Letters
LETTERS
WHY THE AGE LIMIT?
May I first say that I think yours is the finest motorcycle publication on the market.
Now, down to the reason for this letter. I have just learned that the AMA has set a 16-year-old age limit on all AMA speed events. Well now, I, like many others who have sons that race who are not 16, am going to get mad as hell if we must take our riders and machines off the sportsman tracks. I have invested three years of time and many hundreds of dollars getting my boy to the point where he is really becoming a racer. At the present the boy is 13 years old. Does the AMA dare to tell me that we must now stop racing for the next three years?
In my state, children under 21 must have parental consent, written and notarized, before they may race. So what’s the big deal? No matter what age the rider is, 10 years or 50 years, if he is injured on the track the AMA will not be responsible anyway. All sportsman racers and their sponsors must foot their own doctor and repair bills. Is there a valid reason for this age limit from the AMA?
FRANK METT Orlando, Fla.
DEADPAN DEPT.
As America’s Leading Motorcycle Enthusiast’s Publication, should not your position as No. 1 be to set a good example? The index of your November issue states, “History of Brough Superior-Lawrence of Arabia simply died for a ride on this one.”
That type of sick humor is in extremely bad taste and detracts from the dignity of journalism.
LEONARD GOLDING Cranbury, N.J. Sick, maybe, but always informative. —Ed.
THANKS FOR THE LIGHT
I want to thank you for the article on the 750-cc BMW (CW, Sept. ’69). It put us dealers in a little clearer light. On the front of the new BMW brochure, there are three bikes coming out of the darkness or haze. But you really set a fire under the big brass. Keep up the good work.
WILLIAM P. SWANSON Cambridge, Neb.
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ON CD IGNITION
Since we manufacture a capacitive discharge ignition system for motorcycles. we were quite appreciative of “Understanding Electronic Ignition” (CW, Nov., ’69).
We have not only a single unit, but one unit for twin-cylinder bikes as well. It is no longer necessary to buy two CD systems for a twin-cylinder bike, as was stated in your article.
HAROLD GAGE G-C Electronics. Inc. 2421 HurfusSt. Houston, TX 77018
WHAT'S WRONG WITH PLASTIC?
I’m sorry if this letter also sounds like “a Honda advertisement” to Mr. Mortensen (C'W, Letters, Oct. ’69), but this one is meant to. As for his comment on the use of “plastic,” it is absurd. With a neoprene chain guard, one never has to worry about welds breaking, a problem I had with the chain guard on my first Honda. T he side covers are not plastic, but a very hard rubber-like compound, which means they will never dent, only scratch. Plus, as was pointed out, the weight is kept at a minimum.
TERRY J. MEARS Los Angeles, Calif.
3200, AND GOING STRONG
In reply to Mortenson’s letter ot Oct. 69: My Honda CB750 has 3200 miles on it and is running as smoothly and perfectly as the first 300 miles. I have had only one mechanical problem with it a burnt out fuse. My only other complaint is that the oil feed for the chain has a nasty habit of flowing back over the exhausts to the rear rim and then up to my passenger’s clothes. At this moment, I wouldn’t trade it for any other bike.
W. EDMUNDS Thunder Bay, Ont., Can.
A MAGNIFICENT PERFORMANCE
During the past year I have had two moments during which 1 was immensely proud of being an American. One, our landing on the moon, and the other, our American motorcyclists at the International Six Days T rial in Germany.
What our riders accomplished in Europe cannot be thoroughly realized by Americans at home. To credit the performance of one rider over another regardless of his final standing is unfair. Every rider we had at the 1SDT was magnificent. What is more amazing, the riders and spectators from all over Europe thought we were magnificent.
Please allow me to offer my very sincere and heartfelt congratulations to every team member who represented the United States. I am very proud to be an American and equally proud to be associated with American motorcycling.
T.N. HEININGER Pres., Webco Inc. Venice, Calif.
ANYBODY KNOW ABOUT BMS?
Recently, in Spain, I purchased a used two-cycle, single-cylinder 250-cc motorcycle. The letters BMS were embossed on the side of the engine. Any information on this machine will be appreciated.
