Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/1540850
34 Trail Rider www.TrailRider.com Vintage Feature Vintage Feature 1989 ATK 406 Ride Report 1989 ATK 406 Ride Report By Kurt Flachbart By Kurt Flachbart Well folks, we've finally found me to dive back into our ATK 406 project featured in the March issue with a proper ride report. This unique ride had been treated to a few upgrades that vastly improved this odd motorcycle. For those who've recently subscribed and might be unfamiliar to the ATK brand, here's a li le back story. ATK Motorcycles was founded by Horst Leitner, an Austrian-born engineer, Grand Prix motocross racer, and Interna onal Six Days Trials gold med- alist, following his move to the United States in 1980. In 1985, a er successfully paten ng a new motorcycle drive-tensioning system and market- ing custom-frame kit bikes designed to accept Honda XR350 engines, Leitner was approached by Austrian motorcycle and moped manufacturer Puch, which offered to fund a motorcycle com- pany based on Leitner's designs. Leitner named the new venture ATK a er his patented device to eliminate chain torque for improved handling. Known later as the A-Trak, Leitner coined the term An -Tension Ke enantrieb. German trans- la on: An -Tension Chain Drive. The "An -Tension Ke enantrieb" featured on ATK motorcycles was essen ally a unique chain tension- ing system. It is praised for its excep onal ability to minimize the impact of engine power on the rear suspension, providing a more consistent and con- trolled ride, most notably in rough terrain. Riders ap- preciated Leitner's design as it maintained trac on while preven ng wheel spin under hard accelera- on. Another oddity was the countersha -mounted rear disc brake assembly and forward-hinged brake pedal. Nega ves were that the system added com- plexity to maintenance and was a key factor in the brand's somewhat limited produc on run due to its unique design. Now, as with most of our vintage features, this bike was not a restora on, just a thorough refreshing of a low-use barn find. All chassis components were inspected, and most consumables, such as bearings, drive line, and suspension components, were re- built or replaced. Before diving into the project, we had it running, and fortunately, it ran ok and shi ed fine. The nega ves were that it ran pig-rich, and the clutch took a herculean pull to disengage.