Letters
LETTERS
WHICH IS BETTER?
I have a problem and I wish you would solve it for me. What’s better, the Kawasaki 250 or the Suzuki 250? GARY COOPER Piedmont, Calif.
What is “better” depends on what you like in a motorcycle. We suggest to you and other readers who have asked the same type of question that you get a demonstration ride on the bikes in question, read our road tests and make your own decisions. —Ed.
THE FIRST ONE WRITES...
Em writing because of the road test of the Honda 750 Four (CW, Aug. ’69).
At the beginning of the article I thought I was reading a Honda advertisement instead of a CW road test. I fully realize that the CB750 is, in fact, one of the greatest machines ever to come down the line. But I also think you should point out some of the faults of this machine, as you do in all your other road tests.
Such things as “a gorgeous pair of instruments.” Well, they may be good instruments, but gorgeous? Why didn’t you point out the fact that both tach and speedometer are completely plastic—as are both side panels, the chain guard, horn and the entire headlight shell. I know weight must be kept down and all that, but let’s tell it like it is.
The CB750 I saw in a shop looked really great at first sight and very “gorgeous.” But after close inspection I found the headlight cracked and a large chip of plastic out of the face of the tach. This bike had 240 miles on it. What happens after 2-3000 miles?
In short, let us know the bad with the good and keep up your fine mag. ED MORTENSEN San Bruno, Calif.
The Honda Four is its own advertisement. There is nothing wrong with “plastic,” except as applied to women. As for the cracking, you might have asked how it got that way. Sounds like the demo was dropped. Now how about some real criticisms?—Ed.
PARANOIA
In your Honda CB750 road test, the jab at BSA for “mixing” rolling bearings in with plain bearings was of very poor taste. Regardless of Honda engineers’ reasoning, every other engineer in the world knows the advantages and disadvantages of either design.
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As long as you had a 10-mph tailwind on your acceleration tests, why didn’t you run them in both directions so we could see better the false claims of 67 bhp as compared to BSA’s claimed 62 bhp (especially considering the difference in gearing).
Also, recheck your miscalculated piston speed. J. KING Richland, Wash.
The piston speed figure was indeed in error, for some reason we cannot divine. (The correct figure is 3519 ft./min.). Which makes you a very observant fellow.
But you are being paranoid to an extreme. (Or perhaps you bought a Three, and feel defensive?) In no way may our discussion of Honda’s reasoning behind the CB750 bearing layout be construed as a jab against BSA. BSA (and why don’t you mention Triumph, since its Three is the same as BSA ’s) has a bearing layout that seems to work fine in relation to the lubrication system chosen for it. It is patently evident that not every engineer in the world has knowledge of the advantages of the virtues of plain vs. rolling bearings; if they did, how could one excuse the design failures that have cropped up in engines over the past decade? As Honda engineers have come up with a line of reliable and easily serviceable machines, their point of view is certainly worth repeating. Or would you rather have us revert to tabloid journalism and not say anything about the Honda’s innards at all? Finally, your criticism in regards to tailwind is inane; what other motorcycle magazine apprises its readers of wind direction and speed? We have good reason to do so, as it puts performance figures in better perspective. But, judging by your letter, that reason went completely over your head. —Ed.
HAVE YOU TRIED THIS ONE?
Concerning prevention of theft of motorcycles, may I suggest that cyclists try the expedient of rearranging the controls so that the twistgrip and clutch lever will be on the left! This changing around will outsmart anybody in the habit of riding the other way. Publishing this letter will defeat its own end... GEORGE G. STOFFEL Chicago, 111. ...and thank goodness.—Yd.
NICE WORK
Just a letter to let you know how much I enjoy your magazine, particularly the road tests. I just wish that I had a job like your testers. Where else could a person have the opportunity within five months to ride four of the fastest road-burners currently made—the Kawasaki 500, Dunstall Triumph, BSA Rocket Three and Honda CB750. RICHARD H. WOOD Orinda, Calif. Thanks. We must admit that we rather enjoy our work, too. — Ed.
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HOW TO COMPLAIN
Could you please bring to the attention of your readers the content and status of California State Assembly Bill, A.S. 654. This bill, which has passed the State Assembly and is now before the State Senate, requires motorcycle riders to wear helmets.
Please also stress the importance of letting your elected representative know your view on pending legislation. What I’m trying to say is, “Don’t bitch afterwards, if you were too lazy to write your representative beforehand.” The form of the letter need not be formal, and it is best if it is short and sweet (or sour). One sentence of the form shown below is sufficient.
California State Assemblyman J.F. For an State Capitol Sacramento, California 95814
“I am for/against any law requiring........”
