Cycle Round Up
CYCLE ROUND UP
AMA/INDUSTRY MEETING HELD
What may mark the beginning of a new era of motorcycling publicity and public relations got under way in Los Angeles when Lin Kuchler, Secretary of the American Motorcycle Association (in Southern California to officiate at the 8Mile National Championship at Ascot Park), met with leaders of the motorcycle industry in the West.
Purpose of the meeting was to hear suggestions as to ways and means the AMA and the motorcycling industry can contribute to continued and better publicity in the general press and television for the sport and industry. Many ideas were voiced, several of which were to be put into effect soon, others slated for further development and exploration. The AMA has planned a similar meeting and program with members of the Eastern divisions of the industry at a later date.
Those in attendance at this first meeting, were: Dick O’Brien and Walter Davidson of the Harley-Davidson Co., Bob Blair of ZDS Mtrs., Berliner Mtrs. representatives in the West; Bill Berry of the American Motor Scooter Assn.; Don Brown, Pete Colman and Wilbur Ceder of Johnson Mtrs., Triumph Distrs.; Ken Kay and Walt Davis of Suzuki; Frank Cooper of Cooper Mtrs., Royal Enfield Distr. and representative of Cosmopolitan Mtrs. in the West; Floyd Clymer, Publisher of Cycle Mag.; Bill Bagnall, Editor of the Motorcyclist magazine; Hap Alzina, BSA Distr. in the West; Leonard Andres, cycle dealer; Jack McCormack of American Honda; Earl Flanders, BMW in the West; John Aarvold of the AMA; and yours truly, or course.
JOHNSON INVITATIONAL PROGRESSES
Plans are developing fast for the forthcoming William Johnson Invitational Road Sports Rally, or the Johnson Invitational as it is being shortened to, to be run through 180 miles of Southern California scenery October 6th. Though we mentioned it in this column in our August issue, we repeat that the road rally is being sponsored by the Southern California Triumph Dealer’s Association and is a tribute to the memory of pioneer motorcycle distributor, William Johnson, who died in 1962.
This important event, anticipated to become a classic, is to be run on an invitational basis. The organizing committee, including myself, is comprised* of prominent people in the motorcycle sport and industry in Southern California, and recently staged one of a series of “dummy” runs over the proposed course to determine key times for the various distances and to decide the precise route.
In the photograph below, left to right, Bob Greene, Editor of Hot Rod (and his son as pillion passenger), Ron Simpson, orchestra leader Don Ricardo and Johnson Mtrs. Vice President Clarence Fleming look over maps and plan their next leg. Ricardo, prominent orchestra leader at many cycling functions, is furnishing the musical entertainment at the sumptuous banquet for participants at the end of the run.
In the second photograph, CYCLE WORLD’S Betty Jean Parkhurst stamps Ricardo’s time check card during a practice timing run. Timing of the elaborate event will be effected by the use of a series of complex time clocks at each check point, a system devised by Pete Colman and Buck Smith.
Chairman of the event, Don Brown, is arranging for the Triumph dealers of the Los Angeles area to issue invitations. In-
terested parties should contact their nearest Triumph dealer for full particulars. We stated before that this event should become one of the most important on the motorcycling calendar, and we don’t think we are going to be far from wrong.
A last minute press announcement revealed that famed race promoter J. C. Agajanian has agreed to be the official starter of the run.. Agajanian, who has gained considerable experience as a starter for the Mobilgas Economy Run and other events, adds yet another prominent name to the growing list of supporters of the rally.
HIGH RISERS ILLEGAL
We note with immense pleasure and satisfaction the passing of a new law in the State of California, outlawing the use of high riser or “ape hanger” (ugh!) handlebars. With the passage of the measure designated AB-1402, Chapter 407, Statute 1963, the oft-times wonderful California Legislature now requires that the seat on a motorcycle must "be placed so that the rider’s feet touch the ground when he is seated on the machine and the handlebars may not be more than 15" (fifteen inches!) higher than the level of the seat when compressed.
We need not point out too obviously that this rules out anything above a normal scrambles handlebar height. We like to think we might have had something to do with this, though we know we didn’t. The important point is that, at least in California, those stupid and dangerous bars will not be seen anymore^ we sincerely hope other states will follow suit. We are certain several insurance companies will be as pleased as we are with this news, particularly those that have had to pay some of the many claims made in accident cases involving this type of handlebar. We are told that over 80% of the accidents involving motorcycles have been on machines sporting high bars.
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Fact is, a lot of people will be happy with the news, except for a few unscrupulous handlebar manufacturers and dealers, who can soothe their losses by making and selling the bars they should have sold in the first place. Amen!
HONDA CULVER CITY OPENS
The happy trio in the photograph below are, left to right; Mayor Dan Patacchia of Culver City, California; Miss Joanne Thompson, Miss Culver City of 1963; and ye olde CYCLE WORLD Editor Joe Parkhurst. The occasion was the opening of Bob Hughes’ and Tom Heininger’s new Honda retail outlet in Culver City, aptly called Honda Culver City. This plush addition makes a matched pair for the proprietors of the Webco accessory concern since they also operate Honda Del Rey, in Playa Del Rey, not far from the new store. CW’s Editor and Advertising Mgr. were guests at the grand opening of the handsome new installation.
SLOWING DOWN TO A CRAWL
LONDON: It looks as if, with retirement, Britain’s Stirling Moss is really taking it slow. Moss, who used to burn up the world’s automobile racing tracks, uses a motor scooter to get around London. In top hat and tails, the natty Moss is shown bound for the wedding reception of his sister, Pat.
Added irony; the scooter bears the “L” plate of a learner driver. Moss recently failed his scooter driving test!
WELL I'LL BE . . .
In one of those coincidences that hardly anyone will believe, one morning a short time ago I stepped out my back door at home and, lo and behold (as they say in the fairy tales), who did I see but none other than Dick Hammer, Caterpillar D-9 mounted, digging a large hole in my back yard. Of course, I knew someone would be coming around to dig the big hole (it’s for a swimming pool), but little did I know that such a personage as Hammer would be the highly skilled heavy equipment operator of Fiesta Pool Co. assigned to my cement pond.
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I first established my acquaintance with Hammer during the road test of his two Harley-Davidson racers in our August issue, and he even mentioned at the time that he ran the digging crew for a swimming pool company, but, honest fellas, no one could have been more surprised than I when National Number 16 showed up, between races of course, to perform the delicate task of digging a nine-foot deep hole, fifteen-feet wide and thirty-feet long in so small a space. I can vouch for Hammer’s ability with heavy machinery of yet another nature; he never looked better.
ROYAL CYCLIST
During temporary freedom from his worries and cares of state, Jordan’s King Hussein relaxes by spending his spare time riding his 500cc Matchless twin around the grounds of the Royal Palace in Amman.
MOTORCYCLING DOCTOR SERVES UNDERPRIVILEGED
Dr. John Chappel, whose home is in Alberta, Canada, is presently serving with “Medico” at the Jerantut Health Centre in Malaya. “Medico” was founded by the late Dr. Tom Dooley. Writing to the Canadian Motorcycle Association, Dr. Chappel says, “My wife (Val) and I are enjoying this opportunity to help some of the less fortunate peoples in the world.” However, he looks forward to returning to Alberta in two years time, saying, “It was with real sorrow that I parted with my Norton Nomad and bade farewell to our Alberta hotbed of scrambles.” Dr. and Mrs. Chappel have a little daughter who was born in Malaya. •
