Letters
LETTERS
PLANTING SEEDS
I owe a renewed interest in motorcycles to CYCLE WORLD. While in high school some ten years ago I rode a small HarleyDavidson, and after college and service worked my way into an Alfa-Romeo Spyder, which I loved dearly.
But the baby grew faster than the Alfa, so we traded for a Ford wagon. I took the “boot,” borrowed a little, and came home with a Yamaha YDS-2. A great bike! We enjoy it as much as the Alfa.
The point is, a seed of interest, renewed interest, was first planted when I casually purchased CYCLE WORLD along with my favorite sports-auto magazine in January ’63.
CHARLIE DOUGLAS Paducah, Kentucky
STARTING YOUNG
The enclosed picture of my two boys, Brad and Kevin, is evidence that CYCLE WORLD is thoroughly read around here.
Their dad has been a cycle fan for years. KENNETH J. RUSSELL Stillwater, Okla.
ART APPRECIATION
How about some space for people who draw motorcycles. I like cycles very well and I express my feelings by drawing them. I am 14 years old and I am going to purchase a lightweight soon. I try to draw the designs I like. I feel that such a column would be a great contribution to your readers.
Enclosed is one of my better drawings of a “sporty” lOOcc bike; it has a double overhead camshaft engine. I look forward to your magazine every month, I think it is the best.
LYLE PINKLE Y Berryville, Arkansas
NEW UNO-GUZZIS
We of Uno-Guzzi are sorry for the lack of recent publicity releases, we have been undergoing changes and expansion. UnoGuzzi is proud to announce that we have recently acquired a Japanese affiliate, Fuji-Guzzi, Ltd. This company is producing our new line of machines which we are introducing at this time.
Due to larger engines our new range has smaller wheels and appears to be more a scooter than a cycle. We assure Uno-Guzzi owners and enthusiasts that these new models retain all of the sporting characteristics which have made them a household word the world over. This expansion enables us to improve our already famous parts and repair service.
Basic model of our new line is the 350cc Guzzi-Goose, our answer to the Honda Hawk. This touring model includes as standard equipment a dual seat and passenger footrests, a fine airhorn, spare wheel and luggage rack, and, of course, a fine selection of instruments including; speedometer, tachometer, barometer, and thermometer. Finished in two-tone fire engine red and nausea green, the machine sports a 350cc, two-cylinder, overhead cam, slide valve, water injected, air-cooled engine. And, of course, Uno-Guzzi’s famous IV2 -speed gearbox. Price for the Goose, model G-38, is 4,735 yen, FOB, Hong Kong.
Racing version, model PU-2, GallopingGuzzi, has high exhaust pipes, racing megaphones, jet assisted take-off, racing fairing and ejection seat as standard equipment. This model has the same basic engine as the Goose except that it is of 500cc capacity. Finish on this machine is truly outstanding; two-tone metallic wild grape purple and sour grape green with passionate pink pin striping, except for ejection seat which is traditional black and the fairing which is canary yellow trimmed in purple.
The scourge of any track, the PU-2 costs 23,937 yen, FOB, Hong Kong. The man responsible for these beauties is Mr. Oscar J. Freen, who recently joined the UnoGuzzi staff from the Edsel Motor Car Company; he was also previously head designer for the Packard and Hudson companies. We are honored to have such a man working with us, and his presence on our staff assures us of future success.
Very shortly mini-bike fans will be introduced to our new Guzzi-Gnat, watch for it.
J. C. “WHISKERS” McGURK Uno-Guzzi Distributor for New Zealand, New Guinea, Pago-Pago and Beri-Beri.
SWIFTIES AND ELEPHANTS
I am enclosing a few swifties, and I have also put wheels under a few elephant jokes; “I have the hottest Vincent in these parts,” he said Rapidly; “I seem to have too many rollers in the race,” he said overbearingly; “The ignition is too far advanced,” he said timely; “That was the Rolls Royce of motorcycles,” he said Broughly. And; How can you tell if you have an elephant in your side car? You have to lean left on a right turn. How can you tell when an elephant is trying for a speed record on a mo-ped? By the spacing of the foot prints! How would you be able to tell if you ran into an elephant? Just listen for the tusk-tusk (of disgust). How do you tell if there is an elephant on your pillion seat? People give you a strange look when they pass.
I have but one complaint about your magazine; your argument that a classified section would cut into motorcycle dealer business. How do you expect people to find parts for their Uno-Guzzis? And find a dealer who sells Duo-Guzzis? What about the guy who wants to peddle his Silver B? I would like to see a classified section, but if you did what everyone wanted you wouldn’t have much of a magazine.
CHARLES COPEMAN
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
TOO LONG FOR A TITLE
Let me begin with a suggestion; why not change your title from CYCLE WORLD to “Small Limey Cycle (but only those that have stub handlebars) World.” The name “Cycle World” implies that your magazine gives a complete coverage of the world of motorcycles, which it does not.
You rave about the absurdity of ape hangers, yet you advocate the tiny extensions at the tip of the steering head called clip-on-bars. There is nothing so silly looking as to see a guy ride down the street looking like the hunch-back of Notre Dame (our caps. Ed.).
You say that high risers are dangerous and interfere with control but do you think you can get any leverage or control with those stubs? Let me challenge you to go to a major sporting event and I’ll guarantee you that 80 to 90% will be on Harley 74’s, yet you continue to stick your head in the sand like the proverbial ostrich and pretend these machines do not exist.
When you eliminate 80% Harley riders and 10% customs with ape hangers, I don’t see where you have many readers left.
DON PATTEE Poulan, Georgia
First of all, the title is too long. If you will take a careful look at all of the road
racing cycles, on pavement of course, you will note a targe number of clip-on bars. In Europe this is the only handlebar used on paved tracks. We find it difficult to believe that professional road racers, American and European, would choose a bar that did not give control. We suggest you try them as it is obvious you haven’t. Scrambles, TT’s, trials, trailing, etc., are something else.
We repeat what we have stated for almost two years; ape hangers are dangerous, stupid, limit control and are dreadfully uncomfortable (we have tried them). They should be illegal in all States and probably will be when the success of such a ban as exercised in California is realized.
AND ON THIS HAND . . .
The title of your magazine is “CYCLE WORLD,” and a wide, diversified world it is. I never realized how diversified it was until I began reading your magazine. The variety of articles from humor through technical to tips on traveling are of lasting interest. I have bought and read every single issue of your magazine and in my opinion the quality is tops.
90% of your critics are people taking a narrow viewpoint; it is all too easy to forget that there are other riders with ideas and interests different from your own and to criticize the whole magazine on the basis of one or two issues which may not cover your one particular interest in the cycle world. I never fail to learn quite a few things from each issue. Again, congratulations on the fine coverage of a rather large and growing larger cycle world.
GEORGE FOGERSON
Sunnyvale, Calif.
EVERYTHING IS RELATIVE
Sorry to say, I cancel out. Not interested! Your October issue like all others; first 16 pages ADVERTISING, then RACING! I HATE RACING! I like touring reports, especially on big road machines like the Harleys. Thousands are traveling now, but you show only Hondas, boy’s bikes. I cancel out Clymer’s news too, nothing but racing shown.
FRITZ SEHL Apple Valley, Calif.
Riding Harley 74FLH, a real power wagon! Safest — most comfortable. They must be pretty rough “boys.” Ed.
