Around the Industry
AROUND THE INDUSTRY
DINO JOINS THE CLAN
Newest show biz member of the motorcycling set is Dean Martin, who prepares to wheel away from his Beverly Hills home on his Honda. Dino thus joins the Hollywood cycle clan which includes Rock Hudson, Elvis Presley, Ann-Margret, Bobby Darin, Janet Leigh, Sammy Davis Jr., Jill St. John. Steve McQueen. Paul Newman, Joey Bishop, Corinne Calvet, Peter Brown, Dean Jones. Polly Bergen and Steve Allen.
CBS RADIO SHOW HELPS CLEAR MOTORCYCLE MISCONCEPTIONS
On the hour-long "Story Line" show on ( BS radio station KNX last month, emcee Dennis Bracken (seated on the right in the photos) and I S. Suzuki Sales Manager Jack McCormack helped clear up a lot of popular misconceptions about motorcycles and motorcycling in general.
"The cycle craze is upon us." said Bracken, setting the tone for the unrehearsed shoxv. "and it's time for an insight into the cause and effect." One by one. Bracken raised old prejudices against twox\ heelers while McCormack neatly knocked them down.
On the subject of "black leather jackets." Suzuki's chief executive dryly noted. "Black leather is. after all. a very practical attire on a motorcycle just as it was for early-day pilots. It's worn to keep the xxind out. I nfortunately a stigma became attached because of a fexv of the people who xvear black. It would be the same if this minority wore green. Bor this reason, many mature people have gotten away from the image by wearing not mal attire on their two-wheelers."
Bor sixty minutes McCormack answered questions about safety factors, the low accident rate of motorcycles compared to autos, the possibility of police prejudice (denied), and the simplicity of learning to operate lightweight machines.
A great deal of McC ormack’s effectiveness stemmed from his refusal to be an apologist for motorcycling. He admitted the existence of problem areas even when he proxided the answers. Ehe matter of exhaust noise, transcribed from the shoxv. illustrates the point:
BRAC KI N: Now Mr. McCormack. I don't mind someone having their oxvn motorcycle, motorbike or scooter, but when they go zipping up and down in front of my home making till that racket . . . I object! Why are motorcycles so noisy? Isn't there some xxax to quiet them doxvn ? "
McCORMACk: "True, this is sometimes a problem in our industry. However, as they come from the shoxvroom. motorcycles are very seldom noisy.
"Consider that the world’s largest manufacturers and importers of motorcycles have very stringent noise ordinances: Japan does: Italx. and Britain for example. Because of this, the xehicles are quiet — they have to he! But the problem is that the exhaust system is exposed and is very easy to modify. And the nature of the vehicle often attracts a younger group of people. Some of this group like noise — or at least an engine sounds 'good' to them without a muffler."
BRACKEN: "And then they get to tampering!"
McCORMACk: "Right! They pull the muffler off and operate with some semimuffling device that is usually too noisy. This is one of our biggest problems — and it is a public relations problem. We try to educate our dealers as well as the public that the motorcycle is more efficient with its standard exhaust system and that the owner is not really gaining anything by making it louder. In fact, the motorcycle usually loses performance after the change."
BRACKEN: "Noxv just before I open up the phone line with questions from our audience, we have a Suzuki here in the studio. What model is this'.’"
McCORMACk: “This is one of our sport models. It's called the k-1 1. xvhich is an XOcc two-stroke engine, in sport trim.
BRACKEN: "Hop oxer there and fire it up and let's see just hoxv noisy this motorcycle is as it comes off the showroom floor."
McCORMACk: (Starts the Suzuki)
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BRACKEN: "That doesn't really sound too had at all! And I am sitting approximately 6 to 7 feet away from it. The Suzuki itself is only about 8 feet away from the microphone. I have one ear phone on but it still doesn't sound too noisy at all! Why don't they lease it alone? Isn t there a law we can pass just to leave it that way?"
Mc( ORMAÍ K: "Actually there are laws in existence that state that any motor vehicle cannot make excessive noise, and that you cannot change to another exhaust system that makes more noise than the standard one. The problem is enforcement! And in fairness tothe law enforcement people, they just don't have enough officers to enforce the law to the extent necessary. So we feel that it is in part our responsibility, as an educational process to our dealers as well as to the people that purchase Suzukis, or Triumphs, or Yamahas or Hondas to make them understand that they lose performance by changing. We are trying to make them see the damage they are doing to the sport as a whole and to themselves when they contribute to the noise problem.”
In a unique gesture of fair-mindedness McCormack, who is Vice President and General Manager of U.S. Suzuki Motor Corporation, gave favorable mention to virtually every make of motorcycle in the business.
