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, reliability, 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.

VERSATILE TS185

One year after I bought my 1974 Suzuki TS185 I entered a 40-mile Cross Country race and took 1st in my class. In the next 12 months I entered 10 Cross Country races, two Enduros and, of all things, a Trials event, all on my 185. Only twice did I fail to finish: once because of rider error and once because of the oil pump gasket.

It has been modified as follows: TRICK IT kit for the forks, Boge shocks, cylinder was ported and polished, a new chain and sprockets added, and I moved the headlight back, shrunk the taillight and relocated the speedometer.

When my buddies are complaining about this or that, I am out riding and having a ball. I recommend a 185 to just about anybody for just about any kind of riding. What it lacks in power and suspension it makes up for in low purchase price and ease of maintenance.

Phil Parker Corvallis, Ore.

DISCOUNT FOR ARMED FORCES MEMBERS

Before buying a bike I wrote to Butler & Smith. Inc. of New' Jersey and asked for information on all BMW models. I received lots of photos and information but most important, I found that as a member of the Armed Forces, I could purchase a new' BMW at a 10 percent discount. This is a dealer option and no trade-in is allowed. I looked until I found a dealer that w'ould honor the discount.

Probably more important than price is the warranty. The military man, who relocates quite frequently, should know that the BMW warranty is honored without question at any authorized BMW dealer. Also, I w’ould like to hear from other BMW owners for information on any BMW Owners Clubs. As far as I know, I am the only BMW owner stationed at Little Rock AFB. Arkansas.

TSGT Cecil Wright 102 Louisiana Drive LRAFB Jacksonville, Ark. 72076

A LESSON LEARNED THE HARD WAY

I owm a 1971 Yamaha XS650B. I have loved the bike from the start. It’s beautiful, fast, and smoother than most vertical Twins, dependable and easy to start. It had 6500 miles on it when I pulled a blunder.

Returning home from a ride, and with the oil still hot, I drained the oil. Having no new oil on hand to refill the engine, I turned the drain plugs in about halfw'ay and rolled the bike into the shed intending to get the new' oil as soon as possible. During the following week I w'as extremely busy, and since I don’t ride the bike to w'ork regularly, I forgot about the motorcycle. The next Saturday I got up late and on the spur of the moment decided to ride my bike to work.

On the freew'ay I cranked it up to 65 to make up time when the engine suddenly slowed down followed by the squalling of rubber on concrete. I quickly realized my engine had stopped and the rear w'heel wasn’t turning. I grabbed the clutch lever and coasted over to the side. While checking over the machine it hit me like a ton of bricks ... no oil. I pushed the bike about a half mile to the nearest gas station and put three quarts of oil in the engine. The engine started immediately and ran like nothing had happened. The only damage was a flat spot on the rear tire.

I hope all riders will benefit from my experience. Haste truly makes w'aste. It could also make dead motorcyclists.

Kenneth V. Froelich Jr. Phoenix, Ariz.

HELP FOR A YAMAHA TX500

I have some information that might help Michael Snyder (November 1976) with his Yamaha TX500. I bought my bike new' in ’74 and now have 26.000 miles on it. Modifications include an oil cooler (Yamaha), K81s. Konis, Filtron, Alloy front rim and Number 1 kitted forks.

I’ve been working to improve the ignition and there are a couple of ways to go about it. The simplest and cheapest is to replace the condensors wáth a pair of automotive units (Mallory’s, if you don’t mind the price.) Wire them to the stock harness that plugs into the main-w'iring and unscrew' the brass plug from inside the plug cap and remove the white resistor rod. Make a replacement from similar diameter wire or welding rod (I used stainless) and reinstall.

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If you want to put in a little more money and time, the best solution is to convert to automotive ignition parts. The minimum needed is two coils and a ballast resistor.

Eric El. West Concord.Calif.

HONDA 750A STUMBLING, SURGING, CUTTING OUT

As a most satisfied subscriber to CYCLE WORLD I am writing my first letter to you. I purchased a 1976 Honda 750AT. From the first day of riding I experienced the same problems you reported in your September 1976 issue: “stumbling, surging, cutting out.”

I have taken my bike to seven different Honda dealers hoping to have this very annoying condition corrected. None helped. I wrote to Honda in Gardena. California. The enclosed letter is self-explanatory.

