Letters
LETTERS
5000 MILES. . .MORE OR LESS
I have just finished reading your test report on the KZ400 in the February issue of CYCLE WORLD. I bought my KZ400 in February, 1975, and have already put 10,000 miles on it. Therefore, I am in a position to comparatively judge your article.
In my opinion your test report hit the nail right on the head. I have found the same discrepancies in my bike as are pointed out in your test report and a few that you did not run into because they occurred over 5000 miles. I had to replace my rear tire at 6000 miles and my chain and rear sprocket at 7000 miles. In addition, I went through two high-low beam switches (which were covered under warranty), and am now getting ready to order a new exhaust system, since both mufflers have rusted through.
Since this is my first bike, I am not in a position to compare handling characteristics, other than to say that I do not experience any uncomfortable vibration, nor do I find it difficult to negotiate turns. I will, however, testify to the fact that the mirrors are very blurred at 60 mph. I am very happy to hear that the engine is basically sturdy and dependable. Your suggested remedy for the oil leak is well taken, since my left cylinder developed a leak whose source was not obvious to me. I might add that I do most of my riding at highway speeds and put 70 miles on my bike each weekday. I average just under 50 miles to a gallon of fuel. All things considered, I am relatively happy with my KZ400.
I thank you for an informative, well written report on the KZ400 and on the information your magazine has provided me over this past year.
Thomas J. Lash Williamsburg, Va.'
I enjoyed reading your 5000-mile test review of the Kawasaki KZ400. I have a 1974 purchased in March of '15 that has 4000 miles on it.
After reading your article, one could easily get the impression your testers are not normal riders. 1 agree that the back shocks are horrible, but can’t agree on the front suspension. My rear tire has lots of middle tread, but then I don’t play red-light Grand Prix. The only oil leak experienced is the gearshift shaft seal. Engine idle is erratic at hot temperatures.
The KZ400 is not perfect, I agree, but how many bikes are? For a nearperfect bike one will pay $2500 to $4000; I paid $1050 for mine. It kinda reminds one of a Volksmoto.
Quent Gerhard Omaha, Neb.
I wish to comment regarding “5000 Miles on a KZ400 Kawasaki.” Bravo! I enjoy reading articles on bikes I ride, and CYCLE WORLD’S Feb. ’76 article is one of few I’ve seen on the bike.
I agree with your evaluation. 1 have almost 4000 miles on my ’75 KZ and I too found the problems outlined in the article. My factory rear tire lost its center tread at about 3000 miles. My engine also developed the oil leaks around the fins.
One problem I don’t think your test showed is the incredible amount of chain stretch the bike creates. I must adjust the chain about every 500 miles, and I feel it now should be replaced.
I have also had to replace a clutch cable, but those are my only complaints. I have put my KZ through sustained 75-80-mph runs, and though she is no match for my friend's Zi, she keeps her stride on the freeway. I'm touring to Florida in June. Will a quarter fairing hamper this bike? Any other recommendation would be appre ciated. By the way, I have not experi enced the front end problems the article outlined, It this control problem exclu sive to `76 KZs? Thank you for the article and publi cation. Jim Leman Frankfort, md.
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The control problems mentioned are found on all KZs, regardless of year. The peculiarity only surfaces when the machine is ridden hard. A quarter fairing should not hamper the machine if installed properly and luggage weight is kept low on the bike. At times handlebar-mounted fairings lighten up a bike's front end and can cause speed wobbles and related han dling difficulties. Test your installation carefully at varying speeds to insure that things are in order.-Ed.
HELMET BATTLE UPDATE
I'd like to make a correction to my letter about helmet laws that you printed in the Nov. 1 975 issue. On June 26 I wrote letters to all four Arizona Congressmen. I received replies from Sam Steiger, John Rhodes and John Conlan before I wrote to you. I received a reply from Mo Udall later, which was interesting because he sent an enclosure full of federal bullshit that we are, apparently, supposed to accept at face value and not question. It mentioned the D.O.T. study of Michigan vs. Illinois, which the AMA has shown to be inadequate and misleading. I wanted to send a copy, but have been unable to find a copier that works. Jerome Powell Phoenix, Ariz.
DOES THIS MEAN YOU DIDN'T ENJOY THE RACE?
In view of the fact that you publish a national magazine and have a policy of allowing readers a chance to present their opinions in print, I would like to offer my opinion of the American Motocross Finals at Anaheim Stadium, held December 13, 1975. I thought all the false advertising by Mediamax was over, but they advertised that Marty Tripes, Jim Ellis and Jim Pomeroy would be there. I never saw them. They also included 34 others, but the "official" program ($2 a copy), lists only 23 riders, quite a difference, I'm sure you will agree. Why, if only 23 riders were entered at the program's press time, did the two-page ad in Cycle News (which surely carried no earlier press deadline) claim 37? The ad tells the reader to "see the best of American riders battle for No. 1." Not only were Pomeroy, Ellis and Tripes not present, but the lineup in cluded such national stars as John Clatehs, Victor Dariler Jr. and Furman Gray. Who in Southern California wanted to pay to see these guys ride?
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There is also in the Cycle News ad a comment from a sportswriter from the Los Angeles Times. He says, "The best sporting event of any kind I've ever seen." How could this be in an ad for an event that had yet to take place?
At $2 the program was pure robbery, containing 37 full pages of ads, includ ing a 12-page Honda section and 24 pages of "useful" information. With all the advertisement money they made they should have given the programs out free to the jerks, myself included, who paid between eight and 1 5 bucks to see this fiasco.
