Cycle World Round Up
CYCLE WORLD ROUND UP
Life in Lotus Land: '83s and canisters
On January 1, the year wasn’t the only thing that changed in California. Thanks to new rules enacted by the California Air Re-
sources Board, motorcycling also changed. It became a little more complicated, and potentially more costly.
The new rules required that street motorcycles, beginning with the 1984 models, be fitted with devices to control the evaporation of fuel into the atmosphere. The devices? The most common type is a network of fume-collecting hoses and an air-purifying carbon canister, similar to the evaporative-control device that has be-
come standard equipment on cars during the last decade.
So far, California is the only state that requires the canisters on bikes.
Bike manufacturers have coped with the new California law in either one of two different ways, or a combination of both. Some have produced canister-equipped models for the California market. Others rushed their new models into the state before January 1, registering and selling them as ’83s: a
legal loophole that enables them to escape
the canister requirement for a year. One company combined the two approaches, filling its California warehouses before the deadline with canister-less bikes and readying canister-equipped models for shipment later in the year.
Yamaha, Kawasaki and Honda have California-only versions of their ’84 models. Although they carry the canisters, the California bikes are no more expensive than the 49-state models. And, the
manufacturers promise, they’re just as quick and responsive.
Suzuki and BMW, meanwhile, hurried to get their new models in before the end of the year. The bikes were declared, and will be registered, as ’83s, although they’re the same as the ’84s being sold elsewhere in the US. Suzuki’s “’83” ’84s will be priced the same as the “’84” ’84s; the Caiforniabound BMWs will be slightly cheaper than the same bikes sold elsewhere. Although the bikes are brand new, and identical to the ’84s sold elsewhere, BMW reasons the discount will help buyers overcome any reluctance to buy “year-old bikes,” said a company spokesman.
Spokesmen for both Suzuki and BMW said work was proceeding to ready canistercarrying 1985-model bikes for California.
Harley-Davidson blended the two approaches to the new clean-air standard. Much like Suzuki and BMW, the company first filled its California warehouses with
canister-free “’83” ’84s. Sometime in midto lateyear, when that supply of new models is exhausted, Harley will begin shipping canisterequipped versions of the same models to California. Again, there’ll be no difference in price, Harley officials say.
Meanwhile, a new set of CARB rules, which would require the fitting of catalytic converters to most bikes over 280ccs, still is scheduled to take effect with the 1985 model year. Once scheduled to affect the 1984 models, the measure was postponed a year.
Manufacturers have estimated that equipping California-destined bikes with converters would add S375-S650 to the cost of each bike. The motorcycle companies were split over their predictions of what effect the converter mandate would have. Some said California buyers probably would have to foot the increased bill themselves; others forecast that the extra cost would be absorbed by an general U.S.market price increase.
If this is March
Yep, it must be time for Speed Week in Daytona Beach, Florida.
This year’s week-long series of motorcycle races begins Monday, March 5 and
climaxes Sunday, March 11 with the 43rd running of the Daytona 200 Motorcycle Classic at Daytona International Speedway.
Here’s the official Speed Week calendar:
Monday—Technical inspection and practice for all classes.
Tuesday—Technical inspection and practice. Novice and junior short track races.
Wednesday—Amateur national qualifying road races. Amateur motocross. Observed trials. Vintage racing. Junior and expert short track.
Thursday—Daytona 200 Motorcycle Club Alligator Enduro. Qualifying practice for Daytona 200 and Bell Superbike 100. Qualifying races for International Lightweight 100. Junior and expert short track.
Friday - Qualifying practice for Daytona 200. Battle of the Twins 50-mile road race. Bell Superbike 100. Expert short track.
Saturday International Lightweight 100. Daytona Supercross. Expert short track.
Sunday—Daytona 200.
As they’ve done in past years, Daytona Beach police are, well, urging very strongly that motorcyclists be on their best behavior.
Here’s a list of their dos and don’ts:
The beach speed limit is 10 mph. Motorcycles must be equipped with stock mufflers; excessive noise or smoke is prohibited. Handlebars must not be higher than 15 inches above the seat. Helmets must be worn, except while riding on the portion of beach inside city limits. Headlights must be on while riding; lights must be 24-54 inches above the ground. Taillights must be 20-72 inches above the
ground. Horn and rear-view mirror are mandatory. Footrests are required for rider and passenger.
