HONDA 4X4X4X4
SCRATCH BUILT DRAG BIKE USING
PARTS FROM 4 MPC MAILBOX CHOPPER TRIKE KITS.
BUILT BY IRA DAHM (9/73)
1ST PLACE WINNER IN THE 1973
MPC NATIONAL CONTEST IN THE MOTORCYCLE CLASS IN SAN FRANCISCO, CA.!
2ND PLACE WINNER IN THE HOBBYTOWN
USA NATIONAL/ HOBBY OUTLOOK, "THE 2005 HOBBY EXCELLENCE READERS AWARDS",
TRUCKS & MOTORCYCLES CLASS!
FEATURED IN THE 2005 SCALE
AUTO "CONTEST CARS" MAGAZINE ON PAGE 60!
MORE COLOR PHOTOS BELOW!
The above Honda 4X4X4X4 ink drawing was done
for the Car Model Magazine (Jan.1974) monthly column called "Cycles
And Other Strangers". This was the introduction for a Honda 4X4X4X4
article, unfortunately Car Model Magazine went out of business before the
article was finished.
I just recently added more details, cleaned
and repaired the Honda 4X4X4X4 and took these photos of the 30 year old
model. There are over 350 parts including over 50 electric wires, gas lines
and cables that make up this model. Most of the parts are scratch built
or modified kit parts. Basic engine, frame and fork parts came from 4 MPC
Mail Box Chopper Kits, the front wheel and tire are from a Revell Bi-Plane
and the rear wheel, tire and brake are from the parts box.
The seat is made from file card and covered
with blue flannel. The fork brace is also made from file card. The cables,
gas and electric lines are all done with metallic thread. Kemtron plastic
bolt heads were used for detailing and a filament spring from a light bulb
was used for the brake pedal return spring. The frame is made up from modified
kit frame tubes, plastic and aluminum tubing. The gas tanks and gauges are
made from plastic tubing. The rear fender is sheet plastic. Straight pins
add detail to the heads and the cylinders were made from plastic sheet and
tubing and thick metallic thread. Fuel injectors are made from strip plastic
and flared exhaust pipe ends, that were drilled out. The Honda 4X4X4X4 frame
and rear fender are painted with Testor's Metalflake Red, the engines and
are a light blue and flat black with flat white exhaust pipes.
I started building my Honda 4X4X4X4 model
in the Spring of 1973. I designed the drag bike with 4 engines, to make
it as wild as possible. I never thought that anyone would actually build
a full size bike like this, until I got my copy of Cycle Magazine (Sept.
74). There on the cover was Russ Collins' 12 cylinder (3 Engined) Honda
full size drag bike! Turns out Russ Collins also started building his multi-engined
Honda in the Spring of 1973. His first "shake down run" broke
the Bowling Green, KY, drag strips record at over 160 MPH and under 9 seconds.
At that time, Russ had the Worlds Fastest Honda!
CAM-TRANS (a drag bike transporter), was
designed to showcase my Honda 4X4X4X4 Drag Bike.To see the Honda 4X4X4X4
in place on the CAM-TRANS, click on this DRAG BIKE
& HAULER link.
dahms@sonic.net
DAHM'S COPYRIGHT 2002
