Letters

LETTERS

THE LOUDEST BIKES

Would it be possible for your magazine to publicize a list of “The loudest bikes at the Berkshire Trials?” I have compiled this list of 26 riders and machines from the 300-plus entry, by sound meter noise testing during technical inspection, and additional checks along the trails. The purpose of the list is to pinpoint which riders and which manufacturers are doing the most to hurt our sport, by not concentrating sufficient effort on quieting their bikes.

You may notice some familiar names of riders and manufacturers. It’s too bad that such “big names” find it necessary to ride loud bikes. The bikes can be made quieter, by better design. For instance, Husqvarna has the ability to produce a rugged, good-handling enduro bike—but does not seem to be able to quiet it. It is obviously not seriously tackling the problem—after all, the Japanese manufacturers are able to quiet their large-displacement woods bikes.

It seems strange to hear a 450 Husqvarna cross-country rider complain of loss of performance if he must fit a quieter, more restrictive muffler—when he has probably the most powerful machine entered. If the small bikes are able to stand the power loss associated with a suitable muffler, then the 450 Husky can certainly stand a slight power loss—it already has twice the power it needs for the woods. Riders also complain that if they must fit a more restrictive muffler, the bike runs too rich, and loads up. Haven’t these riders ever learned how to adjust a carburetor needle or properly jet a carburetor? These top-name woods riders certainly have the ability to set up a bike to finish enduros consistently, with often ingenious devices fitted for reliability and handling, but they seem unable to properly fit a quiet muffler and jet their carburetor. Who’s kidding who?

On the subject of specific mufflers, the California-made Sky-Way muffler, used on many Husqvarnas, including the Husky team bikes, is clearly inadequate. The Sky-Way is not quieter than the stock Enduro muffler, as was maintained by certain Husky team riders. It is smaller, and may have less backpressure, but it is undeniably noisier. It may be good for motocross, but not for enduros.

If you could publish this list, you would be doing the sport of enduro riding a service, for if we allow these loud bikes to continue riding unrestricted in enduros, we will only wear out our welcome in areas like the Berkshire hills of Massachusetts, and other populated areas. Thank you.

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Ronald P. Gallagher Noise Tester 1972 Berkshire Trials

LOUDEST BIKES AT THE BERKSHIRE TRIALS 1972 (Alphabetical order)

Carl Berggren, Elmhurst, 111., Husqvarna (Husky “A” team); Jeffrey Bitgood, Baltic, Conn., Husqvarna; Ron Bohn, Pittsburgh, Penn., Husqvarna (Bohn’s Husky team).

Berkley Calkins, Sanford, Mich., Husqvarna; David Charleville, Kirkwood, Miss., Husqvarna; Dave Comstock, Wesleyville, Penn., Husqvarna (stock baffles altered); Don Cutler, Putnam, Conn., Yankee (Yankee team).

Gerald Dinnen, Bethel, Conn., Husqvarna (team Nash); David Eames, Niantic, Conn., Yankee (Yankee team); John Fischer, Glenshaw, Penn., Husqvarna (Bohn’s Husky team).

Les Grable, Dimondale, Mich., Greeves (Greeves team); Hal Graham, Toledo, Ohio, Husqvarna; Robert Kelley, Erie, Penn., Husqvarna.

Lars Larson, LaMesa, Calif., Husqvarna (Husky “A” team); David Latham, Harvard, Mass., Yankee (Yankee team); Jack Lehto, Lorain, Ohio, Husqvarna (Husky “A” team).

Edward Ortone, Newburgh, N.Y., Husqvarna (Team Nash); Gerald Pacholke, Eastlake, Ohio, Puch; Frank Piasecki, Jr., Toledo, Ohio, Husqvarna (Bohn’s Husky team); Stan Rubottom, Esther, Miss., Husqvarna.

James Simmons, Esther, Miss., Husqvarna; J. D. Slater, Lorain, Ohio, Husqvarna; Malcolm Smith, Riverside, Calif., Husqvarna (Husky “A” team); Gary Surdyke, Kirkwood, Miss., Yamaha.

Charles Vincent, Jr., Windsor Locks, Conn., Yankee (Yankee team); Ronald Webster, Melrose, Conn., Yankee (Yankee team).

TIPS FROM ENGLAND

Have just received the April issue, and it maintains its usual “best of its kind” image. The photos are as marvelous as ever, and the contents as varied and fascinating as I’ve come to expect. May I beg space to throw in a. few comments?

