25 Years Ago December, 1972

25 YEARS AGO DECEMBER, 1972

Yamaha's ill-fated TX750 was this month’s featured bike, splayed out on the lima-bean-colored cover. The vertical-Twin was labeled a “lush touring machine,” and was lauded for being a smooth runner. “As with any mechanical device there is some vibration, but the almost total lack of it makes the rider think he is riding a fourstroke Four,” enthused the editors.

Unfortunately, as was found out later, the bike’s chain-driven “OmniPhase” counterbalancer wasn’t all it was cracked up to be, especially after a few thousand miles of chain stretch. The resulting warranty problems killed the TX750, which staggered on for another model year before being axed.

• Like all road tests, the TX’s came complete with a specifications panel; this month, a detailed explanation of each panel point was included. “Respected for its completeness and accuracy, the Cycle World data panel has been the model for the rapidly growing motorcycle publishing industry,” wrote Senior Editor Dan Hunt. Although it has evolved over the years, today’s data panel remains, as Hunt put it, “the meat of a road test.”

• Also in this issue was a six-page overview of the 24th Annual Bonneville Speedweek. Included were final results, an extensive photo gallery and a first-hand account from Jon McKibben of his 270-mph crash aboard the Honda Hawk streamliner. Luckily for McKibben, the Honda was the sole casualty. Post-smashup photo caption read, “Jon McKibben only needed a band-aid on the back of his left hand and a good, stiff drink for relaxation.” Cheers, Jon.

Wendy F. Black