Letters
LETTERS
WELL, GOLL DARN
Boy, you dumb Yankees shore are dull. Why, good ole boy Gene Mitchell shore as shootin’ threw out the bait and reeled hisself in a poke-sack full! Ha, ole Gene has been doin’ that to folk down here for nigh on to 13, 14 years, goin’ on. Why shoot, ole Gene was just funin’ ya. He and his missus, Thelma Lou, have been up in arms over lotsa things like this. Why shucks, I remember jus’ last year, they boycotted the First Baptist Church ’cause they was allowin’ Bingo on Sunday afternoons.
As a madder of fact, ole Gene came down to the barbor shop and had a good ole knee-slappin’ good time tellin’ Billy, Jim Bob, Nurd and Slappy about how he was gonna really “get them dumb Yankees.” Hot damn, Gene, ya really done it.
Yar Muther Webster, Texas
RAINBOW STRIKES AGAIN
Your Letters column in the April 1975 issue carried a letter written by a Mr. Roger Rainbow in which he complained of the protruding carburetor on his Harley-Davidson. I have also read several responses to Mr. Rainbow’s letter as printed in your August 1975 issue.
Mr. Rainbow neglected to tell you in his letter that the “accident” in which he was involved with his Sportster was occasioned by his running into the rear end of a parked automobile!
George F. Fischer Insurance Manager Harley-Davidson Motor Co., Inc.
DON'T GRIPE, DO SOMETHING
I would like very much to reply to Rodney Davey through your magazine. He did a good job on you guys, but as always, people like him lack the facts before making accusations.
I have been getting CYCLE WORLD magazine well over 10 years, and I have written proof (your magazine) that CYCLE WORLD has always been against mandatory helmet laws.
In his case, I would like to know if he has done anything against the helmet law. Letters to his Congressman—how many has he written? The trouble with most people today is that it’s easier to complain than to take a constructive stand against an issue. Letters to your Congressman are effective, and they do read them.
In closing, I wish to thank the staff of CYCLE WORLD for putting out one of the finest, most informative allaround cycle magazines anywhere.
James W. Hassel St. Petersburg, Fla.
I would like to ask Rodney Davey if his protest against helmet laws has been limited to the cheap emotionalism displayed in his letter (August issue), or if he’s done anything worthwhile?
Ranting and raving at a magazine publisher doesn’t do anything but show the ranter to be immature and probably irresponsible.
Mr. Davey’s letter would have accomplished more had he requested everyone write letters to their Congressmen asking them to support these two bills:
H.R.6211—repeals the federal requirement that forces states to pass helmet laws.
H.R.3869—prohibits the Dept, of Transportation from withholding funds should a state repeal or not enact its helmet law.
I wrote to all four Arizona Congressmen, and received replies from all but Mo Udall. John Rhodes’ office informed me that the two bills are to be considered by the House Public Works and Transportation Committee, so I’m writing to them too.
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I read CYCLE WORLD every month because I think it’s the best cycle magazine published. I would like to see something on sidecars, though. I’ve had an Eagle since November 1974, but haven’t seen much on sidecars in any of the magazines. I’m interested in something that would give driving tips and maybe a comparison of the different units on the market.
Jerome Powell Phoenix, Ariz.
TOP SECRET
Where do you get all those blurred, sneak-preview photos of Honda preproduction models? I remember seeing those since of the well-rumored Honda 450 back in 1965, and they all look strangely similar. I have a theory that somewhere deep within the bowels of Honda’s giant industrial complex, where the sun never shines, there exists through a door labeled “Advance Publicity” a department which specializes in releasing sneaky, shaky photographs of new models calculated to titillate that center in man’s psyche which responds lustingly to the mysterious and unavailable. In this way, Honda serves to ensure long waiting lines of drooling customers in dealer showrooms even before the new wunder machinen is officially unveiled.
Either that, or there is some frustrated CIA agent loose in Japan who wearied of the routine assignments of wire-tapping, espionage, dirty-dealing, assassination plots, etc., and is now engaged in the much more challenging and important, truly top secret work of uncovering some of the world’s bestkept secrets, namely, new motorcycle models.
Steve Newman Pomona, Calif.
You have a great magazine. And I am a new subscriber, having received tremendous pieces of knowledge from issue to issue. Now maybe it’s my turn to do something for you.
In July’s issue of CYCLE WORLD, page 34, there’s a photo captioned “Sneaky and shaky photo of the Honda CB550.” You’ve got to be kidding! It looks to me to be a Honda GL1000 “Gold Wing” instead of the CB550. Could you have the wrong picture?
M.C. Cureau Archer, Fla.
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No, it's the right picture. But the new CB550 was styled after the GL1 000.-Ed.
THE SHAFT THAT BINDS
In your road test of the CB550 Super Sport (August ’75), you say: “And finally, when the engine gets warm, the gearshift shaft hangs up, making shifting difficult. Apparently there is insignificant tolerance somewhere and when the engine heats up, binding occurs.”
I own a Honda XL100K1 and this problem also occurs with my bike. I find it very difficult when trying to cross an intersection in first gear and shifting into second. Binding occurs after the engine has heated up.
A friend of mine also has the same problem with his 1974 Honda XL 100 model. He finds it difficult when coming to a stop sign with the clutch in, backshifting into first gear. Actually it is still in third or second gear, due to binding. Honda do something!
Jeff Moore Dallas, Texas
MOTOR MAIDS
I’ve been riding a Honda 350 for about four years. I talked to one of the guys at the shop where I bought my bike. He said he had heard of a motorcycle club for women called the Motor Maids, but didn’t know much about them. I’m interested in joining such a club and wondered if you could give me information about this group.
Patricia Fust Chicago, Ill.
Women interested in joining the Motor Maids can write to the current president, Mary Cutright, at 556 West 4th St., Chillico the, OH 45601. Mem bers of the organization feel that it has played a major role in promoting ac ceptance of motorcycles by women and the general public. One of the highlights of the group's activities is an annual convention held in a different US. city each time. One of the requirements of attending is riding a motorcycle to wherever the convention is being held. -Ed.
TO THE VICTOR...
I am 14 years old, and, although I am not allowed to buy a bike, am a great enthusiast and try to make all the races I can.
I cannot understand why most high schools in the U.S. offer automobile drivers’ education, but not motorcycle riders’ education. There are an increasing number of bikes on the road today and many people are buying bikes instead of cars for better economy.
Recently I saw the Victor Awards on television. Victor Awards are for sports. In the automobile racing class there were three nominees: Richard Petty, John Rutherford and Kenny Roberts. Yes, Kenny Roberts! Petty won the Victor. I don’t see why motorcycle racing does not receive its own class. It is just inexcusable. After all, as your readers will agree, motorcycling is one of the U.S.’s foremost sports.
Mark Jenkins Mishawaka, md.
PEDAL YOUR TRIALSAWAY
Now that we have bicycle MX, why don't we move on to step two-trials. There would only be a couple of changes necessary, better steering and more ground clearance. This would be perfect for all of us who can't afford to buy a real trialer,
Brooks Booker Mayflower, Ark.