Your “Less sound-more ground” campaign deserves enthusiastic support from all riders. We could do with a little campaigning on those lines over here, as one noisy bike ridden up a busy street can undo all the good image work of a 100 enthusiasts. We find it increasingly difficult to find space to ride off the road (oh, for your deserts and trails) though we have ancient rights of way known as Green roads. On these we are under pressure at all times to remove them from our access. Be warned, however big that piece of America looks, you too are running out of land, so do all you can to preserve what rights you have—they will never be returned to you once you’ve lost them.

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“Novice” got under the skin of riding, and was made doubly pleasurable by the fact that we don’t get that kind of article in our mags.

Our image is on the upgrade here, due (bless our snobbery and class structure) no doubt to the sprinkling of Earls, Lords, and Pop World idols who are reputed to enjoy riding their bikes regularly! The “FBI Show’s Bummer” letter brought this state of affairs to my

mind. We seem to be drifting away from this syndrome, though the odd TV program is ever willing to sort out some morons in Hell’s Angels gear with which to petrify the poor viewer, or newspapers will take up a similar “campaign” when hard news is rare.

I love the Claimant Rule. Oh boy, would I like to see that applied in racing over here. It won’t, but I’d love to see it.

The Touring Britain article by Perry Gilbert, an Anglophile if ever there was one, was overkind to us, though a real pleasure to read. He was accurate, and on reflection, I will agree that the countryside is tidy. It’s a different tale round the towns, though. I endorse all he says about our roads, except through coal mining areas where subsidence occurs, they are good from the ‘B’ road up, and thank God for motorways. They have taken all the traffic away from the other routes, leaving them clear for us to enjoy.

I can’t emphasize too strongly the need to consider outer clothing when considering a holiday here. After years of experiment, I’m stuck on the thornproof type suit. It IS waterproof, it’s warm in the cold, and breathes on those rare days in May, June and July when we get the odd upper 70s temperatures. Correct footwear is essential. If your

feet are cold or wet, you will be in misery for the whole ride. I’d always opt for riding boots with thick socks, but room for the feet to move. Be unashamed in taking advantage of your American accent, it will certainly overcome any slight antipathy toward mo1 torcycle dress on the part of landlords (of Inns and Pubs—there is a difference between the two) and restauranters.

E.K. Harrison London, England

EXCELSIOR OWNER

I am the happy owner of a series 20 61-cu. in. Excelsior V-Twin, but I don’t know its age.

There are only four registrated owners of series 20 Excelsiors in Sweden. We are cooperating and in that way I have learned that the serial numbers of my engine and frame are lower than those of a 1921 Excelsior. Is it possible for any of your readers to give me the age of my Excelsior from my serial numbers? They are: engine number, 10-5 9-81; frame number, 3-571 (a rather low number).

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We also want some help with color schemes. We know that the basic color should be deep royal blue with gold stripes. But how about the color of the engine, which also should be painted?

And how about the big X on the tank? There seems to be two different kinds of Xs. One in gold and silver and one in gold, red and silver. Do the Xs differ with the age of the machine?

We have many questions and we would be very glad if we could get in contact with other Excelsior owners. Some of us are going to paint our bikes, but can anyone with color pictures help us with the deepness of the royal blue? But most of all, we want a way to find out the ages of our Excelsiors.

Hakan Wasen Solrosgatan 24 644 00 Torshalla Sweden

BMW “CHIMNEYS”

Re: your R60/5 test—another reason BMW riders tuck their pants inside their boots is heat—at least in summer. Bells and other loose pant legs hover above the cylinder fins, and act as chimneys to conduct the heat right up your legs.

Ivan Berger New York, N.Y.

POLITICS

I have enjoyed your magazine for three years. Keep up the technically detailed and honest road tests.

Our group has supported the winner in the primary for the Iowa House of Representative in District 68. We are in the process of organizing all the riders’ clubs in the State to get politically involved in the general election so that we will be able to influence our legislature.

We would suggest riders in all States to: 1. Gather 10-15 riders in a legislative committee; 2. Determine what local candidates will probably or possibly win; 3. Inform five or six candidates that you want to get politically involved and are interested in being their “advisors” on bike legislation. If they are interested, you’ll know it; 4. Get out the riders to knock on doors, pass out literature, etc. You’ll have a friend in the capitol.

James P. Gould, M.D.P.C.

Committee on Motorcycle Legislation 1028—4th Street 0 Des Moines, Iowa 50314