Letters
LETTERS
SAMARITAN
It is now about the right time to try something new in PR with the non-motorcycling public. Recently the major controversy has been over helmet laws which do infringe on personal choice, but can be tolerated while we seek to educate the public. I do commend those motorcyclists who have rallied against ridiculous seat belt laws and the like, but while this rallying is going on (and being interpreted by the well-meaning public as negativism) we must be positive as well.
Back in the 1950s, a group was formed (and I think it is now defunct) which provided cyclists with educational literature to be distributed when they stopped to help a stalled car or befuddled lady with a flat tire. This is an excellent time to revive this activity.
Such literature could consist of a card giving name and club affiliation of the rider, and a pamphlet explaining things which are in favor of a motorcycle's safe operation, i.e., stopping distance, accessibility of vital parts, accident rate of adult cyclists, reasons for the high proportion of accidents among adolescent bike riders, (first time on, borrowed bike, no training, and the need for youth safety education motorcycle programs in the public schools. The pamphlet could contain mechanical information on bikes themselves. Most important, it should impress upon nonmotorcyclists the interest of all motorcyclists in making the general public aware that the vast majority of motorcyclists enjoy safe sporting transportation and abhor extremism on two wheels.
When was the last time one of us stopped (even if it meant being late to supper or work) to aid a motorist? Or did we leave it to a service station truck to charge $5 to fill someone's radiator?
It's a great ego builder to help someone in distress and be able to display a little mechanical knowledge at the same time. A "Thanks!" earned at such a time is both soul-satisfying and a contribution to future objectivity with which that citizen will look at our sport.
The best approach is to pass and park well in front of the auto, leave helmet on bike, get out tools and literature, walk back, introduce yourself, and offer any possible assistance. Don't be afraid to get dirty, and do not accept a tip (if you need it that bad, you probably ought to-perish the thought-announce rates in advance!). If possible, make sure the fellow or lady drives off again before you depart.
Small inconveniences to us are very likely to be looked on as gallantry by the poor soul aided. Do this, plus slipping him the literature, and we can't help but build public respect for ourselves and, eventually, our rights!
PAUL KOUTNIK Bloomington, Ind.
It has been said before, Paul, but that doesn't make it any the less valid for motorcyclists everywhere. —Ed.
ELDER COMPETITOR
I am particularly interested in the historical stories written by your correspondent J. L. Beardsley of Cleveland, Ohio. I participated in some of those events he writes about, and was competitor and close friend of most all those prominent factory riders of those days. I rode for the Indian Factory in the early days and also rode for the Excelsior Factory from 1917-1922.
I made my home base in Los Angeles and Long Beach after 1912. I lived in North Long Beach in the 1930s, leaving there in 1942.
I rode the first Indians produced by Hendee Mfg. Co. in 1901 when I lived in my home town, Wichita, Kan., where I was born June 24, 1891; I lived there until 1911-1912.
I rode the first motorcycle races promoted in 1904 on half-mile horse tracks, won the first 25-mile championship race for Kansas in 1911. I raced for factories on both dirt and motordromes until 1925. Broke the 24-hour world record, Three Flag, Transcontinental record, 1922. Won Capistrano Free-for-All Hill Climb on an Ex, 1924, and many others in 20 years professional riding.
WELLS BENNETT Parkdale, Ore.
Take a look at Page 66, Mr. Bennett.— Ed.
OVERSEAS ACTION
The success of a road trip is primarily dependent on two factors—advance planning and driver attitude toward safety. Planning in this area is provided by Kuratome Fukuo.
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Kuratome (Fu-chan to his many friends) is an affable native of Fukuoka, Japan, who takes time from his busy schedule as owner/salesman/mechanic at Gonnasu Honda to conduct excursions around southern Japan. Driver safety is instilled in everyone by officers of Kyushu Timing Association, Hakata (KTAHO), our motorcycle club. Participants quickly learn to use their machines' superior braking, maneuverability, and acceleration to advantage on the open road, and through unfamiliar towns, in order to insure safe and enjoyable trips.
Road trips are advantageous to motorcyclists in many ways. They are fun, provide an economical way to see a country, and they give the enthusiast a chance to demonstrate to the unaware public that not all riders are bent on self-destruction.
Many Americans stationed overseas are looking forward to riding "back in the. world" and watch with interest the letters concerning restrictions and other conditions in our respective states.
