Letters
LETTERS
Letters to the editor are welcomed and should be addressed to: Cycle World Editor, 1499 Monrovia Ave., Newport Beach, Calif. 92663. All letters are subject to editing and cannot be returned.
GOOD BUYS
In your March issue you mention the Suzuki 450E selling for $ 1500. I’d like to know what part of the country they’re being sold at this price because I’m retired and prices here are much higher. Charles Sharp Las Vegas, Nev.
We would also like to know where $1500 1983 Suzuki 450s are available, because we can’t find any. Dealers can’t buy them for that. We made what’s known in the trade as a mistake. There are new leftover GS450s, 1981 models that work much like the test GS450E, available for under $1500 in Southern California at Suzuki dealers. Both the older models and the new GS450, we wanted to point out, are good value for the money.
CONSUMER'S REUNION
Your consumer’s report was most informative and interesting but I have a suggestion.
Quality gloves are recommended to be worn while riding and shifting. They prevent burns to your hand when you reach down to shift the gear selector. They also offer protection when you check the power steering fluid.
Now, a question. The handlebar on my Suzuki is fine, but the right grip rotates. How do I solve this problem? I have a stereo tape player and I sent away for a storage unit that attaches to the sun visor. It’s now mounted on the visor but where do 1 attach the visor? Ed Messenlehner Nazareth, Pa.
SOUPING THE SECA
I enjoyed your article on Souping the 650 Seca but I have a couple of suggestions.
First, I would have tried a Jardine 4into-2 header. It combines cylinder 1 and 4 on one side of the bike and cylinder 2 and 3 on the other side. We’ve had excellent results on the XS 1100s which are the hardest bikes with CV carbs to put a header system on.
Second, I would have tried changing the tire size. Because the bike is shaft drive, you cannot tune the bike by changing the size of the front and/or rear sprocket. By changing the profile height of the rear tire, you will change the final drive ratio. It could make a big difference in time and mph. Glen Villoz Jack O’Leary Sales Austin, Texas
THE BOOB TUBE
Your editorial in the April 1983 issue was interesting. I’ve never once found a report dealing with the subject of motorcycles from the press, radio or television to be a) accurately true, b) objective, c) nonemotional (motorcycles always roar) and d) not deliberately distorted. It’s always what they wanted it to mean.
Watching the news about Motorcycle Week at Daytona I noticed a few brief shots of the track and some racing action but mostly it was repeated shots of the unwashed and tattooed crowd. The message from the media is clear; Motorcyclists are Bums. F.C. Frazine Lady Lake, Fla.
READER INFORMATION
Editorial offices are located at 1499 Monrovia Ave., Newport Beach, Calif. 92663. Editorial contributions are welcomed, but cannot be considered unless sent only to Cycle World. Not responsible for return of unsolicited material unless accompanied by selfaddressed, stamped envelope. Rates on request.
Letters cannot all be answered. Nor can all Service inquiries be answered. We appreciate correspondence sent to the editorial offices and will use the most interesting and appropriate letters in the magazine.
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ANOTHER SALE
Each time you run another Kimball retrospective, you've sold me another is sue of Cycle World. This is the first tim~ I have ever read a motorcycle retrospec tive which puts the bike both in the per spective of today and of its own day. He manages to do this with understanding and respect that ennobles his subject and enlightens me.
The Electrically Equipped Harley Davison Sport Model is a significant contribution to motoring literature. Geoff Langhorne Vancouver, Canada
HELP FOR PARTS
I am the owner of a 1968 Kawasaki W-2SS 650 and recently learned that parts are no longer available through Kawasaki. All remaining parts have been sold to some company and I need to find out who they are.
Can anyone direct me to the source of these precious parts? Gary Frazier 21453 Ridgeview Dr. Sonora, Calif. 95370
IN SEARCH OF THE FREE LUNCH
An inscrutable oriental once told me that sometimes more is learned whei~ nothing is gained. Your recent Free Lunch is proof of the wisdom of his remark.
Many thanks from all of us for a very useful and thought-provoking piece. Jim Griner Yamaha 650 Society Princeville, Ill.
A SLIPSTREAM DAY
Most of the week had been a bummer. Among other things a rainstorm with 40 mph winds had been around for days, making me slog to work on my GS850, damp and cold. Then the wind managed to blow over my beloved blue Suzuki, breaking the tail section.
Skimming through my January 1983 Cycle World while munching breakfast I came upon Slipstream. The photo of the grounded Honda with the rider’s outstretched arms made my day! It was still dark and rainy but things were much brighter. Thanks. Stanley Snyder Bullhead City, Ariz.
RIDER EDUCATION
We wish to let your readers know that Nebraska has an excellent riding program all across the state. Our costs are also decreased because there is a reimbursable program that pays up to $40 per student who completes the course. For further information, Nebraska motorcyclists can call (402) 471-4339 or write the Nebraska Department of Education. Kile Nightingale Nebraska Dept, of Educatior 301 Centennial Mall South Lincoln, Neb. 68509
INDIAN FANS
I would like to make your readers aware of the Indian Motorcycle Museum owned by Charles Manthos in Springfield, Massachusetts where they were manufactured. They’ll find an incredible collection of many perfectly restored Indian motorcycles as well as airplane motors, snowmobiles and Indian lawnmowers. He also has on display the world’s largest collection of toy motorcycles from all parts of the globe.
The museum is open from April through September or call Mr. Manthos (413) 737-2524 for an appointment. Arthur Fox Pacifica, Calif.
FAIR OPINION
It’s strange how people protest about Harley-Davidson wanting price controls and quotas on Japanese motorcycles. Are the people aware that between 90 and 95 percent of all motorcycles sold in the U.S. are from Japan but because of unfair Japanese import tariffs a $5000 Harley costs almost $ 1 5,000 in Japan.
Now somebody explain what is fair about that. Goebel Craft Lexington, Ky.
ANOTHER RIP-OFF
Regarding your January editorial, 1 have to tell you it’s worse than you think! The taillight lens for my 1982 Sabre must not only be ordered from some warehouse somewhere, but the entire assembly must be replaced ... a $76 part!
This is more than an inconvenience, this is a rip off. Karl Allendinger Milpitas, Calif.
RETIRED BLISS
I have always wanted a motorcycle but it was not until I retired that 1 had time and money for one. Starting out with a KZ400 and a Safe Riding course the bug really hit me. Riding the foothills of the Sierras was the first fun I’d had for 40 years! Then a young sprout mentioned “Nice bike. My sister had one and traded for something bigger." So I got a CB750. I was so impressed I knew I'd never need anything larger. But six months later there was a chance for a GSI 1Q0E and my happiness is now complete.
One question: why do I have three speeding tickets on my Suzuki and none on my diesel Buick? Bob Strickland Citrus Heights, Calif.
ROLL ON TIMES
April’s test of the Honda V65 Magna states: “. . . ran away from GPz and GS1100’s in fifth gear roll-ons from highway speeds." The test data shows 7.8 sec. for 40-80 mph. If this time was for the sixth gear overdrive, I’m impressed! If this is the fifth gear roll-on time, I’m not impressed.
I would also like to know if the half mile run was done in overdrive or fifth gear. It seems like with the power available, the bike should surpass 137 mph in fifth gear. John Geisel Laconia, N.H.
All our roll-on times are done in the bike's top gear, whether it’s 4th, 5th, or /)th. Top speed is measured, with a radar gun, in whatever gear that allows the bike to go fastest; with the V65, this was fifth gear.
