Product Evaluation

PRODUCT EVALUATION

TRAVEL BAGS: FOR THE MAN WHO LIKES TO GO IN STYLE, BUT STILL BE THE RUGGED CYCLIST.

Dain Gingerelli

Back in the good old days, touring motorcyclists didn’t have to worry about packing their gear. A toothbrush, and maybe a pair of underwear, were quickly strapped to the rear fender. But just as the oil leaking Twins of the ’50s have given way to the more refined machines from the Orient, so too have the methods and modes of the touring set civilized. Quality equipment is now a must for the vagabond cyclist.

One company that helps promote and develop the act and enjoyment of touring is Dan Gurney Cycle Products. Better known for his escapades in Europe and at Indianapolis (not to mention an unofficial and unsuccessful bid for the presidency!), Gurney is hot into motorcycles. He has had past experience in distributing for Montesa, and is currently involved in the production and development of Kawasaki 903 police motorcycles for law enforcement agencies all over the country. To top off his list of two-wheel credentials, his small, efficient Santa Ana, California, based firm has channeled its time and experience into producing some topnotch touring equipment. The latest edition is custom-fitting Samsonite suitcases for most large-bore motorcycles popular in the touring market.

Much like the famous Krauser brand, the Gurney suitcases (although its tempting to say saddlebags, they are, in fact, suitcases, so we will have to call them that), are made of the same durable material for which Samsonite is renowned. As with the Krausers, the Gurney suitcases fit readily to brackets bolted to the rear fender of the motorcycle.

Of utmost importance for the new suitcases, according to John Warren, in charge of the Gurney motorcycle division, was simplicity and low cost. John tried to design a universal fitting bracket that could be attached to almost all of the popular heavyweight motorcycles used for touring today. The only major change the people at Gurney’s have to make is location of the top tab to attach the bracket to the various models intended. Using this concept, the retail price for the suitcases, including all mounting hardware and the brackets, is $249. A flat luggage rack situated between the two suitcases is also included. As an option, a third suitcase can be ordered to fit in place of the luggage rack.

An interesting feature of the Gurney suitcases is their interchangeability; both suitcases use the same measurements for mounting. The left can be mounted to the right side, and vice versa. This helps to keep tooling expenses down, which in turn has kept the cost down to the consumer.

The suitcases themselves locate to triangular brackets that mount to the rear fender of the motorcycle. By using triangular brackets, there is no interference with the shock absorber of the motorcycle. The triangular bracket also helps to spread the load from the suitcase, aiding in eliminating cracking or breaking due to vibration. An interesting aspect of the Gurney suitcase is the recessed area that is used to snug between the two lower sides of the triangled bracket. The extra inch or inch-and-a-half allows storage of the rider’s helmet when not in use. Although the Krauser cases have this unique feature, too, they appear rather huge.

The suitcases are held onto the brackets by a single lock, working against the two lower sides of the triangle formed by the brackets. The lock itself is a threading type, and is actuated by a single key that looks much like those used for vending machines and burglar alarms. If the tumbler does happen to fall out, the lock will not open, and the suitcase will remain safe on the motorcycle.

Another locking system is incorporated into the suitcase to keep all the articles inside safe from “Dishonest Johns!” The familiar twin locking snaps found on almost all Samsonite suitcases are also used on the Gurney traveling bag.

With more and more motorcyclists taking to that long ribbon of highway, these traveling suitcases should be hot items on the showroom floor.' Most retail accessory dealers will be carrying the Gurney/Samsonite luggage and suitcase gear. If you have a hard time finding them in your area, you can write Dan Gurney Cycle Products, 1501 E. McFadden Ave., Santa Ana, California 92705.

UP-TITE PRODUCTS CHAIN TENSIONER

The advent of long-travel rear suspension brought about monumental chain problems for a variety of machinery. Riders started losing chains like kids lose their first set of teeth, only one can’t put master links under his pillow and expect a quarter in the morning. Instead, broken or jammed chains often mean expensive repairs and replacements. Also, a problem chain can mean danger for the rider if the snap occurs in the wrong place at the wrong time, stopping the motorcycle in front of a howling pack of racers.

More problems surface when the chain whips and snaps as the throttle is opened and closed. This is readily apparent at slower speeds when the resultant jerkiness makes itself known to the rider. Ever wonder why most trials machinery uses chain tensioners as standard equipment? It’s just that a trials rider can’t afford free play in his bike’s drive system. The chain tensioner eliminates the slop and smooths throttle

action and power delivery to the ground. The ride becomes all the more precise and enjoyable.

So we’ve come to the day and age where long-travel rear suspension is commonplace, yet few manufacturers are providing tensioners as part of the machinery’s standard equipment. Then along come the accessory people with their aftermarket items to make up for the factory’s oversight.

Much of what we’ve seen until now in the chain tensioner line we’ve put under the classification of junk. Some of the so-called tensioners do nothing more than create unnecessary bends in the chain, which causes premature wear on the links; few do the job supposedly intended.

But the unit offered by Up-Tite Products changed our minds as to the quality and effectiveness of aftermarket tensioners. Available for some 22 different machines—including the most popular and major motocrossers from several manufacturers—the Up-Tite chain tensioner is an excellent example of high quality and foresight in design.

Tensioner brackets are of 4130 chrome-moly steel; nuts and bolts are grade 8 aircraft quality. The tensioner spring is manufactured from the highest quality musical wire, and the rubbing block is a slippery and long-wearing combination of Delrin and nylon, with a percentage of fiberglass. The block has the added feature of reversibility, so when one side does wear out, the block can be turned upside down for twice the mileage.

Installation is relatively easy on most machines, taking only a few minutes. Ample instructions are included and the difference once installed is remarkable. We ran one on a recently tested RM 100 Suzuki in all types of conditions, and have put many hard miles on two staff-owned Yamaha TT500s with the Up-Tites installed. All have held up perfectly and have added to our riding enjoyment. Low-speed jerkiness is eliminated and chain life and wear looks to be increased a noticeable degree. In talking with several riders who race regularly with the Up-Tites, we found them all more than satisfied with the results. We think in this case $21.95 buys a lot of extra chain life and eliminates many unnecessary troubles associated with today’s suspension systems. The Up-Tite Chain Tensioner gets the CYCLE WORLD seal of approval. For information contact:

Up-Tite Products 10261 Halawa Huntington Beach, CA 92646 (714) 968-8805