Cycle Round Up

CYCLE ROUND UP

JOSEPH C. PARKHURST

WORLD'S FASTEST . . .WHAT?

Among the other accomplishments during the Bonneville speed trials, other than CYCLE WORLD’S Gordon Jennings’ Class PSC record, was one of far more monumental proportions but of questionable definition. We refer to Craig Breedlove’s “Spirit Of America,” a car to some, motorcycle to others, airplane without wings to me. Granted 428 miles per hour is quite a feat, for a wheeled vehicle, but it is little more than take-off speed for the almost 6000 pounds of thrust the General Electric J-47 jet aircraft engine furnished.

I am still surprised that the attempt was sanctioned by the International motorcycle organization, the F.I.M. (Federation Internationale Motorcycliste), instead of the F.I.A. (Federation Internationale Automobile), as the vehicle by all means more closely resembles an automobile than a motorcycle. The F.I.M. is at this moment negotiating with the F.I.A. for joint recognition. It is even a bit ironic that every shred of advertising and publicity attached to Breedlove’s folly refers to the vehicle as a car, not a motorcycle. We are somewhat torn between being insulted at this obvious snubbing of motorcycles, and being amused by how ridiculous the idea of calling it a motorcycle really is.

We are more concerned with those who now claim Craig Breedlove as the world’s fastest motorcyclist, which he is, but only in the strangest of senses. Bill Johnson’s 230 mph record on the Triumph streamliner at Bonneville in 1962 (see CYCLE WORLD, November 1962), is the true motorcycle speed record in our eyes and his Triumph is still the world’s fastest motorcycle.

LOOK MAGAZINE AND YAMAHA

Look magazine’s recent article “Tense Generation” drew fire from Jim Jingu, Assistant Manager of Yamaha International, in the form of a letter to the Editors, Jingu’s letter follows:

“Loo’s ‘Tense Generation’ (Aug. 27) blurred racy shot of teenage motorcyclists is not consistent with the actual facts of today’s youth on two wheels.

Being major manufacturers of motorized cycles we are proud of the part we play in the increasing popularity of twowheeled motoring sport in America, due largely to the million dollars per year plus the industry spends to erase this noisy, dirty, dangerous symbolic anachronism of teenagers going to hell on a motorcycle.

Happily, our efforts are being rewarded in the form of ‘new’ teenage status symbols. Following hard on the heels of surfers, the trend is now to own a compact scooter-like ultra lightweight motorized cycle. We sincerely feel the dignity and respect long denied this form of transportation and sporting fun is being realized thanks largely to teenagers. American youth today have fun riding a safe, quiet motorized cycle — a far cry from the dated image of motorcycling belonging to the wild one only.”

We most certainly concur with Mr. Jingu’s philosophy and are happy to note that he received a quite introspectively understanding letter in return from the Editors of Look.

TRIUMPH PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS

The Triumph Corp. in Baltimore, Md., recently announced the winning contestants in their summer photographic contest. Bill Bagnall of Pasadena, California, was winner in the professional class with the handsome shot of a young man on a Triumph talking to an attractive lass. In the amateur class a fine racing shot took the first prize for composition and action.

THE HOTTEST AT BONNEVILLE

Breedlove’s three-wheeler notwithstanding, the hottest motorcycle at Bonneville was CYCLE WORLD’S Triumph Bonneville when I was riding it, luckily after Gordon had set his record. The nearby photograph shows the sad remains of a once very handsome motorcycle. We feel fortunate it was not destroyed entirely, and Tech Ed Jennings wants to take it back again next year. Needless to say he was a bit upset with me for setting fire to it, even if it did happen at about 100 mph in the middle of the timing section of the course. I set a record of my own; that for laying down a motorcycle and getting the hell off of it.

It was submitted by Ray Schuler, Elkhart, Indiana.

QUITS RIDING AT 102

I noticed a clipping from a Lexington, Kentucky, newspaper a short time ago, telling of Mrs. Lille Humphrey, age 102, having given up riding her grandson’s motor scooter. Take comfort, though, in. the news that she is still a rock and roll fan and follows college sporting events •