Letters
LETTERS
PLEA FOR A PEN PAL
I subscribe to your magazine and think it’s really great. I intend coming to the United States and Canada to race in early 1977. The problem is that I have never been to the U.S. or Canada and don’t know anyone. I would like to get to know a few people about my own age before I leave—a pen pal or someone— so I won't be completely lost when I arrive.
I am 21 years old and own a Suzuki RM250 and a TS185. I also own a Yamaha YZ125. As well as motocross racing I have done road racing and am interested in all forms of motorcycle sport. If you or any of your readers could help me I would be very grateful.
Brian Paulin 269 Main Road Stokes Valley, Lower Hutt., New Zealand
HOW TO LINE A LITTER BOX
I am grateful for magazines like yours. Being an avid lover of motorcycles, especially Hondas, I buy with lightning speed anything that resembles motorcycle literature; or at least I used to. I have learned, through a few wasted bucks, which magazines are trash and which ones are worth a dollar. Yours and two other fine magazines are now the only ones I wait for at the magazine racks.
Upon purchasing the June CW, I went directly to Russ Darnell’s excellent book; after reading it, I was skimming through and found the XS500C Yamaha test. This struck memory and I then dug out the last issue of another magazine, with the same test, from the bottom of the trash barrel. To further prove that the only thing it was good for is swatting flies out in a bam, 1 compared the specs pages of the two. I couldn’t believe the differences between them; you included displacement, air filter (oil soaked as opposed to dry bristly), four out of five overall gear ratios, fork and shock travel, brakes, wheelbase, weight distribution, ground clearance, seat height, handlebar width, footpeg height, and performance differences that depend on the rider. Now I realize that some of these are mighty picky, but which magazine is true to the bike’s manual or Yamaha’s specs?
This aroused my suspicion, so I then turned to see what they had to say about Honda’s 125 Elsie. Everything they said was contradictory to the test in the recent issues of the “decent” magazines. Such publications belong lining the bottom of a litter box. They attract short-lived buyers with full-page color pictures, exclamation marks and snappy titles, all to make it look very exciting when in reality all they are doing is advertising from cover to cover and presenting a worthless test or two.
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As I said before, thank you for an honest, informative motorcycle enthusiast publication.
Randy Morabito Bar Mills, Maine
MORE ON RUSS
I was delighted to see the article by Joe Scalzo in the July issue acknowledging Russ Sanford and the contribution he has made to motorcycling in the state of California.
I have known Russ for more than five years and I assure you there isn’t a bigger man in terms of unselfish dedication, unimpeachable integrity and absolute honesty in our sport. Russ is an “all together” guy, perfectly suited to his chosen role of legislative advocate for motorcycling. He has represented motorcyclists of every persuasion—dirt rider, road rider and competitor—never caring about the petty differences that often divide our strength. Unlike many of us, he wouldn’t put down choppers or the people who ride them, they too are motorcyclists.
It has always amazed me that there was never a problem too big for Russ to tackle head-on, in spite of odds that would simply overwhelm the average individual. Without money to pay last month’s phone bill he would organize an entire state in an effort to defeat adverse legislation. I’ve witnessed him putting his last dime into postage to mail an important newsletter alerting bikers of a serious, threatening situation. He was always optimistic. Today’s mail would probably bring in a couple of memberships. Maybe even enough to hold off the telephone company for a couple more weeks.
As mentioned in the article, Russ did work as a paid lobbyist for the MIC. It didn’t last too long because he soon discovered that a gap existed between the interests of the industry and those who used their products. It had been a long time since he had the security of a thousand dollars a month, the amount of his salary, but he gave it up rather than compromise his principles or his position with the motorcyclists who supported him.
I was involved in the abortive attempt to nationalize M.O.R.E. Contrary to the report of internal strife leading to the unfortunate demise, it was a lack of money that sealed its fate. When the bucks were strung out as tight as could be, the directors, without Russ’s approval, decided to promise prospective members certain benefits that had not yet been finalized. Even though they seemed to be assured, Russ steadfastly refused to “play ball.” He considered it to be deceptive and a lie to claim something that technically did not exist. If internal problems did in fact exist, this is where they began. At this point, the directors decided to go ahead without the blessings of Russ, and he immediately withdrew his support. His integrity had been challenged, and once again he stood firm in his convictions.
