Resurrecting a Custom-Framed Honda CRF450 Flat-Track Bike. Long live the “Framer”
About 15 years ago, OEM-framed flat-trackers—better known as DTX bikes—began to gain momentum with both amateurs and professionals. Every season, more of these production-based machines showed up at tracks around the country and found their way to the podium.
The string of high-profile victories that AMA Superbike and eventual MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden put together on Honda CRF450R-based DTX bikes at places like Springfield and Peoria positively impacted interest in this class of motorcycles, as well.
From a build-simplicity standpoint, the DTX approach is great for riders looking to get involved in the sport for the first time. All you have to do is buy a 250 or 450cc motocross bike, cut down the front and rear suspension, add 19-inch wheels and tires, and you’re ready to start sliding.
In fact, flat track probably would not have gained as much international exposure as it has through MotoGP world champions like Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi if it were not for the convenience and effectiveness of using an OEM engine and frame.
“If we were racing motorcycles that looked like bikes you could buy at your local shop, maybe more factories would step up their support.”
That said, custom-framed flat trackers are the roots of the sport.
Plus, they’re some of the most beautiful motorcycles on the planet. In my opinion, there’s nothing more attractive than a show-quality bike that is actually built for competing at speeds of more than 100 mph on a dirt track.
When I turned professional in 2007, the majority of AMA riders had both custom-framed and OEM-framed singles.
It never hurt to have an option, depending on track conditions. Whereas DTX bikes worked really well on rough short tracks and TTs, framers seemed better suited to clay short tracks and slick half miles.
In 2009, AMA Pro Racing mandated use of OEM frames in single-cylinder classes. The idea behind this decision was to involve more manufacturers in the sport.
“Race on Sunday, sell on Monday,” right? If we were racing motorcycles that looked like bikes you could buy at your local shop, maybe more factories would step up their support.
Unlike in NASCAR, that concept didn’t take off quite as well in flat track as some thought it would—at least not yet. Bottom line, though, dozens of beautiful framers were sold, sidelined, or forgotten.
Nearly a decade later, the regulation still stands to this day in the current American Flat Track rulebook.
The C&J-framed Honda 450 that I last raced in 2008 sat in my basement for eight years. This past off-season, I swept the dust off and put it back together to race this season at select outlaw events.
Like I said above, it doesn’t hurt to have options, and nothing—I repeat, nothing—is more fun to ride than this beast right here.
