Cycle Round Up
UP GRADING MOTORCYCLING
CYCLE ROUND UP
JOE PARKHURST
I have had several, rather strong letters in response to the statements made in "CYCLE WORLD Forges Ahead", in our March issue. It seems my saying that CYCLE WORLD is not trying to set trends or up-grade motorcycling was not taken in the light in which it was written. Obviously, CYCLE WORLD is setting a trend; we are quite proud of the fact that we are publishing the first genuine magazine designed for motorcycle enthusiasts. That is precisely why it was begun in the first place, there was a need. But setting a trend is not our purpose. Giving you cycle enthusiasts what you have hungered many years for is our purpose. If this sets a trend, nothing could make me happier.
The “Up-Grading” of motorcyclists is a term I am thoroughly tired of hearing. I see not one reason to continually hammer at the “undesirable” element in cycling, to publicize them by mentioning constantly all of their bad points and the “harm” they are doing, to call attention to, and literally flaunt the seamy side of our sport. It is bad enough that they exist, but no amount of publicity, no matter how it is presented is going to alter the situation one bit.
The one way we are up-grading cycling is by publishing CYCLE WORLD. By presenting an intelligent magazine to an intelligent audience, an audience that has been growing and developing for many years, and is welcoming CYCLE WORLD with open arms. Naturally we are grateful for this acceptance, but at the same time I have to confess to some degree of confidence because we knew when we first laid plans for the magazine that the motorcycle enthusiasts wanted just such a magazine and were not getting it anywhere else.
The unsavory appearance of some cyclists quite naturally is not doing the sport any good, but no one wants someone to tell them how to dress or act. It is our most profound hope that CYCLE WORLD, by its mere presence, will not only serve as a medium of information and entertainment, but also as an example to everyone who comes into contact with it. To the non-cyclist, we are proud to represent the substantial and respectable side of cycling, the majority, 1 might add. To the true enthusiast, we hope we are his spokesman and, if you must, his guide.
ISLE OF MAN TOUR
The Golden Arrow Motorcycle Club is sponsoring a nine day, chartered trip to the Isle of Man for the TT this June and it is priced at a remarkably low price for such an extensive tour; only approximately 32O.OO.
A Pan American World Airlines charter plane will leave Columbus, Ohio, on June 1st, and return June 9th. The charter price will include transportation to and from the island, and hotel accommodations for the length of the stay. A fifty dollar deposit will be required in advance and the remainder can be financed for up to 18 months at a very nominal 6% interest.
The tour organizers are Dick Klamfoth and Jerry Beall; arrangements can be made by contacting either of them at Klamfoth Cycle Sales, West Groveport Rd., Groveport, Ohio. Jerry tells CYCLE WORLD that only a limited number of seats are available and that they will be sold on a first come, first serve basis.
Th is will be a
memorable occasion and we suggest if you are even the least bit interested, write now. As an added bit of wisdom I might say that the Isle of Man is noted for its extremely inexpensive facilities, so additional costs will be minimal. With so much racing to see during the TT week, I know of no other bargain with so much to offer for the money.
INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE SHOW
The accompanying photograph was taken at the recent International Motorcycle Show, held in Milan, Italy. The display pictured was a joint affair set up by
Harley-Davidson and Aermacchi HarleyDavidson. The 150,000 people attending showed great interest in the display, especially the Sportster H (left foreground), the Duo-Glide Police Solo (behind and to the right of the Sportster H), and the Aermacchi Harley-Davidson moto-cross model (on high pedestal beneath neon sign), with which Lanfranco Angelini won the 1961 Italian Moto-cross Championship in the 250cc and 500cc classes.
BRITISH CYCLE CLOTHES
Recently a veritable treasure crossed my desk, a catalog from the D. Lewis Co. in London. England. The firm are specialists in motorcycle, scooter and motoring clothing, and the catalog is packed with the
most interesting array of clothing in an extremely wide range of variety. Such things as: gloves, racing leathers, the fa mous Barbour suit for competition, coats and jackets in a staggering array for men and women, boots, goggles, helmets and a great deal more.
