Around the Industry
AROUND THE INDUSTRY
NEW NORTON 750 SCRAMBLER
Berliner Motor Corp. in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, has announced a highly interesting addition to the Norton line of motorcycles they distribute in the United States; it is the new 750cc twincylinder scrambler. The new Norton is the first of what promises to be a fascinating group of machines growing out of the combining of Norton and Matchless at Associated Motor Cycles in England.
A most prominent feature of the Norton Scrambler is its Matchless frame, but using Norton “Road Holder” forks. Exact final specifications had not been settled as of this publication date, but the model illustrated here shows low-mounted exhaust pipes, full fenders, complete lighting equipment, small air cleaner and a tachometer.
We expect soon to be able to test this machine, the largest displacement scrambles model on the American market, and feel reasonably certain we can look forward to a shattering ride. The combination of the marvelous twin-cylinder Norton engine in its largest displacement form, with the superb Matchless double down-tube frame should present a formidable combination.
NEW DEALER INSURANCE
Puritan Pacific Insurance division of W. V. Caputo & Associates, Inc., recently informed CYCLE WORLD of the newly developed insurance plan their organization is offering to motorcycle dealers in California. They are affiliated with the Central Valley School of Insurance that will train any motorcycle dealer to pass the State Department of Insurance’s exam and obtain a Certificate of Convenience a (temporary license to sell insurance in the State of California). The education is available to the dealer at no cost to him and will allow him to enter the insurance field and offer a complete package of insurance to his customers that includes a public liability and property damage coverage as well as material damage coverage for repair or replacement of the bike in the event it is damaged by accident. On this premium the dealer is then duly licensed and authorized to receive a commission.
This fringe benefit would allow the dealer to enhance his sales package to the customer and at the time of sale he will be protecting his recourse dollar to the financing institute as well as affording protection to the purchaser. To date the plan has been given wide acceptance in Northern California. Classes have been held in Sacramento, San Francisco, Fresno and Los Angeles; they are held when enough demand exists. Interested dealers can obtain complete information by writing to Pacific Puritan Insurance, PO Box 4407, Sacramento, California.
AMERICAN HONDA OPENS NEW QUARTERS
The American Honda Motor Company, Inc., recently opened its new National headquarters and warehouse facility in Gardena, California (near Los Angeles). Mr. Takeo Fujisawa, Managing Director of Honda Mtr. Co. Ltd., of Tokyo, was the principal company official attending the dedication and was officially welcomed by Kenneth Hahn, member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
Dedication of the 58,000 square foot facility coincides with the fourth anniversary of Honda’s introduction into this country; it will house sales and executive offices and provide warehousing for units shipped to this country from Japan for trans-shipment to their approximately 800 dealerships.
Approximately 850 Honda dealers and their guests, public officials and chamber of commerce officials attended the opening, as did members of the CYCLE WORLD staff. The event climaxed a week-long national sales meeting for the firm. Last year, the company grossed $26 million sales with a volume of 50,000 units; total sales for the cycle industry in this country was 96,000 units. Supervisor Hahn is shown with Mr. Fujisawa in the accompanying photograph.
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NEW BATTERY DISTRIBUTOR
Furukawa Of America, a newly formed distributor for the Japanese-made Furukawa motorcycle batteries, has just begun the distribution of 30 sizes and types of batteries and will have their full supply in stock in approximately three-months’ time. The firm is the direct factory distributor for Furkukawa and is located at 6675 Prospect Ave., San Jose 29, California, where both wholesale and retail sales are handled.
YAMAHA AT THE STATE FAIR
Public interest in motorcycling was boosted recently in Southern Illinois during the nine-day run of the big DuQuoin State Fair where Yamaha had a flashy display booth showing a selection of seven models. The booth was promoted by Speede Service of Carbondale, Illinois, in cooperation with other Southern Illinois Yamaha dealers. Salesman Gary Addison, (center rear in the accompanying photograph), talks with a prospective owner on opening day of the fair while Matt Hall, (in Yamaha cap), owner of Speede Service listens in. The YDS-2 machine drew a great deal of attention but the Omaha Trail 55 shared top interest.
NEW WREN MINI-BIKE
Bird Engineering has announced their new Wren for 1964, in standard and deluxe models. The standard is equipped with a Clinton A-500 engine, new twopiece frame, larger seat and an optional
four-cycle engine for $10.00 extra. The Wren weighs just 64 pounds and the builders claim it will go almost anywhere. List price is $119.95.
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The all-new Deluxe Wren employs a new frame and features as standard equipment; fenders, headlight, taillight, generator, all required for licensing. List price is $139.95 and an optional fourcycle engine is also available for $10.00 extra. Financing is available. For further information contact Bird Engineering, Dept. CW, Box 427 Omaha, Nebraska.
