Round Up
ROUND UP
JOE PARKHURST
LONG TIME READERS OF CYCLE WORLD no doubt will recognize the name B. R. Nicholls. B. R., or "Nick," became CW's first contributor when the magazine first got under way. He was well known in England before he ever wrote a word for "Continental Report," his regular venue on the good gray pages of CYCLE WORLD. He had long produced some of the best photography seen in England for the already established motorcycle publications in that country when we asked him to become the first regular columnist covering the world of motorcycles for us. Nowadays Nick still is an integral and vital contributor to our monthly story.
Early this year he paid his second visit to the U. S. His first was in 1964 when he covered the original U. S. Grand Prix at Daytona. His recent trip was purely for pleasure — to see what's happening over here. We toured the usual sites of Southern California, then explored the wild deserts on the Montesa we'll road test next month. To say he likes the U. S. is an understatement, just as it would be to say he wasn't anxious to return home.
I'm sorry our readers were not able to meet Nick, to show him the best motorcyclists and the healthiest cycle scene in the world. You'd like him.
CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION
The newly formed Classic and Antique Motorcycle Association (Round Up, March '68) is making headway. Secretary Frank F. Conley is assembling a selection of members' machines for a special display at the CYCLE WORLD SHOW, April 25 through 28, at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.
CAMA's first rally and concourse will be held April 6 and 7, in Visalia, Calif., where their headquarters is located at 808 S. Church St. Qualifications for human members are simple, but motorcycles must be at least 25 years old.
The group's main purpose is "the preservation, restoration, and operation of classic and antique motorcycles." In California, CAMA hopes to gain for antique motorcycle owners a privilege which classic automobile drivers enjoy — to display "Horseless Carriage" licenses on their machines.
10 MILLIONTH HONDA
The name Honda long has been synonymous with miracles, of a sort, anyway. Honda came, it saw, and, as is well known, it conquered the motorcycle world. It built a manufacturing industry unknown in motorcycling, rose in a short time to the number one spot in sales, and is still there.
January 6, 1968, at 10:00 a.m., Mr. Soichiro Honda, that dynamic, intense, little man, rode the ten millionth Honda off the assembly line at the Hamamatsu factory in the lovely country of Japan. Naturally he wore the usual white work uniform he wore when he entertained CW's Editor Ivan Wagar and me when we spent a charmed two hours with him last year. This white coat is the badge of the factory worker at the plant he founded two decades ago. The ten millionth Honda was a 450-cc fivespeed Super Sport we will test next month.
Ten million motorcycles ago was back in 1948, December, as a matter of fact, three months after the founding of the mighty Honda empire. At the end of 1967, Honda had exported 2,723,068 machines to 135 countries throughout the world.
YAMAHA IN THE MOVIES
It was colder than all heck in January when I made a trip to Chicago. I addressed a huge gathering of midwest Yamaha dealers at one of five such gatherings held across the country among their massive national distribution network. Yamaha is national number two in the motorcycle sales hierarchy.
Not long ago, Yamaha had a marvelous press party at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, to celebrate an event rarely, if ever, seen; a complete television commercial was an integral part of a motion picture. The picture is "Rosemary's Baby," which stars Mia Farrow and John Cassavetes. Cassavetes plays a television actor and, in one scene, reads a commercial on the boob tube. Director of the flick Roman Polanski wanted a commercial that appealed to young people — hence motorcycles.
This commercial is not only a nice boost for Yamaha, but it introduces their 1968 line of bikes as well. Of course, CYCLE WORLD readers already know about them.
METISSE FOR THE STREET
My good friends, the Rickman Brothers of England, makers of the Metisse kits, just sent me a photograph of their latest efforts. They build kits that adapt to the products offered by the "big guys." I've owned several, still have two, with one more on the way. The Rickmans' beautifully made machines grace winners' circles around the world. Few enthusiasts have had the chance to marvel at their handsome workmanship.
Now, the Rickmans are making kits for road riders, the "Street Metisse," for 500 or 650 Triumphs. Steens' is the importer in this country. The kits are expensive, as any genuine custom units must be, but are beautiful and well made. Also, you ain't about to meet yourself buzzing down Main.
Like most Metisse kits, the Street Metisse includes frame, swing arm, tank and seat, rear suspension units, mounting rubbers, fuel lines, and other equipment. Add fork, wheels with brakes, and engine, and you're off!
