T.C. CHRISTENSON - THE MAN & HIS MOTORCYCLE

In Cycle world's January 2005 issue Editor-In-Chief David Edwards
has a nice article on TC entitled "Hogslayer's last pass".

"Retired from regular competition in 1977 when Norton 
went belly-up, Hogslayer has spent most of the last 
quarter-century in a backroom at Sunset Motors, TC's small Kenosha, 
Wisconsin shop, taken out sparingly, which has only added to the 
bike's almost mythical status.

This is an important motorcycle, a bridge between drag racing's 
early amateur days and the professional sport it's become today. 

Ironically, it was a Triumph double that inspired the building 
of Hogslayer, namely Borris Murray's sanitary twin 650, first 
bike to clock a 170-mph terminal.

"I remember the first time I saw Borris run", says Christenson. 
"He pulls up to the line and everybody runs to the fences to watch. 
Away he goes, all smoke and noise and haulin' ass and wheelstanding, 
and I said, "That's for me!" On the spot TC made plans 
to retire his single-engine Norton.

Hogslayer's driveline was even more revolutionary. Standard 
operating procedure at the drags back then was to wing the 
revs at the line, drop the hammer and leave in a flurry of 
screeching and smoke, using high gear all the way. In effect, 
the spinning rear tire was the clutch, as stock plates were 
barely adequate for 50 horsepower, let alone Hogslayer's 
combined 300 bhp running on a witch's brew of 95 percent 
nitro, 2.5 percent methane and 2.5 propylene oxide.

Taking a cue from the car guys, Christenson built Hogslayer to 
handle an 8-inch M&H slick, twice as wide as the norm. 
Hooking horsepower to asphalt and doing away with wheelspin 
was a homemade slipper-type clutch using bronze-sintered 
plates taken from the brakes of a giant earthmover. 
A Rambler overdrive was carved up to give the Norton 
drag racing's first workable two speed transmission. 
In this trim Hogslayer ran in the mid-7s at 
180 mph and was almost unbeatable on consistency.

One impressed bystander was a high-schooler named Terry 
Vance, running his Honda 750 Four streetbike in the 
bracket classes at Lion's Dragstrip in Long beach 
when Christenson and Co. came to town.

"T.C. was the Don 'Big Daddy' Garlits of bike racing, 
part gunslinger, part rock star, ready to set the world 
on fire; he made a big impression me," says the multi-time 
champion whose Pro Stock Harley team is about 
to wrap up the 2004 NHRA title."


"Today, christenson is semi-retired and at the Texas rally 
announced that this would be Hogslayer's last stateside 
appearance. It's been sold to the Brits, and will be installed 
in time for the National Museum's re-opening ceremonies 
January 15th.

"Sure, I'm gonna miss it" Tc replied when I asked. 
"That bike has been the highlight 
of my life - every time I rode it, it was an awesome 
trip. But it's the coolest thing in the world that it's going 
to a museum. What better place?"

Legendary riders like Joe Smith, Carl Alhfeldt, Marion 
Owens, Joe Thronson and many, many more felt the sting 
of the Hogslayer often and repeatedly. While there were 
numerous double-engine configurations at the time, none 
were more dominating than the Hogslayer. 
TC was the most laid-back racer of his time and would 
nap in a beach chair between rounds while his crew 
prepared the bike. When it was time to hit the lanes, 
he would be awakened and handed his helmet and mirrored 
glasses. 

Then he would go out and tear through the competition.

Once the supercharged inline fours began to dominate 
the sport in the late 1970's he was relegated to running 
occasional Dragbike USA events and showing the bike at 
British Days around the country.

If I can get a qualified pit crew together I plan 
on bringing out the triple engine Norton constructed and 
run by Louisiana native Alan Mavor. 



Alan Movar on the Triple in the mid-70's.


I would like to take it to nostalgia events and 
reunion's to make some burnouts and soft passes for spectators 
who may have never seen or heard a motorcycle like it before.

The drag race game isn't over yet.  I plan on showing
the bike at races, rallies, and motorcycle events.

I also plan on specializing in rebuilding and
restoring Norton motors and high performance
motors and applications.

A Promotional package is available to help
support the building and maintaining of the Norton Triple Engine.
The package will have an autographed photo of TC and the Hogslayer,
a Hogslayer CD, a Sunset Motors T-shirt, and a handout.
This promotional package is $40 includes shipping and handling
and can be ordered from TC at Sunset Motors, 1403 52nd Street,
Kenosha, WI 53140 or by phone 262-657-5600.
Makes checks out to Sunset Motors, and include the
size of the shirt you would like.