Cycle Round Up
CYCLE ROUND UP
JOE PARKHURST
BOY, WHEN WE MAKE MISTAKES!
Our more alert readers have been calling one of the neatest tricks of the year to our attention. It seems as though we published the performances of two rather unusual motorcycles last month. One, the fastest 125cc bike you ever saw, the other, the slowest 750cc in the world. We listed the top speed of the Montesa Grand Sport as being 76.3 mph, but right below we printed the Engine/Road Speed and Acceleration graphs showing a top speed of 120 mph! As you can see, to make this mistake, we had to make one just as bad on the Royal Enfield Interceptor. We listed the Enfield’s top speed as 120.5, then showed the two graphs indicating a top of only 76 mph. I don’t think I have to explain any further about what happened, but I do have to apologize to Mssrs. Frank Cooper, Distributor of the Royal Enfield, and Kim Kimball, of Montesa Mtrs.
MATCHLESS TO BERLINER
An announcement recently made by Associated Motor Cycles Limited in England reads as follows; “As a part of a policy of consolidation already involving two of its English plants, Associated Motorcycles Ltd., of London, England, announces the transfer of its American division, the Indian Company of Chicopee Falls, Mass., to the Berliner Corp., of Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey.
“Although the American Company has experienced this year an encouraging demand for its products, the decline in the sale of motorcycles of all makes on the English home market has been both continued and precipitous, consequently, the need for prompt management action. A few employees, principally the sales force, of the Indian Company, will be asked to join the Berliner organization. Most employees at the Chicopee Falls plant will necessarily be terminated.
“The exact timing of these events has not been determined but such employees will be given proper notice and suitable severance pay. It is the intention of the Berliner Corp. to continue the Western Division operation at Burbank, Calif.”
TWO WHEELED ELEGANCE
Parked among the exotic Ferraris, Jaguars, Rolls-Royces, etc., at the recent Vista Del Mar Concours D’ Elegance in California was a striking row of BMW’s. A Concours D’ Elegance (literally, parade of elegance), is one of the sports, antique, and exotic car fans’ forms of recreation. This plush event, sponsored by the Le Cercle club, included this array of BMW’s and sidecar rigs entered by members of the BMW club, which turned out to be one of the hits of the day.
First prize was given to R. L. Wright’s beautiful and immaculate 1960 R-60; second prize went to Fred Manter’s 1957 model, and third was taken home by Larry E. Duren with his sidecar rig. Top prizes are earned by the most interesting, well cared for, cleanest, etc. machines. The resplendent collection of BMW’s was invited to represent the motorcycling fraternity in this heretofore exclusive domain of automobiles of elegance.
AMA SUGGESTIONS WANTED
The 1962 competition season has just about closed and with its closing, the preparations for another year start. The AMA has requested that all members present their reactions to the rules and classifications, and make suggestions. The committee will meet in October or November so they would like the material sent to the American Motorcycle Association, 5030 N. High St., Columbus 14, Ohio, with copies going to the committee member in your territory.
MATCHLESS IN SOUTH AMERICA
A British motorcycle manufacturer, Matchless Motorcycles Ltd., recently won two orders, against stiff competition from American, German and Japanese concerns, for the supply of machines to Police Forces in South America. The first consignment of forty 650cc, twin-cylinder machines is on its way to Argentina, to be used by the police in the provincial areas around Buenos Aires. Also, built to meet specific requirements of the Montevideo Police Force is a batch of similar machines bound for Uruguay.
NEW JAWAS FOR MID-1962
Jawa has announced 5 new motorcycle models, now stocked in this country for immediate delivery. Included are the model CZ125/453 Deluxe Roadster in a blue color, the new models CZ125/473 and CZ175/470 Sports Roadsters, now mounting 19" wheels, and two new CZ250’s with the new 250cc engine, on both 16" and 19" wheels.
The new 250cc engines is derived from the CZ175, bored out to 66mm and stroked to 72mm. The bottom end has been strengthened with a new crankcase casting, larger main bearings and a stronger crankshaft. A new cylinder head and piston are also fitted. The new CZ125, 175 and 250 fitted with 19" wheels give better ground clearance for off-the-road use; minor frame modifications were necessary to accommodate them. All five new models feature a 4speed gearbox with multiple disc clutches, automatic de-clutching, and the unique shift lever that flips over to serve as the kick start lever also.
The first shipment of these amazingly low priced machines is now here in the states. U. S. Distributors for Jawa are Javco Motorcycle Corp., 555 Graham Ave., Brooklyn 22, N.Y., and Cycle Imports Inc., 1325 South La Brea Ave., Los Angeles 19, Calif.
HONDA WEATHERBY CONTESTS
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., is readying a national sales contest which should be good news to both Honda and Weatherby Rifles. Slated for late summer and early fall, the Honda contest is designed to promote sales of the Trail 50, their popular trail machine. Honda sales winners will each receive a new .300 magnum Weatherby Mark V rifle.