Furthermore, make your readers aware of how easy it is to find out the names of their representatives. All they need do is call up the local county registrar of voters and give their address. The registrar is listed in the telephone book by county. If one cannot call during normal business hours, the same information can be obtained from most local newspapers at almost any hour of the day. MICHAEL ERNSTOFF Los Angeles, Calif.
FRONT PLATE LAW
I have recently had some correspondence with the New Jersey Director of Motor Vehicles, Miss June Strelecki. She has informed me that a regulation is now being prepared to eliminate New Jersey’s present requirement of a front license plate for motorcycles. The change would be effective with the end of the 1969 registration period in March 1970. Thereafter, only a rear plate will be required.
This is an important step toward motorcycle safety, since the front plate serves no useful purpose, but is a guaranteed body chopper in case of accident. It will put New Jersey in line with most other states.
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Miss Strelecki has indicated that she will sign the proposed regulation. It will also require the signature of New Jersey’s attorney general. May I urge all Garden State motorcyclists to write to the attorney general, urging him to approve the regulation in the interest of safer motorcycling. A brief, courteous letter would help the most. Write to Arthur J. Sills, Attorney General, Trenton, NJ 08625. ERIC BOGEDAL Westwood, N.J.
WHOOPS!
We were quite pleased to see the write-up on our Drixton Honda 500 in the July 1969 issue. However, we would like to point out that the bore/stroke figures came out a bit transposed in the story. The stock CB450 stroke of 57.8 mm has been retained, but the bore has been increased from the stock 70 mm to 74 mm for an increase in displacement to 497 cc.
Since we are now marketing a CB/CL 450 Racing Kit using the components developed for the Drixton Honda 500, we would appreciate it if you would call the correct figures to the attention of your readers. PETER F. SOULE Sales Manager Drixton Motorcycles Milan, Italy
FABULOUS FLIGHT
I never thought a magazine article would move me to write the publishing company a letter. I refer to “Flight from the Future” (CW, June ’69), by Mark Lunde. It was a fabulous story, but then I also think you publish a fabulous motorcycle book. JERRY L. POTTER Ocean Beach, Calif.
IT’S A GARBAGE WORLD
I cannot understand why you wasted the valuable space used to print that garbage by Mark Lunde, “Flight From The Future” (CW, June ’69), which seems to be a semi-abstract, semi-political, semi-moralizing, semi-slobbering, semi-nothing. BILL CASTEEL Somerset, Pa.
“SUCH TRASH!”
“Flight From The Future” is the worst story that I have read in any motorcycle magazine, and my friends who have read it think so too. To us it does not make any sense, and while it may be a good story for some fiction magazine, we do not think that it has any place in a motorcycle magazine, such as CYCLE WORLD. CW now is about the best in the field, but for my part, please do not publish any more “such trash” in future issues. CARL R. GRIEBACHER West Allis, Wis.
LUNDE: FASCINATING, BEAUTIFUL
I had to write to tell you how much I enjoyed Mark Lunde’s story, “Flight From The Future.” Lunde has brewed a subtle blend of many relevant contemporary issues and rendered a sharp portrait of their future implications. It was, altogether, frightening, fascinating and quite beautiful. Thank you for the unexpected reading pleasure. JAMES MILFASUTORY
We, too, found Lunde’s story fascinating, one of the best to pass under our skeptical eyes. We feel sorry for those who couldn’t appreciate it, and who jump like frightened hens because of its political and sociological themes. “Flight From The Future,” above all, was good fiction, with the political theme providing the motivating force for the main character. This has been the basis for many masterworks in America, including “1984” and “Brave New World. ” We suggest Lunde’s detractors read these, if their minds are open enough. —Ed.
CUNA AND SAE
Having finished reading “Report from Italy” (CW, March ’69), I would like to ask if there is a chance some of the horsepower figures were wrong. You state the new 450-cc Desmo Mark III has 27 horsepower, and the scrambler 23.5!
It seems odd to me that making the machines bigger would reduce the horsepower ratings from what they were on the 250 Mark III (30 horsepower) and even the 250 Monza was rated at 27!
Has there been an error or is it the way you printed it? This report also stated that the 450 has a top of 102 mph, which is lower than the old 250. I’m interested because we handle Ducatis and have never been told this. We also handle your mags here in our shop. They are the best. R. EVANS El Paso, 111.
Due to an oversight, the article failed to mention that the horsepower figure given was 27 bhp CUNA, which is comparable to 31 bhp DIN, and 39 bhp SAE. The DIN system is predominant in northern and central Europe, CUNA is used in Italy, and SAE is used in the western hemisphere and western Europe.
The Ducati Diana Mark III is much more highly tuned than the touring 450 Desmo, and at one time it was one of the fastest production 250s available. On the other hand, the Diana is not the best tourer (oh boy, here come the letters). It has no battery, is highlystrung, and a hard starter. —Ed.
