Round Up

ROUND UP

JOE PARKHURST

ANOTHER GRAND OLD MAN

of motorcycling died recently. Bob Bates, founder of Bates Industries and owner of Maywood, Calif., Honda, was killed in a traffic accident, while returning from a desert race with two young riders he sponsored.

Bob formed Bates Industries in 1943, first making windshields for Cushman motorscooters. After the war he expanded his business into motorcycle accessories. All of us old-time desert riders remember the Bates seats—they did more for desert racing than just about any other product. Seats weren’t as good in those days as they are now, nor did the bikes ride as well in the rough as they do now, so Bates seats were widely known and loved.

Bob retired from the Bates Company in 1965; but in 1967, unable to stay inactive, he established the Maywood Honda dealership and continued to be active in the sport. He rode many AMA tours, rode in drag races, even setting records. Bob was only 58. He is survived by two sons, Bob Jr., his partner in the Honda dealership, and Fred Bates; and a daughter, Diane King, plus a brother and a sister.

Bob's “old red wagon” was well known in the 50s, serving as a voluntary ambulance service. For many reasons, he will be deeply missed.

AMERICAN MOTOCROSS CALENDAR

The American Motocross Team is preparing for the 1972 season in a big way. Yamaha International has offered bikes for team captain Bryan Kenney and his new team member, Gary Jones. The AMXT will first race in the AMA Florida professional Winter series, then they are off for Europe. I am personally extremely gratified to see Yamaha’s interest in the team's efforts; it is a sincere gesture and one that shows genuine interest in the future of Americans in International motocross.

We have devised a way to raise some more capital for 1972. The AMXT has a handsome new 1972 calendar for sale, designed and produced by Bryan's wife, Laurie. She even took the fabulous photographs of the International Motocross stars! The calendar is available for a $3.95 donation from Box 3276, Hollywood, CA 90028. It's a way to support the team for 1972, and receive a handsome and useful calendar in return.

Other riders are being considered for the team's first efforts in Europe in April—among them are Bob Grossi, Mark Blackwell, Jim West, Peter Lampuu, DeWayne Jones and Tom Rapp. I'll have more news on this later.

DUCATI 450 MX MODS

I've been experimenting with my Ducati 450 motocross a little, trying to improve the handling and add to its flexibility. Jack Simmons Motors made me a new set of fork triple-clamps that add to the rake and increase the wheelbase. This helped quite a bit and made the machine a good deal more stable in the rough at speed. Koni shocks also made a world of difference.

I've removed the brittle plastic fenders and replaced them with the soft, flexible Preston Petty plastic jobs, thus ending the constant problem of cracking and breaking with the least damage. A Filtron air filter in place of the paper element was, of course, extremely important. Akront alloy rims with steel spokes ended another problem. The Italian rims are so soft that the spokes pull out quite quickly. A Krizman spark arrester quieted it down, making it legal in the National Forests and meeting the ever-increasing demands of enduro promoters and enemies of noise pollution.

With no more than all that, the 450 Ducati is the answer to the thumper lovers dreams. I love it! If I had had something like this in the fifties, I would have been one of the hottest guys going. (Well....)