Cycle Round Up
CYCLE ROUND UP
JOSEPH C. PARKHURST
WE ARE INAUGURATING several changes in CYCLE WORLD’S makeup with this issue. For one, this column, Cycle Round Up, will be reserved for editorial comments and news of general interest to motorcycle enthusiasts. A new column has been added, titled “Around The Industry,” for all of the special bits and pieces of news and information of particular interest to members of the motorcycle industry and allied businesses. Around The Industry will be devoted to personnel changes, new and interesting sales promotional stunts, new and worthy business procedures, personalities of note and anything else we might think motorcycle dealers, distributors and their staffs would be interested in.
A CHANGE OF POLICY
Effective with this issue, CYCLE WORLD Magazine will not be doing high-speed runs with road test machines. Our experiences over the past year have convinced us that is is inadvisable for us to continue with this phase of our testing. Quite apart from the danger inherent in boring along on new and relatively untried motorcycles at speeds that have exceeded 120 mph, there is the fact that few of the standard models given us for test are geared or tuned for maximum speed alone, and that air temperature and barometric pressure introduce an uncontrollable and unfair variable in the results.
On the other hand, there is no denying that the highspeed potential of the test machines is of great interest to the general readership, and that it would also be unwise to entirely neglect top-end performance just because our test rider (the technical editor) happens to think that the results are suspect. Therefore, we have hit upon a plan that is, in most respects, even better than our previous system of fighting cross-winds and hoping that we did, in fact, get the best speed of which the machine was capable.
From this point on, we will give the speed obtained after a Vi-mile acceleration run, which we will call the “Practical Maximum,” which in most areas it will be. Seldom does a rider ever hold the throttle cranked open wide for a longer distance than this, and the method thus gives us a sort of maximum practical speed for a machine under average conditions. With a wind-up run of that length, we should be able to get fairly near the true top speed, but it will be just far enough from the absolute maximum to reduce the effect of atmospheric conditions. On occasion, when the circumstances permit, we will make flat-out runs and report the results — but not in every case, as has been our practice.
RESWEBER IN MAYO CLINIC
1962’s National Number One, Carroll Resweber, recently checked into the famous Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, for a thorough check-up of his arm, and therapy to treat his injuries received at the Lincoln, Illinois five-mile National flattrack event, September 16th, 1962. Although he was reported in excellent spirits we understand that it is doubtful that Resweber will be able to ride in any competition events at all this year. It will be just too soon.
These unfortunate tidings were followed with the news that he has an offer for a ride in a race car waiting for him just as soon as he is able to race again; we hope that we won’t be losing him to automobile racing.
MINI-BIKE ACTIVITY
An ever-growing element in motorcycling that we have failed to give the publicity to that it deserves is the National Mini-Bike Association. We receive a notice from them every month, mentioning a forthcoming race, meeting or banquet. I would like to recommend the group to any mini-bike enthusiasts who might be interested; they can be reached c/o N.M.B.A., Box 222, Temple City, Calif. California.
NATIONAL NUMERO UNO
Fausty Rodriguez, national number one big bore rider in Mexico, riding a Triumph sponsored by Codavsa, Triumph dealers in Mexico City, recently sent me the accompanying photos of some typical competition in his country. Fausty wrote that he won the coveted number one Mexican title with a riding style learned by reading CYCLE WORLD. In the photo below, Rodriguez, wearing the number two jumper, his status last year, is shown overhauling a Harley-Davidson mounted opponent and in the other photo he is shown crossing the finish line all alone taking the number one position.
For the record, Jorge Algara on a Yamaha is the 250cc Champion and Jose Luis Sanchez, also riding a Yamaha, is the lightweight champion. Fausty will be riding for Harley-Davidson in 1963, and will ride a Sprint in the 250cc class. We wish him success for the coming season and extend an invitation to compete North of the Border some day.
MOTORCYCLE RACERS INC.
We have noted an accelerated interest and participation in monthly meetings of Motorcycle Racers Inc., a lively group of professional California riders. Their current organizing drive has brought total membership close to 120, with such topline competitors as Sammy Tanner, Neil Keen, Dick Aurandt and Ál Gunter serving on the Board of Directors, along with ace tuner Gary Bray.
Keen and Gunter, as spokesmen for the MRI, were successful in deterring at least one new proposal at the AMA Competition Committee meeting in San Francisco which they felt was not conducive to rider safety. The proposal would have outlawed the cutting of dirt track tires for increased traction, a practice which has proven its worth in a year of hard competition at Ascot Park in Los Angeles. In the photo, Keen explains a point to a recent gathering of MRI members; joining him at the speakers’ table are Dick Aurandt, Jack O’Brien, Secretary Sherry Aurandt, AÍ Gunter, Organizer Jerry Crivello and Sammy Tanner.
With stated goals of a better insurance program, increased purses, stepped-up promotional efforts and widening of overall racing horizons on the West Coast, we feel the MRI, working in conjunction with the AMA, is evidencing the necessary enthusiasm and strength of numbers to accomplish their aims.
NEW F.I.M. AFFILIATE IN U.S.
The Federation Internationale Motorcycliste, the world body that governs all international motorcycle competition except in the United States, has recently formed a new organization to act as a “buffer” between the F.I.M. and the American motorcycling organizations.
Realizing that the United States Motorcycle Club has failed to open up the U.S. to European-type motorcycle competition and that the comparatively small American Federation of Motorcyclists is not of sufficient size and power to form a suitable affiliation, the F.I.M. has established the new organization to be called Motorcycling International Committee of the United States, or MICUS. It is hoped that the new group will receive the support and cooperation of the three American groups, USMC, AFM, and of course the American Motorcycle Association (AMA), in establishing a permanent affiliation for the world body.
