Round Up
ROUND UP
JOE PARKHURST
NATIONAL TRAIL RIDERS ASSOCIATION ADDENDA
In response to the motion I made in this column in our September issue, Robert L. Saal, Director of Field Services for the National Trail Riders Association, contacted me and filled me in on their activities up to date and explained a few details. They have received an excellent response from individuals and clubs who are seeking just this sort of an organization to be their voice at governmental legislative levels and encourage their cause. The N.T.R.A. will be happy to assist individuals in the forming of trail riding clubs. They feel that in clubs they have a major source of information which will be needed in order to advise or act on situations that might arise. Reliable sources of information are needed, so all are encouraged to take part.
It is not their purpose to have government lands, now designated as wilderness and primitive areas, opened to the sport of motorcycling; it is felt they should be held in their current state of protectivity. Their main opponents are those who would have these types of areas expanded, simply to keep out the mechanized sportsman. It has been the N.T.R.A.'s findings that most individuals are not well enough informed and do not ordinarily respond to situations which could be detrimental to their interests.
Structured to encompass all vehicles which are used off-the-road, the association hopes to halt the attempts by some, to separate the two from the four-wheeled factions. They feel the factions cannot operate effectively together if they are separate groups. They claim to have had many contacts with the four-wheel associations and to have discussed their problems. They all agreed that legislation aimed at one is certainly aimed at both. They do not plan a division of the N.T.R.A.: thev feel that a single association will offer greater latitude in the areas of protection which they afford all of those in our interest group.
General membership meetings are not part of the N.T.R.A. structure. However, periodical meetings will be held and attended by representatives from clubs sanctioned by them, as well as individual members and dealers who also wish to participate. These meetings are to be held in order for them to obtain advice and suggestions helpful to the association's activities in their specific areas. I will give you their address again; the National Trail Riders Association, P.O. Box 4, Chatsworth, California.
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND M/C SHOW
During the off-years of the every-otheryear Farls Court motorcycle show in London, England, a show is held in Brighton, England, a popular South Coast resort. Prominent in the picture are the displays of BS A and Triumph motorcycles and a special stand for the new T-10 motor scooter.
YE OLDE MOTORCYCLING WAYE
Looking somewhat incongruous in a setting that might be from hundreds of years back, except that it was in California and everybody knows what nuts we are, the motorcycle rider is not modeling a tutu for bike riders, as one might think. All this nonsense took place at the third annual "Renaissance Pleasure Faire and May Market." If that title baffles you, remember the participants were artists, and the faire was a benefit for radio station KPFK, a member of the controversial Pacifica Foundation. Displays of art and sculpting, theatrical performances jousting, Shakespearean Players, jesters and a lot of other stuff made up the principal activities. A lot of fun was had by all. What has all of this to do with motorcycles? Not a thing, except that photographer extraordinaire Marv Lyons saw this guy in the tights and cape running around on a Triumph and sent me a picture. Faire enough!
FREEDOM OF THE ROAD BOOK
Following in the footsteps of many previous public relations efforts in the motorcycle field, all successfully staged, U.S. Suzuki has just released a new book that has long been needed. Representatives of the California Highway Patrol, United States Forestry Service, California Driver Education Assoc., the Council of Conservation Clubs, the Los Angeles Times, Field and Stream Magazine and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, all took part by furnishing expert advice. The prestigious Automobile Club of Southern California worked with Suzuki's Jack McCormack in the preparation of the book, "Freedom of the Road." An invitational preview held in Washington, D.C., was attended by more than forty national spokesmen for law enforcement, forests and parks, the President's Committee on Traffic Safety, safety agencies, top departments of government, insurance interests, and the national teachers. Interest was reported to be so high that Homer White, Speaker Pro Tem of the United States House of Representatives, telephoned during the luncheon. I would like to have been there myself.
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I am told that up to a million copies of the 64-page book are to be distributed. CYCLE WORLD'S readers can obtain a copy by writing to "Freedom," care of C.M.I., Box 1293, Studio City, California. Contents of the book are devoted to a guide for beginners and a check-list for the more experienced rider. It deals with subjects ranging from the use of controls to trail riding. Sixteen pages are devoted to the single subject of trail riding. Many distinguished figures in American life are quoted, from racing driver Dan Gurney to actor George Maharis, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, and bike riding college president, M. Norvel Young.
