Intake

Intake

YOUTH SERUM GOING FOR 10? FRAME JOB

HÊEHSTHHT THE EOfíVEHSHTÈOn

Thirty years ago I was a slave to speed: 1993 Honda CBR900RR; 1997 Suzuki TL1000S; 1999 Triumph Daytona 955i. Having just as much fun these days as the Sultan of Slow: Yamaha YZF-R3 and Wolf V150 scooter. Give me two wheels with a motor that I can afford at age 67 and I feel 30 years younger. Cheap thrills forever! Great June issue.

MIKE MCCORMICK ROANOKE, VA

SAYING IT’S NOT A “10”

I thoroughly enjoyed your May issue with a feature article on the Norton 961. Great perspective by Mark Hoyer, and the photography by Jeff Allen is the motorcycle equivalent of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. This has to be one of the most attractive-looking motorcycles available today. I may be a little biased,as I bought one last year (saw it at local dealer and was mesmerized), and I feel it really captures and embodies the look and character of the original Commando (I’ve had two ’70s Nortons), with a lot of the modern amenities like EFI, Brembos, and Öhlins. The bike is a great ride, and the few quirks (mechanical noise, vibration) that Hoyer alluded to kinda go with the territory... Have you ever dated or had a relationship with a “10”?

SERGEI TRAYCOFF INDIANAPOLIS, IN

No, tell us more about it, Sergei...

SELL THE ’CUDA

Disclaimer—this letter is not about motorcycles. I wanted to thank Kevin Cameron for his excellent article, “Creep” (TDC, May) on hot metal deforming in engines. In addition to my motorcycles, I have a 1966 Plymouth Barracuda, which had not run well for longer than I like to admit. Symptoms were loss of power when warmed up, loss of vacuum, surging at stops, and overheating. I had spent untold time and money trying to fix it (including rebuilding the head) with nothing to show for my efforts but frustration. After reading Kevin’s article, I adjusted the exhaust valves 0.003 inch more than spec. The first real improvement in a very long time. Then I adjusted them plus 0.005. Even better. Lastly, plus 0.007. Perfection.

Now in addition to a great-running car (again), I will have more time to ride my motorcycles. And I gained some invaluable knowledge.

JON WILSON CYCLEWORLD.COM

Looking for more time to ride? Sell the car.

HAND-BUILT TIP

As a longtime builder I appreciated the “Hand-Built” stories. A suggestion for those who may want to build a frame and not have the warping problem is to bronze weld them. Because the steel is not melted, the pieces can be fitted up tight and no movement will occur. The fixtures don’t have to be as strong either. We made one-off frames just holding the head stock and swingarm pivot, along with a few simple supports. We learned this from the English frame builders back in the 1960s. Testing proved that a bronze 1/4-inch fillet weld is stronger than a standard TIGor gas-welded joint. Bronze welding can be done with either TIG or gas.

HAROLD PARKS

MINDEN, NV

Comments? Suggestions? Criticisms? Write us at intake@cycleworld.com.