Letters
LETTERS
SUPER FINE TROPHY TEST
I want to congratulate you on the super fine road test in the February issue. On the total performance and qualities of the new Triumph Trophy 500, it was both informative and interestingly put. I enjoyed the reading material on all four pages. CYCLE WORLD, keep up the good articles and road tests.
RONALD GAVIN Bellflower, Calif.
IGNORANCE IS BLISS
So far I have not been able to locate any pertinent literature on the topic of cross-country touring. It would seem that motorcycle periodicals virtually ignore this area of our sport.
Now concerning my problem: I plan to ride a Harley-Davidson Sportster through the Southwest. My life style will be camping and cooking for myself.
I would appreciate any information concerning the amount of paraphernalia needed for an enjoyable trip.
DOUG SHERROD Chanute, Kan.
Take a Lincoln Continental, two blondes and a handful of credit cards. — Ed.
MAKING POINTS
I enjoyed this month’s publication very much, especially “Night Rider.” The writer made some very good points, some of which I plan to put into practice. A guy can’t be too careful and every little bit helps. I go along with Mrs. M.J. Ford of Los Angeles (Feb. Letters) in that if all automobile drivers had to ride a bike for a month or so it would make better drivers of most. I know riding a bike has made me a much better driver while in my car. I watch things farther ahead and try to determine what each driver plans to do long before he does it.
BOB L. BLACK North Webster, Ind.
HARD AND LOUD
Having recently come to a Barcelonastandoff with my K70-shod Matador (I dropped it on the street in a newly watered spot that was dry at first pass) and now nursing the tender kneecap and various raspberries remaining, I grimly enjoyed J.S. Johnson's "Practice" in the February 1970 issue. The Bul in street trim is a wonderfully nimble winter bike, but the "gyroscope on a string" sensation is inside the turned-on mid dle-aged man's head only as a fond memory, having been instantly shunted aside by the truly loud noises heard inside a helmet. Blacktop is hard and loud. Writer Johnson left out the eerie wonderment at hearing one's mount still idling on its side until it loads up or starves. . . you grope in the dark for the kill button, hoping that your last ges ture toward the machine will at least do something different from what recently happened.
In retrospect, my bruises come as much from out-of-use reflexes (stupidity?) as from having readjusted brake lash to very small clearances just before going out. Experienced riders have their problems, of which Johnson’s tale is just one, and the rest of us will garner wisdom in our own way. In the meantime, stories such as Johnson’s and the Canadian’s “Night Rider” (same issue) can be, at least, of great interest to the rest of us.
J.H. GARDNER San Pedro, Calif.
HELMETED BUS DRIVERS
Now all motorcycles being driven in the state of New York must have lights on not only at night, but during the day, too.
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This law stems from a survey taken by the state of New York which showed that buses with lights on during the day have had many fewer accidents. Does this mean that bus drivers will be wearing helmets?
LANNING KANN Riverdale, N.Y.
A WOMAN SPEAKS
“How to Teach Your Girl to Ride” (CW, Feb. ’70) was a riot. In a way it was very true, although I must say I was a little bit different in learning. I asked my questions before I got on the bike so my husband would get the hint. And once he got the hint, he didn’t mind teaching me—very much.
My main reason for writing is the letter from “Faithful Perscriber” who had a beef about women in bikinis being pictured on bikes. Why shouldn’t girls be pictured? Lots of girls and women ride today, and I happen to be one of them. I am 4 ft., 9Vi in. tall and can just about hold up my husband’s 650-cc Kawasaki. That doesn’t stop me, though. I love to ride and can’t wait until spring so I can get my license.
MRS. CAROL L. BRAMANDE Vernon, Conn.
"YANKEE," POR FAVOR
We take the liberty of addressing you these lines with the purpose of clearing up some wrong news that appeared in the British press, which has, no doubt, caused confusion in the international motorcycling circles.
