Letters
LETTERS
ON CONTINGENCY MONEY
On the matter of contingency money, let us see if this shoe fits.
When your magazine runs reports on all major events in both dirt and road racing, it could list all contingency money and donors so that we out here in cycle land would know who or what manufacturers really give a damn about the future of racing. Then we could buy or not buy accordingly—a kind of boycott against those who only want to profit from, not further, the image of racing.
W.H. JOHNS West Allis, Wis.
It would be impossible to ferret out all contingency donors, but we do try to publish the news of contingency pro grams when the manufacturers involved let us know about them. -Ed.
PENTICTON RECALLED
I very much enjoyed the article, "I'm So Glad" (March `70) because I was brought up in Penticton, B.C. and know the surrounding area, especially Yellow Lake, quite well. It really perked up my day hearing about my old home town. Thanks.
Oh yes, you've got a good magazine so keep up the great work.
DOUG CHRISTIE Ontario, Canada
10-STAR RATING
Your interview with Mr. Heacox (April `70) was one of the most infor mative articles that I have ever come across in you magazine. Also in the same issue, the article about getting busted deserves a five-star rating in my book. It proves that you can fight City Ha11-~ind ncc~isinn2l1v win!
I have been an avid subscriber for three years. I own a Hodaka 100 which is a fantastic cycle. Please keep up the great job.
MICHAEL NEWBURGER Parkville, Mo.
DEFENDING THE COTTON
I imagine you're pretty tired of road test rebuttals from readers but maybe you won't be offended by a few com ments defending the Cotton (March `70). Since the little Cotton has few riders as yet to stand up for it, I feel I must.
How can you expect to get good throttle response from a tight little two-stroke with only 12 miles on the odometer? I realize gear ratios don't change with break-in but that little Minarelli engine does and so does the feel of the suspension.
(Continued on page 8)
Continued from page 6
I have mine well run-in anu my opinion that the machine is extremely competitive in the 0-175-cc class is shared by other owners as well as by riders of other brands (mostly Sherpas) who have tried it.
Really now, your remark on "instant wheelspin and total loss of marks" must have something to do with your rider. That remark seems contradictory to your report on page 99 of Rob Ed wards' successes with the bike, including his winning of the 200-cc class at this year's Scottish. First Expert Award at the Mick Andrews Trial in Windsor, Mass. Oct. 26 was won by L. lannuccilli on a 170 Cotton, and mine and another placed 1st and 2nd (in reverse order) in 1n~1 AFM event 0-1 7~-cc class
Surely the machine can't be as bad as you say.
B.T. STONE St. Louis, Mo.
SYMPATHY FROM KYUSHU
It was with a great deal of sympathy that I read the short excerpt in the "Report From Japan" in the March issue. It is indeed true that the Japanese rider, despite a fantastic array of new machinery available at prices from 20-30 percent below stateside, is chained from their full utilization by super-restrictive laws. As an example, on the island of Kyushu, the top speed limit for any vehicle and bike in excess of 125 cc is 37 mph. On a road with more than one lane going in the same direction, only bikes of 350 cc or more are permitted to use the "fast" lane with the cars. The smaller bikes must stay in the same lane with joggers, handcarts, bicycles, and utility vehicles such as garbage trucks, etc., the num bers of which reach disastrous propor tions at rush hours. The better part of riding time is spent veering around and through this mass of rolling humanity.
It the Japanese citizen wants to own a 250 cc or larger machine here in Sasebo, he has to be a member of the Sasebo chapter of some sort of nation wide motorcycle organization and be a holder of a competitor's license, issued by same, to buy any parts classified as competition accessories by the govern ment. Such items as clip-on bars, GP saddles, engine speed equipment, and indeed the majority of performance gear are so classified. As a result, these license holders are a very egotistical lot and are doing a good job of keeping it all to themselves. Since Americans are considered too much to compete with, we are prevented from becoming mem bers of the club and so must either buy items on a sort of black market (through the club members with a mark -up for their "risk" in the purchase) or ride it stock.
