In the competitive world of custom bike building, the only rivalry that builder
Roger Goldammer can contemplate is competition with himself. Goldammer goes
beyond mechanical artist, incorporating highly technical engineering with
virtuoso talent, as displayed in his award-winning 2004 custom board tracker
motorcycle. Inspired by the golden era of “board track” racing, his rendition
pays homage to the riders and racers of the early 1900s, who risked it all for a
chance to run wide open on the “boards.” Patterned after bicycle velodromes,
motorcyclists raced on poorly maintained wooden tracks that were covered in oil
from the total-loss lubrication system of the engines. The clear and present
danger assured a capacity crowd as bikes thundered around the track without
headers, void of luxuries such as brakes, helmets and, often times, rules.
An
admirable tie to this colorful historical lineage, Goldammer’s blend of
nostalgic styling and the latest technology certainly embodies the essence of
yesteryear’s daredevil racers and the machines they rode.
 Goldammer BTR3, a tribute to the early board
trackers. (Click image to enlarge)
The BTR3 project
was set into motion with a healthy challenge amongst Goldammer and three other
cutting-edge, custom bike builders. Having more than his fill of fat-tire bikes,
the board track concept became an enticing project to Goldammer. And to contend
with his peers, the name BTR3 served as the appropriate moniker for the build.
As it has turned out (at least until now) the others still have not built their
bikes.Taking the basic parameters from the 1910s and ’20s, Goldammer
explains, “I wanted to capture the fundamental elements of the board track
racers, the distinctive loop of the frame, the bicycle-style seat and rear
section, exposed top frame rail, turn-down bars, large diameter wheels and
tires, etc. It was important to perfect the geometry so the bike could retain
the styling cues of the racers, yet actually be a functioning machine that can
and will be ridden.”
The goal was to create an aggressive stance with low,
sleek, modern aesthetics and to incorporate this into the spirit of the past.
Larger diameter wheels were of great importance, however the dimensions needed
were not an off-the-shelf size. Starting the build and in search of the tires,
prototype Vee Rubber 23-inch Monsters were finally located, and, as of this
writing, are just becoming accessible to others. Goldammer went international
for the rims and had them specially made in the United Kingdom for this
project.  To resemble the board tracker’s lack of suspension, meticulous
craftsmanship worked hard to ensure the frame on the BTR3 would be a “rigid,”
however there is more than at first appears to the look of the heavy wall DOM
tubing frame. Suspension is painstakingly concealed (it’s hard to imagine that a
full-size Progressive Suspension shock absorber lies hidden beneath the gas
tank), while added comfort is offered with the rear frame fork, which forms a
single tube that enters into the top tube of the frame. The swingarm design
creates the rigid illusion, however the fabricated suspension is one of many
details that convey the in-depth forethought that went into this venture. Within
the frame, a reservoir lies between the gas tank halves, where four liters of
oil are contained. Oil lines routed inside extend up to the top for
venting, while a return and an oil filler plug are installed in the backbone
above the gas tank. The fuel tank has two super-mated sides in an angular,
flat-side fashion to capture the look of the original board
trackers. (Click image to enlarge)
Succeeding at maintaining the board tracker’s traditional look,
Goldammer’s imagination, talent and artistic ability is superbly displayed in
the motor of this flashback to the past. The engine is an evolution-based bottom
end and billet twin-cam top end that is machined to resemble a shovel-head
design. Machined from solid billet aluminum, the barrels, heads and rocker
covers exhibit a high-tech impression, yet perfectly blend with the qualities of
this historical project.
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