Cycle Round Up
CYCLE ROUND UP
JOE PARKHURST
A short time ago I took my life in my hands, loaded up my Matchless engined Metisse and headed for Paso Robles, California, to ride the famous California Polytechnic College's High Mountain Enduro. The event is staged by the Cal-Poly Penguin motorcycle club and is run through the charming and beautiful mountains surrounding this lovely oceanside college town. I know of no other event receiving more support from City, State, Federal and School officials than the High Mountain. It runs on State, Federal and private lands, over hiking trails, fire fighting roads, fence roads, and through open terrain that is some of the most rugged to be found in this state. Every inch of the course is used with permission specially obtained from groups and individuals that are rarely sympathetic to motorcyclists. Congratulations to the Penguins not only for staging the event, but for their perserverence in continuing this marvelous enduro that is a joy to the cross-country rider who loves to go where it is rough and hard to get at. Like me.
In allowing the club to use Federal and State forest and reserve land, the U.S. Forest Service imposed a mandatory requirement for the use of spark arrestors on all machines, and since I had none I got in touch with Jack Krizman, designer of the remarkably effective Krizman spark arrestors for machines up to about 125cc. Jack has been working for some time developing a unit to fit big bikes and, lucky for me, had just completed a successful prototype. Not two days before, he received final approval from the Forest Service who had just sent the prototype through their elaborate testing facility in Arcadia, Calif.
Krizman’s new model V-Hl spark arrestor is a beautifully made, professional product that looks precisely like a small muffler and detracts from the engine power even less. More important. Forest Service efficiency tests showed the V-Hl to be 100% effective at most exhaust flow points, with a low of only 99.6% at the lowest ebbs of flow. I have never visited the Equipment Development and Testing Center, nor am I familiar with their testing equipment. I have been told, however, that units are subjected to a truly exhaustive trial and they must meet extremely rigid standards to qualify.
The thought crosses my mind that riders using back country areas, whether they be Federal, State or private lands, would be a great deal more welcome if their machines were guaranteed to be unable to start a fire with their exhaust systems. It strikes me that a spark arrestor is an excellent public relations tool. Krizman can be reached at Dave Ekins’ Triumph/Suzuki, 16527 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, Calif.
YAMAHA GENEROSITY
A well phrased publicity release from Yamaha International Corp. states that a trip to Japan has been awarded to top motorcycle magazine editors. I’m happy to admit that I am among this select group, and that I will be traveling to Japan to commemorate the conclusion of Yamaha’s most successful dealer’s service school in 1965. Of course I knew all about it already; they told me in front of a large audience at a banquet in one of Los Angeles’ better hotels some time ago. Just thought my readers would like to know about it. Eat your hearts out.
FAMED ITALIAN DESIGNER IN CALIFORNIA
A short time ago I had the distinct pleasure of meeting the brilliant Italian engine designer, Mr. Lino Tonti, on his visit to Southern California in connection with the recently established firm, Gilera/ USA, headquartered in CYCLE WORLD’S home town, Long Beach. Gilera/USA, you might judge from their title, distribute the Italian made Gilera motorcycle in the United States. As one of Europe’s most prominent designers, Tonti has specialized in the study of gearboxes and over-drive systems. Although his contributions have been mainly in the motorcycle field, he has also had several outstanding achievements in the automotive field.
He joined Gilera in 1964, and official rumors say he is designing a 500cc engine. (I can assure you I asked him to hurry it along.) I hope the new engine will be used in competition; it is needless to point out what has been accomplished with previous 500cc Güeras. Tonti designed the spectacular Bianchi twin-cylinder machines that achieved considerable success in Italian events but were never fully exploited. The twin is the same engine Tarquinio Provini used to dash the leading Japanese fours a time or two in 1964 grand prix racing.
Tonti is currently on an orientation trip, aiding Gilera dealers and their mechanics. I met him and discussed his many important contributions to motorcycling for such firms as Bianchi, Aermacchi, Mondial, Ducati. both as a staff engineer and during a lengthy period when he operated an independent design and engineering service to the motorcycle industry.
