Cycle Round Up
CYCLE ROUND UP
JOE PARKHURST
AN AMERICAN MACHINE ISSUE
We have a rather unusual set of circumstance working this month, that of having tests of three American built machines; the two Vantech Scramblers, the Simplex Senior, and the Trailbreaker scooter. As the tests reveal, each achieves its chosen goal in varying degrees of success, but most significantly they reflect the diversity of the American motorcycle industry, small as it is. The subject of what happened to the American motorcycle industry comes up about as often as any other motorcycle category in the many and varied conversations, arguments, debates, etc., around CYCLE WORLD'S offices. It is a very complex subject with many overtones, avenues of reason and thought, and produces a wild variety of opinions as to why the American industry is almost dead. Each and every member of CYCLE WORLD'S staff agreed that things are looking up for our motorcycle manufacturers, at least on a small scale.
NEW RACE COURSE TO OPEN
Completion of the road racing circuit at Mid-America Raceway's new multi-purpose racing plant 30 miles west of St. Louis is scheduled for May 1st this year, with the inaugural race set for June 6th and 7th. The 2.75 mile circuit winds through 400 acres of rolling woods and meadow near Wentzville, Mo., some 25 miles west of St. Louis. Included in the asphalt-paved course are 11 turns and a 3,800 foot straight incorporating the existing one-quarter mile drag strip and deceleration area. The course is 30 feet wide, widening to 60 feet in the acceleration strip area.
Spectator areas provide views of almost all the circuit, grandstands are located on both sides of the main straight, and ample parking will be provided. Lap speeds are expected to be 85 to 90 miles per hour; the fastest cars will reach speeds of 170 mph on the straight. Road racing events scheduled at Mid-America Raceways in 1964 include motorcycle races on July 1st and October 13th, as well as several sports car races.
Ben Lindenbusch, well known St. Louis automobile dealer and civic leader, is president of the corporation. In addition to the existing drag strip and road circuit opening this year, long range plans call for construction of a one-half mile oval banked track. Mid-America Raceways offices are at 5116 Gravios in St. Louis.
MOTORCYCLE DEALERS CAMPAIGN
Twenty-one Michigan motorcycle dealers have joined in a campaign to reduce accidents on Michigan roads and streets. The dealers, members of the Michigan Harley-Davidson Dealers Association, outlined their "Motorcycle Safety in 1964" campaign in a letter to Governor George Romney.
"Although statistics show motorcycle riders are among the safest drivers, we have dedicated ourselves to do everything we can to promote traffic safety during '64," association President Bert Cummings of Flint said. "We pledge to do everything we can during 1964 to urge Michigan's more than 30,000 motorcycle owners to drive safely when riding or driving." Cummings said the association adopted a 14-point code that lists safe-driving habits which should be practiced by every motorcycle owner in an effort to prevent accidents.
THE NEWEST CYCLE WORLD STAFFER
This issue marks yet another step forward for us, as we add the name of Gary Bray to our staff. Gary is stepping into Gordon Jennings' shoes as Editor of The Service Department. Gordon will henceforth conduct a new column titled "Technicalities." Gary comes to us with an illustrious background of riding, tuning and racing. He started riding at 16, began working in motorcycle shops at 18 while attending college, and became a full time mechanic at the age of 20.
His abilities as a rider and racer include experience in scrambles, TTs, road races and on flattracks. As a Novice at Ascot in 1959 he held the one-lap, threelap, five-lap, six-lap and eight-lap records and won fifteen races that season. In 1960 he rode a partial Ascot season as an Amateur, then switched to tuning his BSA for Jack O'Brien to ride. Gary still competes occasionally in road races and TTs when time allows.
In 1962 O'Brien, riding Gary's machine, was high point rider at Ascot and second in National flattrack standings by one point to AI Gunter. Jack won eight main events and 17 trophy dashes, more dash wins than any other rider has ever racked up at Ascot in a single season. Gary qualifies for his position as Service Department Editor eminently since he has had direct experience as mechanic and shop foreman in motorcycle shops selling BSA, Triumph, Harley-Davidson, Royal Enfield, Zundapp, Ducati, Matchless, AJS, Yamaha and Ariel, and much additional experience with almost every make of machine on the market. We are right proud of our newest addition; I think our readers will agree.
ROAD STAR BUYS DIRT BIKE
Marty Milner, star of the "Route 66" TV series, looks mighty pleased as he takes delivery of his new Norton Atlas Scrambler in Glendale, California. Marty and two other members of the Route 66 crew bought identical Norton Atlases after getting acquainted with off-the-road riding while on location. They plan to use their cycles for transportation and playing around in the rough between takes. Maybe the next TV series Marty stars in will be called "Off Rt. 66."
NORTONS AT DAYTONA
We noticed, somewhat with alarm, a news item in the British Motor Cycling newspaper titled "Works Nortons for Daytona," stating that four "very special" works Nortons were being prepared for the AMA Daytona races. Knowing the AMA, we investigated the item since it stated that these machines would have Manx Norton parts with Dominator engines, a fine idea but hardly one the AMA would approve.
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Joe Berliner of the Berliner Motor Corp., U.S. distributor of Norton and sponsor of the Daytona efforts, cleared the air and spoiled a pretty picture. The machines are "out of the box" Norton 88's, 500cc, overhead valve — two cylinder engined bikes. They are being prepared by the well-known British Norton tuner, Dunstall, and will be set up according to AMA Class C regulations. Aside from fairings, brakes and tanks, they will be completely standard. What a shame; the hinted-at machine could have been extremely interesting, but hardly legal, using the AMA's own definition of the word.
CRANKSHAFT ART
Ever alert for progress in motorcycling, be it mechanical or artistic, Jack Mercer of Triumph in Baltimore sent me the above photograph of a handsome example of metal sculpture. Basis for the thing is a BMW crankshaft and it sits in BMW dealer Murle Shepherd's showroom in Holt, Michigan, as a conversation piece. The artist was Pat Martiline of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Mercer furnished a caption: "Too many mechanics," but old wrench bender that he is, he probably meant, "too many art majors."
