Letters

LETTERS

SICK READER

Recently when I was at a hillclimb I seen something that made me sick. There were a couple of guys and a couple of women drinking beer all afternoon during the meet. To my notion, and I think others will agree with me, these people can spoil the fun for many others and worst of all, give motorcycling a bad name. I am a great fan of hillclimbs, and I hope to ride in them someday. I would like to see more coverage of hillclimbs in your magazine. You are putting out a great magazine for us motorcycle enthusiasts, keep up the good work. PAUL HEERSHOFF Clarksville, Iowa

A DIFFICULT REQUEST TO FILL

Your road tests have been very informative. In this connection I should like to venture a suggestion, perhaps impossible to put into practice. After reading one of your test reports a novice will have the technical data, speed, and will know of the presence or absence of serious mistakes in design and workmanship. Yet, you should also publicize data indicating the relative frequency of repairs and adjustments needed on each type of cycle. The racing Bultaco that you tested, or a Norton Manx, or a Matchless G-50, probably needs an owner with special tools and his own shop.

I am interested in a BMW R-69S or a Norton Manxman. Upon inquiry as to the reliability and necessity of adjustments on these machines I get completely contradictory answers from different owners and dealers. I. AVOTINS Bradford, New Hampshire

ED: There is only one positive method of determining reliability or length of service in a motorcycle; continued, prolonged ownership. Obviously, our road tests cannot verify these facts because our acquaintanceship is measured in weeks, not months. It is pure speculation to attempt to determine the service life of a motorcycle in the time allotted for a thorough road test; consequently we cannot presume to make unqualified guesses. Concerning machines like the Bultaco, Norton Manx, and G-50 Matchless, ownership and maintenance of these pure racing machines does require a well rounded tool kit, but by no means does it require a special shop.

A WORD FOR THE LADIES

One of my cycling friends showed me a copy of CYCLE WORLD. As a girl I thought the story by Anke-Eve Goldmann was interesting. I am glad to see a cycle magazine showing interest in the human interest side of things, I mean just why people like to ride these horrible, lohd, maybe dangerous but thrilling things. I have looked for a long time for stories and pictures of girl cyclists but there have not been any so I had just about concluded that girls didn’t ride cycles. I suspect a lot of others have come to the same conclusion.

I have wanted to ride my own cycle, but I was afraid people would laugh at me. I am a college sophomore and my home is about 60 miles from school. I thought a cycle would be a great way to get around town and for weekend trips.

I was intrigued by the picture of AnkeEve. I had never thought of leather pants as being attractive before, but they looked pretty sexy to me. I wonder if very many men like girls dressed in leather? Where do you think a girl would go to get a pair of leather pants that fit like hers?

The boys all seemed glad to see the story too. They were interested in it and a couple of them wished they could write to her. In closing, the boys wondered if Carol Anderson (Sims) rides a cycle and if so could you run her picture in her cycling outfit.

I think it would help cycling if more girls took part to show the public it isn’t so rough after all. CONNIE MC KENZIE Keyser, West Virginia

Ed: We hadn’t given much thought to the idea that leathers were sexy, but you’re right, when worn by most girls anyway. You can obtain leathers from Webco Inc., 218 Main St., Venice, Calif. Thank you for your nice comments; we are happy that the presence of Anke-Eve’s writing pleased you and that it has helped you decide to take up cycling. We feel certain you will not regret it. Yes, Carol rides too, and quite well, but we haven’t a picture at the moment, but soon.

HAWK FEVER

I recently caught the bike fever and bought a Honda Super Hawk. Your tests are nothing short of fabulous and are the only ones which present facts and figures rather than obsequious opinions. Don’t ever slide into the “tell nothing and advertise everything” hole which contains so many other cycle magazines. cycle magazines. MICK MILLS Palos Verdes, Calif.

BACK IN THE FOLD

As a former motorcycle owner who has not ridden for the past five or six years and who has lost touch with developments in the field, I happened not to discover until your July issue that someone is finally publishing exactly the information I used to look for and never found. I refer of course to your road test reports and, specifically, the data on acceleration, fuel consumption, etc. I am thinking about buying a motorcycle again, and so will subscribe to avoid missing further test reports. K. D. ROBERTS Fresno, Calif.

WITH A CAPITAL "G”

On page thirty-nine of your August issue, you have reprinted a letter from Mrs. Lawrence Bentley of Chicago. Mrs. Bentley remarked, “it does not all sound greek to me.” In order to set the record straight, it is Greek, not greek. Tm kind of proud to be of Greek-American blood.

Keep up the great work on your fine magazine. “Thavma Ena!” HAROLD ABBOTT, JR. Tucson, Ariz.

OUR MISTAKE AGAIN

Upon studying the test results of the Montesa Grand Sport, I was astounded at the performance obtained out of a 125cc bike in the quarter-mile (89 mph). Leave it up to my old friend Gordon (Tech Ed) to get a higher accelerated speed than a top end speed (76.3 mph).

Come to find out, after looking at the Royal Enfield test, it wasn’t he who had accomplished such a feat, but only a printing error. E. F. CLARK Manhattan Beach, Calif.

SERVICING OUR READERS

I would like to compliment you on your past issues, a truly great new magazine. The road tests are excellent, and I am continually looking forward to the issue that includes a test of the excellent Harley-Davidson XLCH. I am contemplating the purchase of one of these great machines, so how about a test? ARTHUR C. STOBER Summit, N.J.

ED: How’s this for service?

CYCLE DRAGS

Now that CYCLE WORLD has the use of the L.A.D.S. strip for its timing tests, maybe you would be interested in promoting an all-bike drag meet such as was held about a year and a half ago.

I am sure that many in the Los Angeles area would be interested in such a meet and, as the saying goes, prove who’s fastest on the strip, not on the street. DON SILLINGS Los Angeles, Calif.

US WORRY?

It sure is great to see a cycle magazine that isn’t worried about offending someone because of a road test. You have a cycle magazine we have needed for a long time.

I’m sure most people respect your magazine for doing some honest-to-goodness road testing, instead of not telling a damn thing for fear of losing an ad. DONOVAN ULBRECHT Onida, South Dakota