JOMO CHANGES HANDS
Controlling interest in the operation of Johnson Motors. Inc., Pasadena. California. western distributor for 27 years of Triumph motorcycles, was purchased by BSA Ltd., Motor Cycle Division, of Birmingham, England. This surprising announcement, following closely behind the previous news that BSA had purchased the Hap Alzina company, distributors of BSA in the West, was made by Harry G. Sturgeon, Managing' Director of BSA. No details on the price were given.
The parent company of both BSA and Triumph motorcycles, BSA, Ltd., also announced that Mr. Pete Colman, former General Mgr. of Johnson Mtrs., had been placed in charge of the new BSA Oakland headquarters. Mr. Sturgeon said that no major changes in operational management of either Johnson Mtrs. or Hap Alzina, Inc., have been contemplated. Mr. Wilbur Ceder will remain as President of Johnson Mtrs.
I had the fine pleasure of attending a western BSA dealers’ conference in Oakland, celebrating Hap Alzina’s retirement from active participation in the industry.
I listened to many words of wisdom from Mr. Sturgeon, Mr. Harrison and Mr. Rawson of BSA, and made a few passes at speaking mvself.
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The photograph above shows Mr. Wm. Rawson, World Sales Manager for BSA presenting a gift to Mr. and Mrs. Alzina, from their many friends and admirers. The occasion was the elaborate banquet and meeting at the Leamington Hotel in Oakland.
TRAIL GROUP FORMS
I’m happy to inform my readers that a well organized group of super-enthusiasts have formed themselves into an organization to “preserve and strengthen the use of motor-powered two and four-wheel vehicles.” John Freeborn, National Director, explains that the constitution of the new group, known as the American Motorized Sportsmen, also includes the promotion of safe, sensible two-wheeler use on public roads and highways. He says the group is dedicated to the education
of operators of these motor vehicles, towards maximum proficiency and skill and to instill habits of common sense, courtesy, safety and respect for public and personal property.
Their lofty activities will be directed toward the individual as a member, with various clubs, organizations and industry firms taking part, in a vigorous program of education in the field of conservation of our natural beauty and resources, in the wilds and on public and private land. In their first organizational meeting the AMS was greeted with enthusiasm in Yakima, Washington. Part of the appeal was in the showing of motorcycle competition movies that packed the theatre despite a driving snow storm, with people coming from as far as 120 miles.
The serious looking gentleman above is Mr. Freeborn; he is holding a perpetual trophy to be presented at a trials to be held this spring. The group selected trials as a significant eVent since the ability of the rider is emphasized by his skill and ability to handle the bike, not speed. Several dealers brought machines to dis
play at the meeting; Güera, Bultaco, Hodaka, Honda and several other bikes were on view.
AMS can be reached by writing P.O. Box 2054, Yakima, Washington. I personally urge all riders interested in joining in this genuinely worthwhile effort to do so soon. As I keep saying, the only strength we have is in numbers, both in Industry and Trade Associations and in rider and user groups as well. I fully expect to see many other such dedicated riders band together to further their joint interests. We offer the same support to them that we do to the fledgling AMS, and wish them well.
APE HANGER FOOTNOTE
What I hope is the absolute end of the ape hanger handlebar story appeared in a recent issue of Home & Auto Retailer magazine. An illustration for a short feature on bicycle handlebars showed a set of “ape hanger” bars mounted on a bicycle, being ridden by ... an ape!
RACING FILMS AVAILABLE
P.A. Sturtevant Co., in Addison, Illinois recently sent me a print of a 16mm sound, color film of the 1964 Peoria TT which they have completed and now offer to clubs for only $5.00 rental. We ran the film in our offices and will present it during the CYCLE WORLD Motorcycle Show April 29, 30 and May 1-2, at the Los Angeles Sports Arena in the CW Theatre. It is a truly excellent production, and interested clubs can contact the Sturtevant Film Library, giving first choice, and alternate, showing dates. •