C LAY MYERS 10005 Murnane St. Vienna, VA 22180
JUST DUCKY
Please let me compliment you on producing a generally excellent magazine. 1 look forward to each issue.
However, I criticize the quality of your “Letters” section. I honestly do not know of as infantile an approach to selection and rebuttal of critical reader correspondence as you
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exhibit. You display all the courtesy and tact of Donald Duck throwing a temper
tantrum. I challenge you to justify your irrationality via your “Letters”
column. THOMAS CRAIG Alhambra,
Calif. Quack, Quack...
ROBINSON TESTIMONIAL
The Red Wing Motorcycle Club of Detroit is planning a testimonial dinner to honor two of its most celebrated members, Dot and Earl
Robinson. We know they have hundreds of friends throughout the country who would like to send their best wishes on this occasion or perhaps he present at the dinner. The big day will be February 21, 1970. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Mrs. Jane Black, 15411 Eastwood, Detroit, Mich. 48205, or telephone (313) 839-69 1
5. DICK JACOBS Pres., Red Wing M/C St. ('lair Shores,
HELMET PREJUDICE
I would like to hear your opinion on the law that requires all motorcycle riders to wear
helmets. I don’t think this is fair. I don’t think the law should be prejudiced against those who ride motorcycles and not against those who drive small cars. If these cars are hit by a larger vehicle, the drivers also should have a helmet on. In fact they should wear a suit of armor. A motorcyclist can jump aside from an accident; the sports car driver would be
crushed. We must remember that there are many, many injuries and fatalities among car drivers, who have been around a lot longer than the ever increasing number of
motorcyclists. MIKE FREEMAN Highland,
Calif. If the Eeds continue to have their wav, automohilists will probably he required to wear some sort of protective head device within five years.
MIRROR OF DISCONTENT
For the past several years, the federal government has, been pressuring the automobile industry to remove sharp, pointed and protruding objects from the insides of cars, for the passengers’ safety. Shouldn’t the government now start thinking about the motorcyclist and ban laws which allow mirrors on motorcycles?
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The rear-view mirror was designed for cars and is poorly adapted to the motorcycle. It gives a poor picture of what is in back of the rider, is a nuisance when riding in thick woods, and it isn’t trusted by the rider. He still turns his head.
The dangers the mirror has for the motorcyclist in the event of an accident certainly overshadow its usefulness. Incidentally, I have a fine of $33 waiting to be paid for not having a mirror on my trail bike, quite stiff considering it’s only the second fine I’ve had since I started driving six years ago, wouldn’t you say?
RANDY POWELL Marietta, Ohio
Outrageous, we’d say. —Ed.
ANY HELP FOR A HOFFMAN?
I have recently purchased a 1953 Hoffmann motorcycle, Model No. MR 175-2. I would appreciate any infor-
mation concerning a service manual and parts for this cycle. I am especially interested in a piston as the original is not in usable condition.
JOHN NEUENSCHWANDER Hoxie, KS 67740
HILL RIDING BAN
I, one of 120,000 motorcyclists in Idaho, am outraged that the legislature is pushing a bill that will make it unlawful for cyclists to ride in the hills. Since I was reared on a ranch, I realize what the private landholder feels when he sees bikes swarm over his grazing land—but why ruin our recreation?
Ninty-eight percent of the cyclists do not realize they are trespassing on private land when there are no fences and no prohibitory signs. Also, when landholders fence off their land, they don’t leave an access road or trail to public land. Land owners and legislators refuse to consider an inexpensive method which will inform the cyclist where the private land lies.
This situation isn’t bad enough, but they are going to outlaw us from public and federal land, too. You won’t hear them screaming about dune buggies or four-wheel-drive jeeps and trucks—just bikes! This law is discriminatory. It is completely unfair and unconstitutional!
So where is the AMA? Isn’t motorcycling a national sport? We, the motorcyclists of Idaho, would appreciate a
little help and advice from your magazine and the AMA. We have already sent thousands of letters to the state capital and our legislators. If cycling is in fact, a national sport, where is our national support?
