Letters
LETTERS
TAKE THAT!
State Transportation Committee State Capitol Sacramento, Calif.
Dear Sirs:
Enclosed please find a copy of my letter to Mr. John Foran regarding the proposed motorcycle helmet law. Please read it and give it the same consideration you would give any letter from a constituent concerning a matter of public concern.
I hope you will understand that motorcyclists throughout the state are becoming very angry with their treatment by prejudiced, discriminatory, thoughtless legislators and assorted prohibitors; a crisis situation is building up and the helmet problem is in the vanguard of the injustices that motorcyclists cannot much longer be expected to tolerate. Furthermore, a state with as many internal problems as this one (confiscatory taxation, student dissent, campus revolt, Brown power, UFWOC, ad infinitum) can hardly afford the luxury of senselessly aggravating further the citizenry.
Thank you for your consideration, and let me urge you once again to relegate this anachronistic bill to Limbo; men of good reason and intelligence could hardly do otherwise.
Respectfully, Paul Watts
John Francis Foran, Chairman Assembly Committee on Transportation Suite 3132 State Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Mr. Foran:
I am writing with respect to the most onerous, treacherous, misguided, illconsidered piece of legislation introduced in recent memory-your AB654 to require motorcycle riders to wear helmets.
It evidently matters little to you that you, along with Mr. Ohm, have garnered the wrath and collective hatred of an entire state’s motorcyclists—and their ranks are considerable in California. Why you persist in trying to force this piece of legislation on an unwilling public that rejects it for the fascist, totalitarian nature of it, is beyond me, although I suppose the acclaim from the unaffected conservative elements is good ego food, and it’s easier than doing anything constructive. Equally incomprehensible is why the motorcycling fraternity— those whose lives are affected by objectionable legislation—is never consulted as to whether it wants or cares for such a law, but this is characteristic of lawmakers more interested in self-aggrandizement than in the best interests of their constituents.
I wish you to understand with whom you are speaking. I left the state of Oregon precisely because the legislature passed a similar bill which became a law effective Jan. 1, 1968. I endured the tyrannical oppression for three months, then moved to California, probably the last citadel of individual freedom in the United States. Now I find California also has its do-gooders, its feudal slavelords, its smashers of the human spirit, and the anxiety of impending suppression returns once again. While in Oregon I made a most intensive study and presentation to the American Civil Liberties Union concerning this problem; the ACLU accepted it and the case is now pending before the Oregon Supreme Court.
All that aside, I am afraid that you and the other legislators of similar persuasion are completely unaware of the moral aspects of what you are doing. Would you appreciate my passing a law requiring you to keep your hat on? What will you feel when motorcyclists are fined and hassled by the police for riding around the block on their bikes, taking in the sun, in violation of no law of God or man other than a piece of nonsense which you sponsored?
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It is a sad commentary on the ruling intelligence of this country that the only time the government grants concessions to its citizens is when they loot, burn, plunder, and pillage in massive retaliation against injustices. To date, the American motorcyclists have tried to follow traditional means of attaining equality and justice, but it doesn’t seem to be working. Will they have to riot, too, as other minority groups? Will it take deaths and catastrophic property damage to make you, and legislators across the country, realize that the American people are tired of the Big Brother approach, tired of having the uninvolved directing their lives, tired of kissing the boots of the “fat cats” who drain them of their taxes and give back only restriction and “no-no’s” in return? It can happen, and foreseeably it will happen, and you’ve started it if you allow this sort of legislation to continue. Now that government “of the people, by the people, and for the people” has become hollow rhetoric, it is incumbent on the legislators to stay attuned to the wishes of the people, and not pursue legislation designed to cripple minority groups whom they may not like or against whom they may feel real or imagined personal grievances. A legislator-any legislator-who represents himself and not the people is a fraud and a disgrace. You cannot truthfully say that AB654 has grown from a ground swell of public support and acclaim. It has lost twice before.
I hope you understand what I am telling you, as it’s a very serious matter, this law that you are pushing. It’s detestable, inhuman, odious, and is a violation of the reasons you were elected. Furthermore, you are fully aware that, if the law should be passed, it will be challenged vigorously, with the anticipated resultant dissension, legal entanglements, and animosities.
