Welcome to Framecrafters!

Framecrafters is a performance motorcycle fabrication shop located in northwest Illinois. Originally a design and fabrication shop for chassis only, Framecrafters has methodically expanded their focus to the entire motorcycle. While still specializing in frame and associated parts fabrication, Framecrafters also offers their expertise of building, converting, and restoring motorcycles to their customers. Randy, Justin, and Karsten are life long motorcycle enthusiasts who ride and race. Street, trail, track, each type is viewed by Framecrafters as an important part of motorcycling that should be fun and exhilirating. From building a ground up racer to resuscitating your old street bike, Framecrafters is proud to offer their services to help realize your vision.

Featured Projects

Buell XB StreetTracker

This frame shares many of the same characteristics as our Buell Dirt-Track version. This ST model is built from 1 3\8 tubing, utilizes a stiffer rear motor mount and swing-arm. It also carries a 3.75 gallon fuel tank for reasonable distance on the road. In addition to the frame FC also fabricated the alloy fuel and oil tank. A combination of FC and Buell rear-sets offers an adjustable custom fit with mostly stock parts. This particular frame is heading to Jeff Loffert of Alaska. It will be fitted with an EFI XB motor, wheels and suspension.

Kawasaki 636 X6ST

This Trellis style frame was designed for stunt rider Bennie Sims. With some common problems found in stock sport frames, FC was able to design a frame that could provide a more usable set-up for stunt riding or the perfect streetfighter. With particular attention paid to rigidity and strength this frame is considered nearly unbreakable. With purpose designed motor-mounts and suspension mounts this frame now translates axial loads directly into the frame instead of through a suspended motor mount. This frame also incorporates an adjustable swing-arm pivot and a alternate sub-frame mount to dial in static set-up. The goose neck style front frame tubes at the steering head allow for 24deg additional lock to lock movement. Utilizing taper-roller bearings in the steering head the front forks can transmit greater loads with better feed back and durability. A unique frame design for those looking to build the ultimate stunt or street-fighter machine.This particular frame uses the 1st generation Kawasaki 636 engine and 2nd generation bolt-on components. Available for most inline 4's and parallel twins. FIRST RIDE REVIEW----------------- Bennie Sims commented directly on the ease and the quickness in which the X6ST lifts the front end. He also noticed a more centralized\narrow overall feeling. Charlie Ross, winner of the 2010 "King of the South" stunt contest, commented directly on the super-quick and accurate steering and the effortless drifting capability. FUTURE DEVELOPMENT---------------- FC intends to fabricate a tubular chrmoloy sub-frame and fit a set of FC's fully adjustable triple clamps to provide even more rigidity and more static setup adjustment.

Norton 750 RR neo-spaceframe

In 1974 the popular Norton F750 was fitted with a, new at the time, trellis style frame denoted the "Space-frame". This was not a big improvement over the exotic monocoque the team had been running for the past 2 years, in fact, Peter Williams turned almost identical lap times on both set-ups. However, the space-frame made life easier for those having to service the Norton at the track. This Norton chassis fabricate by FC, for RJ Reynolds, is a simplified version of the 74' space-frame while incorporating a few Seeley principals and utilizing a modern isolastic system. This frame uses less tubing than the original space-frame, making for a simpler design and fabrication process. The lower side rail is a direct connection from the steering head down to the swing-arm pivot similar to the Seeley MK3 chassis. Modern isolastics from the Buell XB series has been fitted behind and above the gear-box attached to FC's billet engine plates. An additional iso is found at the head-steady and a one-off front sub-frame picks-up the 3rd mount. This frame will be fitted with a Norton 750 commando engine built to road race specs. It will use 38mm Marzzochi front forks fitted to FC's adjustable triple clamps up front and Ohlins on the rear. RJ has located copies of the original 5-spoke cast wheels, and finish it off with a JPN full fairing and seat.

What's New?

Team FC will be racing at the 2010 Road America Vintage Motorcycle Classic.
Framecrafters will be on site June 11th, 12th and 13th racing its tried and true Yamaha RD400 and its new stable mate a Yamaha YZF450 in Motard trim. FC is always willing to help other racers and discuss potential projects after racing\practice commences for the day. So stop by and see us......
FC is currently developing 2 new chassis's for 2010
The first is a trellis style stunt frame for modern 600cc fours. With the sponsorship of up and coming stunt rider Bennie Sims this new chassis will help him succeed even further this season. The 2nd development is a mini-trellis chassis for the single cylinder 450mx engines. This is a design to help bring these popular engines into the fore-front of modern GP racing. While the OEM frames of these popular bikes makes a great Motard or MX set-up they simply lack proper frame geometry in the road-race department. Keep an eye out for more updates over the next few months.
Team FCR wins at Daytona International Speedway on March 1st 2010.
Karsten Illg won the Formula 500 race with FCs special framed Yamaha RD400. With a few other high level contenders FC came out on top. FCs RD400 ran the fastest top speed and lap times in race #7 that also included F750 bikes too...... one darn fast 2-stroke. Our TZ250 placed 2nd both days only to be out-done by none other than Thomas Fournier and his super trick 05' TZ250. On lap 3 of day one, we closed the gap significantly in the infield in hopes of making it 2 wins for the day. Unfortunately a nice move in the infeild didnt add up to a whole lot by the time we were on the banking. However, it sure looked good and we kept our head down to finish 2nd. A mechanical failure left the RD400 sidelined for day 2 in the F500 race. As usual Daytona will damn you or bless you, seems we got a little of both this year
Team FCR will be racing at Daytona Raceway
Team FCR will be racing at Daytona Raceway FL, March 1st & 2nd and Roebling Road GA, February 25th & 26th with AHRMA to kick off the 2010 season.
FCR Bike for sale
FCR's 2006 and 2008 championship winning Yamaha TZ250 is officially for sale, see bike lot for more info
Framecrafters celebrating 20 years. 20% off New Frames Promo!.
Framecrafters is celebrating its 20th year of frame building in 2009. We would like to thank all our customers for their continued support for our products and services. To show our appreciation FC is offering 20% off Trackmaster, Champion, HL 500, and Seeley type frames if ordered before Nov. 30, 2009. Frame kit include; chrome-moly frame w/round section swing arm, engine/seat/tank mounts. $2600.00 frame kits now reduced to $2080. HL500 was $3600.00 now reduced to just $2880. Options available including complete rolling chassis. Orders or questions please contact Randy or Karsten.
Framecrafters takes 5 wins at AHRMA's VIR national roadrace.
Aug 17thKarsten, took wins both days on his RD400 in Formula 500 and one win on day 2 with the TZ250 in BOT Open 2-Stroke. Brian Wagner, a FC support racer, won Historic Production Lightweight both days on his WBR Honda CB450. Brian will be leaving the production class next year and contend the Vintage SuperBike Heavy class.