One of the features of the show is a telephone question period from the radio audience. "The switchboard lit up like a neon sign during and after the show." a CHS spokesman reported. "Scierai listeners stopped their cars and rushed to pay phones to ask questions during the McCormack interview." Many of the callers were women, and none were hostile.
At the end of the interview, produceremcee Bracken grinned and asked. "Okay. Motorcycles are here to stay. Anil that leaves just one question. When it comes to the Saturday night date, and there is a big full moon, just how romantic can you get on a two-wheeler?"
McCormack, an ex-Marine Sergeant and father of five boys, was not caught with his comebacks down.
“Well, it is rather difficult. I'll admit . . . Although it's very romantic to ride a motorcycle, 1 m afraid that what the lounger set might look forward to in the Hollywood Hills ah ... or somewhere
is rather limited."
PARR OF ARIZONA COMES TO CALIFORNIA
Parr of Arizona, one of c vci i WORI n's recent additions to the fastest growing and largest list of advertisers in the motorcycle publishing field, has now formulated plans for their new retail store in Los Angeles where their complete line of clothing especially suited for the youthful motorcyclist will be displayed. Ralph Parachek of Parr, advises CW that their unusual line of Fig Leaf shirts. Stretch Cycle Jeans and many quick-drying vacation clothing items will be fully stocked. I he address is 8800 Santa Monica Blvd.
ALL NEW GREEVES
Nicholson Motors, U. S. Distributors for Greeves motorcycles, has announced the arrival of the all-new Greeves Challenger scrambler. The most unique feature of the new machine is the all-Greeves engine instead of the Villiers power plant that has been fitted as standard. Horsepower has been increased considerably. Features of the engine include: F ull circle flywheels with l-inch crankpins; Dykes type top piston rings; new air flow head for better plug cooling; bore/stroke are 66mm x 72mm; head, cylinder and crankcase are cast in Greeves' own shop; needle bearings are used on both sides of the crankshaft; heat transfer from engine to gearbox has been lessened with a new air flow design; the new alloy cylinder can be resleeved back to standard size; all tapped holes are fitted with stainless steel threaded inserts; cylinder strain has been relieved and stabilized in heat treatment ovens.
Carburetor is a 1-3/16" Amal Monobloc with thick heat insulating washer between carburetor and cylinder, ignition is a high duty, light, compact 3-5/8" outside flywheel. Finergy transfer is to a separate high voltage coil. The gearbox is a fourspeed; the clutch has three Ferodo plates of a si/e used in larger machines, according to Greeves.
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The newly designed frame is claimed to lie stronger and lighter; it continues to employ the familiar cast aluminum front beam. Greeves' familiar rubber torsion forks are also continued, a well-proven element in an equally well-proven competition machine. Dave Bickers and John Griffiths are racing the new Greeves in F.urope (see Continental Report. June CYCLI; WORLD). We will shortly have the first machine to reach these shores as a star attraction in the CYCI I WORLD Motorcycle Show and to be followed by a road test.
AMPHIBIOUS SIDECAR
One of the most intriguing innovations in cycle sport equipment that has come to our attention lately is this “Boater Cycle" outfit, built by the Canterbury Side C ar Company. T he side car body is actually a two-passenger fiberglass speedboat powered by a J.A.P. 2 hp motor. The boat detaches from its chassis by pulling one pin, and is launched by the lifting handles at bow and stern.
Robert C. Collins of P.O. Box H, Delafield, Wisconsin, has been testing the rig for over a year and contemplates commercial production. He reports the rig has created a great deal of interest in the lakedotted state of Wisconsin. We can understand why.
RACING SIDEHACK
Mike Burns of Los Angeles, with his brother Pete as passenger, perch on their newly-constructed Greeves racing sidehack. The outfit was fabricated from 1/8" wall
chrome-moly tubing, has adjustable Heim joints at attaching points and in the wheel suspension and carries a 3Vi gallon auxiliary fuel tank for long runs.
“BULLETS" CHAPS & JACKETS
For competition enthusiasts, protective “Bullets” clothing is made of high quality Premier Naugahyde and comes in a wide array of sizes and colors. Men's racing jackets come in smooth finish or simulated pigskin: black is standard at Si 6.95, while white, red, blue, tan, vermilion and lilac may be ordered at $18.50. Í wo-tones are also listed with sleeves and pocket facings in one color and body and sleeve-length stripes in another color; price is $19.95 with two weeks required for delivery. Slash pockets and zippered front sleeves with mandarin collars are standard. Boys’ sizes are $10.95, $11.95 and $12.95, for black, color, and two-tone respectively. Model shown is wearing the new Chaps that zip over pants and have adjustable waist bands, hook front and thigh pockets. Prices are $14.95 in black, and $16.50 in color. All of this is new from Steens, 939 Valley Blvd., Alhambra, California.
