Letters
LETTERS
HONEST ENDORSEMENT
I am interested in scrambles, motocross, racing, enduros and cycle sports of all kinds. I am extremely pleased to hear you say in print that CYCLE WORLD is published for the enthusiasts and that the road tests in all honesty are for the rider. This is what makes CYCLE WORLD tops.
I have owned many machines, found some good, and some bad; your magazine should be a reference for a rider to select his machine honestly. Ï love my Bultaco Matador, and I despised my Parilla scrambler. I feel you can help riders to make the best choice. BE HONEST, NO MATTER WHAT!
GEORGE H. WILSON Millersburg, Indiana We try. Honest! —Ed.
HE WHO HESITATES
I must admit I have been somewhat hesitant to subscribe to CYCLE WORLD, but enclosed is my money. From the "Letters to the Editor" it turns out you are both an iconoclast (the Vincent road test), and un-American (H-D are not the onlv motorcvcles attitude). Please don't do a book review on the Bible, or a "critical analysis of motherhood." W. SAMPLE Pasadena, Calif. Okay, if you insist. —Ed.
FOR THE BOYS OVERSEAS
Last week I managed to "stow away" on a helicopter bound for Saigon. Sure enough, as I scrambled over the multitudes surrounding the magazine counter at the PX, there it was, old faithful CYCLE WORLD. I don't actually know whom to thank; there must be a Navy exchange officer who orders CYCLE WORLD for us enthusiasts. Or maybe the Viet Cong puts it out to make us homesick.
Magazines are too far and few between out here. I haven't seen a copy of Hot Rod magazine in eleven months; in fact there are no other motorcycle magazines or even automotive magazines available. As I grabbed the last copy I was threatened by several men and had to rely on my carbine to maintain my valuable possession. It was by far more dangerous than any patrol I've been on yet!
By the way, the only other magazines available here are about 200 copies of Hair-Do magazine, can you imagine that? Well, it's true, and there's nothing I like better after a hard day's combat than my copy of Hair-Do and a bowl of dried rat meat. Sp4 LARRY HUNNEWELL FF Attach, 5th Special Forces NVI, BA din
Republic of South Viet-Nam We are certainly pleased with your feelings for old CW, but I'll bet your C.O. would be unhappy to know the risks you are taking reading it. As for the absence of other magazines; simply superior distribution. But, "Hair-Do"!!!! I think you had better recommend to someone they have that Navy officer checked, he sounds a bit suspicious to us. -Ed.
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SEE YOUR TAILOR
What with Laconia, Hells Angels and all of the other black pages in the histor~ of cycling, it's high time for a fe~ specific suggestions as to how to move forward. What's backward will take care of itself. I'll venture that the most die. hard of the bare-bellied apehangers can'I resist the attraction of class.
See your tailor. The industry, dealers and riders, might again review their ward robe. Even the lowliest of surplus stores can produce outdoor wear that's clean, smart, comfortable and safe. Sure, blue jeans give some protection . . . but they also make tan blue jeans as well. And they don't have to be dragged through 1,000 miles of salt water to be "in." The dealers that I've visited (with some exceptions, sure) look worse than the Angels. I've talked to "salesmen" who appear to have a better use for the chain than the transferring of power to the rear wheel. Maybe they are model hus bands and fathers, but the image ain't there.
A new bike is no dirtier than a new anything-else, yet I've seen some pretty crummy showrooms . . . again with a few notable exceptions.
SO I exhort the dealer to put on a snirt and tie, to put on a shop coat if he must also work with the wrench. To the rider: You are what you appear to be, as far as the strangers on the highway and in town are concerned. To the distributor: Give your dealers some incentive to hose down the place and swing a paint brush. See your newspaper. The various types of editors, sports, society, travel, etc., are not the cynical, aloof, unavailable people they are often made out to be. If the Senior Citizens BMW Club takes a tour of someplace it could be a darn good story, if someone can write and take a few pictures. The High School Hondas could tell about how "Cycling Cured Me of Finger-Snapping" or "It's Great to Have Sand in Your Bubble Gum." The cycle club is its own best press agent, for better or worse, but the paper has to know which. Someone has to tell them when it's better; they'll find out when it's worse.