You can receive a copy of this unusual tome by merely sending 25~ to them at 124 CT. Portland St., London W.1, Eng land. They fill orders from all over the world, and their prices are as amazing as their merchandise.
FIM HEADS AT USMC DAYTONA
Last month's USMC Daytona US Grand Prix was honored by the presence of several gentlemen vital to the future of European style road racing in the U.S. Shown in the accompanying photograph are, left to right: Tom Galan, President of the USMC. P. J. Nortier, President of the FIM, Kunimitsu Takahashi, winner of three of the four races run, mounted on his 250 Honda 4, and E. Vorster, Vice President of the FIM.
SCOOTER SALES
A recent statement to CYCLE WORLD from the American Motor Scooter Association reads that 32,880 motor scooters were sold in the United States during 1961. In a report to ASMA members at the Association's annual meeting held in Chicago, James H. Carrier, President, emphasized that this figure does not include golf carts, industrial vehicles, etc.
He also emphasized that the ASMA compilation marked the first time that any such figures have been available for this industry. He estimated the total number of motor scooters in the U.S. at about 150,000.
Carrier also announced that the ASMA directors have approved a set of minimum safety standards, to which manufacturers, distributors, and importers associated with ASMA have subscribed. “The minimum standards were designed to insure the safety of the scooter rider and the general public,” Carrier declared. “They guarantee sound construction, adequate lighting and brakes.” Similar minimum standards are being prepared to cover t’he trial scooter classification, or the “off the road” vehicles that are growing so in popularity.
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The Association is planning to release colored movies demonstrating the economy, safety, and general adaptability of the scooter. There will also be a film which will depict the vast potential of the trial vehicles. These films will be made available to service clubs, civic organizations, sportsmen’s clubs, and will also be distributed to TV stations for use as public service programs.
CYCLE WORLD FACE LIFT
If you were wondering about the slight change on the cover of this issue, have no fear, the rest of the magazine remains unchanged. We hope it didn’t confuse any of our readers who might not have recognized it on the newsstands. Though changes like this, so soon in our young life, are quite unusual, we felt compelled to do it as we have been told by a few people that it resembled another magazine.
CYCLE WORLD is new and distinctive in every way. We were the first, and are the only magazine to feature a four-color cover every month, and we find it difficult to understand how we could have been mistaken for another. To anyone who might have felt wronged by a similarity, we apologize, though it seems to us that we are the wronged party.
CYCLE WORLD IN THE CYCLE DEALER SHOPS
If you hadn’t noticed yet, we have the largest number of motorcycle dealers selling CYCLE WORLD in their shops of any motorcycle magazine published now, or ever before. The total is getting close to 600 and we are pretty certain it will continue to increase at the phenomenal rate it has displayed in our first 5 months of operation. I am telling you this for one reason only (I dislike blowing our own horn but as the old, and trite, sayipg relates, if we don’t, who will?); the list is apparently so extensive a few people refuse to believe its authenticity.
To all of you dealers listed, we have a request. Would you be kind enough to drop a line to your Distributors and tell them you are still there? Not that it is necessary for us, we know you are, and so do our readers who are buying CYCLE WORLD from you. It seems as though some people feel you aren’t, silly as it sounds.
AWARD WINNING TRIUMPH ADVERTISING
135 advertising executives, artists, advertising representatives and representatives of the press attended the annual Pasadena (Calif.) Advertising Fair awards banquet recently, which is sponsored by the advertising profession to honor winners in advertising competition. Purpose of the banquet was to give recognition for exceptional creativity in advertising and its allied arts. Ad-Fair competition is restricted to work produced by individuals or firms in the Pasadena-San Gabriel Valley, California areas.
CYCLE WORLD is proud to note that Johnson Mtrs. Inc., distributors in the West for Triumph and Ariel motorcycles won first place in the category for complete advertising campaigns with their catalog folder and price list in competition with 30 entries. Art Shipman, Pasadena advertising artist, created the layouts and art work for this handsome package. Don J. Brown, Sales Manager for Johnson Mtrs., was the co-designer and copy writer. Don is also the President of the very active Advertising Club of Pasadena. The gentle-
JOHNSON MOTORS’ PRESIDENT DIES
CYCLE WORLD sadly notes the passing of Mr. William E. Johnson, Jr., President of Johnson Motors Inc., who died Sunday, March 4th, in Pasadena, California. Motorcycling will feel his loss keenly and will long honor his most important contribution to cycling in the form of Johnson Motors.