NORM BUTCHER Fukuoka, Japan
IT SHOULD HAPPEN
I am not an importer of motorcycles, but rather a casual student of economics. Importers must admit the devaluation of the British pound is lining their silk purses. British bikes sold well at pre-devaluation prices (slight understatement), and it is my distinct impression that the factories were hard-pressed to meet the demand generated by those prices. To hear my local dealer cry about it, he can sell more bikes than he can get his hands on. This is especially true in the post-"You meet the nicest people..." era. It would be irrational to lower prices if the importers axe selhng all the factories can produce anyway. The motorcycle industry was one of the few in Britain that did not need devaluation. British motorcycle manufacturers' products were competitive on the track and on the showroom floor. It is naive to think that all prices are set on a cost plus percentage profit basis. Certainly motorcycle prices are aimed at the maximum that just persuades the last buyer. Any lower price would be irrational.
Having said that, I find myself still hoping that prices will be lowered and that I am at my local dealer's shop when he hangs the new price tag on the big Twin I've had my eyes on! It should not happen but...
PETER H. GREENWOOD Williamstown, Mass.
DRIVER ED ADVOCATE
I thought you might like to read the letter I sent to the local school corporation.
Dear Sirs:
I am writing this letter about a subject which I have been thinking of for a long time. As you know, there are an increasing number of students in this area that are starting to ride motorcycles and motor bikes. I was wondering if it would be possible next year to start teaching motorcycle safety along with the regular drivers' education course. I express this interest as a motorcyclist and a senior in high school. When I took drivers ed. two years ago, there was absolutely nothing on motorcycles. This situation must be rectified. I was fortunate when I got my cycle that the dealer was a responsible person who saw to it that I knew how to ride before he let me take my cycle home, but many shops give you your cycle and you leave on a wing and a prayer.
I believe that motorcycle education should be done in this manner. A small cycle should be purchased, about 150 cc, and it should be a four-stroke. Instruction should be given in the correct handling of the cycle, riding technique, and motorcycle safety, to be used along with the actual riding of the cycle by the student under the direction of the instructor.
This course should be taught only by motorcyclists of at least two years standing. While having nothing against regular teachers, they could not possibly give the correct technique if they were not themselves cyclists. I for one would be happy to help in such a class without pay, as would other cyclists in the area I am sure.
I would like to thank you for taking time to read this letter, but I feel the safety of my fellow teens is of upmost importance and that a program of this nature is necessary.
I believe that all cyclists should take a deep look at the local school's driving program. There are too many schools that completely ignore motorcycles in their safety programs. If the cyclist finds the program lacking, he should write to the school and express his feelings. The letter couldn't do any harm, but it could do a lot of good.
GARY L. AGLER Syracuse, Ind.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
I am writing to tell you what's happening in motorcycling in New Zealand.
The most active part of the sport is scrambling and motocross, with road racing next in line. We have had the American rider Tim Hunt down here twice riding in an International series of motocross. Tim proved to be a popular rider on his Triumph/Metisse.
Road racing was very popular a few years ago. We sent a team of three riders each year to the Isle of Man. Now, however, scrambling is taking over, with a meeting nearly every weekend in the Auckland area in which I live.
I have been a motorcycle enthusiast for 21 years, and have owned 32 motorcycles, ranging from a two-stroke up to a 650 Twin. I subscribe to eight motorcycle magazines, four English, three American and one local.
Yours is the hardest to come by, available on a yearly basis only, but also, in my opinion, is the best one of the lot. I was first introduced to CYCLE WORLD by a Pan American flight engineer, Bill Salisbury, of Cupertino, Calif., whom I met at a scramble here in Auckland. He had a copy of CW with him. I forthwith arranged with my bookseller to obtain CW for me.
The enclosed photos are of scramble and road racing riders. Road bikes available here are Triumph, Norton, Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha. Anything else is just not available. I would love to be able to come to the States to see some of your classics, and, oh, the bikes one can buy there! One day, perhaps, who knows?
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I am a married man with three childern, and we are a real motorcycling family. At present I am rebuilding an old AJS 500 Single.
WILLIAM B. NEAME Auckland, New Zealand
TO DIRT RIDERS
With good places to ride getting hard to come by, it seems that the least we can do is take the bottles and cans we bring out back home with us.