-~ More group stuff. One of the prettiest sights to be seen around here is a Morgan club purring down the road in their smart little cars all polished up to the eyebrows. They're out for a weekend of fun, sure, but they're ladies and gentlemen enjoying the special pleasure of fine machinery. More of this with bikes, with riders and mounts appropriately dressed, can do much for the cycle world (no oun. really).
I could go on, but you get the idea, I'm sure. The two-wheel sport (I in clude hacks) is probably the finest thing that can happen in an age of totally plugged freeways, ordinances against the keeping of horses, and the need for some sort of return to nature before it's all plowed under or blown to bits.
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Heck, I don't even own a bike yet . . . but I'm going to, and I'm not going to have to apologize for it, either.
PHIL MacTAGGART Los Altos, Calif.
TURN SIGNAL DILEMMA
I have come across a situation which I think should be of interest to you and I know will be of direct interest to your readers. I inquired at quite a few motorcycle shops about installing turn signals on my Honda. The unanimous reply I received was that they had to be 18 inches apart and that this was the reason many cyclists didn't use them because they look odd sticking way out there. Some stated that anything was legal as long as they were 18 inches apart. Some suggested the type of signals that mount on the ends of the handlebars were best because then you were only required to have two lamp assemblies. None of them could tell me where they got any of their information, they just "heard it from someone" or said that "it was the law."
I then decided to check into the matter in detail and have come up with some interesting facts:
1) They are not required on motorcycles.
2) When installed they must be of an approved type (they can't be clearance lights, fog lamps or headlamps used as turn indicators. The CHP has a list of all approved turn indicators manufactured and will gladly tell you if a specific make and model is approved).
3) There must be four (4) of them, two (2) on each side (this rules out the handlebar models).
4) They must be at least 9 inches apart (not 18 inches).
5) They must be flashed by an operating unit, not by manually pressing a button rapidly.
6) They must flash 60 to 120 times per minute.
7) They must be at least 20 but not more than 84 inches above the roadway (effective Jan. 1, 1967).
8) The projected distance between the optical center of the turn signal lamp and the nearest inside edge of the retaining ring of the headlamp must be at least 4 inches (applicable only if they are mounted on the sides of the headlight cowl as mine are).
9) The operating (or flasher) unit must be fail-safe. That is, failure of one of the turn signal lamps must either cause it to stop, cause the other unit to remain on continuously or cause a significant change in the flashing rate.
10) The system must have a pilot indicator. But this can be eliminated by using double faced lamps in front, mounted so that you can see the back face of each lamp. Thus you could see if the lamp acted in a manner described in #9 above. 11 ) The lamps must show either white or amber forward and amber or red to the rear.
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12) The installation doesn't have to be approved by the California Highway Patrol. You can mount them yourself, but they must comply with the regulations.
For those interested, all of this information is not contained in the, California Vehicle Code, which explains why most people don't know it exists. It is contained in Title 13 (Motor Vehicles), Section 771 of the California Administrative Code. Anyone can obtain a copy for their own information by sending 75c'plus 3 4 state sales tax to Bureau of Printing, Documents Section, 11th and O Streets, Sacramento, California 95814.
Anyone stopped by the California Highway Patrol can refer the officer to Annex K, Page 11-42 of the CHP Officer's Handbook which contains a brief condensed version which is their guide.
As California is one of the stiffest states in regards to mechanical requirements of motor vehicles, it is entirely possible that the above may be applicable to other states in the Union. I hope that this information will be of assistance to you and your T«PO Hprç J. BRADLEY FLIPPIN San Diego, Calif.
