Letters
LETTERS
BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS
Mr. Mike Hailwood c/o Cycle World Books Long Beach 12, Calif. 90812 Dear Sir:
My name is Paul Ertel. I am in the 4th Grade in La Cañada, California. We are studying about different kinds of Breakfasts. Would you please tell me what you usually eat for Breakfast? I am happy to be doing a special report on you.
If it is possible, would you also include one of your favorite Breakfast receipts?
Thank you for your help.
PAUL ERTEL La Cañada Elem. School La Cañada, Calif.
Mike tells us he prefers to start each day with a bit of crumpet. — Ed.
NEEDS PARTNER
I am a 23 year old Hungarian, lived for 15 years in Chile, South America and the last 3 in the States, of which 2 will be spent in the Army by 24 June, '67.
I am a motorcycle-addict ever since I was 16. After 4 cycles I have graduated to a Honda Super Hawk and now I am planning to make a trip to Alaska via the "Alean" Highway. One of my previous trips was a 3-day, 14.000 ft. climb to the Andes Mountains.
I hope you can publish this so I can get in contact with somebody that thinks along the same lines and is willing to attempt the trip with me the first half of July, '67.
If anybody is interested please contact me at my address so we can settle on the exact date of departure and other details.
Write to:
ANDY SCHOFFER
3360 W. 129th St.
Cleveland, Ohio 44111
INSURANCE PROBLEM
I have been an enthusiast for many years going back prior to World War II, when my first motorcycle was a singlecylinder Harley. Since that time, I have owned countless machines, but drifted away from the sport in the immediate post war years. Four or five years ago, I again became active and now own four motorcycles which include two Hondas, a BMW and a Triumph.
Now comes the problem. I am the only person who rides these machines and obviously can only ride one at a time. However, as things stand at the moment, I have to pay four separate insurance policies at four times the cost of a single policy. The actual risk to the insurance company for liability is actually no greater than for one motorcycle. However, I have been unable to locate an insurance company that will write a single policy to cover all four machines. I would be glad to accept the restriction that I be the only one allowed to ride these bikes if this criteria be necessary for such a policy.
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I am sure that you must own even more than four motorcycles and, thus, I wonder if you have been able to locate an insurance company that offers this type of coverage. If not, possibly the publishing of this letter will encourage someone in the insurance business to pioneer one.
WILLIAM Z. BREER Detroit, Mich.
A PROBLEM WITH N.E.D.s
It is not often that I allow myself the pleasure of becoming aggravated to the point that I openly accuse. Yet upon first hand research I have come across the greatest breach in the motorcycle safety program, as yet established.
First, before I draw sword against the purveyors of dastardly deed, I shall introduce the assailant — myself. I am 21 years old, have ridden since the retiring age of 15, and have owned nine different brands of motorcycles. I have researched the history of motorcycles and have learned first-hand as a mechanic in three separate shops. It was not until I worked for the second dealer (and, please Lord, forgive Him) that I discovered this gap.
One question before the text.
Who is it, aside from the parents and fellow riders, that has the greatest influence and contact with the beginner?
In the last seven years, since Mr. Honda introduced himself to America, the motorcycle dealerships have well over doubled. I shall call these men the "New Era Dealers" (credit given). Aside from the true riders, none of these men had much if any knowledge of the concept of motorcycling or its problems. Yet with capital in hand, they forged into the business, aware only of the personal gain involved.
It is here my woeful tale unfolds. Having worked as a mechanic in these "New Era Dealerships," I came to recognize the haphazardness of the instruction given the beginner. Often the entire instruction was dependent upon the buyer's questions. (Which is the brake, the clutch and the inevitable — how fast'll she go?) As these dealers also rented, they had a special method for the renters. The S.O.P. was to assume that if they wanted to rent, surely they already knew how to ride.
Numerous were the times I had the grim task of retrieving the mangled remains of what was once a bike, but alas, who cared, they were insured.
The heart of the crisis lies in the fact that too many of the "N.E.D.'s" are willing to accept the profit without assuming the responsibility that he justly owes, not only as a dealer but as a fellow human being.
Let it not be said tht I was biased. I admit that some "N.E.D.'s" have received the burden. I only point out that Diogenes is still walking the earth.
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You didn't actually think I would leave you without a solution, did you?
Many companies such as Suzuki, Honda, etc., hold spot checks on franchised dealers for condition of show room, service dept. Why not adapt this idea to include the dealers programs for safety and beginner instruction?
There is no reason why Suzuki's or Honda's great safety programs could not be utilized in the dealerships. Threatened with loss of franchise certainly will change the opinions of these basically well meaning gentlemen.
Name withheld by request Pacific Grove, Calif.
INTERNAL SPECS.
We appreciate your honesty in reporting the results of road tests you perform on all brand name motorcycles. We also agree with you that a perfect motorcycle just does not exist.
As you know, most auto and truck brochures inform the reader in regard to the number of main bearings on the crankshaft, sometimes listing the journal diameters. Now, isn't it logical to assume that the crankshaft of all engines is a most important functional part that should be included in the specifications column? You should list type and number of main bearings, including journal diameter and let
the chips fall where they may. Or do you believe most readers are not interested?
