Letters
LETTERS
SUZUKI GS550
Your Long-Term Report on the Suzuki GS550 in the March issue was well received and enjoyed at our offices. However, I would like to point out two discrepancies in the article which evidently resulted from a misinterpretation of some advice from the dealership which serviced the bike.
Specifically, the automatic cam chain tensioner should be capable of maintaining accurate cam chain tension under all standard conditions. If the cam chain were noisy at idle, that might imply a problem with that specific tensioner.
Secondly, it is perfectly acceptable to reuse valve shims as long as they have not been physically damaged by foreign material in the oil or lack of lubrication due to inadequate sump oil level (a very unusual situation). Since the tappets rotate as the engine runs, the shim is in a different position each time the valve is depressed. Any wear is thus evenly distributed. We know of no case where reuse of valve shims has caused accelerated cam wear.
Geoffrey G. Mazon, Manager Technical Service Department U.S. Suzuki Motor Corporation
WELL-DESERVED PRAISE
After reading your March, 1979 issue and filling out another year’s subscription card, I felt obligated to offer some welldeserved praise.
Even though I ride an old ’73 Yamaha 360 DTI stripped down and “Michigan” modified (specially equipped for mud bathing and tree climbing), I really enjoy reading about the new machines. When it’s —5° and snowing on top of the 5 ft. we already have, we need all the good reading material we can get our hands on.
I deeply appreciate your support of “playbikes.” We’re not all MXers or competitors and it’s nice to know we’re thought of once in a while.
Darryl Thill Grand Rapids, Mich.
THE WINNER!
Hello Henry,
Please tell me if I’ve won! ! In your Spot the Differences BMW R32 Salon Contest, there were 12 items from the color photos on page 49 to the black and white photos on page 50 that were changed.
HERE'S THE LIST
1. Speedometer drive housing at driven end
2. License plate bracket
3. Bolt for links at leaf spring
4. Rear brake shoe pedal assembly (the whole thing!)
5. Plate at front pivot of trailing links (friction plates?)
6. Oil Tube from front engine case (to sump?)
7. Drive belt for speedometer pulleys (on both bikes!)
8. Pin striping on gas tank
9. Alloy covers for valve train
10. Inner valve springs
11. Valve spring shims
12. Different fat tire
Thanks,
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COMMUTER TIP
Now that riding season is quickly approaching, I thought maybe my 12,500* miles commuting to and from work might help another enthusiast.
I bought a 1978 Yamaha 750 in March. 1978 and have had excellent service to date. The bike still has the original tires, and retains a nifty 49 mpg on the road.
A buddy told me .once that he usually rides alternately, to the right or left side of one lane. I could never understand why, orwhat this accomplished, until one day while on the way home from work, riding to the far right of a four lane, 1 sure was spooked when an Olds 98 passed me up in* my lane doing 80 mph! That sure convinced me of the “alternate” theory.
And then the guy towing the big, big boat, (with stock mirrors-useless!) who wants to make a lane change!
Well, so much for the dummies. I like to remember the “thumbs up,” right-on, 49 mpg, still original tires, and all the other great comments I received on my twowheel jet. All in all, a very enjoyable season. Hope yours is good also.
Dan Martin
Princeton, Minn.
WRITE ON, RIDE ON
Why must we continue to fight for our-f* right to ride? Why indeed.
Being emotionally WFO after reading “The Phantom Duck and His Fairweather Friends” prompted me to relay someA thoughts successful throughout history.
“If you’re not part of the solution you’re part of the problem.” “Stand up and be» counted.” “The only voice heard is a voice spoken.”
The answer is “WRITE ON, RIDE ON.” (To the public) Has your Congress^ man heard from you yet?
The preceding was meant to emotionally arouse the public; something to^ get the riders off their seats and DO SOMETHING ABOUT GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION!
My cup runneth over with thoughts about what my favorite country is trying to do to my favorite sport. It keeps my revs at red line all day long so much that I DE-^ SIRE to become PHYSICALLY part of their demise.
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Being stationed here in Washington, D.C., provides me the opportunity to stand on the bureaucrats’ front door any time the needs of the moment dictate. If I can do ANYTHING (in relation to me being hert* or anything else) please let me know. I don’t have much money for financial support, but I sure like to write letters to DOT, NHTSA, EPA, BLM, etc., and yell at peo-^ pie. So if I can do anything, don’t hesitate to let me know.
