The early and mid-1970s were the pinnacle of the twin engine Top Fuel motorcycle. The bike that ruled the roost during that time was not a Harley powered contraption. Instead it was a Kenosha, Wisconsin based twin engined Norton that wore the awesome name, “The Hogslayer”. Legendary rider Tom Christenson and crew chief John Gregory dominated the competition with technology and mechanical advancements the competition had never even thought of before they rolled them out.
The motorcycle was equipped with two 750cc Norton engines that drank a 95% load of nitro with the rest being made up of equal parts methanol and propylene oxide. For a four year span in the early 1970s it was virtually untouchable and the reason for that was not just Norton horsepower. They were the first to run an eight inch drag slick behind their bike. They were the first to roll out a two and then three speed transmission on their machine and they were always experimenting and changing things which made them quicker and faster. Blown, single engine Japanese bikes started dominating the class in the later 1970s, but before they did, the Hogslayer was one of the most famous bikes in the world.
There’s been a documentary made about TC, John, and the Hogslayer. The nearly nine-minute trailer to the movie rules the school and is MADATORY viewing for any BS’er who loves racing history!
PRESS PLAY BELOW TO SEE NINE TOTALLY AWESOME MINUTES OF VINTAGE DRAG RACING GREATNESS!
It’s great to see motorcycle coverage on Bangshift. Keep it comin’!