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The contest will be run in conjunction with full page color ads in American Rifleman, Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, Sports Afield and Western Outdoors which will feature the noted big game hunter and author. Bill Holmes, with his Honda Trail 50 and Weatherby rifle. Due to the fact that so many experienced hunters are making constant use of both types of products, the two manufacturers logically feel that the Honda-Weatherby promotion
should be beneficial to all concerned. The gentleman in the photograph is Jack McCormack; he is poised for action with the two products, and the ad.
FORMAL MOTORCYCLING
The handsome group of gentlemen in the accompanying photograph are the nine lucky members of the Al Bahr Shrine Motorcycle Patrol of San Diego, California, all riding shiny new black Triumph Cubs. The striking group is made up of nine San Diego businessmen and a Judge of the Justice Court, and their standard costume when on all official outings is full formal dress. John Cook, Captain of the precision team, said they offer their escort services and precision riding demonstrations to any organization or event, on one condition; they must all wear formal dress. Justice Court Judge John Menard of National City, California, borrowed a word from his profession to describe their purpose: “We are striving for dignity on wheels.”
He added that uppermost in the minds of the group is to demonstrate courteous driving, complete compliance with traffic laws and cooperation with the police. There are nine members on the team, the maximum number, and there are 21 applicants waiting to join. The men made their debut at an Al Bahr Shriner’s caravan, hence the fezzes; for other events they don top hats. Members, in addition to Cook and Judge Menard are; Melvin Carr, partner in a frozen food company, Ray Woodruff, a heavy equipment operator, Howard Fisher, owner of an aircraft firm, Robert and Jack Fewel, owners of an orange juice firm, Charles Hazelbaker, food service Mgr. for the Navy, and Charles Sieger, owner of an electric firm. Cook is the proprietor of a jewelry firm.
U.S. CANADIAN MOTO-CROSS
A hand-picked team of New England riders won an overwhelming victory against the Canadian team in the 250cc Team Match at Grafton, Vermont. Joe Bolger racked up 1200 points for the U.S.
Team on his 250 Eso with three firsts in a single afternoon. Total U. S. Team points; 2,677, Canadian Team, 1371. Joe was consistently beaten off the starting line but worked his way up from the rear to first in all three races.
MAMDA RALLY AND JAMBOREE
The recent Middle Atlantic Motorcycle Dealers’ Association Rally and Jamboree in Reading, Pennsylvania, was a huge success with 75 entries and over 600 spectators at the two-day event. The impressive list of events held included: pursuit races for seven classes, egg throw, ball throw, balloon busting, slow riding, run and ride, ride and stop, dig outs, (drags) in five classes, hill climbs in five classes, ball and basket for passengers, solo basket, obstacle course, plank ride and more pursuit races.
The winners of all of the events are too numerous to mention, though we wish we could name each one. Admission to all was only $1.00, a reasonable price to say the least for so much fun. We would like to see more of these events staged across the country.
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TT NATIONAL COMING
Saturday, October the 6th at Ascot Park in Los Angeles will be the scene of one of the most exciting events on the AMA 1962 season calendar with the running of the Open TT Championship. Friday night, October 5th, practice and qualifying for experts and amateurs will be held, plus a novice TT race. The Amateur championship will be a 15-lap event, and the Expert championship will be a 50-lap race. J. C. Agajanian is promoting the outstanding championship event in the hectic TT circuit running two and three days a week in California on tracks at El Cajon, Ascot, Hayward, Vallejo, Selma and Lancaster.
TWO-WHEEL DRIVE TRAIL SCOOTER
The odd-looking machine in the photograph is an experimental trail scooter made by the Nethercutt Laboratroies at 15180 Bledsoe, Sylmar, California. The picture was taken at the recent Laguna Seca, California sports car road races where it was seen running around the infield. The unusual feature of this scooter is its two-wheel drive. Power is transmitted from the Maico kart engine to a transfer box at the fork crown by a drive shaft; it then drives the front wheel by a chain. The rear wheel is driven conventionally.
Another unusual feature is that the wheels are hollow and each contains five extra gallons of gasoline. They mount 6.70-15 Firestone implement tires that provide excellent flotation in mud and soft ground. The interesting drive system includes a fluid transfer box, driving both wheels, that allows the engine to run at phenomenally low speeds and still maintain headway.
In tests for the U.S. Army the Trailbreaker as it is called, negotiated a steep stairway with ease and climbed straight up onto a wall and would have climbed all the way up if it could have managed to hang on. Top speed is reported to be around 35 mph, pretty fast for a trail scooter.
8TH ANNUAL DEATH VALLEY GYPSY TOUR
The 8th Annual Death Valley Gypsy Tour has been set for Saturday, October 27th and Sunday, October 28th, and would-be participants are urged to get their entries in early. Beautiful Furnace Creek Ranch is being readied to receive an expected 5000 cyclists, and an illustrated Tour Brochure is available by writing to the Death Valley Committee, 2531 S. Main St., Los Angeles 7, Calif., phone RI. 9-6235. Deadline for entries is Saturday, October 20th and no post entries will be accepted.
All riders participating in the Tour will receive, one week before the event, a map kit, souvenir frying pan pin and other information pertaining to the event. For an outstanding weekend of touring, see your nearest motorcycle dealer or write the Death Valley Committee for more details.
