Spring Buyers Guide
SPRING BUYERS GUIDE
Now that the memory of Santa Claus and the monogrammed handkerchief he gave you for Christmas is fading, it's time to prepare for the road/trail/track. The people who produce those enticing trinkets sold at your friendly neighborhood bike shop have been busy the
past winter coming up with new products to make your riding more enjoyable/thrilling/fun. To give you an idea of what's available, the following six pages contain examples of some of the newest, fastest and most useful items for the enthusiast.
DUNLOP K190 TIRES
Dunlop's new K190 tires offer good traction, strong sidewalls and reasonable price. The rear ones are easily recognized as they have a square dimple in the middle of each knob. 3.00-21 $29.05 4.50-18 $41.56 3.25-21 $32.07 5.10-17 $41.00
BELL MOTO III
Bell's newest offering is designed to eliminate most of the complaints voiced about the regular Moto Star. It is lighter, built closer to the head to stop the rocking effect, has more room for large noses, taller nose piece to deflect rocks, and has foam filtered vents to keep the wearer cool. Priced at $104.95
MAGNUM FOLDING SHIFT LEVERS BY INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SPORTS
These folding end shift levers are fabricated from chrome-moly steel and employ a strong return spring. Available for Maico, Husqvarna, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Honda, KTM, and most other makes. $21.95
CASTRE CROSS COUNTRY GLOVES
Castre gloves are pre-curved to eliminate blisters caused by bunching. They are curved the length of the hand as well as across the knuckles. Palms are foam padded and extra leather reinforcing is used along the index finger/thumb seam to protect against torn seams. Foam padding also is used to protect the back of the wearer's hand. Leather is cowhide and blended-thread, double-stitched seams are used throughout. $21.95
DEHANDLERS LEVERS BY SUNLINE
Two finger clutch and three finger front brake levers that are made from a filled plastic are the latest motocross craze. They are used and endorsed by Roger Decoster and Bob Hannah. Available in yellow or black for Ya maha, Suzuki and Kawasaki, red or black for Hondas. $9 a pair.
JT HAND HANDLER
Hand Handler is a product designed to eliminate sore and blistered hands. The packet contains enough material for five difterent outings. Pre-cut pieces are glued to the palm of each hand and two square pads are for custom fitting on trouble spots like thumbs and fingers. $3.95
SCOTT BOOTS
The long awaited Scott Boots are finally available. They are constructed from 100 percent man-made materials that are unaffected by water and mud. A unique ankle pivot completely duplicates a human's ankle movements-even the side ones. Alt parts are replaceable individually so complete replacement should never be necessary. Around $180.00
OFF-ROAD
S&W MINI AIR PUMP
Fits into a tool bag or enduro jacket with ease. Can completely inflate a 3.00-21 front tire in less than 2 minutes. $6.95
DG TANK DECALS
DG's tank decals do more than beautify the old scoot. They are made from thick, long lasting plastic that protects the tank from scratches, abrasions and rubbed off paint. $6 a pair.
MALCOLM SMITH BACK PACK
Malcolm's back pack boasts dual compartments, heavy duty zippers, nylon and leather construction, a belly strap, and nicely padded shoulder straps. $26.50
SPORT
HIGH PERFORMANCE 17-INCH TIRE
Metzeler says 24-hour endurance road races have proven the new Trophy Speed 4.50-17 V-rated tire to be the most stable 17incher at high speeds. Features include minimal sidewall flex to avoid handling problems; fast tire warm-up to increase mileage; large side grooves to avoid aquaplaning on wet pavement. From Moto Race, under $60 for 4.50-17; matching 3.50-19 under $50.
CBX QUARTER FAIRING
The racetrack-tested Apollo 5 quarter-fairing for the CBX is made of hand-laminated fiberglass with a smooth gel coat. As shown with custom paint and clear shield, $160. Standard black or white with clear shield, $99. Smoke shields $6 extra. From Camber Fairings.
PRO STOCK CHAMPIONSHIP
In the four years since 1974, tuner Byron Hines and rider Terry Vance have won the Pro Stock Championship four times—three times with Kawasaki, once with Suzuki. You can buy the record for a mere $250,000. That money purchases the undivided racing attention of Vance and Hines during the ninemonth drag-racing season; all R&D work on the machine of your choice; parts and maintenance; transportation and support; and everything else needed to take the title, plus your name or slogan on Vance’s leathers. There are a few catches. No applications will be accepted prior to 1980, since Suzuki bought the whole outfit for 1979; the "machine of your choice” must be one Vance and Hines deem potentially competitive; and all glory must be shared with R.C. Engineering, employer of Vance and Hines. Vance piloted the Suzuki GS1000 shown here to the 1978 IDBA Pro Stock Championship and established a new record of 9.00 sec. @ 147.05 mph. The engine displaces 1176cc with 76mm bore and a stock stroke of 64.8mm. Four 34mm Amal carburetors and extensive head work help the bike reach a sustained power output of 165 horsepower on the R.C. dyno. With Vance aboard, the bike weighs 587 lbs.
