "Tigger" at the beginning of this thread. Maybe someday a side by side, part by part, quality control comparison can be done between both companies products. This should answer the holy grail question about these 2 American made racers.

[scooterroo]

i thought this thread was about a franks trike and quad? not an arguement about tigers vs. franks... geeeez.

[Bigbore]

Posts can evolve! Franks vs. Tiger, both cool!

I love the small guy taking on the establishment. I would rather have a Nicholson, Frank's, Cagiva and a Tiger over the factory produced Honda's and Kawasaki's. Most of the small guys pour sweat equity in to what their making. They don't have teams of engineers designing a product. It was refined by trial and error.

Frank's built the first (official or unofficial) proto-type of the KXT-250. Frank's built some of the craziest 'big bore" machines out there. You can thank Nick Nicholson and Curtis Sparks (a team effort) in building a 200 four stoke fully suspended three wheeler years before the factories would consider it, even pushing Honda to put the 200X into production. Tricky Dick's for putting the Cagiva WMX 200 conversion, making a class champion and making Honda and Kawasaki sweat. Tiger was there in greater numbers than these others but not by many.

These are the reasons that make them so desirable. They’re all awesome. I have a couple of them and would love to have all of the, my wife might disagree though.:lol:

[Orangecnty250r]

Posts can evolve! Franks vs. Tiger, both cool!

I love the small guy taking on the establishment. I would rather have a Nicholson, Frank's, Cagiva and a Tiger over the factory produced Honda's and Kawasaki's. Most of the small guys pour sweat equity in to what their making. They don't have teams of engineers designing a product. It was refined by trial and error.

Frank's built the first (official or unofficial) proto-type of the KXT-250. Frank's built some of the craziest 'big bore" machines out there. You can thank Nick Nicholson and Curtis Sparks (a team effort) in building a 200 four stoke fully suspended three wheeler years before the factories would consider it, even pushing Honda to put the 200X into production. Tricky Dick's for putting the Cagiva WMX 200 conversion, making a class champion and making Honda and Kawasaki sweat. Tiger was there in greater numbers than these others but not by many.

These are the reasons that make them so desirable. They’re all awesome. I have a couple of them and would love to have all of the, my wife might disagree though.:lol:

I agree they are all great!!!! I just had to defend when someone tried to take away from one of them. The this ones better than that thing :banned: . I think at least we can start getting a little more info on the Franks from the discussion...I'll be waitng for the comparison of the person who will have the Franks and Tigers side by side ;) As I said Franks are more rare for sure but the numbers speak for themselves with the tigers. And yes this thread started about a Franks but really when you have a vintage racer with a chromoly frame, a rotax powerplant, and cheesy plastics with carlisles on the rear do you think the word Tiger wont come up :D

[88 Turbo Coupe]

Well I guess you can look at it this way too. Ask the Suzuki, Kawasaki, Honda, Tiger, Cagiva, Franks, etc.. teams who has the better ride.... What do you think they would all say?

[mymint87]

hey...thanks to those who have contributed so far

HondaATC, Great input in laying down some fundamentals that needed to be covered...There must be a fine line between the definition of thread evolution and thread highjacking:welcome:

OCC250R, as an influential member here, your "garage" stamp on the FRANKS was what sparked my questions, I personally can only supply limited info on these discussed trikes. but i wanna thank you cause your comments sparked a tons of questions for me and renewed my interests AGAIN on trikes in general....:D

Theres still a great vacuum out there for information, it's really exciting and I feel we've only reached the tip of the berg as a present day trike community...your input about a one day side by side comparison is cool...watch them be the same frame...LOL then we'll be discussing whos the copy cat LOL.....:crazy:

one can argue that the 87 500r is the holy grail and probably most of the community will agree..but this too isn't in stone and most likely will change...who knows eh?:wondering

maybe this thread has evolve into one of too many questions...i.e. trike community definitions, rarity, holy grails, actual evolution of the sport trike and evolution of the racer...but it really intrigues me...:TrikesOwn

BigBore, as one of the many members who have been there done that back in the day....you info is greatly appreciated...and I wanna thank you for throwing it in the mix....What state did the Franks Trike originate from?:confused:

88 turbo coupe, i would think that asking those who raced them might bring back old bias, not to mention, be really hard, but you never know with the internet and forums these days...I think OCC250R twist for a new look is the way Im going right now...you ending question on your last post leads me to believe you want this discussion to continue...I know I do....:postwhore

[Bigbore]

BigBore, as one of the many members who have been there done that back in the day....you info is greatly appreciated...and I wanna thank you for throwing it in the mix....What state did the Franks Trike originate from?:confused:


Franks built his stuff in Santa Ana, California.

