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 for 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 exhilarating. 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

Triumph 750 Triple S4RR

The machine that started it all for Framecrafters the 1970 Triumph 750 Trident. Inspired by Rob North and Colin Seeley, Randy Illg and said time partner Jim Carlson built frame #1 for his Triumph Triple road racer. Originally raced as a production bike from 1984-1988 it was then transformed into the "Red" Formula 750 machine in the winter of 88'-89'. Retired in 1993 having been raced to some regional titles the machine took a semi-permanent residency in a dusty corner of the shop. In 2005 Karsten Illg , Randy's 2nd son, took the initiative to bring it back to life. While making some revisions to the original frame design the machine slowly began its road to restoration. Eight slow years of rebuilding, refinishing, replacing parts and pieces the machine transformed. Not having been on a track in 20 years the FC #1 Triumph Triple (now blue) was successfully raced at the AHRMA Road America event in June 2013. Piloted by Karsten Illg in the Formula 750 class he managed a 2nd place.

FC FAT Featherbed Triton

Framecrafters FAT Featherbed is a new twist on an old classic. Modeled from an original Norton Featherbed Slimline frame FC has made a few improvements over the original design. The fitment of an additional tube from the steering head back to the mid-chassis cross tube significantly reinforces the steering head while providing a more secure location for mounting the top motor mount. The swingarm mounting point at the frame is now 1" wider on either side. This change allows the use of the Triumph Hinckley twin motors (shown in pictures)amongst other new choices. Additionally a 5" rim and wider tire can now be fit. As with most of FC's frame kits we can tailor each one to meet an individuals specific needs.

Yamaha Moto3-250

Framecrafters Yamaha powered Moto3 250 machine is built on FC's 2nd generation Bi-Metallic (BMGP\2) frame. Revised frame geometry and lightened billet swingarm carriers sets this chassis apart from the 2011 Prototype machine. A reinforced and shortened swingarm provides for better weight balance while contributing to mass-centralization goals. Adopting Honda RS125 wheels, suspension, brakes, controls and bodywork makes for an easy build. The RS125 radiator has also been fitted providing for 15% more cooling capacity over the prototype. The Yz250f motor has also been improved. Built in-house with the helpful guidance of Babe Demay and Chuck Palgren the carbureted motor makes nearly 20% more power over stock. The new changes make for a better handling and more powerful package at 180lbs. For 2014 this machine will be raced and managed by project partner and Yamaha snowmobile engineer Nick Blasel. A special thanks to project and race sponsors, Barnett Clutches, WEBCAM Racing Camshafts, R/D Valve Springs, Steingjager, XT Racing and Yoyo Dyne.

What's New?

September
Framecrafters busy frame building season is just around the corner. Individuals interested in having a new frame for the 2015 season will need to have them on order by the end of September.

Team FC and rider Karsten Illg are officially looking for a Triumph 675 ride for 2015. Full or partial sponsorship program available. For more info please email Karsten.

Team FC will be attending and racing at this year's AHRMA-Barber Vintage Festival. We will be racing our recently rebuilt FC framed Yamaha RD400, the Baily Aermacchi 250CRTT and our dominating Yamaha F450rr machines.

Nick Blasel and the FC framed Yamaha powered Moto3 machine will be contesting the SOS3 class. Additionally, Rex Wagner will be contesting the Motard class aboard the FC Yamaha Yz450f machine. If in attendance, be sure to stop by and say hello !
August
We had a very successful weekend of racing with VRRA at the Mosport-Canada event, posting a win in P3-lighweight and a 2nd in P4-Lighweight. Team FC and rider Karsten Illg made a clean sweep in the P3 class going unchallenged the entire weekend. The P4 class was a hard fought battle with Canadian Pro-Superbike riders Dan Henri and Louie Raffa. The entire race consisted of Illg and Henri swapping places nearly every lap and setting new class and personal best lap times. In the end Henri got the win with Illg and Raffa rounding out the podium. The entire writeup and pictures can be seen on our Facebook page, here.

As always, these things are not possible without the support of many companies and people. Thank you to Cycle-Craft Yamaha, AGV Helmets, Dainese, RaceTech Suspension, Steinjager, Baily Enterprises, Babe Demay Racing, YoyoDyne, Glass from The Past, Extreme Powersports, Barnett Clutches and special event (Mosport & Barber) sponsors; InternationalMiningServices.com (John Magyar), Tony Doukas Racing and DHJD Racing.

Check out our on-board videos here; Mosport Aug. 2014 P4 Lightweight Heat Race

Mosport Aug. 2014 P4 Lightweight Main Race

Nick Blasel and the Framecrafters Yamaha powered Moto3 machine contested the AHRMA-MIller event, taking 4th place both days of racing. See pictures and the review here.