After all, a flat tire or a badly cut arm or leg from ye olde broken bottle or mashed up can ain't no fun.
And even worse, if the trash keeps piling up (besides looking terrible), is the dire possibility of losing some of our riding areas. If it comes to this, we can't blame anyone but ourselves.
As long as I'm on the soap box, here's a word for you dune buggy drivers. Granted-you have as much right to the dirt as we do. But your worst offense seems to be that when you climb a hill and then cease forward motion, you keep spinning the tire, and in a very few seconds dig out a large hole in an otherwise smooth hill. Possibly you don't realize the potential danger you leave behind for an unwary bike rider, who attempts to climb said hill, perhaps while facing the sun, and falls into the hole you left.
JAY CARNINE Rialto, Calif.
BARBERSHOPPER
A great deal has been printed and discussed in the Motorcycle Fraternity about how to offset the "bad image" which has been hung on motorcycling by bad movies and bad reporting. We think we have an idea which would be very effective if put into practice all over the country. It is simply this: DON'T THROW AWAY YOUR CYCLEMAGS: DONATE YOUR LAST MONTH'S ISSUE TO YOUR BARBER SHOP.
All clean-cut riders get their hair cut at least once a month, and they are a friendly lot who gab with their barbers. Barbers are not squares, and they like to do a steady customer a favor. All other American men who amount to anything get their hair cut at least once a month, too. It all seems too logical to pass up. I have been donating my cycle mags to my barber for about a year, and I notice three out of four men and boys pass up the news magazines and pick up the cycle mag when they are side by side.
MELVIN H. LILL Cycle Conservation Club of Michigan Okemos, Mich.
Good idea! My own barber shop is well supplied with CYCLE WORLD and Dune Buggies magazines.-Ed.
BSA OWNERS CLUB
An interest has been sparked by the mention of a BSA owners club (international) in CYCLE WORLD, by myself and I'm sure, (Continued on page 12) other BSA owners throughout the country. Correspondence between Mr. John Battams of Essex, England and myself has brought about interest in establishing a BSA owners club branch here in California, specifically in the area of San Jose.
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Having been shown the enjoyment and prestige of being a member of an owners club by the BMW Club of Northern California-I feel there are many potential members for a BSA club. There are many places to tour and sporting events. What better way to enjoy these items of mutual interest than as members of a well organized and respected club.
Anyone who is also interested may write to me personally or phone. My address and phone will be listed below.
RON DANKS 630 Barton St.
Santa Clara, CA 95051 (408) 244-8254
CRASH PROGRAM?
I am sure you receive letters of this kind daily, but I just had to tell you how much I appreciate your magazine. I read other motorcycle magazines, but I find this to be on the top of the list. Your photographs of the road tests and the front cover are excellent (not to mention the detailed information).
After reading "Crash Program" (CW, Aug. '68), I have a few questions. First, do you think that the Stage II machine might be compulsory with its special fairing in the next decade? Also, how much money would you estimate it to be?
CURTIN NORDEEN New York, N.Y.
The Stage II machine won't become reality unless motorcyclists let it happen. The safety items would raise the cost of the bike to $200042500.Ed.
SCARED
What I have seen tonight motivates me to write this letter. At about 6 p.m., a woman driver made a left-hand turn directly into the path of an oncoming motorcyclist. Why didn't she wait for the cycle to go by? Why should she? She is safe in a large, powerful car. Drivers think motorcycles are toys. They don't take them seriously.
The impact of the motorcycle into the car was so great it turned the car completely around. The woman was unhurt-that man is now in surgery and has been since that time (11 p.m. now).
The reason this upsets me so much is because my husband loves motorcycling. He has a BSA 441 Victor. He has it set up for scrambling and the woods. He says he is downright scared to ride on the street because of the motorists. I am scared for him when he rides, just because of the very thing I've seen tonight.
Please, CYCLE WORLD editors, (I read it each month, too) get together with the editors of the car mags, and others, and stress that motorcycles are not toys. Help protect their riders.
MRS. JAMES HAYWOOD Keithville, La.
SHIFTS FOR HIMSELF
Before reading your answer to Mr. Donald F. Rieder's letter in "Letters" and Mr. Loren C. Watkins' letter in "Legislation Forum" (CW, April '68), I never realized that there is any controversy over which foot to shift with. Since I ride a Gold Star I shift with my right foot, and to me, this is perfectly natural.