[Old 179]

Wasn't John Neary from California one of the racers that used his stuff in the early 80's? Seems there was a piture of his 500 thumper in action in the open class at San Jose Nationals. Coeshow and/or Drisco might be a good source on the Franks trikes.

[Bigbore]

Goerge and John raced SoCal in the 80's and had a lot to do with Frank's. As much as Curtis Sparks did with Nicholson. I have a friend that talked to John about a year ago. Still had a KTM 200 Franks machine and a discussion came up about it might be for sale.

[Old 179]

Thanks for the info!

[Bigbore]

So who got the Franks 3 and 4 wheeler?????

[Orangecnty250r]

So who got the Franks 3 and 4 wheeler?????
The middle age "kid" from NJ :D

[Bigbore]

You suck. :lol: When are you getting them? Or did you get them already?
Lets see some better pics.

[Orangecnty250r]

You suck. :lol: When are you getting them? Or did you get them already?
Lets see some better pics.

Not me, I'm not the one who put up the smoke screen...I'm a New Yorker....wish it was me though :(

[86waterpumper]

according to Alan who owns ct racing, John Neary was paralyzed back in the 90's or some such riding dirtbikes in the desert. According to Alan at that time, when he quit riding, he had tons of parts and trikes, so I don't doubt him still having several complete machines, whether he would sell them or not is another matter to take up with him I suppose...I have emailed back and forth with him a bit, he's a nice guy, and raced pretty much everything out there, production wise and homebuilt also. I'd love to get my hands on a ultralight 250r like ct racing built back in the 80's for neary etc, granted it wasn't a complete machine but had tons of custom made one off parts for sure.

[ATCWRENCH]

Back to the original post at hand.

I have an article on this very machine in an old 3&4 wheel action magazine. The same one that has an article on Jimmy White's Tecate. Anyway, the engine that was used was a Rotax go-kart engine, the reason it looks like an aircooler with radiators is cuz it doesnt have a water pump, it's a percalator system. The water warms up in the cylinder and rises to the radiators and cools, then falling back to the bottom of the cylinder where the cycle starts over.

He mounted the carb right off of the rotory valve cuz he felt it made more power and had crisper throttle responce. It was also stated the riders foot and the aircleaner usually got into arguements.

The article states that the fuel tank is off of a 200X, but a trained eye will tell that it is an 81-2R tank that has been modified for the radiators.

He made his own rear linkage and triple clamps out of billet aluminum and the frame and swing arm were both 4130 chromoly steel.

The suspension is ohlins front and rear with a maximum setting of just over ten inches of travel. Even though the suspension travel was there and Frank's would setup any machine the way you wanted it, most of his machines were set up for flat track and TT racing.

The biggest reason why Frank's machines are more rare than the tigers is they were close to $10,000 new. Damn steep for a new machine, even now a days, imagine what that price tag looked like back then. Tigers were 5 to 6 grand new.

As for handling, it was the easiest machine to ride they had ever ridden, light, nimble, power for days, turning was no more than twist of the throttle and twitch of the bars.

I will try and post the article up in the next couple of days. All black and white photo's but still a cool article.

[86waterpumper]

If I'm not mistaken, someone on the boards awhile back was takling about how they were in contact with franks, and that they were going to have him build them a few swingarms etc, if this is so maybe that person could get him to comment more on these trikes etc...be nice to find out if he were in fact remaking swingers etc...

[Bigbore]

Back to the original post at hand.

I have an article on this very machine in an old 3&4 wheel action magazine. The same one that has an article on Jimmy White's Tecate. Anyway, the engine that was used was a Rotax go-kart engine, the reason it looks like an aircooler with radiators is cuz it doesnt have a water pump, it's a percalator system. The water warms up in the cylinder and rises to the radiators and cools, then falling back to the bottom of the cylinder where the cycle starts over.