ELECTRONIC IGNITION
Per-Lux electronic ignition uses Hall cell triggers, is accurate within ¼ degree, will fire from zero to 30,000 rpm, and improves gas mileage and performance when compared to stock points. About $100, available for most popular models.
XS11
XS750 POWER
Specialists II manufactures parts for XS11 and XS750 Yamahas in various stages of tune. The kit shown for the XS11 features 34mm Mikuni carburetors; 11:1 compression ratio bigbore pistons for 1216cc displacement; stage two camshaft with racing valve springs, titanium retainers and adjusting shims located underneath racing valve buckets; heavy-duty clutch with one extra friction plate and stronger springs; and a Specialists II exhaust system which allows use of the centerstand, provides excellent ground clearance and is quiet and tuneable. The XS11 kit makes 150 hp, the similar XS750 912cc kit 120 hp. See what big motors can do? From Specialist 11.
SUPERBIKE PRODUCTION ENGINE
Yoshimura R&D's Suzuki GS1000 won 1978 Superbike Production races at Daytona, Pocono and Laguna Seca. You can buy a race-ready, dyno-tested engine complete with close-ratio transmission, heavy-duty clutch, oil-cooler fittings, racing cam chain with tensioner system, 997cc piston kit, cylinder head modifications, stage II cam, oversize valves, special tappet cups, valve springs, complete CDI, carburetors, handbent exhaust pipe, Kal-Gard gun coating and a maintenance manual. $5000.
BULLETPROOF CLUTCH KIT
Action Four's clutch kit features inorganic friction material of graphite-impregnated asbestos bonded to steel plates and is impervious to heat. The plates don't swell, so the clutch won't fade, can't drag, and always disengages. Makes it easy to find neutral at a stop. Kit includes one more friction plate than stock for more engagement area, an extra metal plate to match, and a set of heavy-duty springs. For most Honda and Kawasaki Fours, $59.95-$65.95.
HIGH-HORSEPOWER STREET CBX
Kazuo Yoshima's 145-horsepower CBX gets its power from an 1130cc 67mm-piston kit, chrome-moly connecting rods, cylinder head porting and polishing, valves lightened and reshaped for flow, and a 6-into-2-into-1 exhaust system with street-legal tail section. Acceleration is, shall we say, brisk. From Ontario Moto Tech Corp., Inc.$1650 for parts andi cylinder head modifications; $2000 including assembly.
TOURING
SILHOUETTE FAIRING
Not exactly a handlebar-mount fairing, the clear plexiglass Silhouette attaches quickly to the handlebars and forks of nearly any motorcycle and provides excellent protection. Price is $84.95 for the clear model and $89.95 for the tinted.
CRAVEN CLASSIC SADDLEBAGS
Newest additions to the line of Craven touring equipment are the Classic saddlebags. Craven bags are made of fiberglass, probably the thickest and strongest fiberglass used on any saddlebags. Quickly detachable from outside the bags, the Classics cost $325 including the heavy duty carrier.
HONDA GLOVES
Honda's latest touring gloves offer something more-built in waterproof covers. Hidden behind a Velcro-closing pocket on the back of the fleece-lined gloves is a nylon protective cover which turns the gloves into rain gloves. $22 at Honda dealers.
HELLA H4 HALOGEN HEADLIGHT
Hella's halogen light puts out twice the light of ordinary motorcycle headlights and is available to replace both 7 in. and 5¾ in. headlights. Replacement is easy and the cost is $25.14.
ALLYN AIR SEAT
Stock bun buster a problem? Allyn Air Research offers this inflatable seat cushion in standard or heavy duty models. Cost is $19.95 for the standard 18-gauge vinyl and $24.95 for the 30-gauge vinyl model.
DRAG SPECIALTIES' LEATHER SEAT
This isn't an ordinary custom seat but a genuine leather seat offered by Drag Specialties. A variety of styles are available for most motorcycles, each one fitting with the stock mounting. Available in black or brown, this double bucket Honda Gold Wing model costs $190.
S&W AIR SHOCKS
Heavy touring loads are no problem for the latest air shocks from S&W, the Mark Ills. Just add air pressure to adjust spring rate for heavier loads. The new shocks are slimmer to fit better around chain guards.
NATIONAL HYDRON VARISHIELD
A new idea in face shields, the Hydron II coated flip-up face shield from National Hydron is coated to prevent fogging. Other models have coatings which resist scratches. Cost is $11.95 for either model in clear, smoke or yellow.
RACK FACTORY REMOVABLE RACK
Don't want to have a rack on your BMW or CBX but need carrying space? The Rack Factory now offers a quick disconnect rack for both bikes which can be unlocked in seconds. With wood slats the rack costs L$125.95, $115.95 with non-skid surface.
VETTER TOTES
The perfect compromise between heavy over-boots and plastic bags, Vetter Totes are available in a variety of sizes, pack into a small bag and are totally waterproof. For only $9.60, a motorcyclist's boots can stay dry on the wettest days.
TWIST-ASSIST
It's either a way to overcome excessive throttle return spring tension or it's a cruise control. Twist-Assist fits inside the handlebar and clamps onto the right handgrip. A coil spring can be preloaded for the amount of assist the rider wants. Costs $9.95.