Firstly, we wish to make it clear that the Yankee 500-cc Twin engine is the property of the Yankee Motor Co., Schenectady, N.Y., USA.
As a matter of fact, this engine has been designed and manufactured by us on the above company’s request and we therefore would be grateful if when referring in your articles to this particular engine, you would specify that it is the Yankee 500-cc and not the OSSA 500-cc as it has erroneously been said.
EDUARDO WERRING Export Manager Maquinaria Cinematográfica S.A. Barcelona, Spain
STOP IT IN THE SENA TE
Having written my state senator and contacted the local dealers, I am writing you with reference to a problem which threatens to affect every rider in this state, in hopes that your magazine can acquaint more readers with the situation than 1 possibly can.
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Under the sponsorship of Assembly man John Terry (R-Syracuse) the State Assembly has just passed and sent to the New York State Senate a bill which would require the headlights of all motorcycles operated on the public highways to be illuminated at all times. Mr. Terry's rationale for this legislation is, in his own words, that most auto mobile-motorc~Tcle collisions happen be cause the motorist "just didn't see the motorcycle." This is a tacit admission of a statistic all motorcycle riders are aware of-that the blame for most acci dents lies with the automobile operator. But often feeble illumination provided during daylight by a cycle headlamp will not help the motorist see us, nor would a dozen flashing lights, because the motorist is not looking for motorcycles but for large four-wheeled vehicles. The solution lies not in more absurd legisla tion that, places the onus of self-defense on the already over-legislated cyclist, but in an educational campaign to make motorists aware of the motorcyclist's existence and his right to the highways.
There is still time to defeat this unnecessary legislation. Write to your New York State Senator. But if he
doesn't hear, and in a large way, from those of us opposed to the bill, we can bet it will be passed.
L.M. BALDWIN II Assistant Professor of English Onondaga Community College Syracuse, N.Y.
ON POLLUTION
With legislation in Congress to cut air pollution, do you have any information as to what the cycle industry is doing in this area?
As you know, two-strokes are by far the worst violators in this respect and unless devices are designed to combat this problem I can envision some "well meaning" representative of our govern ment trying to pass legislation to outlaw motorcycling. - -
Let's do research NOW!
TED KARAS Carlsbad, N.M.
Pollution from two-strOkes is hardly as bad as you think. The oil mixture makes the exhaust visible, but the quan tity of. burnt gases and waste is little more than that of a four-stroke of equal displacement. -Ed.
"SPEEDY" BABBS CASE
You may be aware that Speedy Babbs, the retired motodrome and stunt rider, was arrested in January for riding in violation of Florida's compulsory helmet law. Speedy, of course, has retaliated by calling on the FBI, Presi dent Nixon, Governor Claude Kirk, and the news media for support, pointing out the police-state characteristic of mandating headgear and the cruelty of forcing him to wear a helmet contrary to the advice of his own physician. - -
Accordingly, I have written the Palm Beach Times the enclosed message, copies of which have gone to the presid ing Judge and Governor Claude Kirk.
Editor of the Palm Beach Times:
The Jan. 27 edition of your news paper carried an article concerning the police harassment and judicial barbarity being inflicted on Mr. Louis "Speedy" Babbs of Stuart, Fla., because he has dared to ride his motorcycle sans crash helmet.
As a devoted aficionado of motor cycling and a citizen deeply concerned over governmental intrusion into indi vidual rights, I must express my pro found disgust over both the existence of the Florida helmet law and the medi eval, mindless treatment that the law officers and Judge Harry Dyer have seen fit to accord Mr. Babbs. The law itself is discriminatory in intent and regressive in effect. It is a blatantly unconstitu tional device forced upon Florida and about three-fourths of the other states by the Federal Farce via the High way Safety A Ct, by means of which Washing ton can withhold up to 10 percent (and how much more?) of Federal highway funds for non-compliance with its dic tates, and failure of a state legislature to pass a helmet law for motorcyclists is held to constitute such an infraction. The sad, the tragic fact is that most legislatures have acquiesced to the Fed eral Blackjack, selling out individual liberties and constitutionally guaran teed rights for the Federal dollar. (Where did the feds get their money in the first place?)