He mounted the carb right off of the rotory valve cuz he felt it made more power and had crisper throttle responce. It was also stated the riders foot and the aircleaner usually got into arguements.

The article states that the fuel tank is off of a 200X, but a trained eye will tell that it is an 81-2R tank that has been modified for the radiators.

He made his own rear linkage and triple clamps out of billet aluminum and the frame and swing arm were both 4130 chromoly steel.

The suspension is ohlins front and rear with a maximum setting of just over ten inches of travel. Even though the suspension travel was there and Frank's would setup any machine the way you wanted it, most of his machines were set up for flat track and TT racing.

The biggest reason why Frank's machines are more rare than the tigers is they were close to $10,000 new. Damn steep for a new machine, even now a days, imagine what that price tag looked like back then. Tigers were 5 to 6 grand new.

As for handling, it was the easiest machine to ride they had ever ridden, light, nimble, power for days, turning was no more than twist of the throttle and twitch of the bars.

I will try and post the article up in the next couple of days. All black and white photo's but still a cool article.

I'd like to see the article:p . The guy that owned these, told me that one of his was in a Dirt Wheels article also.

[Bigbore]

OH! I almost forgot to mention it. The guy in NJ that snuck in under me, right after this post started, and worked a deal with the guy that had the post on Craigs List... Well he flamed! He never sent the money.:crazy: So guess who sent money and is the new owner of BOTH of the Franks machines:naughty: . I'm going out there in 2 weeks to pick them up. I've got better pics from the guy. They're in NICE condition.

OH!... I'll tell more after I go and get them...

[mymint87]

WHAAAT?....Gosh Darnit!!!...I was in contact with him too trying to make a chisel deal:cry: :cry: :cry:

I would have loved to snag something that is worth twice as much (if not more) as a Tiger.....:welcome:

well, I guess it couldnt have gone to a better "old triker" as yourself:beer
i'll be patiently waiting for your new threads and..... BTW....:D you suck:D :postwhore .....LOL :beer

[Orangecnty250r]

OH! I almost forgot to mention it. The guy in NJ that snuck in under me, right after this post started, and worked a deal with the guy that had the post on Craigs List... Well he flamed! He never sent the money.:crazy: So guess who sent money and is the new owner of BOTH of the Franks machines:naughty: . I'm going out there in 2 weeks to pick them up. I've got better pics from the guy. They're in NICE condition.

OH!... I'll tell more after I go and get them...

Cool Congrats!!!

[Bryan Raffa]

great Man! just glad some one here got them and is willing to share the in's and out's of a franks!! Good deal!

[ATCWRENCH]

Here is the article on the Frank's racer from the January 1985 issue of 3&4 Wheel action.

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s147/ATCWRENCH/Franks250R1.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s147/ATCWRENCH/Franks250R2.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s147/ATCWRENCH/Franks250R3.jpg

[Orangecnty250r]

Very Interesting looking and built machine. Thanks for the article

[brapp]

i ahve seen the pic on the last page of the articly before in a later article abotu body english on 3wheelers in dirtwheels.

[mymint87]

KILLER ARTICLE....thanks for posting it dude.....That West Coast Franks puts Tigers and Cagivas to shame:w00t: ...Totally Trick...


:postwhore You Freaking scored Bigbore:postwhore

[Orangecnty250r]

That West Coast Franks puts Tigers and Cagivas to shame:w00t:




:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: Here we go again with the nonsense

[jason85atc250r]

i seen in the 3rd pick it says about it having a Finish Line axle. i have 2 of them for my 85 250r they are + 4's. they look exactly like a stock one but wider. i heard they were the best ones back in the day from a guy that used to race pro class on a 200x.

i cant wait to see better pics of the trike and quad.

[Eric250R]

WOW, I can't believe you found one of those...much less 2 awesome score :beer :w00t:

[jason85atc250r]

the one came with a parts trike i got down in Virginia Beach about 8 years ago. i was helping a guy with a tree service clean up after hurricane Ivan. ithink that was the name. it was part of my payment.

the 1st one i got from burgards cycles back when he parted out trikes and quads about 10 years ago

[Bigbore]

I'm leaving Saturday morning to go and get the 2 Franks machines.:D I'll be back sometime Tuesday.

