Letters

LETTERS

THE HELMET ISSUE

I just finished reading J. G. Krol’s article, “The Helmet Man,” in the June issue of CYCLE WORLD. This is most certainly an outstanding article on a most controversial subject which has been too long neglected. Recently, several other publications have attempted to deal with this subject only to provide no useful information other than a partial listing of safety helmet manufacturers.

I have always been a proponent of the Snell Memorial Foundation, and I find it hard to understand why anyone would consider buying protective headgear without the approval of this organization. Perhaps if more people were adequately informed, manufacturers of inferior headgear would be forced to either provide a better product or cease operations altogether. Mr. Krol’s article should be required reading for all motorcyclists, experienced as well as inexperienced. Many thanks for what I consider to be a fine example of responsible journalism.

Rieves S. Hodnett, Jr. East Hartford, Conn.

I have just finished reading “Scene” in the June ’72 issue of CYCLE WORLD Magazine. I found the article most interesting, and straight to the point concerning safety helmets.

I also read Mr. Wagar’s original comments on polycarbonate helmets in the September ’71 issue. I said to myself, this is exactly the proper evaluation of the plastic helmet situation, and Mr. Wagar is setting a new precedent by speaking out “only the truth,” which will obviously get him in deep trouble, especially with some advertisers. As you put it so well, the article wasn’t designed to win a popularity contest. Most editors wouldn’t have had (for lack of a better word) the “guts” to just come out and say it like you did.

I am heartened that we have people in the industry who will speak up for what is right, for better or worse, and let the chips fall where they may. I have been in the helmet business for most of my business life and I am probably more able to appreciate your comments than most laymen in the business.

In any case, I do appreciate CW’s forthright attitude and I am sure that when all is said and done, you will gain (Continued on page 10) Continued from page 6 more friends by your straight forward attitude than you would otherwise. My hat is off to Mr. Wagar and the rest of the staff at CYCLE WORLD Magazine and I hope that you continue to say it like it is.

Eiden Wright, vice-president Fred’s Distributing Inc.

Corvallis, Ore.

Please accept my compliments for part one of Author J. G. Krol’s article, “The Helmet Man,” in your June issue of Cycle World. I have worked closely with Doctor Snively of the Snell Memorial Foundation since 1959 on our helmet requirements. We encounter the basic helmet problems plus a lot of additional problems due to the peculiarities of our sport.

No question in this writer’s mind that the presence of Dr. Snively and the Snell Memorial Foundation has prevented the “state of the art” from going overboard either to the right or to the left. As a representative of a user group, this gyroscopic influence from Dr. Snively has been a welcome contribution.

Clarence Roberts American Power Boat Assn.

Winslow, Ariz.

LET'S GO, ENGLAND

The initiative for this letter came while reading the various comments in “Feedback” compaining about the new British bikes, specifically BSA. There is little doubt that 1971 was a bad year for the BSA-Triumph organization all around. Bankruptcy does little to help the product and I feel that may be viewed as a significant cause of the apparent factory shortcomings. This is not an attempt to make excuses, for none would mean anything; but BSATriumph has a long history of superb motorcycles and I am sure there are many more to come.

I own a 1967 Bonneville that had been unbelievably abused by the previous owner, whoever that was. Abandoned, it was found by the Pennsylvania State Police submerged in a swamp for no one knows how long. It sat in a police garage for a year, was titled, and sold at public auction. The next owner dumped it in his garage, where it sat, unmaintained, for another year. I bought it in June 1971, and proceeded to clean up the mess. The oil was changed, electrics rewired, and it was ready to go. After only this, my ‘67 Bonneville is as clean as a ‘72, starts on the first kick, and runs beautifully. The reputed British nemesis of oil seepage is also nonexistant, even though the bike still has the original gaskets. In fact, it leaks less than two local 1970 Honda Fours.

I rest my case. The British factories may have had their problems in 1971 but that is history now. I am convinced that we will soon see bigger and better things from them. Now that I have stuck my neck out in defense, let’s go England!

Fred Dunn Doylestown, Penn.

BEST TOURING ARTICLE

I just finished reading your May issue, and I found your article on touring Japan one of the best articles on touring I have ever read. All my friends that have read the article agree.

I really must give credit to Charles Bohon, Jr., for writing the most comprehensive piece on touring I or my friends have read in any magazine concerned with the subject. He included all the factors I deem necessary to give a complete insight into the touring of any given area (language, laws, tariff, prices of goods, routes to choose, service and road quality, etc.). His article was very near perfect.

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Dale Tyson III Malvern, Penn.

POINTING THE BLAME

In reference to Mr. Vance’s letter in your August issue, I would like to tell him to think twice before blaming cyclists. In the July issue of AMA News they quote the May, 1970 issue of The California Highway Patrolman as saying, “Motorists still fail to watch for cyclists. The National Safety Council points out that 72 percent of all cycle accidents are caused by the car drivers . . .”

Now, I am quite sure we can now assume that it is the car drivers’ fault in quite a few accidents. Since I am included in the 72 percent, I am a little leery of cars at stop signs and in other lanes. I also hope that Mr. Vance does not drive his pickup as I have seen many people do.

Mike Seifert San Diego, Calif.

SUNBEAM FAN

Mr. Bloggs’ article on the “History of the Sunbeam” (April ’71) was very interesting and enlightening. However, he did a grave injustice not only to the Sunbeam marque but in particular to an outstanding motorcycle designer, namely Mr. E. Poppe. He did this by not only hardly mentioning the S7 and S8 machines, but also by intimating they were not worthy of the Sunbeam name.

In fact, these machines were years ahead of their time in concept, were beautifully finished in design detail and were a delight to ride. I know, because I own a restored Sunbeam S8 and I am also a member of the Sunbeam Owners Federation, a group in England dedicated to keeping the Sunbeam name alive by restoring and running these machines. As for badge engineering, Bloggs has missed the point completely. Badge engineering is when a manufacturer sells the same article under more than one name (or badge)—hardly the case with the last of the Sunbeams.

James Pook Pacific Palisades, Calif.