HOME BUILDER
Here are photographs of the three trail bikes I have constructed over the past 18 months. The smallest is powered by a Honda engine, .040" over 55cc. It has 11 Vi inches ground clearance and weighs 125 pounds.
Next in line is a 125cc Yamaha powered outfit with ground clearance of IV2 inches and a weight of 165 pounds.
The largest of the three carries a 150cc Puch blower-cooled engine; it has a ground clearance of 9 inches and weighs 140 pounds.
The small bike was constructed as an experiment to see what could be done in the weight reduction department by bolting Honda 110 components onto a tubular frame. The results were surprising. Not only was there an appreciable reduction in weight, but the handling also improved. ROBERT J. BESTON Roseville, Calif.
QUICK SERVICE
As a long time motorcycle enthusiast (12 yrs.), I sure have seen a lot of changes take place on the motorcycling scene. From what I have observed, most have been for the good of cycling.
At one time or another I have subscribed to just about all of the American cycle magazines (including Moto which I think lasted three issues). All I take now is CYCLE WORLD, which gives me a good cross-section of competition, such as grand prix, moto-cross, flattrack, etc. I also enjoy your rare coverage of European grasstrack, ice racing and speedway.
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About the only suggestion I could make for CYCLE WORLD is that it might become larger. As it is now I wipe it out in about three hours cover-to-cover, then I have thirty days to wait for the next issue.
On my way to the California State P.T.A. Convention in San Diego (as local President), I was able to attend the CYCLE WORLD Motorcycle Show in Los Angeles. A big "E" for excellence. I hope I can attend every year. JAMES KLINKO Sunnyvale, Calif.
Thank you kindly, Mr. Klinko. We hope you will be able to attend our show next year also; it too will be larger and better. We are in a progress rut. —Ed.
LACONIA ECHOES
I was interested in your comments in the September issue regarding the origin of people who were responsible for the riot at Laconia, and later comments on the peaceful nature of the Grafton, Vermont moto-cross.
I realize how easy it is to classify all motorcyclists in a single group, i.e., all bad. Furthermore, I can understand your reaction to the news stories that the riot was caused by persons from the west coast. However, it seems to me that you fall into the same trap yourself when you list the French Canadians as those on the top of the list of trouble makers.
One thing not mentioned in the Grafton story is the fact that the race was a weekend long team race between New England and Canadian teams. Surely at such a race there would be as many French Canadians as at Laconia, which is mainly a race for American riders. There was no trouble at Grafton.
The problem of the ruffian in motorcycling is not limited to any region. It is a general problem and should not be blamed on any region or nationality.
JONATHAN E. BOSWORTH Marlboro, New Hampshire The Editor listed French Canadians at the top of the ranks of trouble makers, not as the ONLY ones. Laconia draws more French Canadians and American ruffians for reasons difficult to explain. Certain events become more or less classic as they continue on through the years. They accrue large followings who attend for "old time's sake" and because they've been having a ball at the gathering for years. In other words, long standing events develop a following. Laconia is a classic; it draws people on the magic of its name alone. California's Catalina Grand National was a similar event, as were the Daytona races when they were on the beach. Both races drew large, occasionally bad crowds, which were properly dealt with when problems arose. We do not blame any region for all of the problems, only the ruffians on motorcycles from French Canada, and their Eastern U.S. equivalents, for trying to ruin a wonderful event. —Ed.
MORE ON PERSPECTIVE
I've been a subscriber to CYCLE WORLD for some time, and I consider the magazine excellent. I am glad to see that you do not confine your editorial comments to the gutless nonsense typical of many specialized publications which fear loss of advertisers and circulation for taking positions on controversial issues. I don't share the view, occasionally evident in the "Letters" column, that your views are primarily profit-motivated; I know you're in the business because you love cycles and riding.
