Letters
LETTERS
HE’S PIQUED
I was a bit distressed and piqued to find that you have had to resort to a rather motley crew of advertising having absolutely nothing to do with the subject of your publication. I am not at this time running into much of a problem with bald hair, nor do I feel many of your readers are. Auto advertisements should be anywhere but in a motorcycle magazine.
The most intolerable aspect of March’s CYCLE WORLD was the article on snowmobiles. The vast majority of motorcyclists, sir, bought your magazine-strange as it may seem to you-to read about none other than MOTORCYCLES. Try to stay on the subject.
ROBERT D. STEVENSON Boston, Mass.
THUMBS UP
Your story on snowmobiles (CW, March ’68) was very good, and the writers’ reactions were similar to those of most beginners, plus an obvious technical know-how. Thumb fade (a darn good term we have never thought of, but are likely to use now that you’ve coined it) seems to be a necessity, since the power sled must be much quicker in response than a bike, and that spring has to work tast. There are machines with three-finger levers and twist throttles, but they are less satisfactory than that damn thumb lever. Some tinkerers use twist throttles and alternate thumb throttle— using the twister for long level runs and the other for the more-often encountered ups and downs and bumps and twists. Brakes get less use than you’d think (particularly since they tend to chuck the driver over the windshield). Steering skill comes with practice. It is possible to turn a machine within a 10-ft. circle, sometimes less, if the snow is cooperative that day. Thanks again for an interesting story.
PAUL WEBSTER, Editor Snow Travel Magazine 36 Harbison St.
Quincy, Calif.
THEY'LL DISAGREE
Your article on Snowmobiles was extremely interesting. The technical coverage of the machines was nothing but the finest. You have a few opinions with which the large majority of snowmobile enthusiasts will disagree.
The most important point of dissent is in the twist grip throttle. It has a nasty habit of becoming sticky and freezing in position. It can be most distressing when a sharp corner must be made or rider and machine part company. I suggest you try a lighter spring on the throttle cable.
The second point is the Ski-Doo instability. It was built that way to give it high maneuverability in soft snow. Try driving the machine like a motorcycle. When properly ridden, it should outperform the Yamaha, as will a Scorpion sled. If you still desire stability, try the wide track models available from dealers.
Thank you for noticing and taking part in a great sport. Would you expand your coverage to racing, as you do so well on motorcycle events? Thank Montesa and BSA for their complete uncoverage of the best of two major fields in interest.
JAMES RASMUSSON State School of Science Wahpeton, N. D.
MAIL FROM ALL OVER
Just a short line to thank you for the wonderful writeup you gave us in your March Round Up column. It has helped out magnificently. We have been getting mail from all over the country. I can see from these results why your advertisers support your magazine in the fashion they do. Wishing you the same or better success in the future.
FRANK F. CONLEY The Classic and Antique Motorcycle Association 808 So. Church St.
Visalia, CA 93277
HE'LL RIDE AGAIN
Last July, while on a combat mission with the 4th Cavalry, our vehicle was hit by communist anti-tank weapons. As a result, I lost my left foot and my right leg below the knee. Before I went into the service, I was quite an avid cyclist, and I very much want to ride again.
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I have been thinking of possible ways to modify a machine so that 1 could be able to operate the foot controls. I no longer have a machine of my own, so all these ideas have no way of being put to practice.
I was wondering if any of CW’s readers might have had to overcome such a problem, or have any ideas on how I could set up a machine for my use. I would very much rather keep away from hand-shifts and foot-clutches. If anybody has such brainstorms, they can write to me at the address below.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for a fine magazine. CW and other motorcycle magazines were forwarded to me by my parents while I was in Vietnam. I can’t describe in words the enjoyment my buddies and I got in reading through the mags—all I can say is Thank You from all of us in C Troop, 4th U.S. Cavalry.
D.C. FAIRBROTHER 32 Ichabod Road Simsbury, CT 06070
15 AND IN LOVE
There is so much controversy between twoand four-stroke motorcycles, I’ve decided to put an end to it right now!
Just walk into a Honda dealer and lie will, most assuredly, give you an infinite list of reasons why four-strokes are best.
Now, make tracks over to your friendly Yamaha dealer, and he will supply you with enough earth-shaking information to convince you four-strokes should be banned.
Why not, instead of reading (no offense to CW) or listening to numerous praises from twoor four-stroke lovers, go to a shop, ride the bikes that appeal to you, decide which one you like best, then buy it. There, it’s solved!
