Letters
LETTERS
Calls for the Curtiss
I read with great interest your recent article about Glen Curtiss’ 1907 V-Eight-powered motorcycle (“Superbike Number One,” CW, April, 1990). The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum of Local History, where I am Assistant Director-Curator, was fortunate enough to have this famous motorcycle on exhibit from 1975 to 1988, when it was returned to the National Air and Space Museum. We were very pleased to see the article. The machine is surely one of the most unusual ever built.
Lindsley A. Dunn
Hammondsport, New York
Your readers might like to know that until recently the Glen Curtiss V-Eight was on public display at the Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport, New York, which occupies the original Curtiss factory. The bike, on loan from the Smithsonian Institution, occupied pride of place inside the front doors of the museum.
Unfortunately, the Smithsonian saw fit to recall it from this location and, as your article stated, has placed the bike in its Garber Storage Facility, an aeronautical restoration and storage complex. Your article also states that the motorcycle is unlikely to be displayed on its own. This would probably not please either Glen Curtiss or James Smithson, who endowed the Smithsonian for the purpose of “the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.” Unfortunately, both of these men are gone, as is the opportunity for the public to examine this amazing motorcycle.
Stephen Dukoff Sydenham, Ontario, Canada
The public may soon be able to see Curtiss' V-Eight. After reading our article, AMA officials contacted the Smithsonian to see if the motorcycle could be displayed at the AMA's Motorcycle Heritage Foundation Museum, which is scheduled to open its doors in August.
Passing marks
The purpose of this letter is to let you know that in my considered opinion Steven Thompson’s “Passing Judgment” column (Of, May,
1990) about rational riding was one of the more responsible and intelligent journalistic efforts I've seen in a long time. He is due praise and congratulations. I don’t believe the ability and temptation to be stupid are ever completely outgrown, so “Passing Judgment” should be required reading every spring.
Ted Bateman Denver, Colorado^!
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