Letters
LETTERS
CYCLE WORLD COLLECTORS
I've been reading CYCLE; WORLD for about a year and a half; I have requested back issues and noticed that the issue of June 1962 is not available any longer. I was wondering if any of your readers would be willing to sell me this issue. I'm willing to pay a reasonable price for it.
ALAN PARLFTTF. 1015 E. Homestead Rd. Sunnyvale. Calif.
I am now sold on the sport of motorcycying. I consider myself a' safe, sane, good rider. I shall always he grateful to CYCLI WORLD because as a direct result I talked my parents into letting me buy a Honda Trail 55. I sent to you for all of your back issues; however I was slightly late, I missed two issues. Can anyone send me the January 1962 and June 1962 issues in reasonably good shape (covers intact and no pages missing)? I will pay $2.00 for each one. Or. I will trade them for any of the following or a combination thereof: a new 72-tooth Honda trail rear sprocket; two bows. 20 to 30 pound pull and a good hunting quiver; a used, but in good shape Monarch tennis racket; used softball glove: 27 excellent shape science fiction pocketbooks: 25 VA -ounce bottles of Testor’s PL A model paint; or an electric football game.
I want the two magazines very much and I am sure we can work out some kind of satisfactory arrangement.
LYNN BOOZER P.O. Box 406 Columbia, Alabama
CARTOON COMES TO LITE
Your cartoon on page six of the March '64 issue is not as far fetched as many readers may likely think. ’
’ HOWARD WOOD Wolf Point. Montana
LEATHER JAC KETS
Your magazine is informative, your full coverage of the cycle scene is hard to believe it is so complete. I am a Mechanical Engineering junior at California Polytechnic College in San Luis Obispo, California. Interest in cycling has always been quite keen here, as shown hv the fact that here exists the only college-recognized motorcycle club in the U.S. Each year the Poly Penguins host the High Mountain Enduro. This interest in hikes even prompted a Mechanical Engineering senior to carryout a senior project which involved converting a BSA 5()0cc single's poppet valve train to a single overhead rotary valve.
As far as the controversy over the black leather jacket enigma: I started riding hikes with a 1938 Indian 74 C hief about five years ago. I bought the old harvester for $20.00. then flopped it on the street on a bright Sunday afternoon, due to its infamous front fork leaf spring arrangement.
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Upon the street I left quite a bit of meat and from then on wore a leather jacket.
I have tried to point out to everyone that people have lost view of the reason the leather jacket and leathers are worn. I insist that any personal reason for wearing a leather jacket — group recognition or bent class distinction — is a personal aspiration only, and has nothing whatsoever to do with hikes at all.
An executive of one of the Japanese hike concerns has been said to say. tongue in cheek. “We're destroying one of the last remaining areas of social protest; those clowns with the leather jackets and hoots are being swallowed by riders wearing sports jackets and ties." Well sir. I consider this superfluous, flamboyant and plain dangerous. In a tight situation I want a good helmet, leather jacket and sturdy boots.
RUSS TAYLOR
Avila Beach. Calif.
CRITICISM DIGESTED
I have been selling your magazine at my store so that my customers may know what a big wonderful sport we have. While I have considered your publication one of the best in its field, in recent months I have noted a general downgrading in editorial comment and general bickering. Often your replies in letters to the editor are designed to make the writer seem no more than two inches tall. In road tests, a rough engine casting on a Jawa is for cooling, hut on a Harley 74 it is crude. Your concern over the AMA's use of the high speed oval at Daytona is called dangerous. But you liked the USMC race at the same location because it was “fast and powerful.”
This double standard is for magazines that thrive on controversy. I am sure that I don t have to list for you the magazines that passed by the wayside that have operated like this. Or the magazines that have changed before they did. There are noisy (or nosey) minorities like myself that will pick up a pen at the drop of a hat. But it’s the quiet ones you have to watch out for. If they do not like constant aggravation you pui down on paper, then they just don’t buy.
I would also not concern myself if I were you on the AMA’s selection of race tracks. Their safety record speaks for itself. I his is also with many more riders per race than Europe enjoys. You may doubt that point but in this country it is a rider's sport, w'hile in Europe it is more a spectator sport. Speaking of Europe, safety is one thing they know little of over there. The Isle of Man seldom runs without a fatality or two. It’s just the Englishman’s gift of understatement that hides the fact.
You also seem to think our 75()cc side valves against 5()()cc overhead valves is unfair advantage. Last year’s National Champion Dick Mann rode a 5()()cc as did Gary Nixon in a very close second at Daytona. This does not seem so unfair to me. In fact it s a lot closer than M.V. or Gilera against Manx Norton as in Europe.
I may he old fashioned, but today’s road racing w'ith its fiberglass globs all going around together is O.K. if you have a program and know the rider's number. But a few years ago when Joe Leonard came slithering into a turn weaving through slower riders as if they weren't there, and powering out in a slide on pavement like it was dirt — he didn’t need a number, you knew it was Joe Leonard or Ed Kretz or any other favorite of the past.