No one would dare accuse me of being of the "Old School," since I have been riding less than one year. My first bike was an old Ducati, so I started out shifting with my right. My next bike, though, was a Bridgestone, so I got used to the other way. I have become much more at ease with the right foot shifting again on my Gold Star.
In closing, anyone with reasonable intelligence can learn to ride any motorcycle with ease, left or right.
WILLIAM ANTHONY HICKS College Park, Ga.
PRIVATE LINE
GREAT! That is an appropriate word to describe your publication. My enthusiasm is quite sincere, and stems from working on and riding various motorcycles and scooters since I was 16. Many of my buddies and I derive endless hours of solid reading enjoyment from your magazine. We appreciate your excellent photography, artistic layout, etc. etc., but...most of all we appreciate that pure MOTORCYCLE feeling we get when we read your magazine.
I do not get much chance to ride now, so I appreciate your magazine even more than I did as a "free soul." I own three bikes, presently. They are: a Triumph TT Special; 1959 125 Hummer; and a 350 Webco equipped Honda CL77. As soon as I get out I will be back on 'em, 24 hours a day!
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PFC STEVEN D. HOLTE Ft. Campbell, Ky.
LOVE GIFT
I hope that you will aid me in this request as it means something very special to me.
The man I will marry has every issue of CYCLE WORLD but the very first two published. Could I possibly buy these? I would like to give him those first two issues as a wedding gift. I intend to have them all bound for our library later. He loves CYCLE WORLD and wouldn't miss an issue.
MARIANN DI BUONO 140 Chase St. Hyannis, MA 02601 Circulation says that the January 1962 CYCLE WORLD just isn't available. Are there any readers who'll donate a first edition in the name of true love?-Ed.
TOOTHPICK TT
One of the projects assigned to me for an art course was to make something out of toothpicks. I thought you might be interested in seeing a picture of the result.
JIM HOFFMAN Bridgeport, Conn.
ZUNDAPPER
Realizing that your publication enjoys international circulation, I would like to try to make contact through your "Letters" column with a fellow Zundapp enthusiast, preferably from Germany. I hope to correspond with someone who is chiefly interested in 200/250-cc two-stroke Singles and enjoys discussing them at length (their modification, etc.). I ride mainly off-the-road, and would be pleased to hear from anyone anywhere who campaigns such machines in enduros, my particular fascination.
I am afraid that I will be limited to English or, at best, very simple German in any foreign correspondence. Thank you for your excellent magazine-you do motorcyclists a great service.
WILLIAM R. ORTH 8910 N. Lynn Ave.
Tampa, FL 33604
ANTI-THEFT
Readers may be interested in an anti-theft device I constructed for my motorcycle at a cost of approximately $15. It consists of a cable made of 0.312-in., 7 by 16 strand, stainless steel wire rope. The advantage of this material over chain is that a length of cable suitable for securing a motorcycle to a telephone pole easily can be strapped to the machine.
Two loops are formed by brazing each end of the cable to the cable body, although a better scheme is to use special clamps. Approximately 11 ft. of cable is needed, and an appropriate amount of polyethylene hose. Both are available at hardware stores.
I am confident that the cable will resist all but the most persistent and professional thief.
MICHAEL ENSDORF Manhattan Beach, Calif.
HE AGREES
I agree wholeheartedly with your road test on the new CB and CL450s. These were released here in Canada (under the name "Hellcat") in early February. I was fortunate enough to get one of the first models from the first shipment.
The Hellcat has absolutely none of the annoying vibration which accompanied the old 450. And that power is unbelievable! Recently at St. Thomas drag strip a stock Hellcat 450 beat a stock Triumph Bonneville five drags out of five.
BRUCE ALLAN Welland, Ont., Canada
LIGHTS ON
How about a campaign by your magazine to encourage the daytime use of headlights by motorcyclists? The reason for many motorcycle-car accidents is that the car driver just didn't see the bike. The extra visibility provided by the headlight has two good points in its favor: 1) It aims to prevent the accident instead of preventing injuries in an accident; and 2) it is not as inconvenient to the rider as the wearing of a helmet sometimes is. However, I am still very much in favor of helmets.
DAVID L. SEILER Kalamazoo, Mich.