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This act of supreme cowardice goes unnoticed by many of the "silent major ity," most of whom wouldn't know a Honda from a Howitzer, but it is an infamous, vile injustice to the nation's motorcycle riders, most of whom feel the disposition and care of their heads to be a matter of individual choice. Moreover, it is a nuisance restricting one's freedom of choice (the State tells you what kind of helmet you can and can `t use!), and it is a safety hazard, restricting peripheral vision and hearing ability, as well as being horrendously uncomfortable in hot weather.
But the good Judge Dyer is obviously uninterested in the facts, nor does he care about the effects that enforced portage of the odious helmet will have on Speedy Babbs' rights, psyche, or health. The judge, as well as the police men who prostitute themselves en forcing such a repulsive law, would rather see Mr. Babbs wrought with pain, struggling to support a fiendish helmet on his injured neck, his spirit broken to comply with a hideous, onerous law passed by an insensate legislature and upheld by a cowardly, repugnant judi ciary. At issue is whether or not a man can still decide for himself what is best for his health, for his well-being; in the case of the motorcyclist this right is now denied, and in the case of Mr. Babbs, he is forced to wear an object that has been certified by a physician to be injurious to him!
PAUL WATTS Fresno, Calif.
NON-SEQUITUR DEPT.
I thought you might find the en closed clipping interesting. It appeared in the Jan. 21 issue of the Air Force Times.
Redesign the motorcycle to make it safer or ban it from the highway, say two military physicians who have re searched GI fatalities caused by the vehicle over the years. .
• • The doctors said that deaths caused by motorcycles can be reduced by stricter licensing requirements, en forcement of speed and drinking laws and mandatory use of headgear and other protective devices.
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Neverth eless, they see present-day cycles as a great threat to life. They note:
"Without completely redesigning the motorcycle and enclosing the occu pants, there remains no ideal solution to the elimination of Jàtal and non-fatal injuries to occupants of motorcycles, short of eliminating the motorcycle as a legitimate mode of transportation."
JOHN R. GRINSEL Somerset, Wis.
It would be simpler to "redesign" the riders-and make more sense. -Ed.
HEE HAW DEPT.
I read in the Newark Star Ledger that Al Unser, the auto racer, made a New Year's resolution to stay off motor cycles because his leg was broken in a cycle accident, causing him to miss racing for two and a half months. The article further stated that he was "horsing around."
If Mr. Unser can't get on a bike without horsing around, it's a good thing he stopped riding.
DAVID PRICE Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J.
We don't rightly care whether Unser horses around or not, but it is a shame that he rates press coverage for pulling a donkey act. Nobody interviewed us when we broke our collarbone. --Ed.
SO MUCH NOTHING
So much turmoil over the clothing (or lack thereof) which adorns the models in the ads for BSA and othershave the complainers never thought what the per issue cost of this great magazine would be if you refused to print every advertisement that might offend someone? (Think how an old Indian enthusiast feels about all that Hog propaganda!)
BEN TILLSON Ramsey, N.J.
TWO CENTS WORTH
First I'd like to add to that long list of compliments. CW is by far the greatest motorcycle publication today. Keep up the great work.
Now down to business. I just finished reading the letter from Mrs. M.J. Ford (Feb. Letters). I want the address of John F. Foran so I can put my two cents worth in. I hope others will follow suit.
RAY VENNING FPO San Francisco, Calif.
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If you know the name of your representative, you have merely to ad dress your letter to the state capitol. In Foran's case, it would be: Assemblyman John F. Foran, State Capitol, Sacramen to, Calif-Ed.
LIKED "NIGHT RIDER"
I just finished reading "Night Rider" (CW, Feb. `70) and I am shocked at the amount of knowledge I was lacking. This was the finest motorcycle safety article I have ever read. (By the way, I don't give a damn what the preachers say, I dig the girls in the bike ads.)