COSMOPOLITAN DEALERS STUDY SERVICE TECHNIQUES
The C. D. Amsler Company of Goshen, Indiana was host to over forty dealers from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Ohio, shown here receiving instruction in the care and maintenance of Parilia. Capriolo and Bianchi motorcycles.
BUCO ADDS NEW ACCESSORIES
Among the new products in the 1964 Joseph Buegeleisen Co. line are Buco Space-Master saddlebags. Suburban Sportshields, and Vistaramic mirrors. The SpaceMaster saddlebags arc spacious enough to hold most types of safety helmet, come in white or black Bucoron and have a lockable top. Mounting brackets are available for most brands of cycles. The bags arc available with reflectors in two models which can be wired as stop lights or turn signals.
Vistaramic mirrors are available in two models, one for Honda Cl00, 102 and Yamaha 55, the other suitable for cycles with threaded brackets in the handlebars.
The Sportshield fits Honda Cub models Cl00, 102 and Yamaha 55 models and sells for $8.75. Information on the 1964 Buco line and catalog are available from the Buegeleisen Company, 21220 W. Eight Mile Road, Southfield. Michigan.
FAIR TEENAGERS
FMiotographed while decorating the Montesa Motors display at the recent Los Angeles Teenage Fair are two attractive contestants for the title of Miss Teenage America. Over 200,000 people attending the Fair saw the Montesa Special shown here as well as the 250cc Diablo scrambler and the 175cc Impala freeway-approved street machine.
TRAIL BIKE SHAGS ’CHUTISTS
Almost covered from view, a Yamaha MJ2 trail machine packs its load back to the shop at Speede Service in Carbondale, Illinois as Matt Hall, local Yamaha dcal-
er, brings in one of the members of the Southern Illinois University Sport Parachute Club after making a delayed drop from 7200 feet aloft. The club has set up drop zone headquarters in back of the cycle shop which is located in a rural part of the community.
MICHIGAN MOTORCYCLE REGISTRATIONS UP
Motorcycle registrations increased seven percent in Michigan during 1965, according to a report issued by the Michigan Department of State.
There were 51,212 two-wheeled vehicles of all makes on Michigan highways last year, compared to 29,058 in 1962, the report showed.
MOTORCYCLISTS’ CERTIFICATES
An amusing sideline is artist Cliff Ballard’s achievement certificates he will tailor to anyone with the addition of their name. Priced at only $2.00, they are beautifully hand lettered by Ballard and come in two styles; for desert riding prowess, and the same for scrambles. They are lettered on heavy parchment-like paper, suitable for framing. He can be reached at 240 Jacaranda, Orange, Calif.
1964 HAP JONES CATALOG AVAILABLE
Qualified motorcycle dealers may obtain a copy of the new 1964 Hap Jones Distributing Company catalog, listing more than 190 different motorcycle parts, accessories and apparel. The “dealer price” list is printed separately so that the illustrated catalog may he used by the dealer's customers for selection of items. Dealers should address requests for catalog and price list to: Hap Jones Distributing Co., P.O. Box 5068, San Francisco, California 941 19.
SMALL ENGINE DYNO
Go-Power Corporation’s new small engine dynamometer is completely portable and will operate on a desk top with no clamps or tie-down bolts. Simply bolt on the engine to be tested, attach a garden hose to the inlet tube and it's ready to run. Speed is controlled by turning a needle-type water valve and true horsepower readings can be obtained with an accuracy of ‘ H/2%. The dyno will handle up to 12,000 rpm; prices begin at $189.00 for the complete unit and we estimate that it could accommodate up to 125cc. Full information can be obtained by writing to Co-Power Corp., Dept. CW, Box 615, Palo Alto. California.
WEBCO ADDS LINE OF SPEED PARTS
Webco Inc., 218 Main St.. Venice, California. has announced the addition of speed parts designed by the well-known tuner A. .1. Lewis to their already extensive line of motorcycle merchandise. Webco states that Lewis’ track-proven experience in all types of motorcycle racing and customizing has proven these specialized items will increase power, performance and elegance. First items in their catalog are dual carburetor manifolds for BSA twins and Triumphs, custom license bracket. and a crankcase cover for Yamahas. Webco states that dealer interest in them at the recent Daytona cycle show was phenomenal. Webco also now have their new and beautiful catalog available, a handsome 56-page volume listing specialized components to suit every motorcyclist’s need. •
