Ups And Downs
UPS AND DOWNS
ROUNDUP
UP: To the U.S. Postal Service for an investigation which led to the indictments of Samuel Filippo and Robert Matthews, who allegedly bilked 4000 people out of a total of $1 million. In a mail campaign, the men promised a free 250cc motorcycle in return for “market research.” It seems that customers were asked to pay a $360 shipping fee before the motorcycle could be delivered to them; then they were instructed to fill out a survey, after which they could keep the bike. But the few “bikes” that were actually delivered were 50cc mopeds worth only $ 140.
According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, the indictment charges the two men with 16 counts of mail fraud. If convicted, they could each face up to 80 years in prison and $4 million in fines. Unfortunately, the men have slipped out of sight, and, as of yet, have not been apprehended.
UP: To studio photographer Stan Sholik, the man who tripped the shutter for this month’s “at speed” cover photo of Suzuki’s GSX-R1 100 and Katana 750. Sholik has shot 13 picture-perfect Cycle World covers in the past four years and considers this month’s— which took the better part of a day to set up, and required three assistants and a backdrop painter to pull off— his best yet.
UP: To the Harley-Davidson Motor Company, which has been on a media roll lately. First, Money magazine named Harley as its December stock of the month, predicting that a share of Harley stock—originally on the market for $ 1 1 —would finish 1989 worth $40. Then, retiring Los Angeles Laker Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was presented with a $ 10,000-plus Harley-Davidson touring bike when he played his last game in—where else—Milwaukee. The 20-minute farewell ceremony made TV newscasts all around the country and was widely reported in newspapers the next day.
Lastly, actor Dan Aykroyd, a man who’s obviously got his priorities straight, gave the company a plug during the promotional tour for his recent movie My Stepmother is an Alien. Asked in a TV interview what he would say if extra-terrestrials were about to whisk him oflf to another galaxy, Aykroyd replied, “Hold on fellas. First I’ve got to get my wife, a six-pack and my Harley.”
DOWN: To Steve Freeman, a free lance writer who penned an editorial for the Orange county (California) Register bemoaning the types of peo pie who receive end-zone tickets at football games. Said Freeman: "(They are) in-laws, lesser employ ees, roller derby skaters and spec tators, and motorcycle trpes" (our italics). We've heard of editorial li cense before, but Mr. Freeman's should be revoked.
UP: To Cher, the 42-year-old star of stage, screen and belly button, who, during the television commercial for her line of Uninhibited perfume ($260 an ounce), asks,
“Will I ever be too old to wear my motorcycle jacket?”
Cher, trust us on this, babe, never. E3
If you come across a motorcycle-re lated item that you think should be singled out for an UP or DOWN, send the information to CW Roundup, 853 W. 17th St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627.
