Post Sale Update: This ATK sold for a BIN of $7,500.
4-01-17 Update – This ATK is back up for sale, but this time it’s on eBay and the auction is ending soon.
Find it with bidding up to $3,750 and the reserve not yet met
ATK was founded by Horst Leitner, an Austrian motorcycle racer who came to the US in a quest to build his own bikes. In 1981, Leitner developed and patented what he called “Anti-Tension Kettenantrieb”, a device designed to eliminate chain torque. He took the acronym of that creation to name his new motorcycle company, which made a name for itself for creating some of the best 4-stroke dirt bikes you could buy.
ATK started by building kits powered by Honda XR engines, but they soon moved to using Rotax units. They initially used 562cc Rotax engines (and called the model the ATK 562). Later the model was called the 604 (but the engine was the same!) Other features included a nickel plated frame, stainless exhaust, 38mm flat slide Mikuni, a rear disc brake mounted on the countershaft, and of course the ATK device. If you want more information on this bike, check out this excellent history of the 604 from PulpMX, who call this the “Ferrari of eighties thumpers” – it’s well worth a read.
This example is on offer from the original owner, who ordered it from the factory with the optional head light, tail light, odometer kit, and chain guard support. The bike is claimed to be “essentially in showroom new condition” as it has less than 25 miles on it, has never seen dirt, and has always been stored inside. In the seller’s words, “every 3 years it has been started, ridden down the street, oil/filter changed, all vapors of gas removed from tank/carb, fogging oil put in cylinder, and put back into storage.” The sale includes some spare parts like oil filters, a decal set, seat cover, and rear brake pads, along with some marketing materials like brochures, banners, and a hat.
Find this immaculate ATK for sale here on Craigslist for $9,500 in Rochester, Minnesota (or here on the ATK Rider’s Forum with no asking price). Either way you find it, it’s quite a machine!
This bike-uriousity brought to you by Andy G!