Around the Industry
AROUND THE INDUSTRY
MOTOBECANE IN THE U.S.
Motobecane, the world's largest manufacturer of motorbikes, recently exhibited six of its "Mobylettes," or light motorcycles, at the New York International Bicycle Show at the New York Hilton hotel. Since the early 'fifties, Motobecane has sold more than 5 million Mobylettes in Europe, and anticipates duplicating this in the U.S. within a few years. Mr. J. Pinchemaille, Export Manager, expects motorcycle sales to double in the U.S. and feels that half the growth will come from sales of lightweight motorbikes.
Above is the Mobylette Sportsman D-52 with foot-operated shift, air-cooled 50cc two-stroke engine, a top speed claimed to be 50 mph and 175 miles per gallon of fuel mix. Below is the SPR that features an automatic clutch and transmission. Both bikes have two-wheel brakes, double seats, telescopic front suspension and swing arms in the rear. Complete information can be obtained by writing; Maurice Pincoffs Co., Marine Bldg., Houston 2, Texas; Karl M. Neufeld Co., Mountain Lake, Minn.; or Western Mass. Assoc., 113 Day St., Springfield, Mass.
Motobecane points to the fully automatic transmission and automatic clutch on their Mobylettes as important sales features. Casting aside traditional French conservatism, they have hit on the English vernacular for their sales theme, "Riding's no sweat with Mobylette." Another departure from convention is their proposed distribution through retail outlets such as bicycle shops, sporting goods stores, service stations, car dealers and a variety of other retailers.
NEW VILLIERS POWERED SIMPLEX ARRIVES
Simplex Mfg. Co. in New Orleans, makers of the Simplex Compact and Senior motorbikes, has launched their new Simplex Senior Sportsman powered by a familiar British built Villiers 200cc twocycle engine mounted in the modified standard Simplex frame with several interesting changes. The Villiers is an integral four-speed gearbox engine, with standard motorcycle controls. New to Simplex, and something we felt would help the machine immeasurably, are telescopic forks and swing arm rear suspension with shock absorbers. A new dual molded rubber seat is standard* converts to a luggage rack when the seat is removed, and a speedometer is now included.
Simplex's 12-inch wheels with 20-inch diameter tires are continued, wheelbase is 51 inches and weight is 200 pounds. Most interesting is the retail price of $440.00 F.O.B. New Orleans, a most remarkable price for a machine with so much to offer.
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NEW AUTOMATIC TRANS-SPORT
TV and film star Fess Parker is shown seated on the new Ellison Trans-Sport trail scooter he uses in his mobile home park, Rancho Santa Barbara in Southern California. The new Trans-Sport now features an extended speed range from 0 to 30 mph, unusually fast for a trail bike. Powered by a four horsepower Briggs & Stratton gas engine, the new automatic scooter is a further development of the machine tested in the January 1964 issue of CYCLE WORLD. Manufacturers are the Ellison Engineering Co., Dept. CW, 4530 San Fernando Road, Glendale 4, Calif.
CYCLES ON RECORDS
We have arrived; there now exists a record album entitled "Black Boots And Bikes," on Capitol, and it sports a handsome reproduction of a CYCLE WORLD cover from some time back of staffer Jerry Piatt jumping the Harley-Davidson Sprint scrambler. The liner notes, for the uninformed, that describe the written copy on the back of the album are also illustrated with CYCLE WORLD photographs. Artists are a group dubbed the "Kickstands"; I don't pretend to appreciate their music but many of our younger readers certainly will and it was for them the album was created.
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Quote, the liner notes: "Black boots, fast bikes, a big beat. In a great vocal and instrumental performance from a sensational group, the Kickstands. Black Boots and Bikes will be the first album in your Kickstands collection. But you'll be hearing a lot more from this group, with the best of the great new cycle songs, and just the right rockin' beat to back them up. Here in their debut album, they present a collection of numbers that capture all the adventurous mood of bikes on the road, cross country, and up the hillside. The titles alone tell the story, in songs such as Death Valley Run, Devil On Wheels arid Mean Streak. And the Kickstands make them all as memorable as the first tune you ever danced to. Black Boots, Bikes and the Kickstands are here to stay!"
