Letters
LETTERS
THE TRIP TO JAPAN
Allan Girdler’s article, “We Saw Nothing, I Tell You . . . Nothing” in your January issue is marvelous. After reading his account of the tour in Japan, I have an understanding of some of the problems with which the motorcycle industry is faced. These are things I’ve never thought about before.
I enjoyed Henry Manney’s test of the Harley-Davidson Sportster too. I wasn’t going to read that article but the caption, “How to be the sort of person your mother warned you about” hooked me. Heaven help me! I may be on my way to understanding why some people love a Harley.
Mary Olmsted Old Station, Calif.
I read Allan Girdler’s account (as well as other accounts in other magazines) of the American motorcycle press trip to Honda’s research and development facility. I think he had the freshest approach and most clear perspective on the meaning of the trip to Japan. He understood that he wasn’t invited over to be awed and overwhelmed by Honda’s facilities. Honda was showing their commitment to the sport of motorcycling and it was the depth of that commitment that Girdler related.
Motorcycling is not the endangered species as some would have us think. I, for one, can’t wait for that “larger and tastier pie.”
Mike Means Pittsburgh, Penn.
BLUE BOOK CLARIFICATION
I was pleased to read the article “A Blue Book for Racers” in your January issue.
Your readers would probably like to know that the December 1976 edition of the NADA Motorcycle Appraisal Guide is now in the hands of subscribers. This new edition includes a listing for 1977 models, but more important, it reflects much lower values for used models, because of the large quantity of “hold-over” models, which are offered to the public at low close-out prices.
Some of the headings in your article might be misunderstood by your readers. The prices listed under “Suggested list price” are applicable when the bike is sold new. The figures shown as the “Prime retail price” and “Average retail price” refer to not the price, but the value. Also, the NADA Appraisal Guide is not a price list, but a guide.
Readers might like to know that a dealer will offer the owner considerably less than the listed values if he appraises a motorcycle to be taken in trade or to be purchased outright. A dealer pays large overheads that can only be covered if he buys at wholesale and sells at retail.
E.W. Pete Colman Newport Beach, Calif.
AIRBORNE MOTORCYCLES
In your January “Letters” column, Jim Fullmer took issue with Russ Darnell’s interpretation of airborne motorcycle rota-* tional dynamics. I’m afraid Mr. Fullmer’s explanation may itself be a bit confusing to some of your readers, primarily because it is not entirely correct.
The key consideration in determining a motorcycle’s attitude when airborne is the maintenance, or conservation, of rotational momentum. Neglecting aerodynamic forces, no other forces act on the motorcycle as a whole except gravity. Acting through its center, gravity does not apply torque (necessary for a rotational momentum change) to the system. The total angular momentum for the motorcycle is the sum of all the parts about its center of gravity plus the rotational momentum of each part about its own center of gravity.
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It may thus be seen that not only changes in rear wheel spin rate, but also changes in engine rpm may cause the angular rotation of the entire motorcycle to change. The front end will rise because of increasing (forward) rotational momentum of the rear wheel, and perhaps the crankshaft and flywheel assembly. The chain forces and swinging arm reaction provide the torque (called a couple) which tends to rotate the entire vehicle.
The tendency for vehicles to raise the front end on acceleration and lower it (dive) during braking, is almost entirely due to inertial forces. The center of gravity needn’t be above the axle line for this to happen. It’s the distance above the road surface that counts.
I hope this clears things up. If not, I suggest any interested reader consult a book of physics or mechanics. (And I agree with Mr. Fullmer ... the ability to read such a book is of little help when it comes to dirt riding.)
Mike Stephenson Livermore, Calif.
NIXON AND KANEMOTO
I enjoyed the article on Gary Nixon in your January issue. I’m glad somebody gave him and Erv Kanemoto the credit they deserve.
They were robbed of the World F750 Championship. Nixon was hailed the winner. Then it was later announced that there was a scoring error and he was dropped to 2nd. My question is why did it take the FIM and Venezuelan officials six months to decide the winner? Then after six months they decided to disqualify the race. How can a world road race be discarded so easily?
Gary Nixon was cheated out of a world road race title. My hope is that Gary and Erv get a good sponsor for 1977. They deserve it.
J.L. Hall Galt, Calif.
Venezuela has never been known to run things “by the books. ” Many of the riders felt lucky just to be able to get out of the country after the race without further hassles. Nixon has ordered two Yamaha TZ750Ds for the 1977 road-racing season and should be a force to be reckoned with, as usual.
HELMET LIMITATIONS
In my opinion, helmets were not designed to save the life of a person involved in a 60-mph collision. The helmet could be called a precautionary measure. It’s like wearing a leather jacket or gloves; they won’t save your life, but the bumps and scrapes don’t hurt so much.
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In Canada a helmet is required by law, and after five years of biking I wouldn’t ride without one. The time spent writing and talking about the pros and cons of helmet laws could be put to better advantage. Instead of worrying about what freedom is lost, we should be educating new riders in helmet usage and explaining a helmet’s limitations.
Alan D. Munro Ontario, Canada
ENGLISH SPARE PARTS CATALOG
JRC Engineering has been supplying new and remanufactured parts to the motorcycle industry for the past five years. We have compiled a catalog dedicated to the English motorcycle dealers who have experienced difficulty in obtaining quality parts. The catalog is available to your readers from their local motorcycle dealers or by writing to us.
John Calicchio, Owner JRC Engineering 2255 Harbor Blvd.
Costa Mesa, Calif. 92626
BRITISH BIKE SPECIALISTS
We have about the largest stock of spare parts for Triumph on the east coast. Please pass this information along to your readers as we would like to keep Triumphs on the road—they still look like a motorcycle should!
North Gate Cycle Ltd.
1039 Broadway
Revere, Mass. 02151
Thank you for the attention you have given British bikes and the helpful lists of British bike specialists. I would like to hear from others with admiration for these bikes.
Lehman Lee
Route 1
Albertson, N.C. 28508
INCONSISTENCIES
Recently in an article on the Kawasaki Z1B you stated it had a quarter-mile time of 12.3. In the same issue on a subsequent page in the “CYCLE WORLD Test Summary” article the quarter-mile time was given 12.7. Which is right?
Clyde W. “Chuck” Bear Dallas. Texas
Both figures about the Z’s quarter-mile time are correct. It's just that the man who wrote the preview piece checked a test of the Z bv itself and found 12.3. The woman who compiled the chart checked a group test and that figure was 12.7. We aren't wrong. We are instead not consistent.
MARUSHO PARTS
In your December 1976 “Round Up” column there was a mention of difficulty in finding parts for Marusho and Mopeds. I have two classic Marushos and have no problem getting parts from O.F. Mefford & Sons, 229 E. Inyo Ave., Tulare, Calif. 93274. Contact Mr. O.H. Hood at (209) 686-6319.
It’s my understanding that upon the demise of Marusho sales on the west coast Mr. Mefford purchased the entire inventory of Marusho parts from the west coast distributor and continues to sell these parts to Marusho owners at reasonable cost.
Jim D. Loving
IS Monrovia, Calif.