In regard to American accessories manufactured to fit various foreign motorcycles, some U. S. manufacturers are still supplying American bolts and nuts to fit metric counterparts.
It is our opinion that metric bolts and nuts are now used in the majority of motorcycles sold in the U. S., and all accessories made to fit most European and all Japanese cycles, should have metric threads, metric bolts and metric nuts.
E. A. HOKKANEN Mohawk Cycle Sales Greenfield, Mass.
You have touched on a very sore point: that of getting information from the distributors. As you know, the data panels contain gear ratio figures, and often we are unable to get even the gearbox internal ratios from a distributor. Also, we often get a blank look when we ask for compression ratio figures.
When a distributor does give us internal engine dimensions, we make every effort to include them in the test. — Ed.
WANTED: CW COPIES
I've just gotten hold of the October edition of your fabulous magazine. It's the best motorcycle mag I've come across yet! Its only drawbacks in the United Kingdom are its relatively high price, compared with U. K. motorcycle magazines, and the fact that it's hard to get.
So I wondered if any of your readers
have any back issues that they don't want, would care to give them (or sell, if they prefer) to me — postage being refunded, of course.
Also, would any young enthusiasts (male or female) care to write to me? I'm 18 years old and have a G80 Matchless.
This is one of the photos I 'took at the Isle of Man TT this year, which I thought you might like. It shows Mike Hailwood's fairing coming apart.
ROGER WHITE The Cottage, Birkacre Chorley, Lancaster England
SAFETY, KOOKS & CLICHES
Some thoughts while reading the "Letters" section in the April, 1967 issue of CYCLE WORLD.
On safety: Where does one learn the
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safe and proper operation of a motorcycle? The only place I know of is in the street, picking up tips from "buddies" and by trial and error. The difficulties here, of course, are that altogether too often the "buddy" giving the tip is uneducated himself, and the error part of trial and error can be most painful. Is there not a need for motorcycle operating schools, just as we have automobile driving schools? I for one would gladly pay for some expert training.
On "kooks": the Eichmann trial showed the world that "simply following military or governmental orders" does not relieve the individual from his responsibility to mankind. In my opinion, the protester whose acceptance of that responsibility takes him to the extremes so many of us question, is deserving of far more respect, in a sense, than is denoted by calling him a "kook."
On commerce vs. morality: I am dismayed at the absence from the April, 1967 issue of any ads for CZ and Jawa, the same issue in which you print the letter of Donn F. Frantz in which he claims that you are supporting the Viet Cong by supporting Czech products. Very simply, the world has become too small for such narrow-mindedness. You might as well eliminate your support for all British, Italian, and Japanese products, since these countries, in turn, trade extensively with the communist countries. Mr. Frantz' cliches are old and tired; I am surprised that an editorial staff able to publish such a fine magazine would pay them any heed.
F. G. FLEISCHER Los Angeles, Calif.
STOLEN BIKE
I have owned four Hondas, and a sad thing happened to my last one, which was a 450. I purchased the machine in Japan in April, 1965, long before they were introduced in the States. I had a lot of chroming done and also the seat rolled and pleated before I shipped it to the States. I picked it up August 1st in Mobile, Ala., and it was a great joy to show it to the Honda dealers who didn't have any idea what they were to look like at that time. I enjoyed it very much until Feb. 4, 1966, when it was stolen from beside my barracks at Elgin AFB, Fla.
I reported it stolen to every known source, and haven't seen or heard a trace of it. So far, I can chalk it up as a total loss, which is about $800.00, including the cost of shipping it from Japan and custom work.
If you can give me any advice on how I may recover it, I will greatly appreciate it. The frame number is 100449 and the engine number is 1500097. It is black with chrome fenders, has turn signals and large megaphones.
A1C JOSEPH SANDERS
12th FMS, Box 745
APO San Francisco, Calif. 96326
TAILOR-MADE TRAILER
For what it's worth, and you may not be the least bit interested, the pictures I am sending you in this letter are of a motorcycle trailer that I have made out of old oil field equipment.
It is seven feet long in the loading track. It is four feet wide inside the fenders. The tires are 8:25 by 14, the same size as the tires and wheels on our car. This makes it very handy if we have a flat on the trailer. The loading weight of my trailer is 13-1/2 inches from the ground, which makes it very easy to load and unload our 305 Honda. The total weight of the trailer is about 355 lbs. It will haul a Harley 74 or a small Honda 50 without any major changes.
My wife and I like to ride in the mountains, but it is about 125 miles to them from Kimball, so that makes a pretty long ride just to get to there and back in one day. I work six days a week, so the trailer is a very good answer to this problem.
This has been a very good spare time job for me and has caused very much interest to my friends and riding buddies.
JAMES E. COLSON Kimball, Neb.
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A CANUCK PLEA
I have been an avid reader of CYCLE WORLD for about four years now. I am a member of CMA and have ridden in competition for almost six years. I have just purchased a new 360 CZ.