all to themselves. Sirn considered too much we are prevented fron bers of the club and S( items on a sort o (through the club mem :~. for their "risk" in
I tie lot tor tile military is even worse due to the fact that we have the already strict traffic laws further intensified by military leadership, who will openly admit that they think the bike is the "most dangerous thing on the road." We here affectionately refer to them as "kangaroo courts." Typical punish ments meted out, here in Sasebo at least, range from a total license suspen sion for dumping once on loose gravel, a four month suspension of license for a first moving offense, and suspensions of license for more than one parking vio
Now the question, as stated in the excerpt, is: Are we as motorcyclists going to allow bike haters in the U.S. to do these same sorts of things to us? If it were to come to this, a person would be better off to own a car or walk since the laws would take all the fun out of bike touring anyway. Only through voicing our opinions to our legislators on mat ters concerning us, and by such groups as have been formed among dealers and riders can we protect ourselves. CYCLE WORLD's efforts to bring many of these points to light is already a step in the right direction. Now let's ALL get on the band wagon.
DEL GUNDLACH Seattle. Ore.
HEADY ISSUE
in tnis age or great tecnnoiogicai developments, we were surprised to read a statement in your recent issue (April 1970) which said, "Unfortunately there are no new miracle materials available to us at this time." The article goes on to say they are trying to find new tech niques but "can't see any revolutionary chances coming."
i iieie are iitany itew liLa 1C11dI~ vu tii in development and already on the market that are replacing fiberglass. As an example, one of the newest develop ments in the field of thermoplastics is polycarbonate. This material is so strong, yet light weight, it was chosen for our astronauts' helmets and face shields for the moon exploration pro gram. This same thermoplastic, due to its toughness, durability, light weight, and resistance to impact, is used in over 2,500 places in the new Boeing 747 and for the front bumper, instead of steel, on the new 1970 Firebird.
In both the Apollo project and tile Boeing 747 they did no sacrificing and used the very best material available to achieve the highest quality.
(Continued on page 10)
Continued from page 8
When we at Grant found a material which would create a helmet 20 percent lighter than a comparable fiberglass helmet, yet which far exceeds the Z-90 laboratory tests, we jumped at it....
RICHARD P.MacCOON Vice President Grant Industries Incorporated
Naturally, the man being interviewed (Frank Heacox) is entitled to his opin ion. Your surprise would be understand able if Mr. Heacox `statement was taken out of context. However, in context Mr. Heacox' point is quite clear: that no helmet made today, including his own brand, eliminates to any high degree the danger of injury from impact to the head. -Ed.
ONA "DOWNER"
Mr. Hunt's article "If You Get Busted" has good ideas, and is a step in the right direction. The public should be more aware of its basic civic responsi bility, such as going to court on traffic citations it feels are unjust. In another light, I would say Mr. Hunt and Mr. Farnsworth should evaluate their driving attitudes. Citations are issued to bring a driver's attention to his driving errors, which frequently are the result of poor driving attitudes. Drivers with poor attitudes usually have a large number of "points" against their driving records. Officer Cox should also evaluate his attitude toward the motorist. I would think he needs a vacation-maybe a long motorcycle trip. The judge in the article should be cautioned about the proper channels for making official reprimands, and should also read the California Vehicle Code. He would then know that the Department of Public Works con trols sign posting and placement. From reading the article over a few times, I have the feeling that the word "profes sional" has lost its meaning to all the trf~~ r~fl
RALPH RIDENHOUR San Jose, Calif.
Gobbledygook. An unjust ticket is an unjust ticket, regardless of driver atti tude. We do not feel that Officer Cox needs a vacation; he merely got caught in an ambiguous situation and wrote a ticket to the wrong two guys. Who better than a judge to reprimand himface to face? There is no other "proper" channel for reprimand. Finally, how is the Department of Public Works to know the need for a sign unless it receives suggestions from the Highway Patrol?-Ed.
FLORIDA HARASSMENT BILL
Attached isa copy of a report which appeared in a local newspaper today. As it deals with a piece of discriminatory motorcycle legislation to be proposed to the 1970 session of the Florida Legisla ture by Rep. Mary Grizzle, St. Peters burg, I hope you will publish it in CYCLE WORLD to alert Florida riders to what, at first glance, might appear to be a very bad joke.