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As bystanders, but watching with deep interest, we will continue to remain neutral and to support any and all motorcycle organizations, but it would certainly benefit the sport to have an official affiliation with the world body. Almost every country in the world does, even Japan and Canada, so there is no reason why the largest country in the Western world and one with some of the finest riding talent anywhere should not be a part of the International motorcycling scene. We offer the sincere hope that one day soon the F.I.M. will make a permanent working arrangement with one of the organizations here and that we will soon see true International motorcycle competition on a grand scale in this country.
BERLINER AND NORTON
Two events took place recently concerning Mr. Joseph Berliner and Norton motorcycles. Mr. Berliner placed an order with Associated Motor Cycles, builders of Norton and Matchless cycles, both of which are distributed by Berliner Mtr. Corp. in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. The order amounted to almost 1.3 millions of dollars, the majority of which was for the new electric starting Norton Electra seen elsewhere in this issue.
The other event, though hardly significant, concerns the British motorcycling press’ reactions to the fact that the new Electra has electric starting. It seems as though our contemporaries in England, who still enjoy thinking of us as one of their Colonies, an amusing thought at best, were quite taken aback by the inclusion of this labor-saving luxury on a motorcycle. Generalizing in the poorest manner, they said we have a “fetish for labour saving devices.” It makes me wonder how they are starting their automobiles. It also piques my curiosity at their attitude towards the fantastic success of the Japanese machines in England, all of which are started, or “lighted off,” by electricity. Come now, old boy. It would seem that, given their head, the British would still be building wooden automobiles and cranking them to start them.
ANOTHER LA PAZ TRIP, WITH A TWIST
A short time ago I had the pleasure of enjoying a marvelous fish feed with Redondo Beach (Calif.) Honda dealer, Paul Collins, and Jack McCormack, Sales Manager of American Honda Mtr. Co., at a special dinner party given in honor of a group of Redondo Beach businessmen. The businessmen, 8 in number, had recently completed the hazardous trip from Ensenada, Mexico to La Paz, at the tip of Baja California, on Honda 50’s.
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Though this sounds like no trick at all, it means something when it is told that none of them had ridden a motorcycle of any kind, ever before. They made the 900-mile trip without a serious mishap under the guidance of several members of Paul Collins’ Continental Motors staff, including Paul.
La Paz is Redondo Beach’s “sister city” and the 11-day trip was a goodwill gesture. CYCLE WORLD readers may remember the last mention of a similar trip in our report on Dave Ekins and Bill Robertson’s trek over the same route on a pair of Honda Scramblers in the June 1962 issue (963 Mile Trail). Though the group didn’t quite equal the two racers’ time of 39 hours and 56 minutes, the mere fact that they made it is a supreme compliment.
Mrs. Parkhurst and I spent a very entertaining evening watching movies of the trip and came away quite impressed and, despite all their trials, we met 11 new motorcycle enthusiasts.
CYCLE WORLD GOES DRAGGING
One would think that the testing staff of a magazine like CYCLE WORLD would spend enough time riding motorcycles at high speeds to satisfy anyone. Not so.
Below you see Gordon Jennings, CYCLE WORLD’S Technical Editor, discussing the relative merits of drag bikes with Vince Shultz (left), the man to see at the Lion’s Drag Strip in Long Beach, California, scene of some of the hottest dragging competition in the country. The occasion was one of our regular test days at the Lion’s strip which, thanks to Mr. Shultz, is the official testing grounds for our road test machines.
The other photograph shows Gordon demonstrating his prowess at getting a machine off the line as he heads for the lights aboard Vince’s mighty HarleyDavidson dragster. The Harley is an 80 cubic inch, gas burning bomb that has turned 127 mph with Vince at the controls. Gordon’s 104 mph, though far from the bike’s potential, was nonetheless nothing to be ashamed of since he had never ridden the bike before it was pushed to a snarling start 50 ft. from the starting line.
According to Gordon, he had only one problem. He was moving so fast he thought he had the throttle just about twisted off of the handlebar. Turned out there was another quarter-turn left on the almost full-turn twist grip. Next time.
MIDWINTER RALLY & GOLD HUNT
Larry Wise of Cosmopolitan Mtrs. in Philadelphia sent us a complete rundown on the recently conducted Midwinter Rally and Gold Hunt, the 14th running of this annual event at the Pic-A-Lil Inn in Atsion, New Jersey. Highlight of the twoday event is always the gold hunt itself when cyclists converge on foot on a wooded area where 48 old motorcycle parts are hidden. Parts are redeemed for a total of $450.00. Old brake shoes, for example, brought $10.00, an old muffler $11.00.
The old part to be redeemed for the “Head Hunter” trophy was placed forty feet high in a tree. As one fellow was climbing the tree, the part fell out and a mad scramble ensued with Ray Pfenning of Teaneck, N.J., the winner. A dance was held on Saturday night and good music was provided by the Russells, hosts and owners of the Pic-A-Lil Inn. Sunday morning an observed trials was held.
The Middle Atlantic Dealers Association promotes the events, always in the middle of winter, to emphasize the sport of motorcycling as a year-round activity. The various dealers participating represent almost every make of machine and even non-dealers like Hank Miller, who donated the use of the sound equipment, pitch in. Philadelphia Harley-Davidson dealer Chuck Burton proved one of the worst hazards of the event when he fell into a creek while leading the pack into the woods. A drawing for prizes contributed by various distributors and dealers adds to the rider’s loot. A very worthwhile event indeed. 10
