Deano’s Ultra-Fast Honda

• Larry Lawrence

I’m scanning film from a WERA race at Roebling Road in March of 1986 and I came across some images of Dean Swims on his Honda Superbike. One of the most vivid racing memories I have is watching in amazement Deano flying down Road Atlanta’s back straight at what seemed impossible speed. I was afraid other riders would be blown off the track in his wake.

Dean Swims and his Honda CB900F Superbike leads Thomas Stevens (I think) at Roebling Road.

Dean Swims and his Honda CB900F Superbike leads Thomas Stevens (I think) at Roebling Road. (Larry Lawrence photo)

I don’t know who built Dean’s Honda, but I do know that it was probably the fastest motorcycle in WERA racing of the mid-1980s (with the possible exception of Boonie Knott’s Suzuki GP bike).

Most riders might be intimidated with such a beast of a bike, but Dean was a big, strong guy who literally imposed his will on the CBF. Dean would never be called a smooth rider, but he bulldogged this bike around the track, arms and legs thrashing around. He was fun to watch.

Deano Swims (Larry Lawrence photo)

Deano Swims (Larry Lawrence photo)

I think Dean won a WERA National title or two on this Honda. It was a trick, beautiful machine. In these days of cookie-cutter sport bikes, Dean’s Honda reminds me of the time when Superbikes had personality. His Honda’s attitude was bad-ass.

I wonder where the bike is today?

14 thoughts on “Deano’s Ultra-Fast Honda”

  1. Thanks for remembering me!!!There is an old saying that applies to that time in my life and that is……”The older I get…the faster I was” hahaha!!! I loved those times in my life more than anything since………. My beloved “Battle axe” (CB1100F) as I refer to her as….is still around!!! My friend Ervin Kollek (Cumming Ga.) bought her from me in 2006 when I moved from Atlanta to Chattanooga.Part of the deal for him to get her from me in his collection of bikes was for him (Ervin) to resurrect her from the dead and ….to once again re-unite me with her ……at a WERA Vintage event some wonderful day in the future!!! I will surely shed a tear or two when that day comes!! I take Ervin for a man of his word so stay tuned………..maybe I will once again ride my beloved “Battle Axe” at Road Atlanta in a Vintage race and kick some “A” like I did back in the day!!! Who know’s ….maybe Vic Fasola (the Victor difference) or Larry(“Motorman”)Brown will be interested in participating!!! hahaha!…after all…those were the guy’s responsible for me going fast and making it look easy!!!

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  3. Larry as Deano mentioned I have the bike and its pretty much in original form as shown in your pics albeit non-running from sitting for sometime. Its in excellent condition with minimal deterioration , it even has the slicks mounted that I believe were used at Daytona during that period! Indeed I have the intention of getting her back on the track and hopefully reuniting the “Battle Axe” with Deano. Unfortunately as with many things in life, too much work and not enough time has prevented me from completing this endeavor. Hopefully I can focus my attention to it soon.

    Deano is undoubtedly one of the fastest people I have come across. Even riding on the street he possesses an ability that I could only dream of having even after riding for over 30yrs!

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  4. Wow, glad to hear the Deano’s old Superbike is still around. Do they have a class for monster machines in Vintage racing? That would be fun to see Dean on the bike again. Let me know if it ever happens. I’ll have to do a story on the reunion.

    Larry

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  5. Hi Larry!This site is great!My friend Deano gave me a heads up on your site here so Thanks Deano!He would probably like me to give some history of the Battle Axe as I remembered it so here I go.
    I first met Deano in the summer of ’85 when needing some help with retaining his #1 plate with the Axe in Unlimited Superbike and F1 with WERA.Vic Fasola had built and tuned this bike to championships in prior years and wanted to do the best I could for him as we became instant friends.Please note I had no previous experience in motorcycle road racing prior to meeting Deano and this bike as I had been under apprenticeship with Ron Martin(Cycle Performance Unlimited)learning make horsepower with dragbikes and top fuel dragsters and funny cars.
    So with Deano a new era started with me and I formed Cycle Performance Racing and off we went but at our first race with the bike(no mods done and raced as Vic had set up)we went out and suffered an cam chain failure so back to the shop to see the damage,head was lost due to the bent valves….
    Ron Martin ported and prepared a new head(the old one was just a cleaned up head,nice but close to stock)and I went thru the bottom end to replace cam chain and re-ring the Ontario Mototech piston rings.With the head complete I place the head on paying attention to squish and cam timing as I had ideas here and it worked as Deano went right out and declared it had never been as fast and its dominance in WERA claiming 2 more #1’s in the finals @Road A that fall.I am sure that many competing in the classes that this Superbike was ridden dominate fashion by such a rider like Deano was feared and honored by those rode against it in races during this period.This bike was was winning till an ignition failure and is in the same condition from that day till Ervin received it,slicks and all!
    Deano and I are still best of friends today and because of his ability as a racer has given me memories that last today and a friendship of a lifetime!
    Many more racing friendships evolved from our history together that has lasted for years….here is a small list I feel privileged to know and have helped to championships….
    Mike Harth
    Ron Ewerth
    Donnie Rowe
    Mitch Swims(Deano’s brother,yes he was fast too!)
    Revin Kevin Rentzell
    Steve Nardiello
    Troy Sorenson …and many more

    …and Thankyou Deano for searching me out years ago and being my friend and supporter for all these years as without you doing so my life would be so much more boring without your friendship and the memories you have brought me……

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  6. Wow Motorman, that’s an impressive list of riders who worked with. The only one I don’t remember well is Mitch.

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  7. In what was only my second ever race, I will never forget 2 things on that cold Saturday morning in March 1986 at Roebling Road… Stepping off as soon as I touched the brakes going into turn one at a little over 200mph (maybe not quite)…and having my eyeballs sucked out their sockets when Deano came past me on the outside of turn 9 on that “Old-dude’s” bike…. An absolutely humbling experience!
    Then afterwards, seeing this “God” take off his helmet and greet me with the most genuine smile…and kind words…. priceless memories!
    Gordon Deltenre
    WERA #24

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  8. The Battleaxe is now in the care of Chris Birkle of Racing Sport Services located opposite Road Atlanta. I’ve known Chris since the early 90’s and his expertise is significant. He also worked with Deano some years back at Roswell Fun Machines and so with his business focus in building vintage race bikes it seemed fitting to have Chris rebuild the Axe. The bike has already been stripped down and undergoing a complete engine rebuild with improvements in mind. New technology will be employed where it makes sense. Some parts are proving difficult to obtain such as the exhaust. Deano has contacted Bassani with the hopes that they can replicate the Black 4:1 as it ensures that the Axe maintains its uniqueness. Next will be the chassis in particular the wheels and forks. The wheel size is an issue and so we are thinking of upgrading to 17″ wheels with Honda F3 setup. The biggest debate is whether to keep it period and having limitations on tire choices and suspension, or improve safety and performance by upgrading and having any tire choice at our disposal. These things will be decided in due course!

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    1. I’m gonna go ahead and reply to myself and say upon further review, I don’t think that 19 is Ledbetter…..he had a Dainese suit. Don’t know who else was running in the S/E in 86 on a black/red gixxer sportin’ 19 though….

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