Your perspective, however, is narrow; when the interests of motorcyclists are involved your logic is fine. For example, you react strongly to the absurd tendency of some members of the public to conclude from the actions of one cyclist who happens to be an idiot that all cyclists are idiots (or noisy, dirty, criminal, etc.). Similarly, you are quick to point out that the xenophobic tendencies of the AMA are hurting the sport. With equal justice, you condemn legislative attempts to curtail the rights of cyclists, on the road and off.
The problem occurs when you argue from a different perspective. I agree, for example, that compulsory helmet laws would be bad — but they would not be unconstitutional, any more than laws requiring windshields on a car or hardhats in a construction zone are unconstitutional. The problem with helmet laws is that they usurp the right of the individual to make a decision where only his own interests are involved. You seem to take the position that anyone opposed to helmet laws must oppose wearing helmets.
In several cases you have employed the same logic you rightfully condemn, the logic responsible for the "bad image" of motorcycling you are successfully fighting — namely the logic which concludes from one or several instances that an entire group holds certain characteristics. We agree that a few idiots on motorcycles don't prove that all cyclists are idiots; why do you conclude from a few cases of Sierra Club members trying to ban all of the road cycling that all Sierra Club members are narrow minded bigots? Most members I know feel that there is no conflict, that everyone should have access to our natural resources, and that only some careful planning is necessary to see to it that no one's enjoyment is decreased.
I'm afraid your article on Laconia abounds with examples of this logic. You correctly criticize the accusations of the obviously incompetent Mayor Lessard that because the West Coast was "represented" it was responsible. But you then go on to make the same mistakes.
You decide that the fault was with French Canadians, "the scabby side of motorcycling," the "animals," "rabble," and "scruffy-looking types." Your solution: "Close the Canadian border to people who are obviously undesirable, run all of the scruffy-looking types out of town . . . Just leave the rest of us motorcyclists out of it."
Don't you see that, even if those responsible fit any of the categories your adjectives suggest, it would be a mistake to conclude that everyone who fit your descriptions is a potential riot-starter? If some French Canadians are trouble-makers, that is no reason to exclude all French Canadians; if one "grubby" cyclist commits a crime, that is no reason to conclude that all cyclists who happen not to meet your personal standards of dress. clean liness, or handlebar height are criminals.
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And about leaving the rest of us out of it, your arguments lead to just the same sort of prejudice you have been fighting and can only add to the "evidence" against us. You would do far better to support your accusations with sound evi dence and responsible arguments - if you can: if you can't, don't make them. Incidentally, why didn't you conclude from the case of Samuel Sadowski that the police didn't do "extremely well' -I might agree with that conclusion, but not on that evidence alone. I suspect that your conclusion that "it would be just like" the Communists to start the trouble is based on the same sort of sloppy logic you exhibit when you get away from cycles. Regarding your new interest in the Con stitution - your suggestion that the Can adian border he closed to the "obviously undesirable" is probably contrary to a treaty, which, by the Constitution, is the supreme law of the land. Here's a hit of constitutional law which is quite relevant: ". . . to infer that examples of individual disloyalty prove group disloyalty and justify discriminatory action against the entire group is to deny that under our system of law individual guilt is the sole basis for deprivation of rights." Justice Roberts, dissent in Kore matsu v. U.S. 323 U.S. 215. MIKE MARCUS Berkeley, Calif.
MOTORCYCLES ARE OUR CREED I agree with Daniel S. Rink Jr. 100% that you should quit wasting time and paper on lousy mouse machines. Any stinking run-of-the-mill type idiot that wants to waste their time on a 50cc hunk of garbage should have their head in spected. Do you think that the only decent cycles are for scrambles and road racing? Why not have an article or two on a chopped Beezer. Triumph or Harley? Or are they against your religion? Fd like to say more but I'm not going to waste the time. JAMES R. CROWDER Reno, Nevada
Had you bought the July 1965 issue of C U", coi'eriuig the 2iic! /1111111(11 C 14" Show, you would hare seeii all kinds of chopped, sawed, hacked, c/iron? ed, speck led, striped, stripped, lengthened, shortened, lowered and raised! "cycles." Very few as road itorthiv (iS soiiie 50cc in otorcvc!es we ha ic tested -Ed.
