Last summer, Kurt Blankemeyer of Design Cycle Inc., put together his prototype CB450R, a street legal version of a CRF450R MX bike. More than a few guys riding in the dirt have had the idea, “Hey, this thing would be a hoot on the street” and Kurt figured he’d do something about it and design a kit so anyone could give it a try.
Kurt has fully tested this prototype which works great but he’s come up with a few design changes for his next version and he put this one up for sale while getting to work on rev 2. Looks like it could be fun.
Link: CB450R – auction over
Matt S. says
Looks like it is fun,not COULD be fun,how much is he asking for it?
Tinman says
Fine Idea but that engine area is a mess. Just to many pipes and hoses on this water cooled engine to pull it off.
kneeslider says
This is the initial prototype so some improvements can certainly be made, he’s using a series of oil coolers instead of a radiator to help the looks but he admits it’s not a great idea in really hot environments. His next version should be better. It’s also an attempt to actually build one to see what works, he gets points for that.
PeteP says
Hopefully, the next version will look a lot better. Good concept, though.
rokster says
Yeah, lot of fun, but I have to agree that it could look a little bit better. Of course, like all custom bike builders, he ran out of money before he could finish the seat. Can someone please explain to me why the love affair with the seatless bike in the custom world? This irritating situation is also creeping into production bikes: Seats are getting lower and lower and thinner and thinner. Why? And please don’t tell me it is to enable short people to put their feet flat on the ground. So now all average people, not to mention tall ones, have to endure an uncomfortable ride?
AJ says
The sporty tank looks out of place needs a vintage motocrosser tank IMHO
todd says
The concept is great, the execution is not what’s important. I’m afraid there might be some challenges with the DMV if the bike is ever inspected. For one, it no longer has the original engine number that is shown on the VIN and, second, it’s an off-road only motor.
This has been one of my long-term goals; to build up a cafe kit and complete bikes using small trail bikes as the basis. I think the DRZ400 is a great place to start as is the Suzuki Savage that we’ve seen here before. All it takes is money and that always seems to be in short supply.
-todd
Mule says
I’m confused. Is it a Supermoto-cafe-chopper-Retro-overheating-street-dirtbike-with aircraft landing light and possible DMV nightmares-custom?
Mule says
What’s the frame from? I looked at the spec sheet but no mention of chassis.
Jeff Banks says
People have dual-sported them before, but I can’t imagine a CRF-R being all that great of a streetable motor. High performance dirt bikes tend to overheat (and shut down) if they have to idle for more than a couple of minutes, plus they have ultra-low oil capacity, have peaky engines that hate to be lugged, and vibrate like mad. I love riding my CRF, but they like to be run fast, not inch around in traffic.
Mark says
What would be really fun is applying this same concept to an XR650R.
PeteP says
Chassis is a modified CB400F frame. (From their orginal article.)
Street legality varies widely from state to state. I can do things here that would have me in jail in other states.
Dirt/trail riders have been living with this problem for decades. For some reason, a lot of states want to keep dirt bikes off the road, despite the short distances they travel.
As too the XR650R, it is a popular Supermotard conversion. I have even seen a few in California.
Jazz says
Ik like the idea and the looks.
The fun factor should be near a supermoto which is BIG, but with nice look.
I’d try a DR-Z400 engine, they can be modded to be quite powerful, low maintainance and reliable.
(brainwave)
That has been done before.. it’s called.. ehh..
Phoebe says
Definitely watching this auction.
Swagger says
Beats the shit out of cookie cutter “customs” any day.
55hp and 240lbs will make for loads of fun and this wouldn’t be meant for a all-day slog thru traffic bike. If that’s your market there’s lots more suitable. You want something for track day bashing, a dash thru the local canyons etc…this a great idea.
Just depends on your needs. Personally I can’t imagine riding a tracker like Mule’s around…..crap road suspension, bad tires for street traction etc. However if I lived somewhere there was lots of gravel roads and places that a tracker would suit, perhaps.
There’s a place for just about any kind of bike, including this “Supermoto-cafe-chopper-Retro-overheating-street-dirtbike”…. (I really wish there were emoticons to imply rolling of one’s eyes at pointless BS commentary)
BillyB says
Roland Sands has a ton of singles (race bike and street-style cafe racers) on his site. He’s been cranking them out ever since he did that spec class racer a couple years ago. His are finished a little nicer.
samM says
this bike is amazing best of both worlds, how much do you want for it? if not do you think you could make a conversion kit?