I am 15 years old, and I’m in love with my 250 Harley-Davidson Flattracker, but I want a 175 Bultaco, so who’s confused?
JOE RILEY Portland, Oreg.
FROM BRITAIN
I have just been reading through some back issues of your magazine and comparing it with the British periodicals. It’s great! Your road tests are simply fantastic as are your race reports. Only trouble with your magazine is that it is extremely hard to get. In fact, I order mine through the bookman at Brands Hatch, 25 miles away.
Would any of your readers care to write to me, swap magazines and so forth. I am 19 years old and have a BSA Lightning.
PETER J. COVENEY 130 Park Road Sittingbourne, Kent, England
A GOOD LOOKING BABE
Every so often one of your readers sends in a photograph of his favorite motorcycle straddled or adorned by a good looking babe.
True to form I am following suit. Although a bit younger and on a common ordinary BSA 441, Cassandra, my daughter, is a most avid motorcycle enthusiast and reader of your magazine.
She is very competition minded, and although she has not won any races, she has come in last in several events such as getting the blasted thing started and mounting. Nevertheless this has not daunted her spirit as the picture clearly shows.
RAYMOND A. HUDSON Missoula, Mont.
MR. MOTORCYCLING
Having been introduced to your magazine only recently, I came across a reference in a back issue to our local personality, Mr. Motorcycling, E. S. Brown.
I am enclosing clippings from our district paper you may find of interest, not that he has had a minor accident after 60 years on motorcycles, but for his refreshing philosophy on motorcycling.
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Mildura Sunraysia Daily:
If you’re gloomy about the chances of making that three score years and ten we’ve been allotted in this world, have a chat with Ned Brown.
Mr. Brown is a whippy 92. He does things that, clinically speaking, he should have quit about the time the Wright brothers flew the first airplane.
That’s why Mr. Brown fust now is in Ward 1 at the Mildura Base Hospital with one leg in a cast. He took a buster off his motorbike.
It’s the first time in more than 60years of motorcycling that he’s been laid up because of it. Would he call it quits now?
“Not on your life!’’
J. D. LEVER Mildura, Victoria Australia
WILDERNESS WENDER
Despite my address, allow me to thank you and your cohorts for Saddleback Park. Your role in the development of such an area has finally convinced me to subscribe to CYCLE WORLD.
I am a road racing fan and a road rider (Honda Super Hawk) and enjoy motorcycling a great deal, but the fact is my wife and I also love the silence of the few wild places left in this country. Although it is always unfortunate to have to deny anyone anything, still it seems that in order to ensure the preservation of these places where man can truly escape from civilization and from the greatest contributor to its fevered pulse-the internal combustion engine-certain areas must be denied to motorized machinery. And yet it also is fair that areas be set aside for the use of sporting machines, and in this field CYCLE WORLD has taken what to me seems a most commendable step forward. Thank you again from myself and from the many other lovers of wild places who must share my feelings. I hope more such places are in the offing.
JAMES D. CLARK Oxford, Ohio
CONDOR QUANDARY
I have just purchased an old motorcycle in pieces that I would like to restore. All parts appear to be there except for mufflers. My problem is that no one locally has ever heard of the bike.
It is a 580-cc Condor four-stroke transverse Twin flathead of about 1940-50. It has a shaft drive with a four-speed transmission, with two rear end ratios. It greatly resembles a BMW. I would appreciate any information you or your readers can provide as to parts available and manuals, especially concerning the rocker arms and pushrods, which are damaged.
The frame is stamped +92650, 194650-50. The transmission is stamped 4650, 103712-L. The engine eases are stamped “Scintilla Made in Switzerland.” The tank emblem reads
“Alpha 580.”
KEN BEATTIE 11812 96th St. Edmonton, Alberta Canada
STATES' PLATES?
My hobby is collecting motor vehicle license plates. I am a member of the ALPCA (Auto License Plate Collectors Assoc.). At present I am endeavoring to obtain one motorcycle plate from each of our 50 states. I will be happy to pay the postage to obtain any plates.
F. J. HEALY 44 Elmira St. Staten Island, NY 10306
A CAMPAIGNER
One big cause of accidents involving motorcycles and cars is the automobile driver’s inability to see the cyclist. I am convinced that the driver looks at the cyclist, but the image doesn’t register because he doesn’t expect to see a motorcyclist.
Various solutions to this problem have been proposed, from wearing wild clothes to not muffling the motorcycle exhaust. I would like to add one more. I propose an advertising campaign to condition people to “think cycling.” As to how, I offer two examples.