HELP TO A FELLOW TRAVELER While home on leave from the Air Force, I read the letter from Bill Schuck hardt about the time it would take him to drive to the New York World's Fair on his Honda Super Hawk.
It might help him to know that I traveled the 2100 miles from Peoria, Illi nois to San Francisco in 4½ days on my Honda Dream, averaging 55 mph. It took six days for the return trip via San An tonio, Texas. I hope Bill enjoys his trip as much as I did mine. DONALD DIKE Lowry AFB, Colorado
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WHiCH ONE? Could you help me? I am looking for a big motorcycle. Not too big, but big enough for a cross-country trip. I'd like one with enough conveniences so as to en dure the trip with pleasure. I would ap preciate any suggestions. Also, could you tell me if an electric starter would be bet ter than a kick starter for my `roustabout' ways? JON WALLACE Puxico. Mo.
Most modern 250cc machines are capable of maintaining the speed limits. Electric starters are a convenience item (a mighty good one, too.) - Ed.
HAPPY FAMILY Enclosed is a picture of my family which might interest you. We ha~ve had ten motorcycles in two years, starting with two Trail 55s and working our way up. My wife insists or riding her own bike and corners better than most men. She picks up the kids from school on it, does her shopping on it and joins me in club rides on Sundays. I ride mine to work every day plus pleasure riding which aver ages out about 1,500 miles per month. Motorcycle riding is our main recreation and eventually I suppose the boys will have bikes and the car will have to be parked in the street! ANTHONY HARRIS Los Angeles, Calif.
IT'S GREEK TO HIM The bike moves away like the rocket for which it was presumably named? Whadya mean rocket? Ain't you guys ever heard of Charles Atlas? But then he's no Greek either. Whose subculture does the writer belong to? Why does the Norton 750 you originally tested "rev like fury" while this latest one "may not rev too freely?" Why did the first one attain 17.2 mph per 1000 rpm while the second is listed at 16.7 both using the same size tires and identical gearing? It would seem you don't have enough interest in accuracy to make a simple comparison with some previously stated facts.
I gather from your other road test articles that they are rather random per sonal impressions. The writer(s) touch on some particular aspect of a machine in one test but make no mention of it when concerned with testing another motorcycle. More standardization on your part would provide more pertinent and accurate in formation for the reader in evaluating the different makes. Criticisms aside, I do enjoy your magazine. JAMES MARCHAND Needles, Calif. We now have more accurate charts from tire manufacturers than in March 1963. We knew about the difference but pre ferred (as always) to tell the truth. -Ed.
WE LIKE YOU, TOO I find some of my most absorbing and entertaining reading in your magazine. It is without peer among motor sport mag azines, a publication with real class. The technical articles are outstanding and the general quality of writing is of a very high order. This, plus the integrity of your edi torial policy, places CW in a class by it self, an advanced class. Now I have just read over the above, the thought occurs to me that your staff has a sense of humor and perhaps that is the reason I get such pleasure from reading your magazine. Whatever the reason, keep it up, it wOrks. DR. W. 0. WHITEHEAD A.P.0., N.Y.
BOY ARE WE TIRED I thoroughly enjoyed your report on the~ "AMA Daytona Nationals." In this report you stated, "We are as tired of making an issue of this as we are sure some people are seeing us do it." This statement was made, I believe, in reference to the AMA's "highly questionable" policies. Like hell we're tired. It is very gratifying to see that there are still people in the world who have a regard for honesty and fairness, which is much more than can be said for the AMA. Keep up the good work and disregard the howls of anguish you'll receive from the "priv ileged few." CHARLES G. GILL, JR. University of Idaho Moscow, Idaho.