Also: riders and passengers must travel on the seat, facing forward, with one leg on each side of the motorcycle; motorcycles may not be ridden more than two abreast in a single lane; riders may not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the slower vehicle; and riding between lanes or rows of traffic is prohibited.
In addition, there are laws prohibiting: hitchhiking; sleeping on the streets, beach or in parks; carrying or consuming an opened alcoholic beverage on the streets or beach; consumption of alcohol by persons under 19; “trespassing” in motels where not registered; littering; dogs on the beach; and “stopping, standing or parking” any vehicle on the beach between 35:30 a.m.
Harley sets Daytona events
T est rides, a motorcycle and accessory show, a poker run, a parade, a ride-in bike show and a field meet are among the activities being sponsored by Harley-Davidson during this year’s Daytona Bike Week.
Bike Week 1984 will be March 5-11, in conjunction with the Daytona 200 and a week-long schedule of races. Headquarters for HarleyDavidson’s activities will be the Holiday Inn-Surfside, 2700 N. Atlantic Ave.
The company will offer demonstration rides aboard its 1984 models Wednesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
The ride-in show has 12 different classes for HarleyDavidsons, with the top three motorcycles in each class claiming trophies and commemorative belt buckles. Each entrant will receive a show souvenir. Wednesday’s show is open to bikes equipped for touring. Thursday is devoted to big Twins. Sportsters will be judged on Friday. The entry fee is $5.
All 1984 Harleys will be on display at the new models and accessories show, Wednesday
through Saturday. The show will feature technical displays and briefings by factory officials. Admission is $1.
The 100-mile poker run through Florida’s countryside will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. Sign-up will start at 9 a.m. The run, open to riders of all makes of motorcycles, will end with a field meet. There is a $5 entry fee.
Ending the week is the Sunday’s Seventh Annual Motorcycle Parade, through Daytona Beach to Harley Heaven at the Daytona International Speedway, before the start of the Daytona 200. Both events are open to riders of all makes. The parade will form at 9 a.m., and begins at 10 a.m. Participation is free. Pre-race events at Harley Heaven include lunch and live music. Tickets to Harley Heaven, $18 apiece, are available before Bike Week at participating dealerships. During Bike Week, tickets will be sold at the new models show and at Robison HarleyDavidson in Daytona Beach.
Most of the proceeds from the week’s activities will be donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Feds eye new dirt bike tax
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering recommending that Congress levy a 2to 5-percent excise tax on the sale of new offroad vehicles, including dirt bikes.
Proceeds from the new tax would fund grants to stateoperated programs that benefit non-game wildlife, species which are not fished, hunted or trapped.
If adopted, the tax would increase the cost of a new $2000 motorcycle by $40 to $100.
The orv tax is one of 18 fund-raising measures being studied by service officials. Other measures include: a 5to 10-percent tax on wild bird food, bird feeders, wildlife identification books, recreational diving gear and camping and backpacking equipment; a 1to 5-percent tax on travel trailers, campers and motorhomes; a voluntary contribution check-off on fed-
eral income tax forms; and increased fees for access to some federal lands and waters.
The American Motorcyclist Association was quick to criticize the proposed orv tax as “totally inappropriate.”
In a letter to the federal agency, Roy Janson, AMA land use coordinator, wrote: “There is no obvious relationship between the user of off-road vehicles and the funding of activities for the benefit of non-game species. The association feels that there are many other potential sources of funding which have direct ties to the protection programs, and we feel that those sources should be identified and pursued.”
The Fish and Wildlife Service will present its recommendations to Congress by December 1, 1984.
Aspencade date announced
L ake George, New York once again will serve as headquarters for Aspencade, the popular annual gathering of rally and touring riders.
Aspencade ’84, will be held May 16-20 in the resort town. The Glen Falls Civic Center will house TourExpo, Aspencade’s motorcycle and accessory show.
Aspencade ’84 information is available from The Adirondack Adventure, PO. Box 2205, Glen Falls, New York. 12801.
Honda issues helmet recall
A merican Honda Motor Co. has announced a recall involving certain Hondaline helmets manufactured since 1973.
The affected helmets can be identified by chin straps that bear the words “Hondaline,” “Hawk,” “Stag,” or “Hare,” along with the label “American Sports Co.”
Honda says recent independent testing determined that the helmets do not conform to Snell performance standards, although they carry Snell stickers. The helmets were manufactured for > Honda by American Sports Co.
“American Honda feels strongly that its customers should have what they believe they paid for — a helmet that meets Snell standards,” said Honda’s Bill Willen.
