Letters
LETTERS
NUMERO UNO
One good thing about cycle mags today is that there are more than one that are pretty good publications. Consequently, the various mags are constantly being forced to improve their product. This is obvious in your November issue, one of the best to date. Whoever engineered that issue had his head on right. It displays an amazing amount of creativity, something I consider very important.
As for the individual components: The article on Hooker Headers is definitely a step in the right direction. The road tests are good, as is the article on Lyle Parker. The “Canis Familiaris” test really helped the issue. I’m glad to see you aren’t afraid to branch out somewhat, as in your Dodge van test. That was something a cyclist definitely likes to know, yet might not think of asking for. But for me, the high point was “A Brief Morning Ride,” the best fiction (I presume) I’ve seen in a motorcycle publication. Richard Kalthoff is another guy who knows where his head is at.
All in all, a very enjoyable issue. Accept no criticism. CW is number-one.
JOHN HILL Arvada, Colo.
P.S. What’s the rest of the Newport graffiti? Rule Britannia? Yamaha Rules?
GOING ... GONE
It took an effort to read the article “It’s a Steal,” since I had a $2000 motorcycle stolen.
My motorcycle meant a great deal to me, especially since it was patterned after your Super Sportster (December, 1965) and accepted for the National Roadster Show of 1968. It was stolen two weeks before the show. It also appeared in your “Letters” column in November, 1966.
Much knowledge was gained from my experience; perhaps it may be of some interest to your readers. There are certain market places in the Bay Area, and maybe other places, called flea markets. If you happen to have one in your area, check it out. They’re known for selling anything stolen, including motorcycle parts. Also, check your backyard motorcycle repair shops. Parts sometimes show up there because they’re less likely to be frequented by
the police or the “straight” motorcycle riders.
JACK S. SEIMAS San Jose, Calif.
ANTI-THEFT ENGRA VING
Re: Your September ’71 feature, “It’s a Steal,” an idea being touted here in Hawaii might be of value in cases of motorcycle theft. That is, for one to engrave his social security number in various places on his bike (and other theft-prone items as well).
It is said that in some California communities where such engraving is widespread thefts have declined abruptly, while in those thefts that have occurred, proof of ownership is readily established.
Vibrator-type hand engravers are available for as little as $6, or bike shops might provide them for riders’ use as a customer service. It only takes a few minutes to engrave the numbers in a dozen or so places.
GERALD B. BOBZIEN APO San Francisco, Calif.
HONDA 500 FOUR TEST
In regard to the road test entitled “Honda CB500 Four,” which appeared in your October 1971 issue, I feel that it was a full and complete report of the bike undergoing the test. The author of the article seemed quite impressed with the overall appearance and performance of the bike. He brought to light several points which may not appear important at first glance, such as the absence of an external oil tank and the fact that the lower end case is split horizontally rather than vertically. Such seemingly small details are a great aid in keeping the bike from looking like an oily mess as so many others do.
However, the inclusion of a specification chart on the CB750 Four with which the author was continually making comparisons would have been useful. I, and pro-bably many other readers, missed the issue in which this model was tested. When a new model is compared to its “big brother,” I feel that it would be beneficial to include a full specification chart on both models, so that the reader can see the entire range of differences and improvements made over the previous model.
RICHARD W. McELHATTEN Shippenville, Pa. Should you desire to know more about the Honda 750, we suggest you order CYCLE WORLD’S 1970 Road Test Annual. It costs $1. —Ed.
LIKED NOVEMBER ISSUE
Today I received my 12th issue of^ CYCLE WORLD, so I felt it appropriate!^^ to write to you. I really enjoy the magazine and intend to subscribe for some time to come. My newly arrived November ’71 issue is very interesting to me, as it contains a great deal of technical information I have use for.
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I am 14 and have owned a 1971 Harley Rapido since May. It now has 955 miles on it and I am very pleased with it. I am happy to be able to report that it is definitely the quietest bike around here. It makes less noise than my brother’s Honda SL70!
As for the November issue, on page 59, tell Lyle Parker not to worry. Not all kids think that the Japanese invented the motorcycle. I also enjoyed “A Brief Morning Ride.” Please print more like it. “10-Teat Canis Familiaris ‘Pursuit’ ” was very good and gave many a chuckle.
In closing, please do a Harley test soon; there aren’t enough of them.
RICHARD WALKER Uniondale, Pa.
AERMACCHI HISTOR Y
With interest, I have read the “History of Aermacchi” by Geoffrey Wood in the September, 1971 issue of CYCLE WORLD.
While the article is illuminating, several important pieces of information were omitted:
1. The race success achieved by Aermacchi/Harley-Davidson has been with production machines modified for racing, and they have posed a serious threat to the multi-cylinder, one-off copy factory specials by sometimes beating them.
2. The establishment of the world’s speed record for 250-cc motorcycles on pump gasoline (only recently broken by another marque).
3. The two-cycle, 125-cc Golden Wing, again a modified version of a production machine, has been successful against the factory works specials.
4. The new 250-cc and 350-cc twocycle Twins are now being raced prior to possible production in road form. These machines show considerable promise.
