Round Up
ROUND UP
JOE PARKHURST
SINCE THE ISLE OF MAN was postponed until late in August, I decided that a tour of a few more of the important motorcycle manufacturing plants in Europe, a stop at Mallory Park for an International road race, and then to the Dutch Grand Prix, would make a suitable substitute. We would like to have taken Team Cycle World to the Isle of Man TT at the later date. But our machines had been returned to Yamaha and sold, and our riders had taken on new responsibilities and were unable to shift things to the new date. So we'll take things up again later . . . maybe next year. In the meantime, we'll run a full report on the delayed Isle of Man in our next issue, along with a run-down on the International Six Days Trial in Sweden. I plan on attending the Six Days, myself, this year, to get a first-hand look at the king of cross country events. We hope to again see many of the better dirt riders from the U.S. in attendance.
We, that is, Mrs. Parkhurst and I, spent a few days in Milan, Italy, with CW's Italian ace Carlo Perelli. We took in the mighty Moto-Guzzi plant, and later the Gilera factory, both just a few miles out of the city. At Moto-Guzzi we saw things being prepared for production of the 650cc V-7 to be introduced later on this year, and got a quick tour of the huge factory. They even have a full-size wind tunnel used in the old days to develop the Guzzi V-8 for International road racing employing the full "dust-bin" fairing. Dott. Bianchi, Sales Director for Moto-Guzzi, gave me a friendly firsthand personal tour of the plant, but I could not get into any dark corners. CYCLE WORLD was assured the first opportunity to test the V-7 when it is ready for delivery to the U.S.
Later, I uncovered a handsome little 50cc trail bike that, with a few changes, could take the American market by storm. I had previously felt that the Japanese had all the cards in this field. Not so, while the Italians are about.
At Gilera, I was given a sneak look at the racing department. No pictures, though. You would think they had some secret instead of just an old four-cylinder bike that had been around since I was a wee tot. I did get a good look at the rather determined looking trials bike Gilera is building the Italian Army for use in trials competition. I asked to buy one of the little 125s; they use Ceriani forks and employ some pretty unusual gimmicks; I may get it one day. Gilera seems most intent on making 98cc trail bikes and the 125cc scrambler, plus a huge order of bikes with the strange name "Sears" stamped on the tanks. Do you suppose ... ?
(Continued on page 4)
We flew across the English channel to London, to add a large number of new books to the CYCLE WORLD Book Store. We'll make a few surprise announcements concerning CW books shortly. Jeff Smith, 500cc motocross champion, has a new book on the way, and we'll have it exclusively in the U.S. for CW books.
In the fine company of B. R. Nicholls, we took in the Mallory Park International, and got our first look at Mike Hailwood on a Honda. Road racing on the international scale is something that you should see. "Nick" Nicholls deals with a report on the Mallory program in his column for this issue, so I won't make a race report of my column.
Several Americans are now in England and on the Continent making a dent in things. Lance Weil is back in England, in the company of CYCLE WORLD'S occasional tech helper Frank Scurria, both racing the British short-circuit circus. They joined Marty Lunde, who has been cutting a mean swath around England for the last three years.
We crossed the channel again and watched what is generally considered to be the best motorcycle road race in Europe, the Dutch TT, held at Assen, in the country north of Rotterdam, more than 160,000 people. On Friday night, before the Saturday event, they flood into the tiny town from every direction. It is a little like Laconia, with Daytona, LeMans and Disneyland thrown in. The racing is held on a course perfectly suited to motorcycles, and the riders are nuts about. Hardly a straight line can be found, and the emphasis is on rider ability almost completely. Quite different from Daytona and other Continental events like the Belgian and French grands prix. The challenge is complete, the demands exacting. As a spectator event it is the most fantastic road race I have even seen.
ITALIAN TRADE SHOW
One of the more popular events in Southern California during the month of June was the first Italian Trade Commission motorcycle show, held in the glamorous Century City in Los Angeles. The Trade Commission is an official function of the Italian Government. Purpose of the show was to acquaint the trade with the full array of Italian motorcycles available in this country, and even some not yet on the market. Familiar names, such as Ducati, Lambretta, Vespa, Harley-Davidson Aermacchi, Gilera and Moto-Guzzi, were joined by some new to this country, such as Cimatti, Mi-Val, Motom, and some new models, like Garelli-Rex, and two we haven't seen for some time, MVAgusta and Testi.
(Continued on page 10)
Sr. Vittorio Sanguineti, the Italian trade commissioner, directed the gathering. I noticed that several brands, such as Motom, MV and Mi-Val, did not have distributors in the U.S. After the show closed, MV announced the appointment of Ken Kay as their new distributors for the United States. Anyone in the industry interested in bringing in a new line of bikes might give the other two a second glance. Motom is seriously interested in penetrating this country with their current line of 50cc bikes and a full line of lOOcc machines in the planning stages at this time. I'll be happy to forward the details on to anyone showing serious concern.
(Continued on page 12)
Most interesting was the huge and ugly MV four in "road trim," though I suspect somewhat of a hoax here, as the bike didn't look like it was really all there. Garelli/Rex's new 100 and 125 are perfectly tailored to the American market and should go like wild fire once they get around. We saw our first Cimatti, which has been extensively advertised in CW. We plan a good close look shortly. Ital-Jet showed their tidy, tiny production 50cc road racer, but pulled it out before we got a photograph. We'll take a close look at this one shortly, too. . . and, oh yeah, Miss Luciana Paluzzi, star of the motion picture "Thunderball," was on hand. We couldn't make a deal for the U.S. rights, hard as we tried.
