Feed Back
FEED BACK
Readers, as well as those involved in the motorcycle industry, are invited to have their say about motorcycles they own or have owned. Anything is fair game: performance, handling, relia-
bility, service, parts availability, lovability, you name it. Suggestions: be objective, be fair, no wildly emotional but ill-founded invectives; include useful facts like mileage on odometer, time owned, model year, special equipment and accessories bought, etc.
A STITCH IN TIME
Two years ago I purchased a 450cc Honda, and I am still being criticized for it. Due to the fact that the nation’s economy is not all that great, it was pointed out to me that I should have purchased a Harley-Davidson (which I consider to be a neat boat anchor), and become a super wrench.
Last summer I took a trip to the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. While cruising down a steep gravel grade at 30 mph, Í was fool enough to hit the front brake, and the laws of physics took over. The bike sustained $3.50 worth of damage, which was the first money I ^fcici put into it in 10,000 miles. . .other ^uian routine maintenance. I did, however, lose some skin, and decided on the spot to buy leather.
Upon returning home, I had given much thought to the leather and had decided to go to Harley. Even though I didn’t like their bikes, I thought they made a good jacket. Three weeks later I found my $75 jacket falling apart. The threads holding the liner were breaking and falling around the wrist in their efforts to make the jacket look worn.
I immediately took the jacket back, and was given a new one without hassle. This one lasted four weeks. Upon returning it, 1 was told to take the new one and have it sewn at a shoe repair shop because, “They all come apart like that; they’ve been doing it for years.”
I called Harley to find out who makes the jackets, and they would not ^^ell me. However, they did say that they ^sell 18,000 a year, so they must be good jackets, as they get few complaints.^P informed them that Congress raises taxes every year and they get very few complaints too.
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A chain is as weak as its weakest link. A jacket is as weak as the thread that holds it together. I don’t mind paying for American goods, but they had better be quality goods. So this summer when I push my little button and ride off into the sunset, I can watch the Harley boys kicking and kicking and kicking, and be happy that I only bought the jacket.
Michael Bratonja Milwaukee, Wis.
THE OIL'S THE THING
I can’t understand all of the people who write in complaining of plug-fouling in two-strokes. I have a Yamaha 200 CS5 with more than 2000 miles on it, and I have only had to change the plug^ at the normal service checks. Perhaps that’s because I use only synthetic oil.
My Yamaha, which I have had about six months, runs great and gets about 55 mpg. The bike is fast, maneuverable, dependable, and fun to ride. Its only drawbacks are a hard, somewhat uncomfortable ride and vibration in fourth gear at 5000 rpm. Unfortunately, I use the bike for around-town commuting and that rpm level is where I usually ride it.
Rosalind Rogoff Los Angeles, Calif.
HONDA SL70
After owning a 1973Honda SL70 K1 for seven months, I think I should comment on it. Although most of the time I only trail ride, when I do compete against other bikes I do surprisingb^^ well. ^P
A friend of mine has a Hodaka 100, and most of the time he’s trying to keep up with me. He says it’s my riding ability that keeps me out front, but I think it’s the bike that’s doing it for me. Surprising as it may be, my SL70 has almost as much pick-up as the Yamaha 100 Enduro.
So much for the good things; now for the flaws. The tires are very hard to remove and change, and the headlight depends on engine speed for its brightness. The speedometer lighting is so poor that you have to wind the engine out to 5000 rpm before you can even see the numbers on it. The location of Honda’s ignition switches has always been a bummer; this one’s no exception. But, all in all, it’s a very good bike.
If you’re between 10 and 15 years old and want a good dual-purpose bike^^ the SL70’s for you.
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Last of all, I’d like to compliment my dealer, Johnson’s Honda in Ellensburg, Wash.
One more thing. There’re a lot of MX races in the lower Yakima Valley in Wash, and Ed like to see more coverage from Jim Pomeroy country!
Joe Burke Cle Elum, Wash.
