Letters
LETTERS
HE’S INTRIGUED
I was quite intrigued by Speedy Babbs’ “Monstrosity” which was featured in Ivan Wagar’s “The Scene” column of the October issue of CYCLE WORLD.
The two-cycle, four-cylinder (horizontally opposed) McCullough engine, most commonly used to power drone target-missiles for armed forces training, are, indeed, still quite available.
For any not quite so ingenious, back-yard Wright Brothers, these engines may be obtained at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas, from the surplus and salvage yard there at the dirt cheap price of $25 to $35. The only catch is that they are sold only in lots of four or more, but still a bargain.
These engines are, of course, used and some are slightly damaged (broken cooling fins, etc.), hut most of them are in good condition.
These little power-packs are turbo-supercharged and fuel injected, pushing the target drones to over 300 mph.
The surface of the pistons has a patterned surface of small pits which apparently reduce weight and friction and aid in lubrication by serving as oil pockets.
I agree with Mr. Wagar that this engine was a wise choice to power the Monstrosity and could possibly set some speed records if set up properly by another with such imagination.
MIKE GERALD
Pampa, Texas
SPEEDY'S NOT KIDDING
We are not kidding about running this Aeroplane-engined job at Daytona. I'd like to put it against a field of conversation pieces, monstrosities, et. al., race not less than 50 miles, but no longer than 100, as it won't take but a few minutes. No restrictions, just so they have two wheels, that one follows the other, any fuel, any propulsion, dog kill dog, no passing rules, everyone take their best hold and watch for the checkered flag. Flying start. From then on, do anything you are man enough to do. If you can't fight it out on the track, finish in the pits after the checkered flag. I’ve seen a few such events. Most interesting. The stands love it.
SPEEDY BABBS
Stuart, Fla.
HE’D RATHER RIDE THAN (?)
A note from a non-contributing reader who would rather ride than you know what, but lately is out of a mount until better times.
Just read Joe's “Round Up” in the November issue and must let you know how I feel about Mr. Little’s statement from C H P. Too many money-hungry foreign bike manufacturers are deluging the U.S. with ill-equipped, underpowered, over-advertised, glorified mopeds in motocross (?) trim. They look terrible in showrooms, on the street, in the dirt, and remind me of visits to the Orient years ago when streets were a sea of small bikes.
(Continued on page 30)
Lately these ugly creations seem to be taking up far too much precious space in CYCLE WORLD. The excellent picture coverage of competition races in the November issue and the accompanying stories only confirm my belief that more copy devoted to race pics and less ads of “scrap stampings" would be the icing on your piece of cake.
I started this burn a few issues back when you center folded those ugly cycle sculptures. Reader H. E. Hudgins, Jr. (Nov. 66, Page 50) gave you suggestions that should have been copies of your guidelines to a better product — especially Nos. two and three.
Hoping to find December a better issue (new '67 bikes?).
DON WILSON
Sure can tell you’ve been off of bikes a long time. Better go out and ride one of those ’‘ill-equipped, underpowered, glorified mopeds” before you stick your foot in so far. As for all of the advertising — if it wasn’t there. CYCLE WORLD would only be about half as big and we would have even less space for your favorite part of the magazine — racing. — Ed.
HELMETS IN ADVERTISING
As chairman of the Committee on Traffic Safety of the California Medical Association I feel compelled to write to you concerning the enclosed advertisements by the Bridgestone people taken from your October. 1966 issue. I am also one who rides a motorcycle for pleasure (as do some others of our committee), and we are deeply concerned with safety, particularly regarding the teenagers. I will say first that your editorial comments on safety are commendable, and in this same issue the editor shuddered over youngsters buzzing down the street in shorts, T shirts, bare feet, with no goggles or any sort of protective headgear. The ads by Bridgestone, especially the one on page 49, are certainly not going to help in our campaign to get these kids to use some necessary self protection. Indeed, it would seem that the picture on page 49 is an accident looking for a place to happen (if you will excuse the trite expression).
Admittedly, some of the other advertisers are not doing much better, but it would seem that most are beginning to portray the riders at least wearing helmets.
