Bike display at Casbolts Honda (ChCh) - NZ specials. (Now with pics)

**onearmedbandit** · 16th September 2023, 11:26

For the next 3 weeks Casbolts have a display of some iconic NZ specials in the showroom. They are also now open 7 days a week. Some of the creators of these bikes are in-store between 1-3pm today.

**Grumph** · 16th September 2023, 19:24

Went and looked. Met the builder of the double-ended wishbone bikes. Still haven't got an answer to "What were you trying to achieve"

Would have liked more info on the 500cc eight.

**onearmedbandit** · 16th September 2023, 19:39

Yeah I spoke to him for awhile. Seemed he just wanted to 'give something a go' to me. I didn't speak to Chris (the builder of the 500) on his bike but on other things but my mate spent a bit of time with him being shown little bits and pieces.

**Kickaha** · 16th September 2023, 20:09

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

I didn't speak to Chris (the builder of the 500) on his bike

Chris is a very clever guy and has been in teams that have won a 125GP championship (Dennis Charlett), a Drag race Championship (Trevor Tolhurst) and the 250 Superkart Championship (Nigel Sheppard)

I thought the board track bike might have been his as well as he built one from scratch

**onearmedbandit** · 16th September 2023, 20:25

Originally Posted by Kickaha

Chris is a very clever guy and has been in teams that have won a 125GP championship (Dennis Charlett), a Drag race Championship (Trevor Tolhurst) and the 250 Superkart Championship (Nigel Sheppard)

I thought the board track bike might have been his as well as he built one from scratch

Oh wow, thanks for the background info, he was such a quiet unassuming chap to talk with. Yes I think you are right re the board track bike, him and my friend went over to discuss it. I did ask him what motivated him to build it and he told me he had hoped that we would've seen bikes like this with the new at the time MotoGP rules for 4 strokes, and when no one did he decided he'd make one. Brilliant.

**Racing Dave** · 17th September 2023, 10:25

Originally Posted by Kickaha

Chris is a very clever guy and has been in teams that have won a 125GP championship (Dennis Charlett), a Drag race Championship (Trevor Tolhurst) and the 250 Superkart Championship (Nigel Sheppard)

I thought the board track bike might have been his as well as he built one from scratch

Yes, that's Chris's. I've ridden it on a trotting track; even with its modest power and very modest top speed, having no brakes is a really weird feeling. I'm away from home at the moment so don't have access to my photos.

Likewise the 500cc 8-cylinder. Dennis rode it at Ruapuna a couple of times during its development. First ever lap, knee down in the dipper. It's a pretty cool machine. The exhaust plumbing is my favourite part. Same comment applies regarding photos.