Ernest H. True Greenville, Tex.

“Dear Mr. True:

Much study has gone into the phenomena described in your recent letter. It has been variously reported as “stumbling, surging, cutting out,” etc. While the exact reasons for this condition are still something of a mystery, we have been able to ascertain that it is not indicative of any defect in the motorcycle, nor does it manifest itself in future component failure. It could best be described as a peculiarity of the vehicle.

Since it is not a material defect and w ill not progress into one we must decline to pursue the matter further.

David I. Ward Customer Service American Honda Motor Co., Ine. Gardena, Calif.

Honda's reply seemed less than helpful. The tone struck us as a departure from Honda's usual courtesy. We telephoned Mr. Ward and asked for his side of the dispute.

"We weren't trying to shuffle him off'," Ward said, "just delay the process a little bit. "

Part of this is a compani policy. On the advice of experts in these matters. Ward explained, American Honda will not put into writing any technical advice which has not been fully tested and approved.

The letter didn't say this. Nor did it say the service department is working on the surging problem with the Honda 750A. But, Ward said, they are working on it and when a proven cure has been tested, that cure will be included in a service bulletin to all Honda dealerships.

Meanwhile, or in ease the cure is validated before this is printed, all Honda dealers have a toll-free telephone number to American Honda headquarters. Dealers or mechanics can use this number to ask for advice or pick up the latest service tips. Ward suggests Mr. True return to his selling dealer and ask if the telephone line can be used for his problem.

Also meanwhile, CYCTE WORTH has heard that the 750A 's part-throttle surging has been cured in several cases by trimming the float bowls' overflow and ventilation tubes. Seems these tubes are so long they project into the airstream beneath the bike and on some bikes at some speeds, the change in air pressure can throw the fuel ratios out of whack.

So. Honda's customer service department wasn't as helpful as it could have been. Despite this, the problem in this ease does seem to have a cure and our usual advice still holds: On the average, the best way to get good advice when you write to anybody is to keep it short and polite.

ABOUT BMW BUYERS

This is in response to a letter published in the October “Feedback” column from Norm Kolbe of North Branch, New York. I regret the delay in my rebuttal, but I have been quite busy getting rid of a BMWYamaha motorcycle business.

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Norm was first ripped off when he bought a BMW. The $32.50 he was charged for service on his R90/6 seems quite reasonable to me because $7 to $10 was probably for oil, filter, gaskets and possibly spark plugs. This only left $22 to $25 labor which does not seem excessive considering labor rates in New York. If Norm did not wish to pay for professional service (he did not complain about quality) he should have done it himself. BMWs are equipped with an excellent tool kit and even a rag to wipe hands on.

It has been my experience that, with few exceptions, the typical BMW buyer requires 10 times the effort to sell, service and satisfy as the typical Yamaha buyer. Because he has paid an outrageous price for a motorcycle, he feels that everything thereafter should be almost free.

Ex-BMW Dealer Albany. Ga.

LIFE WITH A NORTON

I recently saw two letters in your magazine that brought back sweet memories of my bike. It was a 1967 Norton 750 Scrambler. When I bought it used, it was one of the ugliest hikes 1 had ever seen.

When I took it home and tried to start it, I was almost thrown over the handlebars even though at the time 1 weighed close to 200 lb. A couple of weeks of work and I had the wiring all straightened out and the engine tuned. On the first kick I heard some of the sweetest music this side of heaven.

The sound from those twin pipes was simply beautiful and riding it was more than enjoyable—a real ego trip! Cruising down the highway with the wind in my face, a low muted roar behind me and the feeling of sheer, brute power just w aiting to be released with a snap of my wrist.

In the 40,000 miles I rode it. I never had reason to complain. I didn't mind the vibration because it came from the massive power. I accepted the oil leaks as being expected from a Norton. And the handling was superb.

OÓVroad riding was something else. The Norton had all the power it needed to take the h il 's. but it lacked the versatility of the smalle*, lightweight bikes.

All /i all. I loved my Norton. But all good things must come to an end. It happened to my Norton the day 1 let a friend take over for a ride. He was w inding it out when he lost control at 1 10 mph. He and the bike wiped up the pavement for quite a long stretch. Luckily my friend was wearing a helmet because he landed on his head and it was the only thing that saved his life.

Bill Davis Millington. Mich.