And yes the 3 wheeler has a motor. The guy is rebuilding it and will have it done by tomorrow, but not in the machine.

[SYKO]

not to be a moron but what size rotax is in the quad??

[hazard]

i wish i understood the rotary valve bit.

[ATC-Eric]

Such unique machines! Good for you BigBore

[Orangecnty250r]

They are real sweet ....go get em!!!!!!!

[BigGreenMachine]

Its a 250cc from what I understand.

[Bigbore]

Both motors are 250's. The guy that owned them was running a 350 crank with a spacer set up for the rotax, making it 340cc. I get all of that with the machines.

[Black86tri-z]

when are you picking them up and what are your plans for the trike and the quad?are you going to restore them and look at them or take them for the occasional ride?

[Bigbore]

The trike will get a full restore. Based on the condition and completeness of the machine there won't be alot of work. Whats a machine worth having if you don't start them up and put a little time on them?

The quad? I'm not sure what I'll do with it. It might go into the garage or it might be for sale. I'll know a little more after I get them home.

[greenhuman]

I have not read all the posts. Has anybody mentioned Calvin Franks is an Australian?

[Bryan Raffa]

I knew that.. thats why he uses the kangaroo on his bikes!:D

[team-red-rider]

hey then aussie should DEFFINATLY be making parts for the franks trike lol

[Bigbore]

I'm back! I drove 2,600 miles total to get there and back.

I got both machines and a lot of extra parts; Maxx Trax 250R drag axle (new), a Maxx Trax 250R +6" alxe (new), 3 sets of Maier 250R low-pro fenders for the Franks, An extra bottom end for the Rotax thats in the Franks, 4 sets of tires, an extra set of Maxx Trax hubs, A bunch of aluminum wheels, 2 adjustable Motoplats and to non-adjustable Motoplats, Lectron Carbs with needles, Maintence Manuals, 2 sets of complete engine gasket sets, 4 boxes of parts ond other stuff (parts for the 3 wheeler to quad conversion), paper work, and articals on the trike.

There were only 4 made with this Rotax motor, the one that was converted into the 4 wheeler was the first one and the trike was the last one. Neary has one and there is one other floating around ( someone here claimed they owned one?)

The guy that was working the deal under me, should have completed the deal... it was worth it!:D

Of course the THAT guy says that he has a Cagiva 500 trike from Tricky Dicks... I know of only one that was built for open class racing, and he doesn't have it.

I'll get some photo's up soon

[ATC-Eric]

Good for you Bigbore :beer

[BigGreenMachine]

Sounds like you scored again man. Congrats!

[Black86tri-z]

Pic's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!

[kaseobeer2585]

wow, very cool and informative post here! congrats on what sounds to be an awesome deal on some very rare machines!

[BigGreenMachine]

I think you should make the quad a rider!

[Orangecnty250r]

WOW that was some trip!!!! Congrats

[iowarotax]

Bigbore, When you get time, would you explain a little about how that Rotax engine accepts the carb on the side. Is there a custom intake going into the rotary valve or is it a factory piece? Pics would be great of that area.

[Bigbore]

Bigbore, When you get time, would you explain a little about how that Rotax engine accepts the carb on the side. Is there a custom intake going into the rotary valve or is it a factory piece? Pics would be great of that area.

The stock inlet is in the case (case inducted motor) in the rear and it's pulled to the left side under the side cover then into the ports. What Franks did was to machine the side cover to accept a custom machined manifold where the carb would mount. Then he removed the ducting and plugged the stock carb inlet. Sounds like a lot and you would ask why? By moving the carb to the side it created nearly a straight shot into the ports and also increased the size of the inlet port by 50&#37;. To give you an idea, it’s using a Lectron carb with an 81 needle. When the guy that had them before said that a tank of fuel in would last him about 15 minutes per moto. Mind you the tank is a '81 250R tank.

I rode the four wheeler and it screams! A lot faster that any modified 250R. It's a 6 speed and it went through the gears quick. The motor makes the front end come up in 1-3 gear and make 4th feel real light. The acceleration on that motor in crazy, there no flywheel or counter balancer to slow the motor down. It’s almost all from mid to top end.