JACK L. SMOOT Nampa, Idaho
HE’S KEEN ON KEEN
The most amazing things happened to me last week. First, I purchased my first motorcycle. Second, I read “An Interview With Neil Keen” (CW, Oct. ’69). The bike, a modest venture to be sure, is most exciting, and I now understand your enthusiasm in this pastime. The article, too, proved most exciting. It appears that both the sport and the industry are in need of this man’s mind as well as his muscles and reflexes. Keep up the good work.
ALAN FORREST Minneapolis, Minn.
GIRLS AND BIKES FOREVER
I have noticed that CYCLE WORLD, along with some other magazines of the sport, has been the recipient of no small number of letters from outraged readers who write in protest of the girls shown in various ads, particularly those of BSA. As one who feels the female to be a most acceptable creation, not out of place in anybody’s magazine, and certainly not in a motorcycle magazine where grace and beauty of form are widely displayed in machine art, I must take exception to these no-girl-niks.
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PAUL WATTS Fresno, Calif.
A FAITHFUL PRFSCRIBER
If you have to put women in your book, put clothes on them. All men are not dirty and like that.
A FAITHFUL PRESCRIBER Sudbury, Ontario, Canada She looks pretty clean to us. — Ed.
HERE WE GO AGAIN
Again in the California Assembly a bill requiring motorcyclists to wear “state-approved” helmets has been introduced. This bill, AB 654, was proposed by John F. Foran.
I wonder how many companies will benefit by making state-approved helmets? I wonder why the state should be so concerned with what a motorcyclist wears—or doesn’t wear. And I am sure there are many good and more than adequate helmets that are not as hot, heavy and uncomfortable as the stateapproved helmet.
I believe better legislation would require police motorcycle training before a license or registration is issued. These men are far better qualified to issue a motorcycle license than the present DMV examiners.
I am sure that if all automobile drivers were required to ride a motorcycle 60 days before getting a license to drive a car, they would be cognizant of the fact that there are other people on the road besides themselves. This would help eliminate car-motorcycle accidents. More than once we have had some clown in a car deliberately cut us off.
My husband and I do not and would not ride without a helmet, but I resent the state telling me not only that I must, but what kind of helmet it should be. I wrote to Mr. Foran in protest, but the sad thing is I doubt that many others will. I don’t think the answer is more laws. More to the point would be better education in handling the vehicles we use.
There are a few that are “voices in the wilderness.” Maybe, someday, the voices will be heard.
MRS. M.J. FORD Los Angeles, Calif.
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OBSCURATUM
You perform a valuable service in drawing attention to the fact that the executive has declared its dedicated and determined intention to destroy the principle, once “self-evident,” that all men are equal before the law, in that it advocates a “program to insure that only persons physically and mentally qualified will be licensed to operate a motorcycle.”
Perhaps motorcyclists, if not everyone else, will now realize that what is at stake is the survival not of transportation, but of civilization, the state in which men live together without resort to force. This is simply the old issue between the rule of law and the rule of men, singly or in mobs.
BRIAN W. FIRTH Reno, Nev.
You will find, as your life goes on, that when a large number of individuals fail to live up to their own responsibility and needed self-discipline, that the government is going to do it for them-by law-making. It’s an old story: people get the government they deserve. By denying their own responsibility as human beings who must live in harmony with other human beings, they set the stage for government to step in. — Ed.
STARTING PROBLEM
I just purchased a Penton 125. I’ve never raced in motocross before and I’m interested in starting. I’m only 15 years old, but I love to ride and ride fast. How can I get started in this sport? Is there a club that will help me learn more and/or get me started in my area.
TOM CLEARY Fort Solonga, N.Y.
Don’t ask us, Tom. You have the information at hand. Ask at the shop where you bought the bike about racing clubs in your area, and where you can get your license. As you’re 15, your parents will have to give approval. —Ed.
WELCOME TO THE CLUB
Recently I bought a friend’s Honda and with the bike came an issue of CYCLE WORLD. I had never read your magazine but will never miss it again. After just one issue I was more excited about cycling than ever before. Thank you for a magazine that truly reflects the professional atmosphere of this great sport.
PETE HARTMAN Raleigh, N.C.
