Cycle Round Up
CYCLE ROUND UP
JOSEPH C. PARKHURST
THE SOUTH SHALL RISE AGAIN
Reader J. W. Broxton of Montgomery, Alabama, informs us that in March, John Kennedy purchased a Honda Super Hawk from Brock's Cycle Shop in Montgomery. A couple of weeks later Robert E. Lee came in and purchased a Honda 50. The "New Frontier" and the "Old South" agree on one thing — motorcycling is the greatest.
SUDDENLY IT'S THE 1800'S
West Coast Cycle Supply Co. in Los Angeles, California, has started something that might become a trend. The bicycle firm has ordered and is now selling modern versions of a bicycle not seen for many, many, years; the penny farthing cycle from England. Herb Gold and Leo J. Cohen, of the firm, ordered the unusual bike to be custom built from Falcon Cycle Co. of Birmingham, England, after seeing a display-only model at a bicycle show.
Dumfounded but willing to tool up for the special project, the Falcon company received an order for 100 at a price of $280.00 each. Mr. Cohen is shown in the photograph with the young lady perched precariously atop the 54" front wheel penny farthing. Anyone with further curiosity can obtain full information by writing them at 221 South San Pedro St., Los Angeles 12, Calif. We have a road test planned on one as soon as our test staff gets up their courage, and a ladder.
AL GUNTER SPOT DISC BRAKES
AI Gunter, National AMA dirt track champion and National Number Three, recently embarked upon an entirely new facet of motorcycling when he introduced the beautiful motorcycle spot hydraulic disc brakes shown here. We have expounded the virtues of spot disc brakes and hydraulics in CYCLE WORLD before (January and May 1962 issues), so we were profoundly interested in these new units. We will shortly publish a full report on the Gunter brakes as we have an exhaustive study day at Riverside Raceway planned, with Al and one of his racing bikes mounting the new brakes.
They are fully self-adjusting and use the remarkable Airheart actuator and calipre unit; also, disc brakes are unaffected by heat, water, oil or grease. It is necessary to re-string a wheel when mounting the Gunter brake but this effects an improvement as the straight-laced spokes are actually stronger. Other features include sealed ball bearings and an ultra light assembly, only 13 V2 pounds for the complete wheel and brake assembly.
Albert tells us he reduced the total weight of his Daytona BSA by over 20 pounds using his new brake and wheels. Neil Keen also used the Gunter brake at Daytona. Approximate retail price will be $175.00, and anyone interested can contact AI Gunter at 518-B North Curtis, Alhambra, Calif.
INDIAN FOUR CLUB ACTIVITIES
Plans have been made for the coming season by the Indian Four Club of Findlay, Ohio, including a joint meeting with the Detroit Old Motorcycle Riders Club in August. Special awards are planned for the meet, including a perpetual trophy for Best Restored Four that will become the permanent possession of the first three-time winner.
Interest seems to be growing steadily in the classic bike field, with more beautifully restored machines appearing each season. Those interested in this facet of the sport can obtain further particulars from any of the .following: Indian Four Club, J. E. Wickham, President, 751 Dayton Ave., Findlay, Ohio; Antique Motorcycle Club, Earl Chalfant, Sec'y, Maple Lane Drive, Cooperstown, Pa.; Old Motorcycle Riders Club, Russ Brokenshire, President, 33580 Berville Ct., Wayne, Mich.
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AMERICANS RACING IN EUROPE
Once again the United States is being unofficially represented in English and Continental moto - cross competition as it is in road racing. Paul Hunt, Stu Peters, and "Hoppy" Hopkins, three Southern California competitors, are scheduled to ride in seven to ten meetings on the Continent and enjoy a summer of scrambling in England. In years past several prominent American riders have ridden on the European moto-cross circuit, including Nick Nicholson, Bud Ekins, Vern Hancock, Charlie Hockie and John Penton, to name a few. Our representation has been numerically meager so we are indeed happy to know the U.S. will again be making its presence known over there.
Paul Hunt is teamed with the Australian champion, Ray Fisher; Stu Peters has another Australian, Kelvin Franks, as his riding companion; Hoppy is content to be a single. All three will ride modified BSAs, one of the most popular motocross machines. We will be watching their activities with great interest.