The one thing I can say is that the motor is so simple. There aren't any gaskets. Everything is sealed with O-rings. There are both a new 250 and a 350 crank with the trike motor the only thing that you have to do to the motor to go from a 250 to a 350 is change the crank and put a space under the cylinder. The guy that had them said that the 350 crank make a huge difference in power! Like the motor already wasn't fast. The 250 motors are a short stoke / large bore and when the 350 crank is installed it evens the bore to stoke out a little better. Said to have a lot more torque than the 250 motor.

Here are some photo's of the guy that used to own them, his name is Robin Riedel. The guy has more trophies than anyone I have ever seen before. He holds several National and State Championship for flat track racing. He used to run with Neary, even ran Neary's Nicholson 500. He knows Kalvin Franks well. He and I have talked a lot and he's become a friend. Here are some photo's from a long time ago; The photo of the white '81 250R was taken in late '81 and was the first water pumper to run in a race. The motor is an '82 CR 250 motor, before they came out. He still has the '81 hanging is his garage! The other photo's are of him racing. If you look at some of the other photo's you'll see a '85 250R, Frank's framed 125 KX, you'll see MY Franks 250 and another 250R. In that same page you'll see the Frank's Rotax with the custom nerf bars runnig a Tecate into the gound.

[Billy Golightly]

Awesome pictures BigBore....I can't believe the size of the tires them guys are running, I thought my 16's were tiny, sheesh!

[ATC-Eric]

Those tires make me laugh! So awesome :beer :w00t:

[DixiePlowboy]

Looks to me like the nerfs on the white 34 have a dual purpose as it looks to me that the nerf is in contact with the track beside the Tecate.

If it was intentional, as it appears to me to be, that was some cool thinking.

Also, I absolutely love the KX machine! I'm currently thinking of building an 80 or a 125 out of a mid to late 80's KX as my next project.

[Tecate250]

Sweet finds. Makes me feel silly about owning a rare tecate.lol I think they look rad. Id love to own one. And mabey rotax will follow up there can am line with 2 strokes and dirt bikes.

[icp4life162005]

it also looks like the left side tire is off the ground, so in a sense there almost like training wheels. They racing trikes are so small looking, like they are for little kids. The7y are very nice trikes though, are one of them yours? That rotax setup sounds sweet, whats the top estimated speed of them?

[iowarotax]

I found this today. Dual carb setup on the Rotax engine. Its on a Can-Am road bike. I didnt know if I should post it on this thread or not. I figured it went with the rare Calvin trike. Anyone ever seen this setup before?

[Billy Golightly]

Well now thats a different design.

Rotary valve crankcase port with a carb.
and
Piston port intake directly on cylinder wll with a carb.

[Orangecnty250r]

I found this today. Dual carb setup on the Rotax engine. Its on a Can-Am road bike. I didnt know if I should post it on this thread or not. I figured it went with the rare Calvin trike. Anyone ever seen this setup before?

Bob, you have been stumbling across some very nice stuff :beer Bigbore be very proud of what you purchased and those pics are sweeeeeeet!!!!!!

[iowarotax]

No, I wish I owned that engine. Its on ebay. Sorry about the confusion. I just thought it was pretty cool and somewhat related to the unusual franks engine.

[dizasterzrfun69]

very very nice. I think i'd poop a little bit if i came accross one of those old racers like in those pics. :drool:

[Bigbore]

I was able to track down the original front end from the Franks 3 wheeler that was converted to the four wheeler. The front end was sold off a while back, the buyer wanted the Simons forks for a road race bike. He still had all of the pieces in a box. I got the frontend, minus the forks, for $150. Thats the machined triples, stem, bar mounts, brake bracket, caliper, rotoe, hub, axle, rim and tire. The guy that had the parts said he's not sure if he's going to use the forks or not... If he doesn't he said he'll give me a call.

[Billy Golightly]

Awesome! So are you considering converting the quad back to a trike or just rounding the parts up "incase"? :D

[Jez]

There's a really good article on Kelvin Franks in Issue 13 of VMX Magazine. You can get the back issues on eBay if you're interested. If you've never read or heard of VMX Magazine, it covers vintage motorcross and dirtbikes up to the mid 80's. I personally think it's a great mag. Good articles and an all round quality publication. A catalogue full of ads and biased articles (a.k.a today's Dirtwheels) it certainly ain't.

