Parker's Kawasaki framed

From John Parker

Former Canadian flat track number one plate holder John Parker is very busy in the JPR (John Parker Racing) shop getting ready to install the Kawasaki KX 450F motor in a brand new J&M frame.

“It’s not very pretty right now. Mike Owens ships the frame to us unfinished. We have some modifications to make to suit ourselves and then we’ll get it plated. It’ll be a real showpiece when we’re finished with it,” Parker said.

Parker has had sponsorship through Inglis Cycle Center in London for the past two years but going into his third year on the green bikes he has had his budget increased from Canadian Kawasaki Motors so that he might create a purpose-built dirt tracker.

“We’ve been campaigning the stock framed bike for the last two seasons and done well with it, (Parker finished second to Donald Taylor in Canada last year) but for this year Kawasaki has upped the ante and we’re going to up the pace,” he said.

Claude Gagne, National Sales Manager of CKM, a former flat tracker and keen fan gave the news to Parker in early December and John immediately placed an order for a new frame.

“I’ve kept track of John before this but since he’s on one of our bikes I’ve been paying special attention to his progress,” said Gagne. “We’re very happy to have John riding for us. He’s not only a great racer but he’s also an excellent development source for our bikes. He’s also good for business in that he’s an excellent spokesperson for Kawasaki and for the sport of dirt track. A lot of young riders look up to him and hopefully we’ll have more Kawasakis in Canadian dirt track as a result.”

Look for a full feature on Parker in the April issue of Inside Motorcycles.