History

Motorcycles used for Speedway Motorcycle Racing are unlike anything you will ever see on the streets. These motorcycles weigh a minimum of 170 lbs, have no transmission or shifting mechanism, no starter, and, most importantly, NO BRAKES. They do have a clutch which is used as a release mechanism at the start of the races. Also, to save weight, this particular motorcycle incorporates the frame as the oil tank. (Notice the filler cap on the frame next to the fuel tank filler.)

Racing on short oval dirt tracks, usually 1/10th to 1/th mile, in a series of 6 and 8 lap races, they accelerate like a Formula 1 car and for a split second they can hit speeds well in excess of 80 mph on these tiny tracks.

They are extremely popular in Australia, New Zealand, most of Europe as well as here in the US. However, their "heyday" in the US was probably the 1970's through the mid 1980's.