CYCLE GANG REGULATION PRO POSED (The Gainesville Sun, Sept. 1 7, 1969)
Motorcycle gangs which roar down Florida streets and highways face stricter regulation under a bill proposed by Rep. Mary Grizzle.
"I experienced some harassment on Interstate 4, coming off the Howard Franklin Bridge during the (1969) ses sion," Mrs. Grizzle said. She said a motorcycle group blocked all lanes on the exit she was on and cursed her when she blew the horn. Mrs. Grizzle said some St. Petersburg residents also made complaints about motorcycle gangs.
But the St. Petersburg Republican, who plans to introduce the bill for the 1970 session, has been told she can't extend the law to include punishment for abusive language by cyclists. The legislation was prepared in detail by the Legislative Service Bureau at Mrs. Grizzle’s request. It is designed to regulate the riding of motorcycles in gangs.
(Continued on page 14)
Continued from page 10
The bill would forbid the driver of any motorcycle or motor-driven cycle to ride abreast of any motor vehicle or, when traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residence district, to follow within 100 feet of another motor vehicle.
No cyclist shall allow his vehicle “to become so situated with respect to other vehicles as to constitute an obstruction to the safe travel of other vehicles or so as to constitute a danger or nuisance to other vehicles,’’ under the bill.
An automatic misdemeanor penalty of up to a $200 fine or 90 days in jail for violators would apply.
James Lowe, legal analyst for the Legislative Service Bureau, advised Mrs. Grizzle he doesn’t believe it is possible to penalize motorcycle riders specifically for abusive language to motorists and parking on private property as she had suggested.
Lowe said that there are other statutes dealing with profanity that could apply. “We would hesitate to draft legislation making the same acts committed by a separate class of persons (motorcycle riders) a separate offense, ” he said.
The repressive and punitive nature of this proposed legislation is obvious. Equally obvious is the fact that this bill would be virtually unenforceable as law, and could serve only as a means for harassing motorcyclists at the whim of the law enforcement officer or agency.
Further, it is suggested that this legislation is totally unnecessary, and that adequate statutes for control of such abuses as might be regulated by this bill already exist in the state of Florida. Or that, if there is real need for this legislation, there would be even greater merit in making it apply uniformly to all classes of motor vehicles and motorists.
If each of Florida’s more than 65,000 motorcyclists would write to their state legislators protesting this piece of . . . foolishness? . . . , there is no doubt that it would be rejected, and Florida’s motorcycling tourists could attend the Daytona 200 without fear of extending their stay to 90 days.
JAMES R. STUEBE Gainesville, Fla.
SYNANON PROGRAM
I am writing this letter in behalf of the Synanon Foundation, an organiza tion without whose help I would now be dead.
(Continued on page 20)
Continued from page 14
Synanon is a nationwide organization which has gained tremendous recogni tion for its successful work-that of helping people addicted to drugs to become responsible and productive citi zens.
ror iiiaiiy years a uiiiuer ui us nere at Synanon have been enthusiasts of off-the-road riding (both trail and dirt). We are advocates of safe riding and proper care of the equipment used, and teach this to all our people interested, who range from age 10 to 60.
Currently I am working on a project to acquire a couple dozen bikes on a donation basis for our use. We are a tax-exempt organization and recognized by the Federal Government. Any manu facturer, distributor or private party wishing to aid us in this endeavor, please contact me at the Synanon Foundation, 1910 Ocean Front, Santa Monica, CA 90406, telephone: (213) 399-9241, Ext. 426.
BILL MICCHELLI Sr. Project Manager Synanon Foundation, Inc. Santa Monica, Calif.
EMOTIONAL INSIGHT
For several years, CYCLE WORLD has been the leader in informing the cycling public on technical and social aspects of our scene. In recent months your fiction has added a new dimension to an already diverse publication.
Mark Lunde’s “I’m So Glad” (March ’70) not only shows emotional insight into motorcycling, but is also one of the best written short stories about bikes I’ve ever read.