COMPLAINS OF NO COMPLAINTS
In today’s world of mass production, a person comes to expect poor service, rude salespersons, faulty equipment and unfulfilled warranty claims. Particularly in the world of motorcycles have I come to expect months of trying to get it right, only to give up, sell the mount and start over again. I am a hard-toplease customer.
But alas and alack, I have lost reason to lament. In true-to-charact^P fashion, I purchased a new Suzuki 750 as a result of a momentary urge to kill a couple of hours before my next appointment. Not even thought one had I given to a new bike, much less the idea of a ring-ding two-stroke. And a road bike. . .no way! Well, I shouldn’t have talked my dealer into that just-for-thehell-of-it test ride, for not even was I ever to be willing to be without it.
Well, now I’m stuck with a smoothrunning, comfortable, maintenance-free touring bike and just about the most courteous easy-to-get-along-with dealer in the world. Looks as though I won’t be having much chance to practice my favorite hobby—complaining. The mechanic turned white when I told him of the missing at 90 mph, but it got fixed.
Except for a few yet-to-arrive-fro’^^ Japan warranty parts, I am in love wi^r the bike (as is my wife). But most of all I am impressed with the quality of service from my dealer and from every Suzuki dealer I have visited in the Western states.
Gary Hayes Los Angeles, Calif.
FROM CB750 TO H-D
In May of 1971 I purchased a new 1971 CB750 Kl. I sold the bike in February ’74 with more than 41,000 miles on it. Other than engine tune-ups every 3-4000 miles and oil changes every 1000, I did no maintenance on the bike except the necessary replacement of worn tires and chains.
The factory continuous chain was shot at 7700 miles. A Diamond chain lasted some 17,000, then I tried Duckworth. But I failed to notice loose rear sprocket, and so wound up replacing sprockets and chain and rear wheel sprocket flange. This was entirely my fault, not that of poor quality materials. I again went to a Diamond chain after about 3400 miles on the Duckworth. It was still on the bike, in good shape, when I sold it.
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The factory tires were fantastic to say the least. The front one was punctured and ruined at 15,000 miles. The second front tire had more than 26,000 miles and was getting close to the retirement age.
The first rear tire went at 18,500. The second went after almost 15,000. At this time I went to a 5.00-16 Avon, which was an excellent set-up and showed little wear when I sold it.
I had my share of troubles with plugs. Sometimes I would not get more than five miles in city traffic with new plugs installed. This was finally solved when I used the D7ES-type plug.
My tail pipes rusted out around
26.000 miles. I removed the baffles and experimented with new jets in the carbs. At this time, gas mileage dropped to an all time low of 26 mpg. I went to the tuned exhaust (four into one) and stayed with stock jetting in the carbs. The resulting gas mileage was 43-47 mpg. Over 4000 rpm, this tuned exhaust proved its worth. 'The machine would really scream.
My reason for purchasing a 750 Honda was that I commute 90 miles a day and I knew the 750 would be more fun and comfortable than my CB450 (1971 model).
I rode' the bike in all kinds of weather; rain, shine, warm, cold. Each time winter would roll around I swore I’d buy a full fairing, but instead I’d buy long underwear or a down-filled jacket. At 65 mph in 40-degree weather, it’s not hard to get chilled.
Early this year I felt the urge once again to try another bike. I honestly feel that I could have gone on another
10.000 miles before having to do anything to the 750. The bike was certainly economical transportation and to keep it that way I kept it in top shape most of the time. No one can ever convince me that Honda can’t make a real motorcycle.
I now ride a 1974 XL1000 H-D. This is my first experience with HarleyDavidson and so far it’s okay. I’ve got 5000 miles on the bike now. In some respects it’s better than the 750, but not in enough to account for the difference in price. If my Sportster proves to be just half the motorcycle my CB750 was, I think I have myself a hell of a machine.
— Richard N. Tuomi
Santa Clara, Calif.