I object only to one title, "Mean Streak;" the words don't please me very much either. The music is the beat of the younger generation, and I'm from a little older one, but this doesn't change the fact that motorcycling is here to stay, too. With, or without, the Kickstands. Capitol will have the album on sale shortly across the country. If you can't find it, send $4 to CYCLE WORLD, Records, Box 20220, Long Beach, California. We will send you one the moment they are available in quantity. Later, man.
OFF TO CENTRAL AMERICA
Ready to roar off on a three-month tour of Central America after getting the "Go" signal from Andy Kolbe, Reseda, California, Honda dealer, are three enthusiasts who will wheel down through Baja
California, Mexico City, La Paz, the Yucatan Peninsula and Central America. Kolbe, shown egging them on, is sponsoring the tour on Honda scramblers. The riders are: Martin MacDonald, Jim Craine and Jim Nicholson.
CYCLE SALESMAN IS HONORED
Eiden D. Wright, district sales representative for Johnson Mtrs., Triumph Distributors for the 19 Western States, was the star of an affair CYCLE WORLD'S Editor/Publisher recently witnessed when Wright was the receiver of a coveted Sammy" trophy at a banquet honoring top professional salesmen at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. The Sammy award program is sponsored by the Sales and Marketing Executives Association of Los Angeles, membership of which comprises the top sales executives of over 650 major Los Angeles area companies. It is affiliated with S.M.E. International, the most important organization of its kind in the free world, dedicated to the advancement of selling as a profession. There are approximately 25,000 members of S.M.E. International comprising 230 member associations in 42 countries.
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Mr. Wright, who resides in Portland, Oregon, is the first Sammy award winner representing the motorcycle industry since the beginning of the program in 1959. Eiden was nominated by Don J. Brown, sales manager for Johnson, and a member of the Sales & Marketing Executives since 1940.
Eiden was completely surprised, not only that he had won the important award, but also because his wife stepped out from behind the stage curtain to share the honor. He thought she was in Portland. Johnson Motors' table was occupied by Wilbur Ceder, Don Brown, Clarence Fleming Jr., Pete Colman, Alva Martin and CW's Parkhurst.
NEW VINCENT BUSINESS
CYCLE WORLD contributor Sidney H. Dickson recently opened Brittingham, Dickson & Lipscomb, Ltd., in Easton, Maryland, Yamaha dealership and mail order service for Borg pistons, Borani rims and Vincent spare parts. The firm specializes in Vincent work and maintains a collection of Vincents which belong to the owners. The interesting collection includes Series A, B, C and D machines, one of the most .representative extant. Dickson, who just returned from a European business trip with a 1948 "B" Vincent Rapide which has over 90,000 miles on it, invites CW's readers to visit him at BD&L on Bay Street in Easton and invites Vincent owners to contact them also.
DKW RETURNS
In answer to the ever-increasing popularity of lightweight motorcycles, the noted West German DKW factory, an affiliate of Mercedes-Benz, is returning to the U.S. with an entirely new line of machines. Five models of the DKW will be available, offering a variety of horsepowers, designs, trims and colors. Prices range from $299.00 to $419.00. DKW's basic 50cc, two-cycle engine is utilized in all models, in horsepower varying from 2 to 4.2. Clutch and transmission-engine combinations range from a three-plate clutch, three-speed unit, to the first five-speed gearbox to be offered in a low cost, 50cc motorcycle.
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Top speeds are approximately 50 mph and climbing abilities for grades up to 30% are claimed. A 12-month guarantee is included. A wide variety of acrylic lacquer finishes, including anthracite (copper), bright red, red, blue, beige and white are also obtainable. Optional equipment includes: white sidewall tires, horn, full lighting, double seats, wheel lock as well as ignition, and others. An 80cc version will be available within a short time. Address inquiries to Kramer-American Distributing Co., Inc., 14401 Sylvan St., Van Nuys, California. The DKW in the photograph is the model 155; its radical departure from standard motorcycle design is evident.