In the meantime I suggest you tear down that fence you are building between the American way and the foreign way. Our motorcycle and our riders really are not that different.
In case you wonder what knothole in the wood I crawled out of. the Pink family sold English motorcycles full time from 1927 to 1944. Since then we have sold Harley-Davidsons. The cubic inch howl that you put out, I heard from my carriage as mother rocked me while father Reggie raced on his BSA's and Douglas’ and whatnot years ago. Nothing is really new. So can’t we all be friends? Don’t spoil a good magazine.
P S. This letter will take courage to print. Courage I know you have.
DON PINK
Pres. Reggie Pink, Inc.
Harley-Davidson
White Plains, N.Y.
Of course we know the magic name of Don Pink; one of the best known and most respected names in motorcycling is that of the Pink family. It is because of the magnitude of the sender's reputation that nr must answer each and every point. To begin with, rough engine castings are perfectly dt home on competition machines where they actually aid cooling; on a "dress" touring machine they have little use.
Our concern over the Daytona oval was over Novices, not Experts, as we stated. European road racers ride at extremely high speeds every weekend during the season, on courses considerably faster than Daytona in some cases, and are perfectly at home under such conditions. Most of the AMA's Experts were quite well adapted to the demands of high speed racing. CYCLE WORLD by no means recognizes a double standard; we call everything precisely as we see it, controversial or not, aggravating to some or not, losing readers on one ground, gaining others on yet another. Unbiased and free swords of truth and opinion cut when swung in either direction.
Asking us to not concern ourselves with subjects of such vital interests to our readers, is akin to asking us to abandon all we have built the magazine to stand for, regardless of the previous records of the AMA. We were honestly concerned for the safety of some of the riders, and we still are. Your evaluation of the number of competition riders in Europe is far from accurate. Professional F.I.M. road racing, scrambles, and trials riders are a small group, quite true, but England alone has more motorcyclists than the entire United States, and many of them are amateur competitors. In professional competition, such as road racing, entries are generally restricted, and only certain factories front full-time professional teams. We might add that they are fully recognized as such, and heavily advertise their feats.
Your statement that the Isle of Man “seldom runs without fatality" is a generalization of base nature. Certainly riders have been killed, much the same as a few professional riders are killed in this country, but until accurate figures for comparison of miles raced vs. deaths or injury in the U.S. and Europe are compiled it is impossible to say. To say they think little of safety is preposterous; almost every garment for rider safety used in this country owes its origin to them. F.I.M. technical requirements, and the commensurate inspections, are some of the most rigid ever seen. Course marking and flagging are far superior to this country and rider safety is as important to them as it is to us.
The 75Occ side valve vs. 500cc overhead valve rule continues to be an in just inequity under any circumstances, regardless of the fact that every now and then one or two riders beat them or almost manage to. We must take issue with the MV/Gitera comparison; these two machines rarely finish on even the same lap as a Manx Norton. We might add that the MV/Gitera vs. Norton/Matchless is not the fairest form of competition nr have ever seen either.
hi berg lass globs hardly conceal the rider’s identity and they do add color to racing, though you of course do not have to like them. May nr advise that the past is the past. Motorcycling used to be a lot of fun for many people; for us, it still is. The American way and the foreign way are very little different; it is not CYCLE WORLD that is building the fence, rather it is CW that is trying to tear it down. Worldwide competition on an equal basis is not un-American, since Americans do quite well in the Olympics, sail boat racing, automobile racing, rifle and pistol matches, and many, many others forms of international competition run on an equal and fair basis. This is all we are trying to stimulate in motorcycling.
The fact that the howl over cubic inches has been going on for years only points up that it should be ended soon as it has been going on long enough. As for being friends, yes indeed, nr want to be friends of as many people as possible. We hope our continued editorial independence and actions as spokesmen for the majority of our readers will make us even more friends than it already has. We also sincerely hope it isn't spoiling our good magazine. Ed.
APROPOS
Reading the “for Harley-Davidson against Harley-Davidson” letters from readers of CYCLE WORLD reminds me of a joke which I believe to be rather apropos. One morning three avid golfers were playing on a beautiful country golf course. Just as one golfer was about to tee-off. he stopped in mid-swing and with a look of utter disbelief pointed to three fishermen fishing in a stream a short ways away. “Can you imagine that, fellows?” he exclaimed to his golfing companions, "those damn fools are actually fishing! — and in a snow storm like this!”
JAY E. HENDON
La Junta, Colorado
HANDLEBARS AGAIN
Although my opinion is not too authoritative I would like to hereby state that the standard clip-on type bars used in road racing are just as dangerous on the street as high risers. Low bars of this type, such as used on Honda Hawks, leave the operator in bad position when making rapid stops, if loss of traction occurs, and during slow riding. Just as high risers decrease leverage, none can deny the fact that low bars do the same under identical circumstances.