ONLY ONE CYCLE WORLD
I continue to receive the distressing news that many retail motorcycle shops across the country are calling themselves "CYCLE WORLD." Though it would be nice to own a collection of profitable cycle shops in scattered locations, it would be impractical, since I know very little about the business. Besides, magazines are my field, and I'd feel a bit guilty competing with some of our best advertisers. So let me set things straight. Neither CYCLE WORLD, PARKHURST PUBLISHING COMPANY, I, or any member of my staff is engaged in, or connected with anyone who is in the retail motorcycle business anywhere in the world. The name CYCLE WORLD is our property, when connected with any kind of publication, but we have no legal right to demand that users of the name discontinue doing so. Confidentially, I'd like to, legal or not.
(Continued on page 112)
NORTON OWNERS NOW
In my unrelenting quest for further news of one-owner types of motorcycle groups, I have now uncovered the startling news of a Norton Owner's Club. As with several previous discoveries, they are headquartered in England (where else?) and want as many red-blooded Norton lovers as they can assemble to join their organized enthusiasm. Norton Owners Club also publishes a periodical, devoted largely to news of their brethren, artfully titled the "Road holder." If your curiosity is piqued, write them at the address of Mr. M. Groves, Public Relations Officer, 14 Alex Gossip House, London, S.W. 6.
SUZUKI AND CAPITOL RECORDS TIE-UP
Super promoting U.S. Suzuki sent me a sample of their latest pitch, a 20-market promotional tie-in between the motorcycle firm and Capitol Records, to push the "Young Lovers" theme featuring the youthful Lettermen singing group. Prizes in the thirty-day contest are to be a pair of "his and hers" Suzukis. Pretty poster girl Carol Goodman shows the display material being used.
AND NOW CYCLE DEMONSTRATIONS
It would seem that protests and demonstrations are the signs of the times these days. I'm afraid it has now come to motorcycling, but in a small way. Thirty-five motorcycle and scooter riders staged an organized demonstration in New York against the city's "archaic" traffic regulations, in particular, the one requiring all vehicles parking in the street to line-up, parallel to the curbing. Fine for cars, they say, but ridiculous for motorcycles. The well-dressed protesters staged the demonstration to show that angle parking, (rear wheels against the curb with the bike pointing into the street) is more practical and efficient. Several were issued parking citations for illegal parking, but they felt they had accomplished their goal by bringing the silly situation to the attention of the authorities. Hopefully, they look for a change in the regulations. Their methodsomewhat unorthodox, you might say — could very well be the salvation of the motorcyclists in many cities seeking a way to bring the absurdity of such regulations to the limelight by practical demonstrations of their faults.
HONDA SALES
A recent Tokyo news release tells the story that Honda's anticipated sales in the U.S. have been revised downwards, from a predicted 450,000 to 360,000 units. Blame is placed on the conflict in Viet Nam which has reportedly removed potential buyers from the market. It is quite true that 31 million Americans are of draft age, and it is probably just as true that sales are hurting at least a little due to the far East. However, I cannot imagine that it is hurting any 110,000 sales. It seems to me that the culprit is the fast rising popularity of Yamaha, Suzuki, Bridgestone and Kawasaki. It's kinda nice to see the glory being spread around a little. Watch out, though. Now the kooks really do have something to protest!
ACCIDENT STATISTICS
Statistics covering motorcycle accidents are difficult to find, and once found, even more difficult to interpret, as seems to be the case with most cold statistics. Regardless, the State of California recently released automobile and motorcycle accident figures that tell a revealing story. Of 221,935 automobiles involved in accidents, 4,593 persons were killed. In 11,555 motorcycles involved in accidents, only 263 were killed. I don't mean to maintain that motorcycles are inherently safer than automobiles; but as most of my readers realize, in single vehicle accidents, motorcycles are certainly the safest form of transportation to be found.
Unfortunately, the roads are full of cars that often seem bent on running into motorcycles. In these cases, there is no question as to who will come out of the entanglement the least scathed. Still, figures do not necessarily lie, and although the percentage of deaths attributed to automobile accidents is 2.07% of the total accidents, for motorcycles, the figure is 2.28%. I point this out, as we are continually besieged by people claiming that motorcycles are more dangerous than cars. In California they are only responsible for 0.21% more fatalities, and these are largely due to collisions with cars.
CYCLE SAFETY CAMPAIGN
"Lights on for safety," is the title given to a safety campaign launched by the Motorcycle, Scooter & Allied Trades Association. Surveys conducted by the organization have shown that most motorcycle accidents were caused by automobiles, and the majority of them were the direct cause of the automobile drivers not having seen the two wheelers. MS&ATA's answer to this is a clever program to encourage riders to use their headlights all of the time, making them much easier to see even on the brightest days. A similar idea has been in use by Greyhound buses for several years now (not that Greyhound buses are likely to be missed when they are bearing down on you). I like the idea very much. It should give the bike riders a better chance in traffic.
The effort got a little governmental boost from two California assemblymen, Philip L. Soto and Richard J. Donovan, both of Southern California, both of whom announced their enthusiastic support. Both were dubbed honorary chairmen of the drive. It wouid be nice if all the other states found public officials that would join in similar efforts; but whether the movement receives support from politicians or not, "Lights on for safety" is great.
While talking about the works of the MS&ATA, one of their officials made some figures public this month, calling attention to the record sales being registered by the industry during the first months of 1966. A dollar volume of more than $300 million, up from $225 million in 1965, is expected to be spent on sales and maintenance of motorcycles and scooters during 1966. A trend towards the heavier machines, primarily in the 250cc class seems evident, as we anticipated. An overall growth of 40 per cent is predicted, with total unit sales up by more than 200,000 for the year, to 750,000 machines. California continues to lead as the largest single state in sales, reaching 350,000 in 1966. There are an estimated 8,000 motorcycle dealers across the nation, the largest number being agents for Honda, which claims 1,700 dealers. Quite a business.
