Letters
LETTERS
BABY THUMPER
I have followed your fine magazine for some time. You always have such great features to attract me, such as the GRB Velocette and the history of the FN. So please keep this type of good reading coming.
My bag is rare and seldom heard of—four-stroke Singles, the main one being a Triumph Tiger Cub. People laugh when I bring my fondness of Cubs up, but nevertheless I would rather ride my Cub than any other bike now made.
Sure it only has 14 bhp and leaks oil, ike any other British bike, but at least it doesn’t sound like a can full of mad bumblebees.
The Cub frame is the best handling I have ever seen. So why do people downgrade Cubs so much? Triumph dealers in Baton Rouge refuse to work on it, or even order parts. Parts are hard to find, reliable information is even worse. But I will stick with my baby thumper just the same.
I always welcome any constructive information concerning my bikes. I look forward to writing anyone who shares the same feelings I do. Ninety-nine percent of all motorcycle riders have never heard of a Triumph Tiger Cub, let alone seen one. I believe I have the only running Cub in Louisiana, or maybe the entire South. This strikes me as odd, because not too many years ago they were the only way to go if you were racing the dirt tracks. Why Gary Nixon even rode one before he became No. 1.
Gerry Masterman 1325 Lee Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70808
BMW R75 TEST
Re your July '73 road test on the BMW R75: if a person doesn’t want the chromed panels on the 4-gal. tank, take them off and replace them with knee panels (like the old Bee-Ems) from Philip Funnell Motorcycles Ltd., 541 E. Hastings St., Vancouver 4, British Columbia, Canada. With the 1973^2 models, the stripes are already there. Otherwise, only $ 10 or so will take care of it on the earlier models. In Europe, the tanks are unchromed. Also, the fenders are fiberglass—is that considered plastic?
Michael Stockman No address given
“BEST” ACCESSORY SHOP
I would like to tell all cyclists about one of the best accessory shops in the country—Motorcycle Duds & Accessories, 34 Vine St., Nutley, NJ 07110. The service that is given by Jo and Bob Giordano is fantastic, whether it is in person, via phone or by mail. To prove my point, they made it possible for me (5 ft., 5 in., 250 lb.), to get a rain suit to fit and that’s no small task!
William A. Kelly Rumford, Maine
LIKES CYCLE WORLD
This letter is to thank you for CYCLE WORLD. I have been reading your magazine since October 1963 and I really look forward to each issue. Keep up the good work.
Your road tests, technical sections and now “Feedback” are excellent; the only thing I don’t like about “Feedback” is the serious criticism of British machines, but I hope the British makers take note of these complaints.
I think the American motorcyclist is very lucky with his very large choice of machines, on or off-road types, but you have some of the same problems as we do with noise and certain legislation. “Less Sound, More Ground,” is certainly a very good motto.
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Before I finish, I wonder if I could make a plea? Some years ago, I used to write to a Ron Newell who lived in Bellingham, Wash., and I wonder if by any chance he reads this letter he could write to me.
C.E. Fries Caenuydd Close Culverhouse Crescent Cardiff CF 5 4TS, Wales
BROUGH FAN
I was somewhat taken aback to read the statement in “Motorcycles in the Mail” (May ’73 CW) claiming that Old Bill, one of the most famous of the legendary British marque of Brough Superior, motorcycles, was made in America. This machine, which can be seen at Stanford Hall Museum, was George Brough’s racing lOOOcc sidevalve and winner of numerous events throughout the U.K. in the early 1920s.
The production-made SS100 ohv carried a written guarantee to do 100 mph when purchased, as far back as 1925! The Brough Superior factory in Nottingham was allowed to use the slogan “The Rolls Royce of Motorcycles” by the original car manufacturers and engineers of Rolls Royce, so high was the quality of the Brough Superior. In this they were fully justified, and no other machine will ever quite command the same awe and respect as the Brough Superior, alas no longer in production.
As the owner of three SSlOOs, which I’ve restored to original specifications and condition, I can assure you they live up to their reputation in every respect. My 1925 SS100 did 600 miles in two days while I was attending the annual Brough Superior Club rally in the U.K. and averaged over 70 mpg at a cruising speed in the 60s. This bike has a 3.2:1 top gear and torque from almost zero revs, certainly pulling away in top gear at anything from 15 mph to near 100. In consequence, the three-speed hand change gear box is quite adequate. However, the brakes are not nearly good enough for modern traffic and hand changing can be tricky, too. But the ride is excellent.
P. Robinsor Corpus Christi, Texás
HEADLIGHT PROBLEM
An interesting turn of events recently befell me which I feel may be of interest to you and motorcyclists in general. Some time ago the New York State Legislature made it mandatory for motorcycle riders in the Empire State to ride with the headlight on at all times. So no sweat, right? Just flick the ol’ switch and trundle on down the road. Very good if you’re lucky; not so good if you happen to own a Yamaha R5-C.
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It turns out you might as well throw a rod through a crankcase as burn out your headlight as I did. You are left just as immobile. In no less than five Yamaha shops I was told “Sorry, we’re out of ’em.” One shop, Lane’s Yamaha in Burdett, N.Y., went out of its way to help me locate one of these elusive headlight critters. The rest, including Cycle City, Dryden, N.Y., where I bought the machine, just said “Sorry, no got.” Not as sorry as your’s truly.
Coincidentally, I was on the verge of trading up to a TX500, but it’s out of the question now with this kind of parts unavailability. Color me disgruntled.
Edward Vaioli Elmira, N.Y.
MOTOCROSS AND TOURING
I’m an 18-year-old young woman who is truly interested in motocross and motorcycle touring, yet technically I know zero about bikes...just enough to know I love ’em. I’m asking anyone interested in corresponding help to me, such as hints, suggestions and comments on certain bikes, to please write me.
Jackie Brenner 3645 Barna Ave., No. 8 SI Titusville, Fla.
Illustration Mitchell Allread