Owners of helmets involved in the recall can exchange them at any Honda dealership for new Snell-approved helmets of comparative value.
AMA begins road hazard survey
A program to catalog and combat different types of road hazards has been started by the American Motorcyclist Association.
The survey will gather information from government agencies, highway safety experts, high-mileage motorcyclists and other sources to determine what hazards await riders on American roads and highways.
The study will concentrate on obstacles that may not trouble other vehicle operators, but pose definite threats to
motorcyclists—such as unexpected gravel, sudden changes in road surfaces, and oil slicks at lights, toll booths and corners.
After cataloging the different types of hazards, the AMA plans to instruct its members how to help clear the roads by lobbying for changes in the design and maintenance of highways and roads.
“The AMA wants to let riders know what sorts of things to look out for,” said Rob Rasor, government relations director.
“But we also intend to let motorcyclists know how they can eliminate or minimize those problems. We believe those motorcyclists who are out on the roads of each state are in a better position to identify and tackle specific problems,” he said.
Additional information on the survey is available from the AMA, RO. Box 141, Westerville, Ohio 43081.
My Bonnie lies over the ocean
There’ll always be an England, the saying goes. Now, it also looks like there’ll always be a Triumph.
Just a few months after everyone had written off the company, and the motorcycle, it seems that, well, to abuse Mark Twain, the reports of Triumph’s death were greatly exaggerated.
First, a refresher course. You’ll remember that the red-ink-plagued company was put on the auction block last year, after production halted and unpaid creditors began prowling at the factory gates.
For a while, it was hoped that a single buyer would surface, someone who would take possession of the land, the factory, the machines, the parts. Someone would would begin production anew.
But that buyer never materialized, and so Triumph was parted out. The land went to a home developer.
The factory went to a second party. The parts to yet another. Finally, the Triumph name went to a fourth buyer, millionaire enterpreneur John Bloor. The piece-by-piece
dissection seemed to close the book: an ignoble end to a romantic legend.
Now, however, it appears that Triumph will be resurrected by Bloor, who also owns Racing Spares, a company that produces parts for British bikes. Bloor’s deal with the liquidators gives him a five-year license to the name and manufacturing rights, and he is forming a new company and factory to turn out Triumphs. A number of former Triumph designers, engineers and managers already have signed aboard.
“People were telling me 20 years ago that the British motorcycle was finshed, but there’s still a strong market for the classic vertical Twin,” Bloor maintained.
Bloor says he plans to make 20 bikes a week at first, starting with an improved version of the kick-start T140 Bonneville. Eventually, production could expand to include the 600 Daytona, the eight-valve TSS, and even an all-new 125cc bike and the 900cc Phoenix Twin (with dohc and water-cooling). Triumph was developing the 900 when the company was
forced into liquidation.
Although it’s impossible to predict what will happen to the British and American economies between now and 1986, when Bloor expects the first bikes to come off the production line, he hopes to keep the price of the Bonneville at about $3000.
“It’s our aim to produce a high-quality motorcycle, and to keep the price as low as possible,” he said. “We are not going to rush any bike out until we have got it right.”
Within 24 hours after he announced his plans in Great Britain, Bloor claims, he received more than 500 orders. Also, he says that he’s negotiating with governments in Nigeria, Egypt and Pakistan for military and police orders.
Bloor, a former motorcyclist who once owned a Triumph Thunderbird, says he undertook the resurrection of Triumph as a business, not a romantic venture.
“We have not entered this simply because we have a soft spot for Triumph,” he said. “I’m in this for the love of motorcycles and to make a profit. We will not be going off half-cocked.”
Note: your exact mileage may vary...
Californian motorcyclists Chuck Guy and Jerry Greer, alternating aboard a specially streamlined Honda 185, traveled from Eos Angeles to New York on less than 15 gallons of gas, setting a new
coast-to-coast mileage record of 195.4 mpg.
Guy and Greer left F.A. on November 2, tailed by a motorhome and support crew. They traveled 14 hours a day, rotating the driving tasks, and arrived in New York 10 days later, on November 12.
The trip covered 2929 miles, and consumed 14.9 gallons of gas. The average speed of the fully faired
Honda was about 45-50 mph, depending on winds.
At the end of the mileage run, a sore and exhausted Greer had this to say to potential challengers: “Anybody that wants to beat our record is welcome to it. We were pretty foolish to attempt a trip like this in the first place.
“They’d have to be even bigger fools than us.”