The often-quoted McCormack said, "The motorcyclist of today is clearly contributing to the betterment of community life. The industry itself is enjoying rapid change. You will feel new leadership and heightened responsibility in the trade. Awareness of the need for improved rider training is one symbol of the change — The National Motorcycle Trade Association has produced pamphlets and a short film." He also added, most graciously, "American Honda is preparing a brief film production showing Hondas properly in use." McCormack would, if ever asked, in all modesty offer that many people are helping to improve motorcycling's image and contributing to the slowly awakening attitude of the motorcycle industry. I personally give McCormack more credit than any other individual or firm in the field; he deserves the praise and support of all.
TRIUMPH LAUNCHES 1966 MODELS
During a meeting of Triumph dealers at the luxurious Huntington Sheraton Hotel in Pasadena, California, Johnson Motors, distributors of Triumph in the 19 Western States, displayed their new models for 1966. Star of the show was the new Bonneville, now incorporating a multitude of new features, not the least of which is a new frame and fork angle. The nearby photograph shows Wilbur Ceder, President of Johnson Mtrs., and Harry Sturgeon, Managing Director of the motorcycle division of Triumph's English parent firm, Birmingham Small Arms Co., Ltd. (BSA). The one in the middle is the new 650cc Bonneville. Additional features include new polished stainless steel fenders, taillight assembly and colors. Mr. Ceder is shown in the second photograph with two of what I am told are the most popular young singers of the day, Warner Bros, recording artists Dick & Dee Dee. The couple has just completed a recording jingle for Triumph motorcycles (Continued on page 10) to be heard on radio stations in 20 major cities throughout the west this fall. A most ambitious advertising program has also been launched by Jomo that exceeds any program undertaken previously by the firm.
Johnson Mtrs. entertained their dealers, families, and representatives of the press at a banquet on the final night of the meeting series; CW's Parkhursts, Wagars and Ballards all took advantage of the hospitality. During the meetings, dealers received valuable training, advice and information on the new models, plus an interesting and informative group of discussions on sales, service, insurance, and other vital matters. As with previous meetings, the meet was a success.
HOBBY INTO A BUSINESS
Langlitz Leathers of Portland, Oregon, now in their new quarters, shown here, recently celebrated their 25th anniversary of designing and producing custom made leather clothing for motorcyclists. Started during the war as a 'home industry,' Ross Langlitz saw what had been a hobby grow into the largest custom made motorcycle leather clothing firm in the U.S. This was their third move in 25 years; each time Langlitz thought they had overextended themselves but soon proved the theory wrong. Expertness in supplying the difficult demands of the seasonal motorcycle trade, combined with the problems of being custom clothing makers, has kept them on their toes. 8220 S. E. Stark St., Dept. CW, Portland, Oregon is their address.
NORTON/MATCHLESS TECHNICIAN
Looking intent, wearing the earphones, is Norton Service Technician Heinz Kegler with the Berliner Motor Corp. of Hasbrouck Heights, N.J. Kegler is working in the dynamometer room at AMC in England, makers of the Matchless and Norton line of machines distributed in the U.S. by Berliner. Kegler carried with him suggestions from dealers in this country to a four-week communication session, and returned with much useful information he plans on passing on to the dealers during the forthcoming Berliner Service School, an institution they carry to their dealers and distributors across the nation each year.
BMW FAIRING COVER
Rarely do we receive the amount of mail we have been swamped with lately concerning our October cover, the BMW R-69S with a touring fairing and saddlebags. We erred in not naming the photographer, Peter A. Betz of Albuquerque, New Mexico, whose picture of his own machine we used. We could also have done another favor for our readers by telling them where the fairings came from and if it was available in this country.
It is available from Pacific Basin Trading Co., one of CYCLE WORLD'S revered advertisers, it is made by my friends the Mitchenall Brothers in England and is known by the Avon trade name. Pabatco stocks them for many machines of all sizes. The saddlebags are by Craven, also fiberglass and made* in England, and can be bought through the Hank Siegers Co., another of CW's advertisers. That should square it.
