Cycle World Letters
CYCLE WORLD LETTERS
A Thief of Time
In the case of the "all wise 55", our rulers are obsessed with the illusion that it is "good for the masses." Since politicians are generally a reflection of the people who feed them, we shouldn't be too surprised at their duplicity.
As long as the constituency is living in Disneyland, who can blame the politicians for treating us as imbeciles? Richard Fullmer Sandy, Utah
I am a member of and support the Concerned Citizens for Rational Traffic Laws and its founder Jim Baxter. The CCRTL could certainly use someone like you in the forefront of their activities.
Reuben White Fremont, Calif.
TheNSL apparently has little effect on a public that figures it can get away with breaking this law because only the true exhibitionists (read sports cars and motorcycles) will get busted. Too often they are right. James L. Martin Costa Mesa, Calif.
I am a retired California Highway patrolman. Of my 20 years in law enforcement, 14 years were in traffic law enforcement. The CHP manual requires the officer take action for all violations including the maximum speed limit. Tolerances are allowed and you should inquire into this at the Commissioner's office.
Further, on our first working day after the 55 mph speed limit began we were amazed to see how smoothly traffic was flowing, it was not backed up for 15 minutes and there were no crashes to clean up after the commute was over. As time went on we not only experienced fewer injuries per collisions but the injuries that were sustained were less severe.
In conclusion, the record shows that 1) our lousy highway system cannot handle speeds much above 55 mph, 2) at 55 mph the collision rate does appear to take a dramatic decline, and 3) at 55 mph the injury rate (per collision) does dramatically drop. R.E. Harrington Big Bear Lake, Calif.
We disagree. Most of the accidents, particularly motorcycle accidents, are not occurring on the wide-open Interstates, where the enforcement is concentrated. Traffic safety would be improved if highway patrols spent less time chasing
people going 65 mph, and more time enforcing right -ofway and drunk driver laws. The statistics we've seen bear this out. It's also worth noting that law enforcement support for the double nickel isn't uniform. Our staff who have been to traffic school recently report that the traffic officers presenting the courses have all opposed the 55.
The NSL is particularly frustrating here in Texas. Please explain why there is very limited enforcement of the 55 mph speed limit in and around the freeways in Houston where traffic enters, exits, changes lanes, speeds up, slows down and even stops. Yet outside the city limits where the road is straight as an arrow for miles with nothing but an occasional jackrabbit, the law is always on patrol ready to apprehend anyone moving rn 9
Hank Hattoy Humble, Texas
It has been several years since the speed limits changed to 55 mph and you've all had time to adjust your driving habits to the new speed limit. When you insist on choosing your own speed and then get a speeding ticket you blame the NSL Maybe if you looked at the situation a little more realistically, it would help you understand. Highway patrolmen are i responsible for patrolling the nation's highways and streets. They are not responsible for non-vehicular crimes. Whether the 55 mph speed limit is right or wrong is not the point. When you applied for a vehicle operator's license you agreed to obey the laws. Breaking laws is not the way to protest the laws. Driving is a privilege, not a right.
Like you I am a concerned motorcyclist. But, you won't hear me saying Big Brother made me break the law because he lowered the speed limit. The only one who can make a speeder out of me is me, Robert J. Riedel Motorcycle Safety Foundation Instructor Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
I didn't say Big Brother made me speed. I said Big Brother has imposed a bad law, one which is harming us al/in ways we're only beginning to understand. PS: If we all respected the law as you suggest, you'd be working for the Royal Air Force. . . A.G.
I believe there remains a thing of importance to be said. I have been held up, beaten up, and had my motorcycle stolen in the last six months. I have seen a police officer only three times; three speeding tickets all between 56 and 65 mph! Jack Carberry Merrick, N.Y.
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Reader information
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Something is wrong in our society when we worry more about excessive rate of speed on our limited access Interstates than we do about each other. here are more dangerous infractions, such as no regard for pavement markings, running stop signs and red lights, driving with alcohol and drugs in the bloodstream, tailgating and just lain not driving.
James Riehie Orchard Park, N.Y.
canadian railroad memories
Mr. Egan's Canadian Underground Railroad brought back many memories, good and bad. Growing up in a small northern Indiana town, I remember the ttitudes toward motorcycles in 1967. I also remember a trip with a friend that ea~ded in a similar manner. My `66 Scrambler 305, `66 Sport 50 and myself thank you.
Don Flenar Milford, md.
I really enjoyed the Canadian Underground Railroad. Any rider should be able to identify with the experiences related in the story. Although many of the sentiments expressed were a product of that period in time, the overall view is very relevant today. (Particularly in finding a motel room. You hope they don't see you pull up, or notice your AMA card or lapel pin, identifying you as a motorcyclist.) However, the rain, flat tires, etc. are all worth it. The spectacular sunrise, the perfectly contoured road and the stranger who really wants to know how your trip is going still makes motorcycling the best way to travel.
Chip Garrison Florence, S.C.