The announcer never said anything during the races, only before and after, and the P.A. system was so bad I could barely hear it.
I believe we should hold the same opinion of Mediamax, Inc. as the people who were screwed by Edison Dye in St. Louis have of him. They are bandits who prey on the sport of motocross purely for profit. Mediamax, Inc. should never be allowed a sanction for any event and should refund all the admission fees paid.
I urge everyone who cares about the quality of motocross as a sport, not a business, to boycott anything connected with the promoters, including the so called Superbowl of Motocross.
Larry Theobald Torrance, Calif.
PROBABLY WON'T BUY ONE
Well, well, Yamaha is going to try to make another 750cc bike. Prospective buyers of this new bike might do well to keep in mind the fiasco that was their last 750. There were all those leaky engines they tried to patch up before they finally dropped the bike like a hot oil filter in its second year of produc tion (they probably only went for the second year to save face).
Myself and a lot of other buyers of that motorcycle took a real dive on the resale value compared to other bikes
such as the Honda 750 of that year. . .that is if you could find a fish to take it off your hands so you could clean the puddle off the garage floor. What's going to happen to this new bike if there are problems? Another short-run white elephant?
Those full-page color ads cost a lot of $$$ and go a long way toward publish ing a magazine. I bet this letter doesn't get printed. James M. Patric Glendale, Calif.
You know us, Jim, always suckers for a "bet you won't print this" letter. -Ed.
EDUCATE THE BASTARDS
Since Norton-Triumph is dying or dead, why don't you offer reprints of old tests on them like Road & Track offers on old cars? It's sad to see them dying. Maybe those reprints would raise some enthusiasm for them.
When talking to a Japanese genera tion biker (you know, the kids raised on Japanese bikes), I felt like killing him when he said, "Triumphs never were much of a bike anyway." You have to educate little bastards like this.
Remember Triumphs, Nortons, BSAs at the scrambles with their straight pipes roaring? How about the TT special with its tucked-in straight pipes? Did you ever see or hear a meaner motorcycle? And the little 500cc Jack Piner with green and white striped paint, what a woods bike!
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I owned a TR5, 500 enduro, Bonneville and a TR6C, which 1 liked the best. Come on, please do some classic articles on these machines. . .or at least offer some reprints. Parkhurst gets his rocks off on these machines too. . .don’t you?
Joe Gwozoz Lenox, Mass.
Parkhurst gets off on a lot of things, including old bikes. We don’t offer reprints of old tests, but it’s not a bad idea. As for Triumph, it is not entirely dead yet. A 1976 T140V 750 Bonneville will be in dealers’ showrooms soon, according to their distributor, Norton-Triumph. — Ed.
HELP SPREAD THE JOY
Greetings from motorcycle city! We would like to invite your readers who are bikers and/or photographers (professional or amateur) to contact us regarding a super special photo exhibit we are planning for the month of August, 1976. The show will be titled “Free Spirit” and we hope to present to the public the GOOD side of biking, racing, trail riding, choppers, just rnessin’ around. . .any pictures that capture the real joy of motorcycling.
There is no profit or sales involved here, only maybe some good P.R. Please contact us as soon as possible for further information.
Barb and Jan Burgermyer The Vista Gallery of Contemporary Photography 164 S. Market St.
East Palestine, OH 44413
TO THE POINT
1 was reading through the back issues of my CYCLE WORLD mags and came across a letter written by a William T. Lay in your Oct. ’75 issue.
He pleasantly stated that off-road motorcycles are “consuming our country’s extra fuel and adding pollution to our ears and air through recreational activities.” His letter was fairly long and I read on, laughing at his biased opinions and hoping your return letter would defend this part of the sport. Since there was no reply, here’s one for him.
Off-road riding has introduced motorcycling to many pre-license-aged people who otherwise would not enjoy the sport. Also, these bikes help younger enthusiasts learn about mechanical things, because their urge to ride encourages them to fix their own bikes.
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Also, Mr. Lay, here are some biased opinions for you. Even after I get my license I won’t take a bike on the road. 1 don’t want my face crunched by some 90-year-old lady in a 3000-pound Cadillac, or half my leg torn open by a kamikaze dog with a superiority complex. . .you can have it. Talk about noise pollution? Really now, I don’t think any of your neighbors would testify under oath that they saw you trimming your lawn with a scissors! Go pick on Briggs & Stratton and leave us dirty, noisy mud-hoppers alone.
Oh yes, I forgot to mention, Mr. Lay was kind enough to suggest some alternative “sports” such as needlepoint! Well, he can stick it (ha ha). Please, Mr. Lay, be serious.
Danny Berk
Salem, N.H.
OOPS, OUR MISTAKE
For those of you who purchased CYCLE WORLD’S 1976 Road Test Annual and Buyer’s Guide, we’d like to emend some of the prices on the Rokon machines. The 340 GP is $1895, the RT340 I is $1695, and the top-of-theline RT340 II sells for $1895, not $995 as erroneously reported. Our apologies to Rokon and to those readers who, based on our misquoted price, blazed a trail to their nearest Rokon dealer to purchase an excellent enduro machine at a ridiculously low price. — Ed.
HARE'N HOUNDS FOR MONOSHOCKS
In the “Accessory Tank Buyer’s Guide“ in our February ’76 issue we stated that the Hustler tank would not fit the Yamaha monoshockers. The folks at Hustler called us up and informed us that we were in error regarding this application. After checking it out, we found that they are right; the Hustler Hare TV Hound tank will indeed fit a Monoshock Yamaha. — Ed.