I realize you have statistics to disprove my statements: however, my theory is correct and may be confirmed by any physics instructor or student. The reason more motorcycles with high risers are involved in accidents is because they are dangerous, and more people use them than low bars.
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RAYMOND KAPLAN
Forest Hills. N.Y.
You have a fine magazine and great coverage, but several articles don't give. I have noticed quite a few cuts, undemocratic like, about Harley-Davidson 74's and "ape hangers." High bars are almost as American as the hot dog if not more. I he reason these bars came about w'as because of a need to stand up on the footpegs and have the controls close at hand while traveling in rough territory. As far as then breaking or being hard to handle. I find this just so much stuff.
As for the 74. most H-D riders are out raising smoke at strips and scrambles and such or out on the road together while other machines are being stuck back together.
JACK HORNFR
Creen C ove Springs. Vt. Reader H orner is mistaking hiph seram hies hars for hiph risers, two entirely different thinps. line. Inpli risers can probably best be described as bars that maintain the ruler's arms at a straipht off-the-slionlder level or luplier. either of which is foolish ami danperous. Mr. Kaplan has an excellent point; it requires considerably more skill to rule well with flat bars when the pomp pets contrary, but they are far from danperous. We have even ridden off of the road iv'uh them. Honda Hawk bars that is. which, incidentally. are not clip-on bars, merels flat bars. Our physics student is a staff member and motorcycle rider as well; the latter requirement strikes us as heinp most important. Ed.
WORTHWHILE SUGGESTION
I have a suggestion that might find interest at the next meeting between the AMA and the cycle industry to find ways to improve public opinion of motorcycles. Last summer, here in Minneapolis, two little 6 or 8 year old girls were missing for several days. Police investigated and a lot of interest and sentiment was aroused and received full radio, TV and newspaper coverage. When leads were scarce they next announced that a search of the children's neighborhood in a one-mile radius would be instituted, to be made up of police, volunteers and anyone who wanted to. help.
My idea is that in such an instance individual riders and cycle clubs could be asked to join. Consider how long it would take 50 cycles to search backyards, garages, etc., as compared to 100 people on foot. The police could notify radio and TV stations of the search, and they could keep neighbors and all the riders informed of progress in the search. The two little girls were found dead near a lake about a month later, but this has nothing to do with my idea. Next summer in other areas as big as the twin cities there will be similar situations, or it could he in resort areas.
DARRYL HONKALA
Minneapolis, Minn.
WHAT'S SAFE?
I have listened to people tell how dangerous motorcycles are and that anyone who rides should have his head examined. I have seen the mangled bodies of people killed in automobile accidents: bystanders would remark about how bad it was and drive away in their four-wheel coffins. I have also seen a motorcycle accident that proved fatal to the rider, and at this accident the people were saying that any fool who rides a bike is asking for it.
1 am not saying a car is not safe. Neither am I saying that motorcycles are not dangerous. What I am trying to say is that a person can get killed riding a bike or driving a 5,000 pound. 300 horsepower automobile. What I want to know is why do people condemn motorcycles when one person is killed, yet make excuses when four, six or even eight are killed in an automobile accident?
RONALD K. l.AMSON Marlin, Texas
OUTSPOKEN CRITICISM
When CYCLL WORLD first started I felt that it would no doubt be just like all other cycle magazines with a middle of the road policy and attitude towards any controversial subject. On the contrary, you have taken a definite stand in several cases and won.
Now then — if you feel like doing a little more crusading what do you say we dig a little dirt right from the top. We have in this country one of the most biased, dictatorial and un-dipiomatic governing bodies of motorcycling in the world. This organization has completely monopolized the competition side of the sport to the point that they have drawn their own little iron curtain between this country and international competition.
They advocate safety and the promotion of this sport above all, yet this year through the efforts of a much smaller organization we were privileged, for the first time in the history of our sport, to have a world championship race in this country.
T he only effort put forth by our number one organization was to see to it that we could not even be represented in this event by some of our top riders. As for safety. I have seen half-mile race meets on tracks 1 would not ride a trail machine on.
This organization has a very substantial yearly income due to tremendous membership roster. I have been a paying member for 12 years and have yet to see a financial report. By doing a little simple addition of the income from membership fees, sanction fees, competition licenses, etc., and subtracting a liberal amount for necessary expenditures such as salaries, trophies, committee meetings, etc., the answer is always the same. Someone is getting fat!
All these facts are well known. It is like the weather, everyone talks about it but nobody does anything about it. Until we find someone who has enough guts, brains, influence or whatever the hell it takes to „get us off the hook I'm afraid I will just have to grit my teeth and send in my two bucks for another year.
NORMAN L. GRUBFR Des Plaines. III. •
