Etc.
etc.
THE WILD ONES RIDE AGAIN!
This Fourth of July will mark the 50th anniversary of the infamous Hollister biker riot depicted in the 1954 film, The Wild One. As portrayed by Marlon Brando and crew, the incident was a black eye on the face of motorcycling. To rectify matters, saddlemaker Mike Corbin will host a blowout at the scene of the crime on July 4-6. Among the scheduled activities are motorcycle-only cruising on Main Street, an industry trade show, fireworks and “a surprise concert event featuring reunited legends.” For more information, call 888/99-WILD-1. Johnny and the Black Rebels are not invited.
WHIZZER’S BACK, SORT OF
During their 1940s heyday, Whizzer Motorbikes were considered the “bee’s knees." Fifty years later, the motorized bicycles are available again. Nostalgia Cycle (15671 Commerce Ln., Huntington Beach, CA 92649; 714/893-7674) is offering a $1595 kit that includes a 4-horsepower, 138cc four-stroke engine, 18mm Mikuni carburetor, fuel tank, exhaust system, belt drive, clutch and all necessary hardware. The only catch is customers have to provide their own bicycles; the company recommends beach cruisers.
RAY HENSLEY, 1934-1997
Master frame-builder Ray Hensley, 62, died of cancer on March 12. Founder of Trackmaster Racing Frames, Hensley constructed dirttrack chassis for racing giants such as Gary Nixon and Gene Romero in the late-’60s. In the ensuing years, Hensley experimented with other frame companies and occupations until the mid-’80s, when increased interest in vintage dirt-track racing put Trackmaster back in business. CW last spoke with Hensley at the 1996 Del Mar Vintage Mile, where he remarked, “Anybody here who’s old has ridden my frames. And now, the young guys are riding them again.” With Hensley’s son Stephen now at the helm, the Trackmaster legacy lives on.
BIKE WEEK CENTRAL
Have you always dreamed of going to Daytona Bike Week, but dreaded the long, cold flog from your native Midwest? Then why not stay home and let Bike Week come to you? On July 11-20, the MidOhio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, will host a week-long Cycle Festival just like the one in Florida. Kicking off the festivities is the sixth-annual AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, which includes a full slate of AHRMA-sanctioned vintage roadracing, motocross and observed trials. Grand marshal for the event will be racing legend Dick Mann, who will parade a race-kitted Honda CB750 similar to the one on which he won the 1970 Daytona 200. The following weekend sees round eight of the AMA U.S. Superbike Championship. To order tickets, call Mid-Ohio at 800/MID-OHIO or 419/884-4000.
ON THE BEAM
England’s Sunbeam is the featured marque at the British Biker Cooperative’s 17th Annual Rally & Show to be held July 11 -13 in Concord, Wisconsin. The weekend’s festivities will include a concours, a swapmeet, group tours, field games and live music. All Sunbeam owners will be admitted free. For more information, contact the BBC Hotline at 414/263-0158.
INNOTECH IN THE U.S.
Innotech, the Czech Republic company that produces the Honda CBR900RR-based Crea featured in Cl/l/’s April issue, is now offering its custom sportbike bodywork kits through a newly formed U.S. distributor network. To order yours, contact Personal Cycle Service, 904/2532586; Roswell Fun Machines, 770/442-8460; Tri-City Honda, 910/852-4228; or Enigma Superbikes, 203/977-1850. The company is currently developing a kit for Suzuki’s new GSX-R750 and 600.