From time to time I have noticed articles on so-called "outlaw clubs." I would just like to let you know that you are not alone with this plague. In Canada we are also aggravated by these irresponsible slobs and their noisy choppers. They turn out in hordes at just about every CMA event. Their filthy appearance and repulsive manners are sickening. It has gotten to a point where decent motorcyclists in this area are afraid to ride their bikes in fear of being mistaken for this trash.
D. SEHL Kitchener, Ontario Canada
BAJA AND BACK
Since many years ago, I read CYCLE WORLD magazine; main reason, I like anything concerning motorcycles!
I got the last edition, number 12, of CW from a bookstand at Culiacan — and found "certainly greatest" the report titled "Baja And Back" written by Marvin Foster. After that, I started in mind, how to draw a map — such as my own contribution, in order to increase American two-wheels touring down to Mexico and a real friendship between both countries.
Enclosed you will find my little work; hoping it could be printed as soon as possible in your leading magazine.
JUAN de DIOS FAVELA M.
Quila, Sin, Mexico P.S.
I'm learning English language and found CW mag. one of my best teachers! Sorry for all mistakes.
AMA COMMENTARY
Once again you have submitted to the (Continued on page 22)
public a heavily biased and untrue idea of what the AMA thinks, is and does. Your letter or comment in answer to Bill Simmons' request for information in the February issue of CW was slanted to influence those who take nearly everything they read as gospel truth.
Although you didn't actually lie (this time), there are a few things I would like to set you straight on, that is, if you want to be.
Out here in the East (there is one you know), there is one of those clubs that you are so fond of called the AAMRR or the American Association of Motorcycle Road Racers. Their goal, which is noble, is to bring continental-style road racing to these shores. The membership to the AAMRR is $5.00, or two and onehalf what it is to join the AMA, and no button! To race, you must come up with an additional $5.00 for a license. The AMA charges nothing, but our AMA District #7 (Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia) charges a $1.00 fee for a sportsman license which is not mandatory.
The AAMRR charges a rider at least $5.00 per race, plus who-knows-what. The AMA races in this area are a maximum of $2.00, which includes admission. In addition, the AMA trophies are of a much better quality than those given by the AAMRR.
It is a rare weekend out here from April to November that we don't have at least one speed contest to go to. Usually, a TT-type scramble or hillclimb. The new rider in this district does not learn scrambling by osmosis, as there are dozens of experienced sportsmen and class "C" riders here who are willing to give freely of their advice and energy to help any new rider who wants to be helped.
AMA rulebooks are as common in our district as telephone books. I have three of them myself, which I lend out to anyone who needs to look up a rule or regulation. I might also add that although the AMA rule book is found in most toolboxes, it is very rare that anyone protests here. When a race protest comes up, it is almost always settled informally.
As for safety, our racing events around here are very fast, but injuries are nil, almost always of the band-aid variety.
We have only one race for which we need give advance notice and that is the North vs. South Championship which is held at Edgewood, Maryland, each year.
Out of over 50 speed events each year, we require advance notice to only one, one which draws riders from the entire East Coast. One of fifty is hardly ". . . in many cases . . ."
I have been in motorcycling in the district for the past eight years, racing and riding, and I know of no one who has spoken ill of the AMA. I believe I speak for all the riders around here in thanking the AMA for all they have done for us. If it weren't for the AMA we wouldn't be
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racing every weekend.
SAMUEL A. COOMBS JR.
Falls Church, Va.
It is rather obvious that you are one of the active sportsmen to which we paid tribute in our reply to Bill Simmons. A pity it is, then, that you choose to imply that we are liars.
Your shot at the A AM RR is unfair and shows little thinking. Reason: it is much more expensive for the AAMRR to stage a road race than for an AMA club to run a dirt event; it costs thousands to lay a road circuit and the owner of such a circuit rightfully charges much more for its use than does the owner of a dirt hill or cow pasture, where relatively little improvement has been made. The $5 tariff for entering an AAMRR race is quite reasonable for road racing; several other small sanctioning groups in the states charge as mud} as $25 to enter, with the average entry being $10. Current entry fee for AMA sportsman road races in Nevada and California, for example, is $5, which is not one dime less than the AAMRR entry.
Your reference to the way in which riders learn scrambling in your district is the "osmosis" we are talking about; no argument there. However, seeing that you have so many rulebooks in your possession, maybe you could send a few to District 37, where they're a bit lacking.
The balance of what you say is what we said: that local AMA districts do a fine job of organizing safe, inexpensive events for the weekend racer. Our complaints lie with the national AMA, not with the local districts.
You're presuming a lot by pretending to speak for "all of the riders around here," and selling them short, for in your rush to give the AMA wholesale credit, you fail to differentiate between national and local and thus give the national credit that the local has earned.
You are right: if it weren't for the AMA we wouldn't be racing every weekend. But let's carry it further. The benefits you enumerate are largely from District 7, not Columbus, Ohio. If it weren't for District 7 and its members, you wouldn't be racing. — Ed.
TEXAS TEASER
Enclosed is a picture of my 1949 Harley that I bought as junk for $10. It is
now the top show and custom bike in the nation. I completely rebuilt, hand engraved and chromed it, and it is now valued at $8,000.
EDWARD McFARLAND Houston, Texas "