Many would consider him a loser, but not those who knew him best. True, he parlayed his life savings into absolute poverty, his immovable determination cost him his home and family, but it is these same unswerving attributes that earned him the love and respect of those who are fortunate to know him.
If Russ is a hero, then Chuck Clayton is certainly nothing less. Russ would never admit his own worth to our sport, but his praise of the Claytons gave vent to his own modesty. According to Russ, the generosity of Chuck and Sharon Clayton was all that kept M.O.R.E. alive. I can only assume that he meant Russ Sanford as well.
Modesty was the hallmark of Russ Sanford. He was too modest to tell prospective members of his accomplishments, one heck of a handicap when trying to recruit members. There was a job to be done and he just happened to get a few breaks. Often, only Chuck Clayton would tell California motorcyclists of Sanford’s efforts. Occasionally they would respond.
The truth is, California motorcyclists don’t deserve him. They are taking a free ride at his expense. Not all, of course, but the great apathetic majority. At less than the cost of two beers a year they wouldn’t get behind him.
I was hired by the AMA five and a half years ago to set up and establish a legislative department. It was this vehicle that first brought Russ and I together. Gene Wirwahn’s “sour grapes” attitude is disgusting, but not necessarily surprising. You can bet your last dollar that if you were to write a similar article on Mr. Wirwahn you wouldn’t get any protest at all. Having held that office, I cannot fathom how Gene manages to find time to do his job and serve the FIM as a track safety inspector at the same time. In 1972, I worked from January 2 until Easter weekend without a single day off, and still didn’t have enough time to do the job properly.
In my opinion, Gene has waved the colors of the AMA in his own reflection with his piteous attempt to belittle a man he should be trying to emulate.
My hat is off to Russ Sanford. I know him too well to suppose him to be a saint, but to have known him as a man is a privilege. He is a man of unusual qualities and I for one am damned glad to see him get some of the recognition he so well deserves.
Chet Winter Rochester, N.Y.
BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD
It appears to me that the AMA has stepped in a wrong direction by banning the TZ750 from competition, as well as banning the other multi-cylinders. BSA, Triumph, Suzuki and Honda have also felt a big blow. Yamaha, however, set a standard for the racing industry and now has to just about start over on new developments. I enjoyed your article on the OW72 flat track engine, but Yamaha will have to go a little farther to provide a bike as competitive as the H-D XRs which are cleaning up.
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Also, I feel that the AMA has some revamping to do as far as voting procedures are concerned. How can a pro hillclimber or a motocross promoter vote on something of the TZ750 nature?
Continue the good work on your magazine and I’ll be saying some prayers for the AMA out here in Palmyra.
Steve Scheuerman Palmyra, N.Y.
GETTING TO THE POINT
I am a veteran motorcyclist and an avid reader of CYCLE WORLD. It is an excellent informative and technical publication. I felt like writing for a change because I’m tired of just reading letters such as the two in your August issue.
What bugs me is the fact that “big bad government’’ tells me to wear helmets. Old history is like this: In ’66 Congress passed the Highway Safety Act with little opposition. It contained good old section 402 which gave the Secretary of Transportation, Allan S. Boyd, the power to write (in June ’67) the compulsory helmet requirement.
Like many acts, the details, like the helmet requirement, were written in after the law was passed. To back up the law it was stated that if all states didn't obey they lost all federal highway safety funds and 10 percent of highway construction funds. Only California refused.
This law, of course, being a tremendous invasion of personal liberty, not to mention states rights, was declared unconstitutional by many state courts.
Finally, after nine years, an amendment has just recently been signed into law which prohibits the forcing of helmet requirements on all states. This amendment was instituted by Congressman Stewart B. McKinney of Connecticut and Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina. Let’s have a vote for them next time at bat. However, the battle is not over yet. It’s now up to the states. So push your local state representatives, since there is no more federal pressure to stop you. Pressure works, we here in Connecticut did it; our helmet law was just repealed.
Oh, but what of the principle involved? That will never be answered. Sure helmets can give you a false sense of security, cut down “sensory input,” etc. And sure helmets have good points, but why the argument? The emphasis should be directed toward our personal freedom by getting rid of infringing laws. Isn’t that what motorcycling and this country are all about . . . freedom?
Oliver Clark
Middlebury, Conn.
