Several types of motorcycles can be called ‘trackers.’ The original is the board tracker, named after the machines that raced on board tracks in the USA in the 1910s and 1920s.
In the 1930s, as the board tracks faded away, flat track racers appeared: street bikes modified to race on dirt or clay ovals. Past icons include the Harley-Davidson XR-750, but others include flat trackers from BSA, Norton and Triumph. This style is still popular today, with interest spurred by an intense rivalry between Harley-Davidson and Indian.
Flat track motorcycles (or dirt trackers, as they are sometimes known) do not have front brakes, but the slimmed-down style has been copied by builders of ‘street tracker’ customs.
The Royal Enfield FT450 slides onto our screens in style this week, followed by a spicy BMW K100RS scrambler from Australia. Lastly, the special edition Vespa Officina 8 offers up oodles of Italian flavor.
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When Massimo Rinchiuso of Fuchs Workshop received a call from his good friend Niko Sorbo about a new project, it didn’t take much convincing to get him on board. Niko is a three-time French FFM flat track champion, holds gold and silver medals from the German Krowdrace series, and finished third in the Italian FMI…
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Taking on someone else’s motorcycle project is a gamble. Low prices can lull you into a false sense of security, especially when you’re motivated and capable—two qualities that Gas & Oil Bespoke Motorcycles have in abundance. Polished, high-end custom motorcycles are Gas & Oil’s usual fare, so this fantastically filthy Honda XL500 flat tracker is…
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The Taiwanese custom scene impresses yet again, with a handsome Hartford VR150 flat tracker from one of the workshops that wowed at the country’s Speed and Crafts show. We also have a rare Honda EZ-Snow snowmobile, a Jawa 350 scrambler, and a vintage Indian Sport Scout flat tracker that’s being auctioned off at Mecum.
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Even though custom Harleys are Winston Yeh’s bread and butter, his creativity extends far beyond just the Bar and Shield’s catalog. The…
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You can often tell when a custom motorcycle has been built merely to gawk at, and when it’s been built to be…
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Few motorcycles can claim the notoriety of the ill-fated Buell Blast. Propelled by half a Sportster engine and aimed at beginner riders,…
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Richard Pollock has an enviable problem: a full order book. Just last week, we featured a stunning Harley Sportster street tracker in…
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The new BMW F900GS has only just hit the scene, and VTR Customs has already got their grubby paws on it. Other…
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Even though the Harley-Davidson Evolution Sportster is no longer in production, it’s eons away from going extinct. There are plenty of second-hand…
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If there’s one man who knows how to eke every last bit of performance out of a flat tracker, it’s Richard Pollock.…
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The most unlikely custom motorcycle tops this week’s assortment of machines; a Ducati Indiana flat tracker. We also profile a Honda Transalp…
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