In closing, I offer a suggestion: pass a bill requiring driver’s license exams so stiff, so exacting in terms of physical reflexes, visual acuity, crisis-reaction potential and attitudinal sets, that the streets are cleared of the homicidal maniacs, the aged who can no longer adequately operate a death-dealing vehicle, and the assorted incompetent, unthinking automobile drivers who are the real cause of carnage on the highwaysthose who cause many accidents in which motorcyclists become involved. Neither you nor anyone else is likely to accept this suggestion, for your votes from all the displaced motorists who should have hung up the wheel years ago would disappear.
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I urge you to consider very seriously what I have told you, as I mean it in all sincerity, Mr. Foran. You’ll be hearing from me again, as well as from those many others whose lives you have chosen to restrict.
Paul Watts Fresno, Calif.
DAYTONA WAS THE GREATEST!
Just in case you get some sour comments about the postponement of the Daytona 200, let me set the record straight. The 1969 Daytona 200 was the greatest in its long history.
If it had been run on the original date, in a heavy rain, the winner may have been Englishman Geoff Buffortington on his knobby tired Single; and we wouldn’t want a non-American to win this all-American race, would we?
Why, if they’d run it in the rain, it may have given the Suzuki 500 an unfair advantage because of not having to make a second gas stop if the race was called after the minimum 100 miles. If the race had been stopped at 100 miles, the Yamahas may have stayed together. If they’d run it in the rain good ole Calvin Rayborn and HarleyDavidson might not have won.
Worst of all, if the race had not been postponed, the AABR might not have anything to talk about for the next 12 months. This was the greatest 200 ever.
JERRY HATFIELD American Assn, of Bench Racers Maxwell AFB, Ala.
You ain’t just whistlin’ Dixie, Jerry.Ed.
YOUR’RE GOLDEN, DAVE
Enjoyed very much reading Volker Rauch’s story on the Zundapp works department (CW, April ’69). Also, thanks for the mention.
When I lucked into the Zundapp ride for the ISDT in Sweden, I also lucked into having Deiter Kramer on my same minute. This happened to me in ’64, when the immortal Sammy Miller led me around the East German countryside to a Gold Medal. So having had some practice at this follow-the-leader “game,” I just latched onto Kramer for another Gold.
Of interest here is that Kramer was on the ’66 B Vase Team, but was elevated to the Trophy Team when another Zundapp ace broke his wrist only a few weeks before the International. In ’66, Deiter scored second highest in the 125-cc class, having been beaten by an Austrian “spoiler” on a one-of-a-kind Puch. Kramer had his revenge in the ’68 ISDT when he scored highest bonus points overall and helped bring the trophy to West Germany. I also remember George Weiss well because he objected to my riding the spare Zundapp in Sweden. My reward came in the end. I finished 5th in class and at the awards banquet both Deiter and Weiss made a special effort to congratulate me.
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DAVE EKINS Van Nuys, Calif.
COMMENT ON BAJA
On Sat., Jan. 11, 1969, I saw the Baja 1000 on “The Wide World of Sports.” It was fantastic watching men and machines battling the Baja Peninsula. Then I read your article on Baja (CW, Jan. ’69). It surprised me to read about the De Soto/Jones incident and how the cyclists “readily abandoned the race to help in an emergency.” There was nothing said about it on the show. The solution to prevent future incidents will not work. Who will help the “car people” if the cycles are sent out first?
I cannot believe that the Baja 1000 was so competitive that the drivers had to endanger each other’s lives. Is winning or the prize money that important?
Perhaps I have no valid argument. I am not aware of the Baja driving conditions. Especially watching a 650 Triumph rider trying to pass a Bronco. Man, even his “flying” didn’t get him past the Bronco! Still, I didn’t expect to read about such an incident concerning one of America’s top drivers and the advice given by his factory sponsor about the protest.
This also brings to mind your article on Bill Medley (CW, Jan. ’69). I agree with Bill Medley, that the film industry is giving the cyclist a bad image. I have been riding for the past two years, and it is my opinion (since I am no authority on bikes or people) that the majority of cyclists are “beautiful people.”
