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.

 

 

 

 

 

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 DAHM'S COPYRIGHT 2002