Letters
LETTERS
SIDE HACK RACING
I hold in my hand the latest copy of the American Motorcyclist Association News and, once again, I find no mention of side hack racing.
Side hack racing has consistently been ignored by the AMA since the inception of this type of racing. The reasons for this escape me. Pilots (drivers) and passengers (sidecar) embark on rigorous training schedules before entering competition. Most have occupations in the motorcycle field which suffer greatly during the racing season. We also design, build, and maintain our own machinery. We pay entry fees and AMA license fees.
The above is no different from say, a motocrosser, except that we receive no recognition from an organization which is supposed to represent us. Side hack races receive no mention beforehand and no recognition after. Our spectators are totally on their own to find out if side hacks will even be featured in a given event.
Side hack racing is the last form of competition in which privateers dominate and in which anyone can participate for a nominal (as compared to other specialized forms of racing) investment. It is an exciting spectator sport where you can cheer for Nortons, Triumphs, Hondas, Ducatis, and even an occasional BSA.
We do not want a bone thrown to us—we simply want what other racers automatically receive—Publicity!
There is no money in side hack racing, no sponsors, only the challenge of the race. This situation has to change, or rising expenses will force many of our professionals out. Please see that our races do receive a share of the spotlight.
John Palfreyman
SEAT HEIGHT
For the past 10 years I have owned Hondas. In 1975 I had to turn to a Yamaha 650. The reason is the seat height.
The Honda CB750A has a seat height of 33 inches. The fact that they are producing lowering kits and are selling them indicates the need for a lower seat. Even the lower seat isn’t much help when the seat width is almost a foot wide such as on the KZ 1000. What good is a comfortable seat at 55 mph when at a light you get a hernia trying to keep the bike up?
I’m 5'7" tall and not ashamed of my height, but would like to see the Honda come down for a person like me. The answer might be to make a lower bike and sell tall-up kits.
continued on page 22
continued from page 18
Z.N.
South Bend, Ind.
UNINSURED MOTORIST COVERAGE
Thank you for the article on motorcycle insurance in your March issue. I believe there was a misstatement about uninsured motorist coverage. As far as I know, uninsured motorist coverage will pay only for your own medical expenses when you are involved in an accident caused by an uninsured person or a hit-and-run driver. If you do not have collision coverage, you are out of luck for the damage to your bike in such an accident. The limits and extent of UM coverage are usually defined by state law.
An additional item of interest is that a lot of states have “guest statutes” which preclude a passenger from collecting on your liability insurance, unless you are grossly negligent; but they can still sue and recover from you if you were at fault. As far as the insurance company is concerned, the passenger usually has just the same coverage for medical as the owner/driver, which frequently is none. If you take passengers other than your own family, this could be an important consideration.
Robert Huckaby
Reseda, Calif.
JAWS
I was recently bitten by a dog who was first attracted by, then annoyed by my bike being ridden down his street.
How do you advise handling dogs who get that close when you are in a confined area with no way to accelerate to leave ’em behind?
Art Polan
Los Angeles, Calif.
We don’t know of a surefire solution, unless you travel the same route every day and are attacked by the same dog, in which case either changing your course or resorting to the old water pistol with ammonia trick should take care of the problem. Any other suggestions?
THUMBS UP IN MEDFORD
A friend and I purchased new Yamaha XS500Cs and planned a trip. After a mild break-in we left for Oregon, only to have the cam chain tensioner self-destruct on my friend’s bike.
Finally we got going and noticed several oil leaks around the cylinder and head assemblies, due to the mechanic who reused the old gaskets instead of installing new ones. Also upon reassembly of the bike, the mechanic pinched the battery breather tube closed causing internal pressures to burst the battery 300 miles later.
continued on page 24
I’d heard stories about Californians not being welcome in Oregon. However, the people there were super nice. The Yamaha dealer in Medford went out of his way to get a battery for my friend’s bike. He also made arrangements to replace the exhaust pipe and side cover ruined by the battery acid. I’d thought service after the sale was a thing of the past, but in Medford, Oregon I learned differently.
Jim Matteson Concord, Calif.
RACE GUIDE
Thank you for the “Daytona Guide” in your February issue. It is exactly the kind of information bike enthusiasts need more of—race coverage well before the race so we can make arrangements ahead of time.
Also of particular interest in that issue is the article on Hooker Headers for the Zl. And the artwork for February is outstanding. 1 have a collection not only of articles of particular interest, but also of drawings clipped from your pages. Thanks for a quality magazine.