Sgt. Robert L. Parkea A Co, HQBn, AH, Box 7
Arlington. Va. 22214
WANTS EQUAL SHARE
I think the ERRA is either unfair or out of its mind. I would think that it would want to reward motorcycle riders rather^ than punish us because this is what it will be doing if its plan goes into effect.
I ride a Yamaha 650 Special and I average 45 mpg. Motorcycles are both fun»» and economical. We bikers are doing our part to conserve fuel and they want to cut our supply and give it to those inconsiderate people who drive their gas guzzlers. If* everybody drove motorcycles there would not be a gas crunch in this country. It is my opinion that everyone should get an equai share and this way people would be encouraged to conserve or drive vehicles that conserve.
I can’t believe that this country, which is known as “the land of equal opportunity,” is actually going to punish those people who are trying to help out the situation* How unfair can you get? Those rich politicians who drive their Cadillacs or Lincolns or whatever are just going to use their positions to help themselves, especially now that the car manufacturers are designing cars to get better gas mileage. I can name quite a few cars that get better gas mileage than some motorcycles but I don’t hear them wanting to give owners of Honda Civics, Datsun B210s, etc., onetenth the fuel because they get better gas mileage than most cars.
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Even if the AMA gets their one-fifth plan, that’s still unfair because motorcycles don’t use one-fifth the gas the average car uses.
If Americans can’t get an equal share then at least give us a fair share. I think the ERRA should at least base its rationing plan on the EPA estimates of vehicles.
Richard Ferrer Kaneohe, Hawaii
GOLD WING ANNUAL RALLY
The time is fast approaching for the Gold Wing Owners Association 4th Annual Rally which will take place in Boulder, Colo. The dates will be July 31. August 1 and 2. The place will be the Broker Inn in Boulder. We have invited various manufacturers’ reps to attend as we will have a product display area. Our representative there is:
Gary Rumsey 9899 Galway Boulder, Colo. 80303 (303) 666-6622
Or we can be contacted at our box number here in Gladstone. Chuck Thurston, president, or Gary Groves, vice president.
GWOA P.O. Box 88 Gladstone, Ore. 97027
HISTORY, HELP NEEDED
I have a need for information regarding a Horex motorcycle, possibly in the 250cc class. I would like to hear from anyone who knows its history and availability of new, old, used parts or complete used engines. Circa 1950? I will answer all replies.
Harold O’Connell 185 Legion Circle Rochester, N.Y. 14616
I keep hearing about a Honda Super Hawk club that has restoration and preservation of 305 Super Hawks as its main purpose. If such a club exists, perhaps some member can answer a question for me.
I have a dismantled Super Hawk engine serial number CB77E-110914, that is different from all the other Hawk engines I have seen. The main outward difference is an anti-foaming tower about 3 in. high and VA in. in diameter that is cast on top of the upper crankcase directly over the transmission. The bore is the same but oil passages through the barrel are different. The camshaft looks more massive and appears to be counterbalanced. Local Honda dealers have never seen one like it. Can anybody tell me what Honda it comes from?
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I also have a few engine parts from another oddball. It was a 360° four-speedi Honda 450. One set of points and a crank and cam set-up that made it run just like a 305 Dream. Anybody familiar with this one?
Slater Davis Box 2082
Elm Grove, W. Va.
I need help! A buddy of mine was recently given an old Simplex one-lunger (with two plugs on top), vintage 1930-35, We are interested in a complete restoration—the bike is a beauty—but we’re not sure how to start. Who could help us date this machine and advise us on how to obtain any information about parts, etc.? Do you know any Simplex collectors who might be of help?
David Bagley 1610 E. 58th Street* Tulsa, Okla. 74105
Back in the early ’70s a man named John Taylor, “Yankee Motor Company,” started making a monster dirt bike called the “Yankee 500 Z” in Schenectady, N.J.
Approximately 1 Vi years ago I bought* one of these extremely fast, hand-built bikes. The few people that know about these bikes can’t say enough good things about them.
I am trying to find out anything I can about these machines, such as getting in contact with anyone who owns one (I now have two), so I can find out where to get parts. OSSA dealers are few and far between in California. Maybe someone would be interested in starting a club.
I would also be interested in getting any of your back issues, if you ran any tests on these bikes.
The only Yankees I have ever seen are the two bikes that I have. I sure would appreciate any help you could offer. Thanks.
Hank Bosman
Redding, Calif.
916-244-2468