XR750 mystique
This information may be helpful to your readers who are interested in the Harley-Davidson XR75Os. I acquired a version of one of these wonderful machines three years ago. It has a stock `77 Sportster engine instead of the alloy 750. A Sportster engine version is a quick and economical way to put an XR legally on the road and parts are easily available. It may not be as fast, but the handling is there and it will hold its own against all but the most radical multis. XR frames are available from Terry Knight or Kosman Specialties and the latter will provide a complete, street> ready rolling chassis. Fenders and tanks can be obtained from Grand Prix Plastics in San Jose (who make the same for the H-D factory.) A clean XR with a fresh coat of orange and black paint is a real eye catcher. No other motorcycle can match the simplistic, functional beauty of these thoroughbreds. And they are loads of fun to drive.
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Dave Flora San Jose, Calif.
Mert Lawwill offers a street version of his racing XRframe, with geometry swing arm pivot, footpeg location, etc., tailored for pavement.
Florida ABATE helmet issue
I must respond to the report in your Roundup, January, 1984. I support ABATE's claim of discrimination and violation of the motorcyclist's right to wear or not wear protective headgear. However, their claim that a helmet is a "dangerous instrumentality" is pure bullcookies. Professional football is a graphic illustration of low velocity, but
not necessarily low g-force, collisions similar to what a cyclist might experience in a low-speed get-off. Time and again I see riders, sans helmet, squinting behind woefully inadequate sunglasses with tears streaming. What can be more distracting than sandblasted eyes'? Or, how about a stone or insect smacking you squarely on your gourd? Common sense and 23 years of riding experience compel me to wear a helmet, along with leather jacket, gloves and boots.
John Swain Littleton, Cob.
The "dangerous instrumentality" that Florida's ABATE is claiming to cause all kinds of horrid dangers to motorcyclists has saved the life of this fatigued and perspiring, with limited peripheral vision, unalert, impaired hearing and possible whiplash suffering person twice. The freedom from choice should not exist. To choose is to decide. I'm alive and I wear mine.
Dave Childers Lawrence, Kansas
This has been said for 200-plus years, but it's still true: We don't agree with ABATE's reasons for opposing helmet usage. But we will defend to the
last breath their right to make their own decisions, and to work within the law when they oppose the law.
Bronco blues
I am writing because I have a Bronco 50cc minibike and I can't find parts for it. It's been three years now and not a day has it run. I'm hoping you can help me. Tim Rile:
Perhaps our readers could help you, Tim, but we need to know how to find you. Send us your address. Thanks. PS. Write or call Certified Parts Corp., 1111 W. Racine St., Janesville, Wisc. 53545, (608) 752-9441. They are a parts source for 21 manufacturers and the source of original factory stock for14 manufacturers including Bronco.
ISDE
I was happy to see your report on the ISDE though the story was short. The photo of Ron Riboizi (in the lower right corner) is shown in nice clean riding gear changing a tire after riding all day. We realize that he is a world class rider but even God would have gotten dirty hands!
Art Salomon Forestburg, N.Y
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Kevin Brown's disqualification was proper. It wasn't disaster that struck the Vase team, it was cheating. Your coverage suggests that Lojak would have cheated as well, if course marshals had not been alerted to his mechanical failure. The individuals who compete can do what they wish, I suppose. But there's been a large effort to present this year's teams, and next year's, as America's teams. Let's forget that stuff and let who will go where they want, to win however they can, but not as America's teams.
Tom Burke Coquille, Ore.
No Free Parking
I agree with your editorial in the November, 1983 issue. Last summer while traveling I stopped at Martha's Vineyard to rendezvous with friends. I arrived on Friday at the only campground on the island where I dismounted out of view of the office. The clerk greeted me courteously and told me my friends were not due until the following day. Saturday morning upon my arrival, she spotted my motorcycle. This time the greeting was rude and as inhospitable as possible. Was it my Guzzi or my mouthwash? Paul G. Falvey Cromwell, Conn.
Hossack suspension
I was so impressed by the Hossack suspension system in your March issue last year that I promptly sat down and started designing one for dirt bike use. While drawing and redrawing I had a persistent but vague feeling I had seen it before. Finally I remembered a photo dated from the 1930s in the AMA magazine. It allowed a separate steering head supported by bolt-on links, geo metrically the same as Hossack's. Truly nothing is new. I'm fabricating mine now and will let you know the results (if the Japanese don't beat me to it.)
O.H. McKagen Blacksburg, Va.
Photo queries
Because of my ever-meticulous approach to anything that bears the name Suzuki, I couldn't help notice the Bimota picture on page 69 in the February issue. Am I blind or does this machine have two rear disc brakes and no rear sprocket or is this a new trick set-up?
I still love Cycle World so don't hold this against me.
Gene Salazar San Antonio, Texas
Right. We flopped it. If we're forgiven, so are you.
Tell me now, why is there a chicken in the corner of the Nighthawk S photo in the February issue? I was a little tired when I first noticed it but after I slept, it hit me. Why is that dumb clucker there?
Craig Urbana, Ill.
Not only do we not know why the chicken was in the picture, we don't even know why it crossed the road.