DOYLE JOHNSON Perryton, Tex.
THE UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
Inside front cover, February 1970: You'll notice that the bike above is vibrating madly, while the one below is rock-steady.
You’ll also notice that the wheels of the one below aren’t bouncing—not a bit.
You’ll notice that the vegetation is
blurred on the one above but not on the one below (because the one below was taken by H-bomb flash at one-millionth of a second?).
You'll notice the one above is spewing a rooster tail of mud behind but the one below is not.
You’ll notice that the one below is leaning slightly to the right.
You’ll even notice that you can count the teeth on the sprocket in the one below.
Basically, you’ll notice that the one below is not moving.
RANDY GOUGE Islington, Ont., Canada
. . . and, therefore?—Ed.
CYNICAL VIEW
After living nearly a half century in a state with a corrupt legislature, I have a cynical view of a helmet maker holding high office in an organization whose recommendations so affect me.
WILLIAM WILLIAMS Winthrop Harbor, 111.
If you read our interview with Frank Heacox (CW, April ’70), you may have changed your view. —Ed.
DISGUSTED
Eve just read Mr. Ehrlich’s letter (Jan. Letters) and I’m disgusted. Opposition to clear-cut common sense is one thing (and bad enough), but to waste good time fighting against a law to protect the jerks in our ranks who would be too lazy or too cheap to protect their own heads is sheer idiocy. We should be fighting to maintain our rights to the road, instead of antagonizing the general public. Why not fight for more strict licensing, for instance, or reasonable speed regulations?
RICK VAN DUSEN Baltimore, Md.
How do you figure it antagonizes the public to fight an unjust law? At least Mr. Ehrlich is actively fighting for his convictions. What do you plan to do about yours?—Ed.
CLASSIC CONNOISSEURS
I just wanted to drop you a note to thank you, on behalf of myself and many other readers, for your long-standing interest in the history of motorcycling. I believe yours is the only national motorcycle magazine that has printed such a wealth of information for connoisseurs of classic and antique bikes.
If you could print my name and address in your letters column, I would greatly appreciate it. I am always interested in communicating with others around the country who share my peculiar interest: classic and antique shaftdriven motorcycles.
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JEFF DEAN 3006 Bluff St. Madison, WI 53705
SECOND THOUGHTS
I want to say first that I have enjoyed reading your magazine for many years and hope you keep up the good job you are doing.
I am a successful Honda dealer and have owned my own dealership for over five years. I opened the store myself at the age of 27. Until last week I thought I had learned a lot about the business and had just about mastered it. My story may be of interest to other dealers as well as readers.
Recently my service manager for five years (who is, needless to say, an expert rider) decided to take a new CB-350 for a test ride. While doing a leisurely 25 mph and passing through the first intersection, he was sideswiped by a 17year-old girl driving the inevitable sports car and not yielding to traffic. She was cited while they loaded her into the ambulance.
My service manager landed 25 feet from impact; he landed squarely on his un-helmeted head. At the hospital the diagnosis was two skull fractures and severe hemorrhaging. All of the relatives were called and the doctor stated Jim was clinically dying and little could be done. After spending five days with one foot in the grave, Jim regained consciousness and will live. Permanent disability is undetermined at this time.
I started to think about how hypocritical the store had been in demanding that every new rider purchase and wear a helmet yet never demanding our service men to wear helmets on test rides. We were showing every impressionable teenager that we were too “manly” and too experienced to have to wear a helmet.
Aside from nearly losing a very valuable, highly trained man and totaling a new Honda, I could never have continued in the business knowing as an employer it was my duty to demand helmets on test rides. I hope other dealers can learn from my lesson and get smart before that one deadly accident happens. They have only themselves to blame when it does.
BRUCE S. GREEN Mt. View, Calif.
Our best wishes for your colleague’s recovery. And our thanks for your thoughtful letter. —Ed. [O]