JOHN E. GASPARI Brecksville, Ohio
SEVENTEENMILE DRIVE
During a recent trip to Monterey, Calif., I was refused admittance to the Seventeen-Mile Drive because I was riding a motorcycle.
The land was said to be owned by Del Monte Properties and was private.
In my opinion this is unfair discrimination, as autos are authorized to pass, and I feel all persons encountering this type of problem should write their state representative in protest of this unfair practice.
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MARION C. WALL San Jose, Calif.
Seventeen-Mile Drive is a bore, anyway. But if you really want to get yourself angry, try lining up with the cars at a Jack-In-The-Box joint. Place your order at the loudspeaker (“Jack will speak to you.“), and they sometimes tell you to park your bike and walk around to the front window-even if you have a passenger to carry the paper bag!—Ed.
“DOG WORLD”
Since I own two Canis Familiaristype models, a 10-teat and a friction free, it is indeed gratifying to find, at last, such comprehensive statistics on such common, but neglected, models.
Your article (“10-Teat Canis Familiaris ‘Pursuit’, ” November, 1971) provided me with a vast amount of amusement. I would like to ask the author, however, not to underestimate the value of AKC warranties. The peak perfor-
mance under warranty is more predictable.
From “Sir,” Great Dane model No. FF (Curb wt.—125 lb.) and “Fiona,” Scotty Model No. 10-T (curb wt. —20 lb.) go greetings to “Daisy,” prototype No. 10-T.
Thanks again for hilarious originality.
MRS. JACQUELINE KINZER Mt. Berry, Ga.
A MEDICAL
10-9-71, Saddleback Park, Orange, California
We arrived at Saddleback at 8:30 a.m. Mitch and Don rode for three hours. Mitch (my son) and Don Peterson (friend) were out on the trails, and at 12:15 p.m., Don crashed down a hill and fell. Don received a compound fracture of his right leg, and various abrasions, including a “purple eye.” (Thank the good Lord for helmets.) Mitch realized the seriousness of the injury and “screwed” his DKW to the limit back to Saddleback Park’s first aid station, and alerted all in charge. Immediately, the dune buggy manned by Huntington Ambulance with litter followed Mitch to the accident and placed Don upon a litter, walked a quarter-mile to the dune buggy, transferred him to the Saddleback Park first aid station, put him in an ambulance and was out of
the park within 20 min. from “crash” and on the way to the hospital. Don was then transported by Southland Ambulance to Glendale Adventist Hospital, his leg was set, other wounds treated, and he is very comfortable, near home (La Crescenta).
I commend Mitch for his immediate response to this emergency; Saddleback Park for its completely staffed first aid station; Huntington Ambulance crew for coolness and command of a very serious situation; Chapman General Hospital and staff for their undivided attention, numerous out-of-town calls and finally arranging a room (No. 421) for Don at the Glendale Adventist Hospital; {southland Ambulance for transporting him 50 miles to Glendale Adventist Emergency. Also, I thank the fellows who stayed with Don at the “scene” until help arrived, and the Saddleback Park staff for retrieving the “broken motorcycle” and for their total concern!
I realize this situation is not unique; however, the moral to this incident comes down to the following facts:
1. Don’t ride any distance alone!
2. Do ride a facility comparable to Saddleback Park (completely organized and equipped with fully staffed first aid station, dune buggy with litter, and ambulance service).
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3. ALWAYS be sure to obtain a medical “note” of authorization (if you take a minor other than your own son or daughter) similar to below: date............
ƒ hereby authorize any and all medical
treatment for my....................................
(son &/or daughter’s name)
in the event of accident or illness while
in the care of..........................................
(name of adult)
whom I authorize to make any decisions pertinent to such medical care.
(parent or guardian’s signature)
The above “medical authorization note” made it possible for Don and his family to weather this situation in relative comfort, and it enabled me to act and make decisions that would have been chaotic without it.
TOM ALLREAD La Crescenta, Calif.
WRITE YOUR REP!
I have noticed the regular appearance of letters by cycle enthusiasts complaining about anti-cycle legislation. I cannot see how writing letters to sympathetic publications is going to help the situation.
Those riders in California have very little reason to complain about persecution, for this state is fairly well organized and even has a lobbyist in Sacramento. For those in California who don’t know about it, M.O.R.E. (Motorcycle Owners, Riders & Enthusiasts), Box 26062, Sacramento, Calif. 95826, is set up specifically to represent the California cycle riders’ interests and present their side to the lawmakers.
In addition, you may find regular reports on the latest proposed legislation, and who to write to about it, in one of the local cycle newspapers. You are also informed as to who your local representatives are, so you really have no one to blame but yourselves when discriminatory laws get shoved through right under your nose.
The whole strength of this operation basically rests upon the motorcycle riders, however, and if they all just sit back and tell each other how oppressed they are and then do nothing about writing to their congressmen, they can’t expect the situation to improve.
This goes for any organization in any state. You have to let your representatives know that you think the laws are unfair and that you will not support them at the next election if they don’t represent your interests.
BILL POPE
Concord, Calif.