1. Billboards: Show a picture of a cyclist riding with the caption “Motorcyclists share our highways in increasing numbers.”
2. Television: Television offers vast opportunities to reach people. Even the man who thinks all cyclists are hoodlums and worthless people anyway might be conditioned into thinking “motorcyclist.”
Here is a layman’s version of a typical advertisement: A man talks with a friend about Jack, who lives down the street. “You know Jack’s boy, Pete, has taken up motorcycle riding, and even has Jack interested. I'd sure hate to run over Jack’s boy with my car.”
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Obviously the Madison Avenue boys could write better advertisements, but I think you get the point anyway.
However, there is one hangup to my solution - where does the money for ads come from? In the case of billboard ads, a motorcycle manufacturer might show his bike being ridden with a plug showing his brand name somewhere, or the people who pay for the “drive safer” ads on television could do a few about motorcycles.
WILLIAM THOMSON El Cajon, Calif.
INDIANS EVERYWHERE
I was fortunate enough to receive a Christmas gift subscription of CYCLE WORLD from my teen-aged nieces. I consider it to be the most responsible, mature and interesting motorcycle magazine. It always has a variety of articles and pictures related to all facets of motorcycling, whether it be competition riding, trail riding, touring or riding just for fun.
I am enclosing a picture of one of my two 1946 Indian Chiefs. I learned to ride motorcycles while in the Navy in World War II, and have owned a Harley, a 1936 Chief, and my present Indians which I have had two years. I regained my interest in motorcycling while I was working on my Masters Degree at The University of Tennessee in 1965, when I saw all the cycles on campus. Keep up the good work.
WAYNE SININGER Williamstown, Ky.
HE SAW HEPBURN
I enjoyed your article, “Epic Rides of the Fabulous Hepburn” (CW, March ’68), as I knew most of the racers in the pictures. It was quite a thrill when they used to come tearing down the one-mile dirt track, up in Milwaukee. The dust was so thick one could hardly see who was who. That was back in my school days. Anyone who rode a motorcycle was a hero to us kids.
CARL R. GRIESBACHER West Allis, Wis.
VELO VELOCITY
It may be of interest to your readers that there is in existence a well established Velocette Owners Club. This club is based in England; however, we do have a number of members in the U.S. and Canada.
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Membership is open to Velocette owners and/or enthusiasts. One of our features is a club magazine, published once every six weeks. This fine publication contains technical information on current and vintage machines, articles by members and many other items of general interest to Velocette enthusiasts.
Your readers in the U.S. or Canada who desire information on membership can contact me.
K. KRIEGER 3701 Conshohocken Ave., Apt. 613 Philadelphia, PA 19131
PENNY WISE
Being both a motorcyclist and a casual observer of international finance, I cannot but help connect the recent devaluation of the British pound with the price of motorcycles and spare parts in this country.
The fact that the value of the dollar has been increased 12 percent in relation to the pound should enable the importers to bring their motorcycles into this country at a proportionally lower price.
Whether in fact this windfall will be reflected in the showroom price to Mr. Average Motorcyclist bears close watching.
I might even suggest that the potential buyer this spring might be justified, if lower prices do not materialize, in asking why not.
Would the importers care to reply?
FRANK PATRIS Newton, N. J.
GAL PAL
I bought my first cycle—a 90-cc Honda—in April. I wanted a tame one, but one with a little bit of spunk. Without doing a commercial, I must say, outside of a few bugs, I have had very good performance from it, on and off the road.
I would like to see more articles for the female crowd in your magazine, on motorcycles from 160-cc and down to the 50s. A certain space should be “For Women Only.” If any of your female readers wish to write, I wouldn’t mind corresponding with them.
ANN L. SALISBURY Anawan St.
Rehoboth, MA 02769
GOOD GUZZI
I am a 19-year-old student at Northern Michigan University. I have been riding motorcycles since the time I was seven, as my brother is also a “cycle nut.” After trying many different makes (including Honda, Harley, BMW, BSA, Ducati, Suzuki, Triumph, and a truly fine Norton Dominator), I have happened on what must be the finest motorcycle around (I can’t afford a Mammoth) the Moto Guzzi V-7.
The only complaint I could possibly find with this masterpiece of workmanship is that it requires quite a little energy to downshift it, about the same as upshifting a Honda with a bad clutch.
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I would like to hear from others who have found out about this great machine, and anyone else who might want to hear a four-hour lecture on the merits of this bike.