Cheers,
Jez

[Tecate250]

Has anyone ever tried to make a air cooled motor liquid cooled like the franks? The perculating system? I have a spare 83 250r cylinder that I might...

[Psychotrike9]

Reading this poast made me think. I was talking to mu uncle today and he used to race motorcycles a long time ago. He told me befor they had waterpumpers to move the water that people had the idea that the tempature of the water would make it circulate. Do you guys have any idea what im talking about? And also is this what they tryed on these trikes?

[Twilight]

Thats what my FL350r has. The heat of the water circulated the water in head and passes it thru the radiator. My FL350 has never gone over 300 degrees and thats after hours upon hours of riding... most people think its setup wrong... but well.. ive gone for 5 hour rides and its still cool =)

[OZQUAD44]

As the coolant gets hot, the hot water rises to the highest part of the system, out the top of the head and into the top of the radiator. Once the water is in the radiator it get a chance to cool down, so this relatively cool water falls to the bottom of the radiator, where it can then enter the motor again through a inlet pipe near the bottom of the barrel. This whole process causes the water to flow around the engine, thus cooling the motor.

This system works fine in an engine that is designed for it and is better than air cooling. However, it requires a larger capacity radiator, does not regulate temperature as accuratly as a system with a pump fitted, and is not as efficient as a pump system. Its just older technology, thats not to say it doesn't work well. It has just been superseded by more modern/better systems.

[Bigbore]

Has anyone ever tried to make a air cooled motor liquid cooled like the franks? The perculating system? I have a spare 83 250r cylinder that I might...

DG did. It was a replacement head design. The head was water cooled sitting on a stock air cooled cylinder. Keeps the head +/- 70 degrees cooler than a DG readial head. The cylinder is still air cooled.
I just bought a complete system from a guy here for $200. They're not easy to find but they're out there.

[Black86tri-z]

any thing new pics of it?

[Bigbore]

Up on the shelf. I'm tring to get other projects done that were started before I got the Frank's.

[Tecate250]

Any new updates with this? I am curious to see close up pis of the engine and rad system.

[Bigbore]

I'm still doing a lot of stuff in the shop right now. I'll try and get it down off of the shelf and get you guys some good pic's.

[tri-Z ripper]

very interesting any updates?

[NOS_350X]

What are you doing with the quad?

[Orangecnty250r]

What are you doing with the quad?

I would love a Franks to finish off the "rare" part of the collection....I have been working on the Cagiva all week and its getting me in the mood for a Franks to arrive at my door. Bigbore has the most varied rare colllection I know of ..Tiger, Nicholson, Cagiva, and Franks......this is to you:beer and here is another one if you sell me one of your Franks:beer

[Bigbore]

I would love a Franks to finish off the "rare" part of the collection....I have been working on the Cagiva all week and its getting me in the mood for a Franks to arrive at my door. Bigbore has the most varied rare colllection I know of ..Tiger, Nickolson, Cagiva, and Franks......this is to you:beer and here is another one if you sell me one of your Franks:beer

Mine might be varied, but not the best collection:naughty:

The Franks Quad will be for sale in the next few months.:beer

[Orangecnty250r]

:eek: :eek: Now thats a Teaser with a capital T :D :D

[the tecate kid]

;) Hey Hey O.C! I called dibs on the quad months ago! l.o.l.

[Orangecnty250r]

No dibs in love, war, or a Franks :lol: :lol:

[the tecate kid]

:beer If you need to unload that Super-4 first in order to make room for that Franks, let me know.:beer

[Tecate250]

Any pics of the water cooled head for the atc 250r?

[Bigbore]

Any pics of the water cooled head for the atc 250r?


Which one? The DG kit for the air cooled R? I've got it but the motors out of the '83R while I was fitting the 480 into it.



Thanks BRB.

[Tecate250]

Yeah. The honda head.

[Tecate250]

Any luck with that liquid cooled air fooler head?

[thestud25]

Did this thread die? Any new updates? I would love to see some more pics! Did the Quad sell? If not how much?

[taz]

these are cool bikes i have been throwing around the idea of taking a can-am air cooled bike and modifing it in to a 3 wheeler.but i may have tracked down what is supose to be a tiger 500 and i have seen a pic of it. and it looks like it is missing the hole top end