Keep up the good work in your editorial pages, but if we can't get the “word” through to the manufacturers, I fear they are going to be helping to cut their own throats through unduly restrictive legislation.
B. G. STEWART. M.D.
Bakersfield, California
It is unfortunate that only one advertiser was named in your criticism; as you point out there are several more. Many dealers are doing their part by trying to convince people to wear helmets, only to later see an ad or poster from the manufacturer showing machines being ridden by people with no helmets. We admit CYCLE WORLD has been guilty of the same thing in the past, but is making a genuine effort to see that it doesn't happen in the future. — Ed.
WHAT ABOUT THE AMA?
I am stationed in San Diego and I think I have covered most of the cycle shops in San Diego asking about information on the American Motorcycle Association. A couple of shops haven't even heard of the AMA. I'm not kidding. Really. They never heard of the AMA!
Now my question is: How can I join the AMA? I own a 305cc Güera and I've been riding for about six months. A lot of guys I know in the service ride bikes and a few of them think the AMA is for kids. I can hardly say that, since some of the top bike riders in the nation belong to the AMA and most of the cycle races are sanctioned by the AMA. I really don’t know too much about the AMA. Could you supply me with some information?
BILL SIMMONS
U.S.S. Nireus (AS-17)
The AMA. which is the largest of U.S. motorcycling organisations, is mostly useful to non-professional and professional competition riders, providing a sanctioning process and a set of rules, as you well observe. For dirt and street clubs and their members, the AMA also proves useful, providing them with a model for bylaws, financing, etc.
To the rider who owns a bike just for fun, membership in the AMA offers very little advantage. Granted that the $2 membership fee is nominal, so the benefits to otherwise unaffiliated and non-competing members are few. The individual gets little more than a membership card and a button. No bulletins of AMA activity or rules-changes. One must pay extra to receive the dub publication, which is usually a compendium of outdated or insignificant news. After you receive your button and your card, that’s the last communication the AMA will have with you until renewal time.
AMA sportsman competition is also a curious thing, since a new rider will invariably learn the rules for racing only by osmosis. We would be interested to know the actual number of sportsman racers who have even seen a copy of the official rule book. Fortunately, some of the local sportsman district officials see to it that competition card holders get a peek at a smaller supplement rules book, if not the real thing.
Many of the sportsman districts get to the point that they feel they are being “left out” of the decisions made for them in Columbus, and often complain that they are not even kept informed of changes in the wind. One old and influential AMA dub, the Dirt Diggers (promoters of the now-famous Hope Town GP, formerly known as Corriganville) decided they had been fed to the teeth, have now withdrawn from the AMA and will attempt to continue race organization activity on their lonesome, or with the help of other sanctioning bodies.
(Continued on page 32)
To be fair, it should be noted that the AMA structure at the sportsman level provides some of the most inexpensive racing to be had anywhere in the world. Figure it out: $2 for an AMA card, $2 for a district card, then $2.25 to $5 (usually) for entry fees, and the rider and his secondhand slug are on the starting grid for a novice heat. And there is very little red tape about the process. There must be some good in an organizational structure which can stage races and, in many cases, not even require entry in advance. Credit for this, however, must go to the people who participate at the local level, without pay, rather than the big boys back in Columbus, Ohio.
Which gets us around to the following question — what do the big boys do?
Well, it should be rather obvious that the AMA at the national level is too closely affiliated with the motorcycle industry, rather than with the riders. There is a great deal of “intermarriage” between it and the Motorcycle, Scooter and Allied Trades Association, where the latter’s name reveals its commercial intent. Hence, it should be rather obvious that the AMA is concerned with professional competition, from which the benefits to the motorcycle business are also obvious and manifold.
As of late, the AMA and the MS&ATA have been involving themselves in lobbying when legislation affecting motorcycle activity is in the wind, so it cannot be said that the private rider does not benefit from the existence of the organization.
However, the AMA is much like the church, in that paying your membership fees does not guarantee salvation.
If you still want to join, Bill, the address is 5030 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio. - Ed.