PARILLA WINS ECONOMY RUN
Dodge City, Kansas was the scene of a motorcycle economy run, won by Duane Faulkner, shown astride the winning Parilia. He is seen with Mac Stauffer, owner of the motorcycle.
DEALER TECHNICAL SCHOOL
On November 20, 21 & 22, a motorcycle dealers’ technical session will be conducted at ZDS Motors in Burbank, California, which is initially designed for Norton, Ducati and Matchless, dealers but will be open to all dealers, regardless of the make of machine they represent. Purpose of the meet will be for dealers to receive first-hand instructions on Lucas parts from Mr. Jack Baugh, Engineer Charles Udall, Technical Chief for Associated Motor Cycles Ltd., and representatives from Smith of England (KLG), and Renold Chain. Msrs. Michael and Joseph Berliner of the Berliner Mtr. Corp. will also be present along with Walt von Schonfeld, Berliner Advertising Mgr., and Bob Blair, head of ZDS Motors.
Honored guests will also include Mr. W. J. Smith, Managing Director of AMC who will personally answer questions on the Norton and Matchless lines, and Mr. Fred Neill, Service Mgr. for AMC, plus an official from the Ducati factory in Italy. Mr. Blair of ZDS urges dealers to attend the sessions as the information dispensed will be valuable to all and the meetings will contribute to better industry relations. We agree completely and urge anyone interested to contact Bob Blair, ZDS Motors, 527 West Windsor Road, Glendale, California, phone CH 5-8695, right away.
BSA GRAND PRIZE CONTEST WINNERS
Eastern U.S. BSA dealers have just completed a prize contest for BSA riders, or prospective riders, promoted by BSA Incorporated, Nutley, New Jersey. At the conclusion of the contest, three happy young men received brand new 1963 BSA motorcycles as their prizes. First prize winner was Martin J. Cornell of Doylestown, Penna., shown taking delivery of a new BSA Gold Star twin from George Parsons of Parsons Cycle Shop, Lambertville, N.J., through whom delivery was made.
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Second prize was taken by Dick Rawls of Vienna, Virginia, shown receiving his prize of a new Royal Star twin from Dealer Walter Podrog of Cycle Imports, Arlington, Va. Also shown is Cycle Imports parts manager Stan Dove. Third prize, a BSA SS-90, was won by Charles Waggoner of Coral Gables, Florida.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON FOR 1964
Harley-Davidson models for 1964 are now on display at H-D dealers throughout the country, including machines from the familiar 74 cubic inch FLH Duo-Glide, down to the 175cc Pacer, 165cc Topper H scooter and the three wheel Servi-Car. A new full-width, die cast aluminum alloy front wheel hub is now used on both the Sportster H and CH models. The hub is finned for better brake cooling and side plates are polished.
The Sportster CH has new chrome parts and new two-tone paint marks both new Sportsters. Sportster’s 55 cubic inch ohv engine has . new, lighter weight tappet guides of aluminum, also a new clutch oil seal is added. Duo-Glides for ’64 have a new tank panel and floor stand, improved chain oiler, new oil pressure switch, etc. H-D’s Pacer and Scat are fitted with new compression plates and two-tone tank panels. As before, the Scat is available with optional “hunting & fishing kit”, oversized rear sprocket for trail riding.
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For 1964 a new rear tire and aluminum rimmed wheels are also optional, and a special de-tuned 5 horsepower version of the Pacer is available for teenagers in states which have junior licensing laws restricting horsepower.
The Topper H motor scooter has minor changes and is also available in a special de-tuned version. Continued for ’64 are the automatic transmission, fibreglass body, 12 inch wheels, five-inch brakes and full lighting equipment. The 250cc Sprint
and Sprint FI have new needle bearings on the camshaft for higher rpm, larger oil pump and stellite faced tappets. On both Sprints new lighting switches are included, handlebars are softer mounted, seats redesigned, plus a few minor changes.
TRIUMPH PINUP FOR '63
Gary Nixon, National Number 63 (left), 1963’s sensational Triumph rider and winner of two recent National Championships, Santa Fe and Windber, has been lucky for this year. Nixon has won many trophies, including the outstanding ones shown in the photograph. In the background is the “cover boy” for the 1964 Triumph catalog, obviously a Nixon admirer.
CHRISTMAS IN THE SOUTH
Since this is getting dangerously close to Christmas, we herewith offer Honda dealer J. W. “Brock” Broxton of Montgomery, Alabama, proprietor of Honda of Montgomery, and his idea for a Christmas promotion. This modern Santa Claus uses a Honda to pull his sleigh; “more reliable” says Brock. The firm will be wheeling out their motorized reminder pretty soon now. •