DAVID G. MIDDLESWART El Centro, Calif.
HE’S SO GLAD
Mark Lunde has scored again. “I’m So Glad” (March ’70) goes further than “Flight From the Future ” (June ’69) to prove that Lunde is able to relate every sensual experience and thrill of motorcycling in words. It’s not an easy thing to do. Everyone can recall a personal riding experience, but Lunde does the impossible by putting the inanimate on paper. All who read CYCLE WORLD should be honored that this fine author is on our side. As you recall, works are what promote a sport and are also what can remove unfair legislation.
I also feel that there should be light shed on an unsung hero—Jon Dahlstrom. Probably very few people realize that he is the artist who captures the essence of a CYCLE WORLD story and presents it in an excellent sketch. We all look at these sketches, but very few of us recognize the talent and creativity that go into each and every one of them. We should be honored that these two men are demonstrating their great abilities through motorcycling, and placing their work in a fine magazine like CYCLE WORLD.
BOB DONNAN Pittsburgh, Pa
Hear, hear.— Ed.
HE NEEDS HELP
I was referred to you by Playboy for some information. I wish to know if it is possible to get from New York to California by using the Harley-Davidson Chopper, similar to the one used by Peter Fonda in “Easy Rider.” If so, what routes would I have to take? Also, where can I order the same jacket that Fonda wore in the movie (without the emblems)?
STEVEN LAI New York, N.Y.
We would suggest that you avoid the route that Fonda and his friends took. —Ed.
MARYLAND, AMA, ETC. . .
Enclosed is a copy of the latest proposed legislation for motorcyclists in the state of Maryland, together with my letter of reply to the sponsoring delegate.
(Continued on page 22)
Continued from page 20
By Delegate Maurer-Judiciary-P.F. No. 72-A Bill entitled: An act to add new Section 195 (g-1) to Article 6616 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1969 Supplement), title “Motor Vehicles,” subtitle “Operation of Vehicles Upon Highways,” to follow immediately after Section 195 (g) thereof, to provide that the headlamps on motorcycles shall be lighted at all times while the motorcycle is operated on a highway.
I am opposed to House Bill No. 95 introduced by you on Operations of Vehicles upon Highways. I feel that this type of legislation will be ineffective and therefore unnecessary . . .
Both this proposed bill and the present helmet requirement law are very discriminating against the motorcyclist. It is conceivable that under this proposed law an innocent motorcyclist, obeying all traffic laws, can be hit during daylight hours by an irresponsible automobile driver and, if his headlight was out, could possibly be charged with contributory negligence.
Although safety should, as a moral and practical matter, be practiced by all motorcyclists and automobile drivers, I feel that the state does not have the authority to require such practices as necessary conditions to owning or operating a motor vehicle.
While safety training and practice are laudable and recommended, they should not be administered through legislative action or used as a regulatory device.
In lieu of the proposed legislation, I would like to suggest an advertising campaign to make the average motorist aware of the motorcyclist’s presence and equal rights on the road. This is the exact approach that is presently being taken on seat belts and I feel it is the only logical method.
If the driver of a car cannot see a motorcycle, does it not also imply that he will not see a pedestrian, a bicyclist, a school child or even a small sports car? If so, I cannot feel safe until his license is revoked!
Based on these reasons, I further respectfully request that proper legislative action be introduced to repeal the mandatory helmet law now in effect for motorcyclists only.
My wife and I ride motorcycles for pleasure on the road and on the trail, and we both feel that something should be done about the increasing, useless, discriminating legislation that is being forced on the motorcyclist across the nation. It seems as though many unknown legislators are trying to become known without putting forth any intelligent efforts.
(Continued on page 24)
Continued from page 22
It is very unfortunate that a large organization like the AMA cannot maintain a legislative lobby similar to that of the NRA, even if it would have to increase yearly dues by a dollar or two. The present AMA member is kept totally in the dark unless he personally keeps ahead of new legislation.
I sincerely recommend that it is the responsibility of the motorcycle press to awaken the AMA to these needs for the individual noncompetitive motorcyclist. The AMA should study the organization of the NRA and try to duplicate its functions and services.