BUCO FOR 1964
The complete line of new Buco safety helmets, incorporating results of a continuing medical and scientific research program in cooperation with two leading universities, has been announced by the Joseph Buegeleisen Company. The Buco line is made up of eight helmet models in various colors, with prices ranging from $12.95 to $42.50. All feature the unique "Bucolite" semi-resilient line of advanced energy-absorbing characteristics for protection under the most severe, and even repeated, impacts.
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For 1964, Buco helmets include improved models of the full coverage Résistai II and Sportsman II models, plus the new $29.95, jet-type "Interceptor" helmet. All have been designed for maximum protection and greater comfort. The Defender has been added, along with new models of the Protector II, Guardian II, and Traveler helmets. Both the Protector II and Guardian II have fully-adjustable, detachable head suspension units and controllable ventilation. Flexible visor snaps off for greater safety. Protector II also is available with Buco's new Jet-Adaptor, which converts it in seconds to a full-coverage helmet providing extra protection for temples and the base of the skull. Also a full range of goggles and shields are offered. Complete information and a new catalog are available from the Joseph Buegeleisen Co., Dept. CW, 21220 W. Eight Mile Road, Southfield, Michigan.
NEW JAPANESE LINE
Ken Kay Distributing Company in North Hollywood, California, announced at the Daytona motorcycle show their plans to distribute Kawasaki and Meguro in the United States under the private brand name of Omega. Kay displayed the 175cc Trojan Magnum Super Sport at Daytona, priced at $395.00; it is powered by a 15 hp @ 7,500 rpm single cylinder two-cycle engine, has magneto ignition, is available with a foLir-speed gearbox, has a claimed top speed of 70 mph, weighs 170 pounds and is available in four color combinations. The accompanying pictures show the Magnum by itself, and posing with Miss Motorcycle Classic and Miss Volusia County, both young ladies being connected with the promotion of the Daytona show and motorcycle week.
HONDA FUN FESTIVAL COMING
An event of the type that could become extremely popular has been scheduled in the Los Angeles area by the Honda Dealers Association, for Honda owners. Bill Robertson of Honda Hollywood, Burbank, and North Hollywood, California, sent CYCLE WORLD the complete information on their "Honda Fun Festival" to be run at famed Riverside Raceway on May 31st, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The day's events will consist of field meets with obstacle courses, enduros, etc., plus trials, economy runs for all model Hondas, custom show, and other such events for the novice as well as expert Honda owners. There will be no racing but a demonstration will be given of Honda racing machines on the Riverside Raceway course, scene of CYCLE WORLD'S road tests.
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Tickets may be obtained from any Honda dealer that is a member of the association and are free though they can be purchased at the Riverside gate for $1.00 the day of the event. Sounds like a great affair, and it might be the harbinger of the return of the simple kinds of fun motorcycles can offer, such as field meets and the like, to Southern California, which has been a long time without.
YAMAHA ACCESSORIES
Accurate Accessories Co. at 4347 Imperial Highway, Lynwood, California, have just completed their new catalog of Yamaha accessories that include luggage racks, racing seats, handlebars, engine shields, bumpers and rifle carrier primarily for the YG series machines. Accurate will also display their wares at the forthcoming CYCLE WORLD Motorcycle Show in May.
MOTORCYCLES ON THE BIG SCREEN
There will be lights, camera and especially action in Hollywood on Sunday night, May 17th when Chuck Clayton and Clyde Earl present motorcycle movies at the Vista Continental theater on the corner of Sunset and Hollywood Boulevards in Los Angeles.
The Vista was selected for the showing because of its large seating capacity, clean appearance, convenient location and ample free parking facilities. Cycle enthusiasts in the Los Angeles area are encouraged to bring their families and friends to see what motorcycling in general is all about.
The two-hour show will include technicolor sound films of the 1964 USMC Daytona races, the exciting 1962 100-lap Ascot TT (which features Dick Dorresteyn in some of the best action ever caught on film). This will be the first showing for this film, after two years in production. Also scheduled are the Bob Mclntyre road racing film "The Right Line," scrambles movies, Big Bear hare 'n hound, and old time silent comedy chases.
Special footage of local Southern California sporting events will be shot just prior to the showing so local riders can see themselves and their friends on the screen. There will be two showings on May 17th starting at 7:15 and 9:30 p.m. Admission is $1. •
