Letters
LETTERS
CATCHING ON FAST
In reference to your article in June’s Cycle World (Race Watch) on ice racing, whatdayamean ‘report to Siberia for training’....? Hey, up here in Canada our lakes and rivers are frozen solid for four months out of the year . . . not too different from the Russians. It’s catching on fast, very fast. So move over Vladimir, here I come!
Richard Morris N.D.G. Montreal, Quebec
YAMAHA MAXIM I
I really enjoy reading your magazine and I especially enjoyed the Yamaha XJ650 Maxim I in the July issue. I was never interested in Yamaha at all but your article changed my mind. I am now considering buying one.
Kevin McDaniel Elkin, N.C.
Thanks for your test on the Maxim I even if I don’t totally agree with you. (Just like a woman, isn’t it?)
I know I don’t ride mine as hard as you
did in the test, but I did put about 1300 miles on her in the first two weeks I had her, and she more than proved her reliability and responsiveness. I’ve had no mechanical problems, and the clutch chatter when cold is not the least bit noticeable.
Perhaps if you had tried some of your testing with small people or even as a ladies bike, you might have gotten totally different results. I am 5 ft. 5 in. and drive 30 miles to work in perfect comfort as long as my pants aren’t too tight! And, a friend who is barely 5 ft. handles the bike like a pro. My husband who has a standard XS11 has a hard time on the Max because he can’t adjust to having his knees in his teeth.
Come on ladies, discover Maxim I and Katie bar the doors . . . look out world and auto manufacturers, here we come!
Melissa Bierbauefl Mission, Tex.
NOT GUILTY
In reference to your letters column in the August, 1980 issue.
I am a police officer and I can tell why Mr. Fitzgerald got “ripped.” First of all the Z car was the car traveling 72 mph. When he spotted the patrol unit, he abruptly braked and fell in behind the motorcycle. Radar works on the first on-coming vehicle and when the trooper saw the motorcycle he figured he was the violator.
Another fact is the larger an object, thefarther and faster a radar unit will pick up the unit. In sense, the motorcycle will not be picked up on radar until the unit is 500 ft. from the patrol unit. A Z size car will be picked up at 1000 ft. because of its size.
I’m just sorry that Mr. Fitzgerald paid for a citation and received points on his license, for another’s cruising fancy.
Officer Douglas Grindstaff Fulton, Mo.
GREAT COMMENTARY
“My Fatal Mistakes” (August, 1980, Up Front) is great commentary. Many have had the experience and most are too embarrassed to discuss it publicly.
Your willingness to do so will likely help to prevent some accidents, avert injuries, and save lives.
Charles H. Hartman, President Motorcycle Safety Foundation Linthicum, Md.
Glad you were able to pen that August editorial and I hope every rider reads it again and again and again and again and again and again and again . . .
Jim “Summerin” Safe Peoria, 111.
THE GREAT AMERICAN BIKE
If it makes any difference, send this letter on to your acquaintances at H-D. Maybe enough people will write to persuade them to take another look at the Great American Bike.
I’ve never even considered a Harley because the image isn’t mine: I don’t need 1300ccs of prehistoric macho, I need a bike that’s fun to ride, easy on the gas, and doesn’t make me keep a crane around in case I drop it. Tell the guys at H-D that if they can build a bike as described in Roundup (July), I’d be beating on their doors begging to buy American.
Max Hyre Stratford, Conn.
When I read your July Roundup article I had to write to let you know I agree 100 percent. If Harley would make them at a comparable price range as the Japanese 750 models, I’d sell my XS750 so fast it would be in the Guinness Book of Records. How do we convince H-D that regardless of all these Specials people are buying, what>
we really want is a good oF original motorcycle? Not so big and expensive as the Sportster, but a Harley 750.
Don Robinson, Jr.
Lapwai, Idaho
I love the idea of the Harley 750 and really hope the officials over at H-D reconsider. It would be the perfect mid-size bike especially for those smaller persons who can’t handle the bigger Harleys.
They’re guaranteed one buyer already if they start producing them.
Bradley Rek Niles, Ohio
What? A 750cc torquer, 50 mpg, 400 lb., vibration damping engine mounts, frame and suspension that handle the corners, narrow, two cylinder and American made for less than $4000? Yes, I want one!
Why did you tell me Harley quit the project? I hate you!
Don Brown Morgan Hill, Calif
NEGATIVE CONNOTATIONS
Does the word motorcycle bring to mind roving gangs; violent, destructive non-conformists? It seems that many people these days have this impression of our sport.
