Around the Industry
AROUND THE INDUSTRY
SOMETIMES IT SEEMS like Honda Motor Co. introduces a new model as often as we produce a new magazine. This month American Honda Motor Co., the factory branch in Gardena, Calif., announces the introduction of "a holder 305cc version of the successful Honda Scrambler model" designated the CL-77. The new scrambler has the familiar 305cc Super Hawk engine combined with the classic styling of the 250cc CL-72 scrambler, which it replaces. Makers claim the CL-77 delivers 28.5 horsepower at 9,000 rpm, 4.5 hp more than its predecessor. Bore and stroke are 60mm x 54mm, with a compression ratio of 9,5: 1. Weighing 350 lbs., the new scrambler is said to have a maximum speed of 75 mph with fuel consumption about 70 mpg. Gearbox is a four-speed, constant niesh unit. Standard equipment on the CL-77 includes muffler, alloy rims, steel skid plate, folding footpegs. side and center stands and all required safety equipment for riding on the Street.
HOW TO MEET THE DEMAND
Vith the increasing number of customers coming into the two-wheel age and de manding to be served, stocks of merchan dise have been rather badly depleted around the industry lately. Even far-sighted businessmen who like to keep large quan tities of goods on hand are running out of certain items, but a few are doing some thing about it, as the following press re leases explain:
"EL MATADOR OF MALIBU,' latest in leather jackets a-go-go, roared across the
western hemisphere all the way from sunny Barcelona to smoggy Los Angeles -last month without using a drop of gas (how’s that for economy?), thanks to Lufthansa German Airlines. Kim Kimball (second from right), president of Montesa Motors, Inc.. Los Angeles, congratulates Peter Hansen, Lufthansa’s customer service agent, on the timely arrivals of the third recent shipment of Montesa motorcycles. Seems that summer is here and the black boot set knows it." — Pacific Air & Truck Traffic, July 1965.
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Translation: When Montesa distributor Kim Kimball couldn’t get new machines from Spain fast enough by conventional means, he had 50 flown to Los Angeles by air freight. Although it is somewhat unusual for a distributor to go to such trouble, not to mention expense to serve his dealers, Montesa Motors is not the only company to do so:
t’Ri ss HI i i ASI : “Service is more important than expense as Western Scooter Distributors comes to the aid of motorcycle tire dealers with a super-fast supply of 3.50x18 street tires. Distributors throughout the country have been either out of stock or badly back ordered on this size tire and have been unable to supply motorcycle dealers.
“Western Scooter Distributors, which imports the famous Michelin Tire, cabled Michelin and arranged for an air freight shipment of the much needed 3.50x18 street tires for immediate distribution. .According to WSD president. Bob Remensperger. the added cost of air freight will
Remensperger and his rush shipment of tires; 3.50x18 Michelins were immediately distributed to dealers.
be absorbed by WSD as part of its consistently high level of service to customers.
“In addition to the air freight shipment, Mr. Remensperger announced that a good supply of tires are coming by ship and should be ready for distribution in a few weeks.”
NEW VESPA SUPER SPORT
During the recent CYCLI: WORLD Show held at the Los Angeles Sports Arena, visitors saw for the first time in the U.S. the new Vespa 181 cc Super Sport from Italy. “Public response .to the showing of the SS has been just great,” said Bob Remensperger, president of Western Scooter Distributors, Vespa Importers. “And we are happy to announce that the Vespa SS
is now available and can be seen at any authorized Vespa dealers.”
Remensperger also stated that the 181 cc Super Sport now ranks as Vespa's biggest model. It's a two-cycle with a bore and stroke of 62 x 60mm, monocoque chassis and frame construction with front and rear shock absorbers, a four-speed gearbox, and 19.2 hp is claimed.
Price for the new Vespa 181 cc Super Sport is $529 f.o.b. San Francisco and that includes a spare tire. Those wishing additional information can contact their local Vespa dealer or write directly to Bob Remensperger. president. Western Scooter Distributors. 1599 Custer Avenue. San Francisco.
START SHOOTING
Once again it is time for amateur and professional photographers to begin shooting pictures for this year’s annual Triumph photo contest sponsored by the Triumph Corporation, Towson, Baltimore, Maryland 21204. The only requirement is that photos submitted for judging show at least one late model Triumph motorcycle. Prizes, we suppose, will be the same as last year w'ith cash for the three best pictures in both amateur and professional categories. Entries should be addressed to Triumph Photo Contest, c/o Mr. Denis McCormack at the address above.
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CELEBRITY OF THE MONTH
Movie and TV personality Miss Ruta Lee decorates a BMW from House of Yamaha, the West Los Angeles dealership which caters to the movieland market. Miss Lee is costumed for a forthcoming episode of “Wackiest Ship in the Army” in which she plays a foreign correspondent stranded in the tropics. —
SHOPLIFTING MADE EASY
Service departments on the hunt for ways to improve working conditions and speed up repairs might look into the possibility of installing a hydraulic motorcycle lift such as the one Bill Martin makes.
Best known for years as the builder of Martin forks and swing-arm conversions for rigid frame motorcycles, Bill designed his first lift nearly a decade -ago and now has sold over 500 of them.
Operating on a hydraulic cylinder activated by compressed air, the lift is installed merely by sinking a four-foot-deep by six-inch hole in the floor and anchoring the plate with four hold-down bolts. To raise the platform you merely press an air hose to a valve on the lift — a one-hand operation. An exhaust valve is turned to release the air, and the lift slides slowly down on the hydraulic oil. Capacity depends upon air pressure available. With the J-bolts and fittings available, any machine can be mounted for performing any repair job. The top platform can be turned in a full circle.
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The shoplift is priced at $165 with discounts when ordered in quantity, from Bill Martin, 1329 N. Hollywood Way, Dept. CW, Burbank, California.
YAMAHA YG-1 HANDLING PACKAGE
Circle Industries, 9914% E. Rush St., El Monte, Calif., makes a polished aluminum rake plate that replaces the stock front fork crown bracket of 80cc Yamahas. The plate, which is easy to install, increases front angle, extending the wheel base 1%". lárice is $6.25 from Circle.
Add to this heavy duty front fork springs, which increase the spring rate to 50 lbs./in. and handling should be greatly
improved. The heavy springs, made from shot peened music wire, are designed for track or trail use. Springs are also available for Honda S-90. They are said to prevent bottoming of the forks and resulting strain on the oil seals. Yamaha springs are priced at $5.25 pr. for cad plated, $6.25 pr. for chrome. S-90 springs are $6.95 and $7.95 respectively.
NEW “PACER" BOOT
Latest items added to the Webco catalog are these new', zip-up “pacer” boots for women. High in style and comfort, they are available in two different mater-
ials. The vinyl brocade style shown comes in snow white, midnight black, regal blue and goddess gold. Webco’s catalog number is 1623 and they sell for $14.95 a pair. The naugahyde pacers are available in black only and sell for $12.95 a pair, catalog #1624. Sizes range from 4 to 10 including half sizes. Webco dealers can get them for you. •