FRANK S. RESTIVO Randallstown, Md.
CYCLES VS. FREEWA YS
Due to your interest in legislation affecting motorcycles, your publication of current laws to keep the reader informed, and your efforts to aid and create associations/lobbies to combat prejudicial laws, this will be of interest to ÿou and your readers—not only because it is new legislation but because of its excessive and totalitarian intent. (Italics are my own.)
“Traffic regulations, the City of New York, Dept, of Traffic, Henry A. Barnes, commissioner, Aug. 1, 1968 (dated as such but was circulated in February 1970).
“Article 13, Section 157, Use of Roadways.
“In order to provide for the maximum safe use of the expressways, drives, highways, interstate routes, and throughways set forth in Article 7, Section 79 of these regulations, and to preserve life and limb thereon, the use of said arteries by pedestrians, riders and drivers of horses, bicycles and motor-driven cycles is prohibited.’’
One can deduct, therefore, that this leaves the city streets as the only means of travel. I do not believe there is a city in the United States where one can get from one place to another without using a highway, interstate route or expressway.
STEPHEN MOORE New York, N.Y.
“Motor-driven cycles” refers to small displacement machines and has nothing to do with full-fledged motorcycles, which can keep up with the flow of traffic. — Ed.
DEAR SQUARES
I have had the unbearable pleasure of reading “Want to Swap” (Letters, Dec. ’69) Question: What do people do with choppers after they have built them? Ride them with PRIDE!
WITH PRIDE Lakeland, Fla.
ON RACING AGE
While I agree with Dave Evans that the raising of the minimum age for sporting riders by the AMA is regrettable, I find it strange that in his letter (March ’70) protesting this action, Mr. Evans condemns protest as unacceptable and unworthwhile.
JOSEPH MARSZALEC Berkeley, Calif.
CYCLE HELMET BILL
You may find the following of interest. It is from the Des Moines Register. And people claim Iowa is backward. CYCLE HELMET BILL DE FEA TED The Iowa House Monday rejected a bill to require motorcycle riders to wear helmets and goggles. The vote was 75 to 36.
Opponents of the bill said motorcyclists who don’t wear helmets are not jeopardizing anybody’s lives but their own.
“I don’t think we can protect everybody from everything,” said Representative Floyd Millem (Rep., Farmington). “We are over-reacting and over-legislating. ”
Representative Michael Blouin (Dem., Dubuque), sponsor of the bill, said it was intended to save lives. He said it sometimes may be inconvenient to wear a helmet, but it is dangerous not to wear one.
Advocates of the bill have said states requiring helmets have cut motorcycle deaths 30 to 35 percent.
Representative Michaelton (Rep., Sheffield) said motorcyclists put no one but themselves in danger. “When this Legislature goes to telling the individual what he can do on his own motorcycle, then we are going too far. ”
THOMAS DEWEY Iowa City, Iowa
SEX OBJECTS
In your January ’70 issue, the article on “Teaching a Chick to Ride a Bike” is just one more example of pin-brained Neanderthal male fantasies which portray women as incompetent sub-human sex objects and nothing more . . .
LUCY HELENCHILD Oakland, Calif.
Well, judging by the length of your letter, which was much too long to print in its entirety, they do rap a lot.— Ed.
AN “EXPERT" WRITES
What’s all this crap about riding cycles on the road like that smartass article by this so-called expert, Munro (“Night Rider,” Feb. ’70)? All of us up here want to hear about competition— not riding road bikes like snotty-nosed kids. If you’re going to print a lot of nonsense like that, we enthusiasts don’t want to know about it.
ENTHUSIAST
Gasp . . . —Ed.
OSSA SATISFIED
I enjoyed reading about the Ossa 250 Pioneer (Oct. ’69). In fact, I enjoyed it so much I bought one and found it to be all you said it was—and more. Since I got it I haven’t even had a misshift yet, although the shifting is a little stiff.
DON WHITCOMB Lawrence, Kan.