HELP WANTED
Perhaps some of our fellow readers could help us with a problem. Several of us are owners of “Adler” MB 250 motorcycles, the manufacture of which was discontinued in 1960. We have owner’s manuals and know where to get some parts, but we are desperately in need of a “workshop” manual with the technical information necessary for the intricate work on the engine and transmission unit. Any information on a manual — new, used, any language — for sale, lend, or lease will be deeply appreciated.
Several years back there was a rumor floating around that 250cc Yamaha were similar in construction to the Adler MB 250cc, and engine-transmission parts were interchangeable between the two bikes. Any reliable “personal experience” information on this will also be appreciated.
BENJAMIN A. STEIN 1626 Tilghman Street Allentown 2, Penna.
NO FILING CABINET Your December issue just came to hand, and I feel that I must write you a few lines in regards to your statements about the AMA approval of helmets.
It so happens that the writer has been connected with motorcycles for some 40 years as a rider and mechanic, and now a dealer for the past 28 years. I have served on the Technical Committee of the AMA for some 20 years, the Competition Committee for 18 years, and the Safety Committee since its origin. During these many years on these committees, it has been on a basis of all members paying their own expenses to meetings and to activities such as National Championship Races (to serve on Technical Committee, etc.).
Now then, in regards the testing of helmets, may I enlighten you just a bit, as we do not “hit the filing cabinet” with the helmets, but spend sometimes as long as two hours checking and evaluating a helmet. Two years ago, a quantity of helmets were taken to the BUCO firm in Detroit, Michigan, with all labels removed (but helmets were numbered for our own identification), and believe it or not, the very same helmets that we had approved were passed by their machine, and those that we had rejected were rejected in their tests. I believe that this in itself should prove the value of the tests to which we have put helmets sent in for approval. The time that I have spent on the testing of helmets has been absolutely gratis, and I do feel, therefore, that I am doing my little part to help further the safety of motorcycling, and doing my part to assist the AMA whenever and however possible. I feel that if more people would donate a little of their time and money to assist this great organization, it would be much better for everyone connected with the great sport of motorcycling — but is always the people who can complain about this or that, but never seem to want to put themselves out at all to help!
(Continued on page 34)
JOHN ESLER Grand Rapids, Michigan
See Round Up this issue. — Ed.
TROUBLE IN OHIO
We motorcycle riders and dealers here in Ohio have a big problem and need your help. There is now a bill in the Ohio Legislature at Columbus, Ohio, to outlaw (ban) all motorcycles and scooters from all Ohio public roads. This would put Ohio motorcycle and scooter dealers out of business if it passes. All motorcycle owners could neither ride nor sell their bikes in Ohio. Of course, it may not pass. Again it might. There were lots of motorcycle accidents in Ohio in 1966.
ARTHUR PARLOW Bellevue, Ohio.
Fortunately, the Motorcycle, Scooter and Allied Trade Association is applying its pressure to kill this bill. You can help by voicing your opinion in writing to the Ohio State Legislature. — Ed.
NEW CLUB
As a member of The Society for the Suppression of Anti-Harley Magazines, T wish to extinguish my subscription to CYCLE WORLD. Your magazine has already been banned from our motorcycle club for being anti-Harley and we at present have a drive on to stop as many subscriptions to your magazine as possible. I might add that our club has a membership of 103. PHILIP H. ERAMO Columbus, Ohio
CROSSED UP
Okay, you guys. I’m on to you! I take it you realize that you put an extra box in 37 across in your “Cycle Word #2.” Well, being the honest guy that I am, I spent a whole day (while I was sick in bed) engaged in intense research through my past issues of CW, trying to find out who ROBERTSMZ was. Finally (after a near fatal breakdown of acute despair) I peeked at the solution.
You guys have a groovy mag. In fact, I just sent in my subscription. Keep up the good work, but cool it on the crossword puzzles!
(Continued on page 36)
RICK HOULE
Reseda, Calif.
SAVED BY THE BELL!
In June of this year, I was involved in a serious accident. I was riding my Triumph Bonneville down a street and a truck was coming the other way. He didn't see me and made a left turn right in front of me and I smacked into him.