Best of luck to Bill Medley in finding a sponsor for the cycle series on television. Has he considered some spendthrift cycle corporation or sponsoring a racing event? (Just suggestions.)
KENTSUSI Beamsville, Ontario, Canada
WHY NO REFUND?
I had the honor(?) of attending the AMA’s annual Daytona 200-mile road race. As a spectator, I was totally disgusted with the whole operation. Many people came thousands of miles to attend the race and couldn’t possibly return to use their rain checks. The pre-race literature said, “Come rain or shine.” People sat in the cold rain for more than three hours waiting for the final decision. I realize conditions may have been too dangerous for the race, but the least they could have done was refund the price of the tickets to those who couldn’t return.
On top of all this, the bungling idiots funneled all 10,000 people into the grandstand through a five-feet wide gate. And it was still raining. I would like to see the AMA take a count March 23. For each unused rain check, $5 should be donated to a worthwhile charity.
If this is the kind of people motorcyclists have operating their largest event of the year, I say do away with them. If I were to award “Laugh In’s” Fickle Finger of Fate, the AMA would have an excellent chance.
ROBERT BUCHHOLZ Tierra Verde, Fla.
THE RECORD
Wells Bennett (CW, Nov. ’68) without a doubt is one of the greatest, but having made the world’s 24-hour record on the Henderson (66 cu. in.) on the Tacoma Speedway is undue publicity for Tacoma. I think I was the last to ride the Tacoma Speedway competitively on Aug. 29, 1918. I made the world record on the Indian Light Twin model 15-cu. in. engine, pistons 2.4 oz. The speedway was no longer being used for auto racing and was deteriorating fast. Your picture of Wells Bennett crossing the finish line for record of the large machine is in error in Tacoma. It must have been in some other city. I am enclosing pictures of Tacoma Speedway in 1918. You will notice the stands were not covered.
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I broke the record twice that summer and I have records and pictures from Motorcycle-Bicycle Illustrated, Pacific Motorcyclist, and Motorcycling & Bicycling. The light machine record changed hands four times that year.
Frank Richardson Pierce, noted writer and motorcyclist, also rode a Henderson, then decided to supervise competition in Washington.
Please don’t take it that I am challenging your record-just the location.
Here is a big round of applause for Wells Bennett. He must have been a tiger, those days.
ELMER J. BERGSTROM Gig Harbor, Wash.
PART OF AN OPEN LETTER TO THE HELL ’S ANGELS, 1 PERCENTERS & THEIR MA TES
...Remember, a good bath, shave and a change of clothes won’t hurt you in the esteem of your neighbors. Even a hog will keep clean, if it has the opportunity... “SPEEDY” BABBS Stuart, Fla.
And while you’re at it, you might clean your hawgs. —Ed.
PLEA TO DEALERS
I have read and enjoyed your magazine from your first issue and it is high time I told you so. CYCLE WORLD is the greatest! I have watched you make many changes through the years, and all for the better. CYCLE WORLD started as a very good enthusiasts’ publication and now is, by far, the best available at any price.
Your road tests are, from my experience, accurate and comprehensive. Had I read those performance figures on the Kawasaki Three (CW, April ’69) in any other publication, I would not have believed it. That beast is WILD!
I was more than happy to read in “The Scene” (CW, April ’69) Mr. Wagar’s comments directed to dealers who will sell the new Kawasaki. He pointed out the responsibility of educating the prospective buyer in the dangers of indiscreet riding habits on this “superbike.” I think, though, that the comments should be extended to include all dealers of high-performance motorcycles. The motorcycle today is a far cry from what was available just 10 years ago when I started riding. The machine I cut my teeth on was fast (in 1959 the H-D 74 was not the fastest, but it was fast), but it also was heavy, and misuse of the throttle did not have the rather sudden and severe consequences that come from misuse of today’s “superbikes.” Granted, the poor brakes could lead to difficulties but today brakes are, by necessity, rather strong, and overuse on wet streets or during hard cornering can lead to trouble of a different nature.
Could you find room for one more appeal to dealers? If the dealer would spend as much time indoctrinating a new rider to the motorcycle as he spends writing up the contract, he would do a great service to the customer.
DONALD L. KERR FPO Seattle, Wash.