HONDA RIDER OUTING
A new and novel dealer promotion was run recently by two Hqhda dealers; Long Beach (Calif.) Honda, and Norm Reeves in Paramount, Calif., when they invited Honda owners to an outing in the country. A fun-filled weekend of trailing, fishing, hunting and camping was staged after a road rally to Woodland Waters, a Southern California mountain resort. One of the most interesting events was planned for Honda Trail 50’s only, a trail ride to a secluded lake for fishing. Other activities included campfire meals with singing and a concourse and trophy presentation.
To us this sounds like one of the most appealing ways to promote the sale of machines and to stimulate interest in one of the most entertainingly fun aspects of cycling.
TOP CYCLE DESIGNER MOVES TO AMC
One of the best known design engineers in the motorcycle world, Mr. Charles W. Udall, has left his position as Technical Director of Veloce, Ltd,, to join Associated Motor Cycles, Ltd., as Chief Engineer.
For the past 32 years, Mr. Udall has been responsible for the design and production of many successful road and racing machines, including the Velocette which won the World’s Championship immediately after the war. Mr. Udall is a youthful 51 who has always kept his ideas completely up to date and his enthusiasm for motorcycling is second to none.
Mr. Udall brings with him to A.M.C. a splendid engineering record covering a wide variety of machine types and we all join in wishing all possible success in his new assignment.
REGGIE PINK DIES
One of the oldest and most active of the AMA Officials died in a New York hospital from the effects of a brain hemorrhage. Reggie Pink, age 62, was a member of both American Motorcycle Association Technical and Competition Committees. He was also a prominent and successful hiliclimb artist in his younger days. Reggie was a pioneer for the sale of English cycles in the U.S., later taking on a Har ley-Davidson franchise.
He was an active member of the Cro tona Motorcycle Club and one of the originators of the Metropolitan Sports Committee. "Reg" was always on hand to dispense his vast technical, racing and sporting knowledge. To say that cycling in general will miss him would be the understatement of the year; certainly in the Metropolitan area he will be sorely missed. Reggie is survived by his wife Bernese, three sons, Don, Doug and Rod. ney, and a daughter, Donna.
BIKES AT THE AUTO SHOW
For many years an essential, and one of the most interesting displays in auto and hot rod shows, has been the motorcycle showings. These displays are usually quite heavily devoted to "custom" or highly stylized machines, often in the poorest taste imaginable and in the form of weird, unridable creations with itsy bitsy gas tanks and high riser "ape hanger" bars that convey a total impression that possibly they were accidentally dropped into a chrome plating tank.
Quite naturally this description does not fit every machine seen at the shoWs, but the percentage is unfortunately heaviest in the bizarre and idiotic varieties. The photo above was taken by George Burnley at the recent Oakland (Calif). Roadster Show, one of the largest and most popular in the country. Two interesting Hondas share the front row with several of the type of creations I was talking about. It seems the most popular machines subjected to the chrome bath and weird lacquer paint job treatments are older Harley-Davidsons and Triumphs.
My objections to this form of cycle showmanship are based on one thing only; a great many people see these machines, people who know little or nothing of cycles and of what our sport actually consists. I feel they are given an unfair and inaccurate picture of what motorcycle enthusiasts consider attractive or practical. Obviously all of us do not feel precisely the same when the subject of likes and dislikes is discussed, but I can’t help but feel that most pure cycle enthusiasts have very little enthusiasm for a 74 cubic inch machine with ä one quart gas tank and handlebars that are so high the rider hangs from them with hardly any control whatsoever over the machine.
Fortunately the few who indulged in the building and displaying of these creations are in the minority. Most cycle displays in the auto shows are graced with many tastefully customized and mechanically interesting machines.
