Post by framemaker on Dec 21, 2022 5:20:28 GMT 1
As mentioned in my intro, I found this forum while searching for other owners of 2-stroke Tigcraft bikes. I ran into AlanKelly's Tigcraft project and decided to join the forum. Here's some info my own Tigcraft project and some of the history of the bike (frame).
My understanding is that the frame was originally commissioned by Mad Biker Designs. I believe there is still a photo on the website. This is what the bike originally looked like with the Tigcraft sub-frame in place...
Tigcraft DP by andbike, on Flickr
I don't know any of the details, but my understanding is that there was some sort of disagreement and the project was halted. This is the photo taken from the MBD website when it went up for sale a few years ago. In this photo it appears to have a TZ (TZR?) gas tank and an RS125 tail...
Tigcraft RZ MBD by andbike, on Flickr
As the story would go, the bare frame was purchased by a 2-stroke enthusiast in Dubai (who also happens to own a Tigcraft RZ500). That new owner eventually abandoned the project and put the frame on eBay. However, it didn't sell. Around a year later a guy here in the San Francisco area was searching for a track bike project and came across the expired eBay listing. He contacted the seller and made arrangements to have the bare frame shipped to the US. That was approximately four years ago.
About two years ago I became aware of the bike and began a conversation with the new owner. He is about a two-hour drive from me so we talked about a visit and the possibility that I would be commissioned to finish the project. It still needed a proper sub-frame and mounting features for radiator and all body work.
Around the same time I had become friends with Dave Pearce (Tigcraft) through social media. Even though Dave was known to not get along well with other frame builders, he and I had a good appreciation for each other's work. I had started on an RZ350 based project of my own and was hoping to make the two-hour drive if for no other reason than to photograph our two bikes side by side. Dave would have flipped his shit! Unfortunately, that never happened and Dave passed away earlier this year. He will be greatly missed!
The new owner had gathered a Ducati 996 tank, Honda Fireblade tail and late model R1 fairing. This is how it looked...
Tigcraft DF.1 by andbike, on Flickr
Tigcraft DF by andbike, on Flickr
About a month ago the owner posted on FaceBook that he wanted to sell the project. I happened to see the posting and although I wasn't prepared to purchase another project, I had to have this bike! I finally made the 2-hour drive and came back with it.
Back home I finally fulfilled my whim to photograph both bikes together.
20221120_154520 by andbike, on Flickr
20221120_154142 by andbike, on Flickr
I am sad that Dave is not here to see these two bikes side by side, but I hope to honor his memory by finally completing his creation.
RIP Dave Pearce!
_____________________________________
The Tigcraft doesn't have pipes yet, however for giggles I mounted a set of BTR pipes I had made for my project. They almost fit!
20221120_152148 by andbike, on Flickr
I also don't care for the current bodywork so I am looking at tank and seat/tail options that will work well together. I like the RS125 tail, but this bike will be built for street use and I'd like a proper seat rather than foam wrapped onto a fiberglass shell. I'm also not crazy about the gold R6 forks so those will soon be swapped for a set with black anodize finish which should go well with the large black R6 swingarm. I'd be curious what others would suggest for bodywork?
Stay tuned as I'm just beginning this project!
My understanding is that the frame was originally commissioned by Mad Biker Designs. I believe there is still a photo on the website. This is what the bike originally looked like with the Tigcraft sub-frame in place...
Tigcraft DP by andbike, on FlickrI don't know any of the details, but my understanding is that there was some sort of disagreement and the project was halted. This is the photo taken from the MBD website when it went up for sale a few years ago. In this photo it appears to have a TZ (TZR?) gas tank and an RS125 tail...
Tigcraft RZ MBD by andbike, on FlickrAs the story would go, the bare frame was purchased by a 2-stroke enthusiast in Dubai (who also happens to own a Tigcraft RZ500). That new owner eventually abandoned the project and put the frame on eBay. However, it didn't sell. Around a year later a guy here in the San Francisco area was searching for a track bike project and came across the expired eBay listing. He contacted the seller and made arrangements to have the bare frame shipped to the US. That was approximately four years ago.
About two years ago I became aware of the bike and began a conversation with the new owner. He is about a two-hour drive from me so we talked about a visit and the possibility that I would be commissioned to finish the project. It still needed a proper sub-frame and mounting features for radiator and all body work.
Around the same time I had become friends with Dave Pearce (Tigcraft) through social media. Even though Dave was known to not get along well with other frame builders, he and I had a good appreciation for each other's work. I had started on an RZ350 based project of my own and was hoping to make the two-hour drive if for no other reason than to photograph our two bikes side by side. Dave would have flipped his shit! Unfortunately, that never happened and Dave passed away earlier this year. He will be greatly missed!
The new owner had gathered a Ducati 996 tank, Honda Fireblade tail and late model R1 fairing. This is how it looked...
Tigcraft DF.1 by andbike, on FlickrTigcraft DF by andbike, on FlickrAbout a month ago the owner posted on FaceBook that he wanted to sell the project. I happened to see the posting and although I wasn't prepared to purchase another project, I had to have this bike! I finally made the 2-hour drive and came back with it.
Back home I finally fulfilled my whim to photograph both bikes together.
20221120_154520 by andbike, on Flickr20221120_154142 by andbike, on FlickrI am sad that Dave is not here to see these two bikes side by side, but I hope to honor his memory by finally completing his creation.
RIP Dave Pearce!
_____________________________________
The Tigcraft doesn't have pipes yet, however for giggles I mounted a set of BTR pipes I had made for my project. They almost fit!
20221120_152148 by andbike, on FlickrI also don't care for the current bodywork so I am looking at tank and seat/tail options that will work well together. I like the RS125 tail, but this bike will be built for street use and I'd like a proper seat rather than foam wrapped onto a fiberglass shell. I'm also not crazy about the gold R6 forks so those will soon be swapped for a set with black anodize finish which should go well with the large black R6 swingarm. I'd be curious what others would suggest for bodywork?
Stay tuned as I'm just beginning this project!