Upon returning home from the recent Winston Pro Tour Motorcycle Races held at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis. on May 31 June 1, we are compelled to express our views against the negative connotations motorcyclists have in the public eye. Through the media, these negative views were intensified causing stores and bars to close, people cancelling vacation plans to protect their property, parents not permitting children out of homes for the entire weekend, the large expenditures by local counties for riot and crowd control equipment and not to mention creating apprehension in the minds of race fans who were planning to attend the event, thus 1 reducing total attendance.
Contrary to rumors circulated prior to the race, we were part of an attentive and cooperative audience. The only action we witnessed was on the track in the form of highly competitive racing.
We urge the news media and the public to re-evaluate their opinions of motorcyclists and stop judging the majority by the acts of the minority
Paul Krueger Manitowoc, Wis. Michael Peterson Denver, Colo.
BACK TO REALITY
I would like the producers of the television series, Chips to come down to reality.’ First, we have a 1980 Mack truck, weigh-
ing around 10,000 lb., 0-60 in about 35 sec., the ability to take on a 25 mph corner at 15, the ability to reach the national 55 mph speed limit after speed shifting into fifth, and the ability to pull a 60 ft. trailer. Next we have a 1980 Kawasaki KZ1000 ' Police Special, weighing about 600 lb., 060 in just under 4 sec., the ability to take on a 25 mph corner at about 50, can match the national 55 mph speed limit in first and a road scorching rocketship that will blow the doors off of any stock production four-wheel vehicle produced in the world.
Now after all this reasoning, why is the latter unable to catch, or even keep up with the first during a two mile chase through the streets of Los Angeles?
Gary Steigler Santa Maria, Calif.
CLUBS, ANYONE?
I am the proud (or unfortunate) owner of a 1974 AJS 410 MX bike. If there are other two-stroke AJS owners who are interested in forming a club to exchange service tips, parts sources, etc. or even start a newsletter, let the silent minority be heard.
Jeff Wewers
18 Reid St
So. Boundbrook, N.J. 08880
I would like to know if there is a Z club. If not, I’m interested in starting one. I own a red Kawasaki KZ900 and would like to get together with other Z owners who are interested in exchanging pictures of their bikes and other information.
Gary Harris
Box 37
Sweetwater, Tex. 79556
MOTORCYCLING IN MALAYSIA
I am a confirmed motorcycle enthusiast, to the point that I get irritated everytime I drive a car. In this country of ours, there are more motorcycles than any other type of vehicle, though most of them are 70-125cc basic transporters. Large
displacement bikes (anything above 250cc) cost a great deal because of restrictive import taxes and are generally unavailable except by special order with the appropriate distributors. The Honda 70 Cub is the largest selling bike and hardly anyone has ever heard of the GS1100.
Nonetheless, this is a great country for touring with many interesting things to see. By touring, I mean cross-country riding as we have very few Interstate highways.
We have a strange law here that makes the use of helmets mandatory but forbids the use of full-face helmets. In effect, a street bike enthusiast like me is not al->
towed to be more than half-safe. It came about because of the use of full-face helmets used in robberies. I questioned the sanity of this ruling through the media and also to the fact that an ordinary helmet, goggles or a stocking mask can also shield identity. The helmet is not the criminal. When my chain grabbed and threw me to the ground, costing me sev eral lost teeth and stitches, again I ques tioned this law through all possible sources. No response has been received and so the half-safe law stands as it is. M. Balasundrum Kuala Lumur, Malaysia
THE ALUMINUM STEAMROLLER
Your article on Breese's Harley really got my adrenalin pumping. I have read and reread it several times and it gives me a good feeling to see the little guy win. Just shows what time, patience and money can bring. Thanks, Breese for keeping us little guys going; the ones who do it for the love of it.
Brian McGinnis Ontario, Calif.
Enjoyed your story about Vance Breese's Harley. It was exciting to see such a super-impressive bike built with Ameri can parts and ingenuity. Bill Miller, III Buffalo, N.Y. 14216
Thank you for the very interesting and informative article on the Sputhe/Breese Harley. I have seen a bias against Harley Davidsons lately, and it's good to see more open mindedness.
Byron Tomingas Salinas, Calif.
Now to the Breese Harley. Fantastic! No fads, frills or fancy gadgets, just a bike built to be a true motorcycle. The Sputhe kit reminds me of barrels that I wanted to build in `65. I wish I had had the knowl edge and skill to complete it. I am pleased to see that Sputhe used 9.0:1 pistons. I've found many times that an engine with 9.0:1 compression would outperform an engine with 10 or 11:1 pistons. Back in the `60s I didn't know why. A good look at this Sportster piston should be enough explanation. Wayne Brotherton Las Vegas, Nev.