CLASS AND DEPENDABILITY
Although I pride myself on being cool-headed, I find I must take pen in hand and straighten out Brian Stubbs (Letters, March ’70) regarding his caustic remarks about the Harley-Davidson Sportster.
My Sportster has never let me down ... it is more than its sum total. As your fine magazine pointed out, to ride one is to believe. Yes, Virginia, there is more in this world than rotary valves and chromium plating. It is a certain aspect of inherent dependability and class which protrudes from Charlie’s paint.
(Continued on page 26)
Continued from page 25
ROGER COCHRAN St. Louis, Mo.
TO THE GOVERNOR:
The Honorable Buford Ellington Governor of Tennessee Nashville, Tennessee 37219 Sir:
“Recently, I read a small news item tucked away in the back of the newspaper. It concerned the ruling by the Tennessee State Supreme Court upholding Tennessee’s compulsory helmet law for motorcyclists.
“According to the Court, the State’s police power may be used to make a person take care of himself (even against his wishes), because he is a unit of society, or something to that effect.
“As a prospective motorcyclist, a responsible citizen, and a voter of this State, I would like to know how this law, along with the companion safety bar law, was passed.
“I am an individual, or at least I thought I was, until I found out I was a unit of society and apparently have no rights or freedoms of.choice of my own. This is much more a matter of constitutional rights than it is a matter of whether or not one should wear a helmet or fit safety (crash) bars to his motorcycle.
“Are you going to tell me that the good lawmakers have only my safety at heart? That they only want to save our citizens’ unworthy lives? Sorry, I’m not buying. If this were so, then a bill to enforce compulsory automobile seatbelt wearing would now be in effect. It’s odd that it isn’t, except when you think of the howl that would erupt from all those millions of car drivers, most of them voters. We couldn’t have that many voters irate and upset with their elected representatives, could we? They might do something drastic, like vote out their legislators. But, of course, motorcyclists are different, they are just a drop in the bucket, a mere handful of voters.
“People who ride motorcycles are certainly a minority and are not particularly well liked by most respectable citizens, i.e., non-motorcyclists. It seems a good bet that the legislators saw a good chance to kick cyclists in the teeth and, so far, have done a smashing job.
“It is strange that while California has refused to pass a helmet law (lots of motorcycling voters out there?), and while the Supreme Courts of Michigan and Illinois have declared the helmet laws of those states unconstitutional, our high Court has seen fit to make sure the motorcyclist doesn’t lose the mixed blessings of our legislators, most of whom probably have never been on a motorcycle in their lives, and wouldn’t even get on one of the nasty things if they had the chance.
(Continued on page 28)
Continued from page 26
“Were motorcyclists consulted, or even thought of, before these laws, especially the safety bar law, were passed? Were there any opinion polls taken, any motorcycle dealers consulted? I would wager there were not. No one I know likes the safety bars, and some even consider them a hazard, particularly when cornering or when fitted to a trail machine.
“Copies of this letter are being sent to various magazines, newspapers, and legislators in the hope that the people who have the power to do so will put into motion the necessary procedures to repeal these unfair and unconstitutional laws.
“Thank you for your time and your attendance to my remarks.
JAMES W. MELTON Oak Ridge, Tenn.
PARTIAL VICTORY
Recently, I wrote a letter to Tennessee Governor Buford Ellington concerning helmet and safety bar laws.
Since the letter was written, the Tennessee State Legislature has amended the crash bar law to allow adults (over 21) to ride motorcycles without crash bars. This is certainly a step in the right direction, and I would like to commend those legislators who supported the amendment.
JAMES W. MELTON Oak Ridge, Tenn. Fine and dandy, but what about those poor guys under 21? It would be nice to eliminate that crash bar law entirely. Write the governor some more. —Ed.
TWO-WHEELED EDSEL?
While paging through my December 1969 issue of your fine magazine I came across an item of interest(?) on page 75, and this prompted a question: How did the ad for that two-wheeled Edsel with the six-cylinder engine and a radiator suspended three feet above the rear wheel ever get accepted for publication in a magazine as sophisticated as CYCLE WORLD?
DENNIS C. RYAN Batavia, 111.
The ad was paid for. -Ed.