I won’t go into the extent of my injuries, but I was critically hurt and have not yet fully recovered; the bike didn’t get too much damage. I was wearing a good (Bell) helmet and a leather jacket which, I must admit, was unusual. I rarely wore either one, and I don’t know why I did this day. But I do know this; if I hadn’t been wearing them, I would’ve been dead. That’s for sure. Now, after I get all back together, I’ll go riding again, but I’ll be darned if it’ll be without the helmet and leather jacket.
I know that a lot of people think this kind of riding apparel is funny looking; I know I did. You always figure an accident’s going to happen to the other guy. Take my word for it, it doesn’t always happen that way.
Most people who read this are just going to kind of skip over it. They're going to figure “another guy who got hurt — so what.” But you've got to remember this can be a dangerous sport we’re involved in. and prepare yourself for the worst. Get yourself a good helmet and for Pete’s sake wear it!
DAVID M. HOWE Wilmington, Delaware
CHUCK'S CHUCKLES
I have just finished reading the challenge of Chuck Myles and your acceptance concerning his alleged 140 mph Indian in the Oct. issue.
While reading the letter, I could do nothing but have respect for Chuck on his determined stand and strong offer; and, at the same time, I was admiring and respecting CYCLE WORLD for printing his letter. But I was really getting curious as to how you were going to answer Chuck’s challenge. As it turned out, I had no need to worry. I really had a good chuckle over your answer and so-called acceptance to that challenge.
The back-straight at Riverside Raceway, indeed. As you know, and most of your readers probably don't know, the back straight at Riverside is hardly long enough for Chuck's Indian to reach top speed. And if it could, there's not enough room for it to shut-off safely. I even doubt if the Jaguar he raced on the New York State Thruway could get up to 140 mph on the Riverside back-straight, assuming, of course, it was show-room stock.
So, I for one think you have a pretty safe bet.
How about "El Mirage” or Bonneville?
CONRAD DRIUSSI Rialto, Calif.
We are sincere in our offer. The Riverside straight (including the entry way) is over one-mile long and, providing gasoline is used, a motorcycle will do better at Riverside than Bonneville. This is due mainly to the altitude of the salt flats. But also the salt has often been wet in recent years, costing many miles per hour. —Ed.
FIGHTING MAD
I have been a rider for the past 12 years and have had all types of "wheels.” I have always worn a black leather jacket and strongly believe in helmets. In my opinion “leathers” do not give a bad impression of motorcycling, nor does a deep rumbling muffler.
But the dirty long hair, loud, (and often liquored) crowd certainly does. These trouble-makers are easily recognizable. I offer the solution (in my opinion) to end the greatest majority of troubles at races, especially out of town meets. Ban these troublemakers. They come not to watch, or enjoy, but to make a “scene.” They are creating nothing but trouble. Agreed, if they are barred from the tracks, grounds, etc., they will just make trouble elsewhere, as in town, but constant harassment by law enforcement agencies will convince these rats not to come around. If they cannot draw a crowd at the track and are not allowed to be wild in town, maybe the National Guard and every small town sheriff for the surrounding 14 counties will not be needed. This cannot be called discrimination as it is preservation of the species. Here in Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, it is becoming terrible.
I have always wanted to go to Laconia. The way things are going it looks as though I will have no Laconia to go to. My oldest daughter is now old enough to ride. But I don’t feel safe in taking her anywhere but for a ride in the country.
I used to feel strongly against the newspapers and other news media for “putting down” motorcyclists, but in the last few years, it is not just local trouble, but national in scope.
This is a great sport, clean, fun, exciting. I love it. But we need help. I am neither a "cube” nor “mad at the world.” I think, though, that it is time for the majority to form a minority group to combat the bad influences in our sport.
I do enjoy your mag. Please keep it up. Enjoy short funny stories too. Where do you get the nutty writers?
RICHARD L. HART Morton Grove, Illinois
CW BOOSTER
I thought you may like to hear this. I’ve been trying to get you new customers and new enthusiasts, but I don’t know if I'm succeeding. I take all my old back issues of CYCLE WORLD and give them to my friends who own motorcycles, but do not now, read CW. I also put a few copies in barber shops. How's that?
FRED S. MURABITO Oswego, New York
