Letters
LETTERS
BRUTALLY HONEST
Have just completed the delightful “Oaf Test” (CW, July ’69). With a brutally honest “Squirrel” score of 147, or an “Expert” score of 164, allowing for careless errors, correct intent and basically sound impulses (perhaps born of some 15 years experience as a sports car nut), am I to be permitted to keep my beloved Ducati Diana Mk III, or am I summarily demoted to do penance with the 50-cc teeny-boppers until I learn the error of my ways?
The test was delightful, and not a little informative. It suggest that articles dealing with emergency situations might be very valuable for even the reasonably experienced rider. Your magazine has been my constant companion since I became interested in the sport in early 1966. May I simply express my thanks for a job well done in providing information and entertainment regarding most of the important aspects of cycling. To me, you still are the leader in the field, and I hope you can continue the excellent accomplishment.
JIM HEADLEE
Durham, N.C.
Keep your Diana, Jim. Experience is a great teacher...as well as honesty about your mistakes-on paper or pavement.— Ed.
ANGLOPHILE
I have recently acquired seven copies of your magazine, dating from December, 1966, to March, 1968.
As a whole, I find the magazines’ layout very good. As a type of magazine, it’s a lot better than any we publish in this country. This is established by circulation, I should imagine.
I have been considering a statement of yours in an advertisement for the Suzuki Cobra 500/5, as it is made to offer the first over 3 50-cc two-stroke. The Scott Squirrel 600-cc two-stroke, water-cooled Twin, dating from about 1920, included total loss pumped oil.
September, 1967, was the Diamond TT and special competition issue. In Round Up, first column, it says “sedond-rate British” instead of “American rate.”
This is what may be referred to as Americans refer to as crap. I have seen some shots of what could be called U.S. road racing and I think that these riders wouldn’t stand much chance against people like Alan Barnett or Jim Carny or any of the British National Champions riding identical bikes. And, as for comparing the U.S. riders with Read, Ivy, the late John Hartle, the living Geoff Duke, Dereck Minier and John Surtees, all it is is sour grapes. The American reputation isn’t even upheld by Lance Weil, with his well handling 883-cc Harley-Davidson. Harleys are big, ugly, in fact hideous, machines which, fortunately, we only see a very few of in this country, at the Isle of Man TT for one.
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It always amuses me also the power figures you quote at times, as I think at times they are ludicrous—example, the Munch Mammoth, 110 bhp (CW, Oct. ’67). Well, all 1 will say is this: a friend’s Norton Vincent’s power output, about 55-60 bhp, is unmanageable in the wet, or opening throttle rapidly leaves rubber on the road. BSA-Triumph 750 Three’s 60 bhp were recording excessive rear wheel spin before they left the factory grounds. To my knowledge, the only tires capable of handling this sort of power are the new Dunlop KR83s.
For a finisher, why do you Americans ruin the looks of our bikes by fitting handlebars that are more suited for apes to perform or tanks that have to be filled every five minutes?
Myself I own a 1959 600-cc Norton 99 which, when finished, will look like a Paul Dunstallish machine with slight variations due to personal taste. It will be moderately tuned with 9.1 pistons, twin carburetors and P.D. Street camshaft, plus 2LS front brake and racing lining front and rear to tame it.
The one thing I always laugh at (or I would cry) is the bastardization of the Aermacchi to suit American tas tes !!? Why destroy the character of this great little bike?
M.D. BARNARD London, England
We at CYCLE WORLD regularly read British motorcycle magazines. As a group, they seem to be the most insular, fatuous, uninteresting, provincial and technically lacking works of alleged automotive journalism ever produced. And British motorcyclists’ tastes seem to be reflected in these publications.
Thus, we, the very best, resent being taken to task by a nit-picker who can’t separate opinion from fact. We resent your attitude that everything British in motorcycling is perfect in motorcycling. When did a British bike last win the TT or the Scottish? How well did Hailwood do during ’68 without his Japanese tuners? What top British rider uses equipment made in his homeland? Miller? Eastwood? Bickers? Ivy? Read? At least a good many Ü.S. riders win with some U.S. machinery-at Daytona, for example. Read, Peter Williams and Rod Gould were there in 1968. Where did they finish?
And, you must be pretty naive not to realize that advertisements in our magazine do not carry CYCLE WORLD views, statements or opinions. We sell space to advertisers so they can say what they think. In this case, it was Suzuki who paid for the say. And, as for Squirrels-nuts!
Sit there on your dank little island and throw jabs at people’s views and opinions, if you like. Why don’t you send Carny and Barnett to the U.S. to compete, if you think they’re of such quality. We’d like to see ’em go on the l-mile dirt oval at Sacramento. In reference to Lance Weil-at least he’s campaigning in Europe. How many Britons are running on the AMA short track circuit?
Some of your British figures are equally amusing-Triumph Trident at 127 mph, for example. We were able to push it to 117-honestly, with the best British tuning-and that’s all. Furthermore, only a Britisher would contemplate riding a Mammoth-or a Vincent, for that matter-on a rainy day.
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Talk to U.S. drag racers about preferences for Goodyear and M&H tires, as compared with Dunlops.
