Letters

LETTERS

FRIENDLY FRATERNITY

You have often mentioned the fraternity that bikers all seem to share and we thought we would let you know of an experience we had coming home from Laguna Seca recently.

We were on Highway 198 when we threw the sideplate of our master link on our Honda CB750 LTD. Unfortunately, we were not carrying a spare master link. (Never again!) When we pulled over and started searching for the sideplate, several bikers and a few cars pulled over to offer help.

Our thanks to the two guys who stayed to help search and finally led us to Coalinga (and, consequently were put one and one half hours behind their schedule); to the two guys in the car, one a Kawasaki mechanic wearing a Team Cycle World shirt; to the guys on choppers who gave us the wire to hold the chain together so we could travel to Coalinga; and to the highway patrolman who, at 1:00 a.m. made us a sideplate from scratch (he happened to be a machinist as a hobby) that worked so well we drove the entire 250 miles home with it. There are many other bikers who stopped to offer help and tips.

It sure is nice to know that you’re not alone when you break down. There are a whole lot of other bikers out there willing to take the time to stop and help out. You can be sure we will always stop to help a stranded bike.

Ross and Lynda Biederman Alta Loma, Calif.

VEE FOR VICTORY

Just finished reading Allan Girdler’s article, A Vee for Victory. Is there any way to obtain the address for the Hesketh shops? I would like more information on’ this bike.

I am now the proud owner of a BSÀ 1969 Shooting Star powered by a Victor, 441 engine, but would like more information on the Hesketh.

David Bryon Charleston, West Va.

You know, I’ve been riding motorcyclés since Christ was a corporal, and every bike, I owned was a Japanese multi, excepting an old Husky I used to chase critters with.

I’ve always said that big V-Twins were expensive and slow, and that English bikes were about as reliable as rain in Texas but I tell you what, I believe I’d drink Lon£i Hesketh’s bath water for a ride on one of his motorcycles. I ain’t been so excited* about something so fine since Sally Hawkins came of age and learned the dance of the Dirty Toad!

If you can get me on Lord Hesketh’s: mailing list, I’ll have the Reverend Jenkins arrange for ya’ll to come to Texa* after you die. Fair enough?

Donald Lee Bradley Austin, Tex.

Fair enough. For more information on the Hesketh, write to:

Hesketh Motors, Ltd.

Stable Block Easton-Neston

Towchester, Northamptonshire England NN12 7HS

I was very pleased to see my Triumph Bonneville illustrated and objectively analyzed in your September issue. ,

I am always appreciative of the research you do for articles such as the on© on Britain’s latest effort in the development of the new Hesketh for the market.

Ernie Paskey Rochester, N.Y.

FINDING A MECHANIC

I just got through reading your, Roundup article on how to find a mechanic. I have a Yamaha 250 Enduro that is going to need some work done such as points, piston rings, etc.

I’m sure your story will help me to find a good mechanic. Thanks.

Walter Kopka II Haydenville, Mas¿.

MISSING ISSUES?

I have a few Cycle World issues from 1963 and 1964 plus complete years for 1966 and 1977. All copies are in mint condition and the cost is low.

Anyone interested in completing their collection should contact me.

D. A. Hawkins Box 114

Beaconsfield, Que. Canada H9W 5T6

EQUAL RIGHTS

CALTRANS isn’t the only state department fighting for our rights. Enclosed is a pamphlet from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. I’ve been riding bikes for six years and this is the first official publication I’ve seen on equal right« for everyone on the road.

Keep up the good work and drive safel> Mark F. Trenier Madison, Wise.

The pamphlet sent by Mr. Trenier is a helpful piece of work. It’s intended for four-wheel drivers and points out tha# nearly 200,000 cycles are registered in Wisconsin. -

Quoting from the pamphlet: “There is a safety problem in that motorcycles and mopeds are small, somewhat harder to; see. Other drivers tend to underestimate the speed of cycles. When an accident oc curs, motorcycle and moped riders rarely escape injury ... It doesn’t have to be that\ way if motorists will remember that motorcycle and moped riders have equal rights on the road, by authority of Wisconsin law.”

We couldn’t have put it better.

While on that subject, we’ve also received clippings telling us that the state of^ Connecticut is preparing a motorcycle program, and we’ve seen ads in which the Wyoming tourist authority is inviting, yes, inviting riders to tour that state. One by one, the states are recognizing us as something other than crazies.

THE MOTORCYCLE ISSUE

I heard a Democrat on TV say that Reagan wants to repeal the 55 mph speed limit.

Motorcycle magazines don’t dabble iq, politics (they shouldn’t) unless it affects motorcycles.

Let’s air the views of the candidates as they affect our sport. I bet some other readers have heard ... so let us hear what you heard.

Paul M. Zoschke Temple, Tex.

We’re thinking along the same linei Some views by and of the candidates are in this month’s Roundup.

SUPERWHO?

After thoroughly digesting the very interesting comparison of seven enduro bikes in the August 1980 issue, it occurs to me that the large group of competitors who go up against Dick Burleson each week are damn lucky he rides a fourth place Husky instead of a first place Kawasaki KDX. Not only that, but his fourth place Husky has seventh place brakes when they get wet. 4

How then does Mr. B. surmount these horrible obstacles and beat the pants off everyone. It’s very easy. First, he puts on his riding gear in a phone booth, then goes faster than a speeding bullet and jumps wide rivers with a single bound. SUPERWHO? A

Thomas K. McGeachin Santa Monica, Calif.