J&M Honda CRF450

This is a beautiful example of the kind of bike that shone brightly for a handful of years, then nearly disappeared. The liquid-cooled framers followed the air-cooled classics like Wood Rotaxes, TT500s and others that are big on the classic and sportsman scene, as the short tracker of choice for the pros.
But when the AMA outlawed framers in favour of DTX-style bikes (450s with stock frames and altered stock suspension) in 2008/09, framer 450s were almost made extinct overnight. Almost, but not quite. There are races and classes the framers can compete in, but you have to be committed to build one when a DTX bike is relatively easy and cheap to build in comparison. Fortunately, for fans of these single-minded beasts, Rich Delak is committed.

This is Rich's J&M 450, just finished and not even raced yet. Thanks to Mike Bigalke, who was a big part of the inspiring Rancho Deluxe Olympiad scene that we featured in the current issue, Sideburn 22.

Below is the spec as supplied by the owner/builder.

 

MOTOR - 2014 HONDA CRF450R, 57.3 HP, 37.1 FT. LBS TORQUE
FRAME - J and M
TRIPLE CLAMPS – EME (JEFF ELLISON)
SUSPENSION/WHEELS - DURELLE RACING (PENSKE REAR SHOCK, R6 FORKS, BLACK SUN RIM, MAXXIS TIRES)
GAS TANK - FULL CIRCLE V-TWIN (STOCK FUEL PUMP INTEGRATED INTO CUSTOM ALUMINUM TANK)
SEAT - SADDLEMEN
CONTROLS/RADIATOR OVERFLOW - MOTION PRO
BRAKES - A and A RACING DISC, BREMBO CALIPER/MASTER CYLINDER
CHAIN – RENTHAL
TANK GRAPHICS – RICH DELAK/SCOTT BIGALKE DESIGNED, NICK JACKSON AND BLACK DIAMOND MX PRINTED
NUMBER PLATES – TIM HANDRICH (PRO PLATES)
TAIL SECTION – GOPHER GLASS
GRIPS - PROGRIP 788
CARBON FIBER HEAD COVER/CLUTCH COVER - JOLLY RACING, ITALY
EXHAUST – BILL BUILT (BILL BARRETT)
INTAKE – K and N
CARBON FIBER FORK COVERS - GRAND PRIX SPEEDWORKS (JAKE LATIMER)
BRAKE LINES – RUSSELL RENEGADE (SOME GUY ENTERPRISES)
DYNO TUNED - HI-PER SPORTS (MIKE OSOWSKI) > > LEVERS – ASV > > BARS – VORTEX 1-1/8" J MURPH