If Americans enjoy tall handlebars, that’s their business. Few of us wear bowler hats. How can anyone in a country where “eels and mash" are eaten comment on taste?
In regard to your ownership of a 1959 Norton 99-that’s your hard luck. Perhaps you’ll be able to sell it to a museum.
The H-D Aermacchi looks the way it does because people in the U.S. have a bit more experience than any British toolmaker in selling things on the U.S. market.
You remember 1 776, of course. That’s when one King George held views remarkably similar to yours. — Ed.
AMA ACTION
My complaint is with people who say the AMA does little and makes dangerous rules for the racer. In Michigan, a mandatory helmet law was in effect. It was until some people here got the AMA behind them and took it to the Supreme Court, which judged it unconstitutional on the grounds that it is not against the law for a person to want to commit suicide. A law which states that a helmet must be carried on the bike when it is being driven, in hopes that the rider will wear the helmet, is now in effect.
Silly, I know, but it does prove the AMA will help when called upon.
C.M. DAVIS FPO San Francisco
REAR END VIEW
I enjoyed the account of Bart’s back road testing (“View from the Pit Wall,” CW, June ’69), as I was along then too. As I recall, I got the rear end of No. 4 to lift in and out of Bart’s truck.
CONRAD KUEHNER Stratford, N.J.
HE READ EVER Y WORD
I have been reading your fine magazine for five years and up to now have had no complaints, but I feel that the ad on page 10 of the May issue was done in very poor taste and detracts from the overall high quality which your publication exudes. Kawasaki has now lost at least one potential customer.
MICHAEL A. THEULE Santa Monica, Calif.
Bitchin’l—Ed.
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zzzzzzzzzzz...
Hasn’t it occurred to the knuckleheads of the motorcycle industry that there is a cause-and-effect relationship between compulsory helmet laws and the decline in motorcycle sales? Wake up, Columbus!
JOHN BEE Philadelphia, Pa.
ITS PLASTIC!
Just a note to some of your uninformed readers who label everything they don’t like communistic. My hair is a little long and I have a beard. I have been called hippie, peace-creep, and pinko-commie among other things, none of which bothers me, since I don’t view any of these groups as inherently contemptible-more accurately, I lean to the left. However, I also am a member in good standing of the AMA, I have raced in enduros, am buying a Yamaha DT-1 next month, and detest unconstitutional safety laws.
The point of this is that to label such legislation communistic is sheer ignorance. This legislation is pushed through either by politicians who want their names on a bill or ones who see anything which doesn’t conform to their plastic vinyl-topped society as a threat to the American way. Strangely enough, the American way was begun by men who refused to conform because they wanted something better, and that way will endure only as long as we have men who continue to refuse to knuckle under.
DAN W. GRANGER Macomb, 111.
HE LIKES THA T HUMOR
I have just finished reading the May 1969 issue of CYCLE WORLD and I feel compelled to comment upon two of the articles contained therein. “The Truth About Enduro Riding” and “You Won’t Believe It” have to be two of the best, certainly the most humorous, stories that I have had the pleasure to read in a long time.
MARVIN C. DAVISSON San Diego, Calif.
IT WAS THE FUNNIEST
I just finished reading the funniest piece ever to light my life. Kudos to Ed Hertfelder on the enduro thing (CW, May ’69). As a budding coward I probably won’t try it right away, but it does give one food for stopping, period.
A.G. FOUTS Seattle, Wash.
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CHEESE ANYONE?
I discovered your excellent magazine two years ago on my first trip to the States, and I have been an enthusiastic reader since then. Many friends and I appreciate your numerous and complete road tests, good pictures, and colorful advertising. Please keep up the good work!
The purpose of my letter is that I'd like to visit the western United States in the summer of 1970, along with a friend. And, as we are both great motor cycle fans, we have been thinking of renting a bike for our trip.
Is it possible to rent a full-dress Electra-Glide in California (Los Angeles or San Francisco)? Where would I write, and what would be the rate for three or four weeks?
I also would like to exchange dealer decals and tourist decals or badges with American cycle fans, preferably in the west.
I live in one of the most scenic regions of France, and if any American cyclist wishes to stop over on his way to Spain or Italy, our town's 150 cyclists and I would be glad to offer hospitality and provide sight-seeing information. French cuisine and 365 kinds of cheese await you!
JEAN-PIERRE R. MICHEL
53, Avenue Edouard Michelin
63 Clermone-Ferrand
France
OAFAL QUESTION
I flunked "The Oaf Test" (CW, July `69). Does this mean I have to give back my Rokon Trailbreaker?
CHICO HAINES
Eugene, Ore.
ATTENTION: DOUGLAS OWNERS
I would be grateful if you could publish this note regarding the London Douglas Motorcycle Club.
The club can supply almost any spares for vintage, veteran and postwar machines and offers limitless technical help concerning the upkeep of these obsolete motorcycles.
Douglases are getting more scarce every year, and there must be many American owners who would appreciate our help. Financially we are unable to advertise, our existence. I will answer any queries about the club.
M.J. MC NAIR
139 Bradshaw Way
Irchester, Wellingborough
Northants, England