Dale D. Claussen Friedberg, W. Germany
We appreciate your enthusiasm. See the “Insider’s Guide” elsewhere in this issue.
TAKE NOTE, YAMAHA
In April’s “Round Up” there is an item entitled. “The Clubman Revised?” I’m happy to see some support for a good 500 Single road bike coming from a source that can influence Yamaha and help convince them there is a sizable market for an up-todate four-stroke Single road bike.
I agree, the current Yamaha XT500 provides a good basis for a road bike. In addition to a 19-in. front wheel, road tires and a downpipe with reasonable clearance, I would like to see the Yamaha RD400 disc brake front end and mag wheels, a really good high output headlight. a regular battery/coil ignition system and a carefully proportioned fuel tank of 3.5 to 4 gallons. Also, fenders offering more protection from road spray would be nice, as would a comfortable dual saddle and repositioned handlebars.
I am in the market for a road bike this year and I guarantee if Yamaha were to offer a thumper similar to what I’ve described, I’d be more than happy to pay $1500 for it. As it now stands, if I want what I've just described. I’d have to spend close to $2000.
I currently own a 1973 Suzuki 750 and it is an excellent bike, but I find it too heavy and unnecessary for the type of riding I enjoy the most. I hunger for the simplicity, light weight and power characteristics offered by the Yamaha XT500D, but I can’t afford the conversion costs to make it do what I want. Let’s all hope that Yamaha responds to our needs!
continued on page 26
continued from page 24
Phil Warren
Portland, Ore.
MARUSHO/LILAC OWNERS CLUB
CYCLE WORLD readers may be interested to learn of our Marusho/Lilac club. Those wanting more information should send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to either of us at the following address. Ralph Walker Court Hughes
Marusho/Lilac Owners Club 4824 S. First St.
Arlington, Va. 22204
SOS
I purchased a Kawasaki KZ900 and am planning to tour Canada and possibly Alaska this summer.
Because of the longevity of my trip and the fact that this will be my first, I would appreciate any information or helpful hints that you or other readers could provide. I would also appreciate hearing from others who have made this or similar trips.
Edward A. Willson P.O. Box 624 Rawlins, Wyo. 82301
PARTS FROM COLOMBIA
Here in Colombia it is impossible to find parts for Honda CB750s. There is a complete line of parts for BSA, Norton, Triumph and Harleys for any year—and when it’s impossible to find parts we make them. Tell everyone and if somebody is in trouble I’ll send anything you people need for those bikes as I own a bike repair shop. Luis Gomez A.A. 90654 Bogota 8, D.E.
Colombia, South America
TESTIMONIAL
I read your article on helmets in the April issue. I think the findings of the DOT’s report are 100 percent true. I have a little brother who had a motorcycle accident in the summer of 1976. He came around a blind corner and had the fender of a 1974 Dodge Coronet for lunch along with the windshield and roof. Fortunately, he had a helmet on, not a good one, but one that gave him enough protection so his head did not get bashed in. He spent two months in the hospital, but now is he A OKAY.
continued on page 28
continued from page 26
Take it from a fellow biker who almost lost his little brother—Helmets Do Work.
Timothy P. Robinson Pine Plains, N.Y.
PHYSICIANS UNITE
The statement “you don’t see many physicians who ride motorcycles” (“On Your Head,” April) is true. But some doctors do ride, and we are forming a national organization to provide an input along the lines of the study undertaken by the University of Southern California’s Institute of Traffic Safety and Systems Management.
Interested physicians and dentists are invited to attend our inaugural meeting to be held at the Howard Johnson’s Motor Lodge in Independence, Missouri on Saturday. August 27, 1977. They may contact me for further information.
A. Ranald Mackenzie, M.D.
51 Mineóla Ave.
Point Lookout, N.Y. 11569
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH
When I read that Colorado motorcyclists were losing a bike park for lack of use, I could have cried.
The motorcyclists in Wisconsin have been paying $2.50 extra for their licenses for a number of years toward such a park. The problem here is reversed, however, as no park is in the planning yet as local pressure groups have blocked numerous attempts to secure a site.
Farmers and rural locals who fear “outlaw” types do not realize that a proper motorcycle park could solve that problem.
That rocky mountain high must be something else. An unused park. Maybe it could be shipped to the rainy state.
P. Prochrow Milwaukee, Wise.
