Round Up
ROUND UP
JOE PARKHURST
FEW OTHER firms in the motorcycle industry are as dear to me as Pacific Basin Trading Company, now known as PABATCO. They distribute the ubiquitous Hodaka, you may know. Way back in CW’s infancy in 1963, the late Henry Koepke, in the company of Ed Miley and Gerry Whitney (Henry used to refer to them as Lum and Abner), came to see me to ask for advice on distributing a motorcycle. It was the 80cc Japanese-made Yamaguchi. PABATCO was in the business of distributing Shell farm chemicals in the state of Oregon. The firm has since been acquired by the giant Shell operation and is now an independent operation, solely concerned with the distribution of Hodaka.
Yamaguchi didn’t last too long, due to troubles at the home plant in Japan. Henry and his associates at PABATCO, Chuck Swanson and an old friend and Harley dealer in Walla Walla, Wash., Adolph “Dutch” Schwarz had gotten together on an idea for a new machine based on the marvelous Yamaguchi engine and transmission. The Hodaka was born of loving care and attention.
Not long afterward, I was invited up to Athena, Ore., to see and ride the new baby. It was a great thrill for me. The over 50cc dirt bike market was not yet a reality, but Henry had a dream. I loved the bike the moment I saw it. Not only was it handsome and efficient looking, it was “right” in just about every way. It wasn’t too many years and they were selling over 12,000 a year through dealers all over the U.S.
I remember telling Henry at the time, the first thing he would have to do is get the hell out of the country and bring the operation down south. They were too far away from the market, too far from the motorcycling center of the U.S., etc. Well, they are still in Athena. They wouldn’t leave it for anything. If you have ever been in the area, about 20 miles from Pendleton, Ore., and over 250 from Portland, you know why. Miles of free riding. Lovely rolling hills. Rivers. Open country everywhere.
One can hop on a bike and within a few minutes be riding in country we only dream of, or must drive hours to reach, in Southern California. I was dead right about the Hodaka’s chances, but 100 percent wrong about doing business in the wilds of Oregon.
Recently I returned to Athena as a guest of PABATCO, to address its first annual International Conference of Regional Distributors. It was one of the nicest weekends I have ever had. It wasn’t a large gathering, but a dedicated group of small businessmen who make Hodaka what it is. We talked about the old days, the memory of Henry Koepke never very far out of mind. Henry was killed in a car/motorcycle crash a few years ago. His legacy was inherited by Chuck Swanson, now sales manager of the firm. Gerry has retired to gold mining and other leisurely persuits. Ed Miley is still the driving force he always has been. The staff is composed of a great group of dedicated motorcyclists turned businessmen-sort of the story of the whole motorcycle industry in capsule form.
They showed me the new Hodaka 125, gave me a chance to ride it, and then asked me not to mention too much about it because it won’t be ready for delivery for a while. Being a journalist first, I asked when we could have one for testing. Keep your eyes on CW for further news. 1 can only say the all-new 125 Hodaka is terrific!
AVERAGE MOTORCYCLIST
1 nearly fell over dead at Daytona. It wasn’t enough to see the 750cc MV Agusta, it’s rare enough to rate a lot of special attention. The one zapping around Daytona was being ridden by Bill Mitchell, Styling Director for General Motors no less. He was the Grand Marshall for the event. Mitchell owns a flock of bikes and rides often. He is shown here with Doctor Ing. Pietro Bertola, head of MV Agusta, who was in Daytona as part of what might be an attempt to penetrate the American market. You do see the nicest people on motorcycles.
EUROPEAN BIKE DELIVERY
Several firms in England have advertised in CYCLE WORLD for delivery of new bikes in England. The latest is an old friend, Brian Leask, best known for his British Husqvarna motocross team. His firm in County Oak, Crawley, Sussex, is only one mile from Gatwick Airport. They will arrange for delivery of Nortons and Yamahas at prices considerably lower than in the U.S. The bikes are fully serviced and ready for the road.
They’ll even pick you up at the airport, arrange for your motorcycle to be shipped home after touring, arrange to sell it for you there or even buy it back! They’ll also arrange for connections by ferry to the Continent, accommodations, etc.
If you’ve been thinking about touring, try England. The back roads are like no others anywhere (almost). [O]