CRAIG SMITH
231 Payne Hall Marquette, MI 49855
MISERABLE SERVICE
If Glenn E. Ross (CW, Jan. ’68) is a voice in the wilderness, at least he is not alone. In fact, I suspect there is quite a crowd out here. I echo all Mr. Ross’ complaints. I found it especially hard to bear the miserably poor service and cavalier attitude typical of most motorcycle dealers. If an automobile dealer ran his operation the way the average motorcycle shop is run, he could not stay in business two months.
The motorcycle could be an ideal machine for urban transport because of its flexibility. However, even a minor repair or routine maintenance would have my bike in the shop for one or more weeks. Major repairs proved disastrous, as often more harm than good was done. I did not have Mr. Ross’ perseverance. After a botched repair job on my second machine necessitated the replacement of most of the moving parts of the two-stroke Twin engine, I sold the machine at a very low price.
The usual argument offered by the dealers is that their profit margin and mechanics’ salaries are low compared with those of the automotive field, so what can you expect? My answer is that I would be glad to pay the price, if the service were of like quality. As I found out after spending an amount nearly equal to the purchase price of the machine, poor service is worth less than nothing, no no matter what you pay for it.
Some dealers seem to be of the opinion that motorcyclists should perform most of their own repairs. This would mean that each rider would have to make a substantial investment in tools he would use only occasionally, and would have to spend considerable time lea;ring the intricacies of his machine. This may be practical for the racer, who must make frequent repairs. It is hardly practical for the rider who uses his machine for routine transportation or occasional sports riding.
I don’t think a blanket condemnation of motorcycle manufacturers is warranted.There certainly are some lemons, but there are enough good machines available to offset these. The exception is weather protection. If one wants to mortify the flesh, there are cheaper and more convenient ways to do it (horsehair shirts, for example) than ride a motorcycle through cold air. A fairing provides the best weather protection of all, but as far as I know, only one manufacturer, Velocette, offers factory-mounted fairings on street machines. The accessory manufacturers help some, but adding a fairing after the fact is expensive, and usually requires considerable labor on the part of the rider. (I wound up fabricating the fairing mounts for both my machines.) It might even be possible to provide a heater by putting a heat exchanger in the exhaust system or on the engine, and providing blowers and ducting! And why not a windshield wiper? Weather protection greatly enhanses the practicality of a motorcycle as transportation.
The day when motorcycles could be sold through faddism apparently is over. Now let’s get down to business.
DR. WM. PRITIKIN
Manhattan, Kans.
SWINGING SANITY
You’ll never know just how pleased I was to learn, from your “Round Up” column, that I possess the ultimate in status symbols!
Having only been in California six weeks, I can’t say I looked upon the surfers’ knots with anything other than scorn anyhow. This perhaps might be credited to the fact that I’m a woman-a vain one pushing 40, at that.
My “battle scars” of my bike-riding days have caused many raised eyebrows among my more conventional friends, I must admit. This fact, alone, has given me many an amused moment.
Needless to say, I’m considered a swinger by my five children, two of whom have their own bikes. I often wonder, though, if my ex-husband ever considered a sanity hearing for me. He divorced me shortly after I purchased my first bike!
M. Y. MOORE LaMesa, Calif.
AMA APATHY
I am a bit puzzled! Recently I wrote to the American Motorcycle Association and requested a schedule of 1968 AMA-sanctioned events for Ohio. Also, and more importantly, I asked for the specific addresses of those persons who have been pushing anti-motorcycle bills in the Ohio legislature. The AMA’s reply was to consult the American Motorcycling Magazine each month for scheduled motorcycle events, and as for my request for addresses, AMA apparently was apathetic and did not bother to comment on the subject.
My question is this: if the future of motorcycling is in as much jeopardy as CYCLE WORLD warns it might be, then why was the AMA so unconcerned with my offer to write the Ohio legislature to express my disapproval of adverse motorcycle legislation? I was sure they would be thrilled with my offer and supply me with the appropriate information promptly. Well, what’s the story behind this?
JOELMONDL Bowling Green, Ohio
HELP FOR HOREX
I recently acquired a Horex motorcycle. I think it’s a 350 cc, but I am not sure. It is a single with dual exhausts.
I understand from the previous owner that wiring is the problem, but I find I can’t get a wiring diagram, service and repair manual, or even parts. Is there a place where I can buy these? It has “earless type” forks. The engine number is (+GF+) 082172.
JOHN MILLER Miller’s Cycle Repair 30048 South Stockton Farmington MI. 48024
Will Horex lovers please stand up?-Ed.
