Letters
LETTERS
BATES PRICES
The May issue of Cycle World contained a description of some Bates touring equipment, and some of the prices printed were in error. We’d appreciate a correction at your earliest conveniencce.
1. Cycle World stated that optional equipment for the Clipper includes lowers. Lowers are not optional, they are standard. 2. Retail price for the Clipper is not $430. Retail price is $530 . . . and has been for quite some time. 3. Mounts for the Clipper are not $49.95. Mounts are included standard at no extra charge. 4. The retail price for a pair of Bates fiberglass saddlebags, #2310, is $139.50. However, the bike Cycle World was given for evaluation was fitted with king size bags with 12volt light assemblies, part #2325. These retail for $164.50 per pair.
Bob Atkinson Account Executive Ripley-Woodbury Advertising, Inc.
440 NOT LIMITED
I'd like to compliment Cycle World on the excellent article in the August issue on the Kawasaki 440 LTD. As a 440 LTD owner I must say that everything men tioned was exactly as I found it to be save for one implication. Whoever tested the bike must have started it in a deep freeze and stayed there, which would account for his momentary lapse of sensjbility. It takes no more than a minute or two to have the machine ready to roll warm. Even less if you are capable enough to make it to 2nd gear with the choke set about half way. At this point you can turn it off and you are on your way. Enough said. It’s a super bike.
Chuck Pattenaudo* South Bend, Ind.
Since our road test we’ve also heard from local KZ440 LTD owners who say their bikes are less cold blooded than the machine we tested. It may be that our LTD had a carburetion defect or a blockage in - the enrichening system; a possibility, because the other new Kawasakis we’ve tested have demonstrated much better carb response during warmup. In playing the customer’s advocate, however, we try to test bikes as they come to us from the factory, without performing tuneups or repairs. We try to duplicate the experience of a buyer picking up his new bike. By the time we receive a test bike, we feel the factory has had its chance to make the machine run right. If it doesn’t, we say so. Most buyers can’t exchange a new motorcycle for one that runs better, so we don’t
, either. Glad to hear, however, that your 440 runs better than ours did. Without the cold carb problem, the LTD’s handling and performance make it a pleasure to ride.
ELKHART LAKE
Congratulations to Peter Egan and John Ulrich on their fine coverage in the October issue of an excellent race at Elkhart Lake. Yours was the only magazine that saw fit to publish a full article with pictures of the AMA event at Road America.
The pre-race publicity was somewhat gloomy, but perhaps with good press, next year’s race will draw even more. And with the grace of the AMA we in the midwest can get another look at the best in the nation. Who knows—if KR has some spare time on his hands he might even drop by for some Sheboygan bratwurst.
Kevin Moorhead Blue Grass, Iowa
IN PRAISE OF QUALITY
I am writing to you in praise of Arai brand helmets. I was involved in an accident recently where I was hit broadside and landed on the pavement head first. According to the authorities, I’d be in biker’s heaven right now if it hadn’t been for my good helmet. As it happened I only suffered skin cuts and a mild concussion.
Thank God for quality.
Bob Anderson Wappinger Falls, N.Y.
CRUISE CONTROL NEWS
Why do most new cars come from the factory equipped with cruise control while bikes must get by on some aftermarket throttle lock? Don't the factories know how tiring it is to hold three or four carbs open even for an hour? I ordered a unit from Sears that is made for a car with front wheel drive. I am a tool and die maker and spent several hours working out the details and now have it installed on my bike. It has tested out perfectly.
Since I have modified the cruise control to work on my bike I have helped many> other people to do the same. The job can be done using only hand tools. The brackets are painted and they look as if they are part of the bike.
I would be happy to send more information to any of your readers if they are interested. The charge is $5 to cover my costs.
Leon Clinton 305 W. Young St. Sesser. 111. 62884
FOR SPECIAL INTEREST
A new club has been formed in the Northwest which will appeal to vintage and special interest motorcycle enthusiasts.
To qualify, motorcycles must no longer be in production and cannot have modifications which materially change their appearance or performance.
The first meeting was held in May with approximately 40 motorcyclists in attendance. Future meetings include organized rides and other events.
For further information, contact:
Oregon Vintage Motorcyclists, Inc. P.O. Box 134 "
Cornelius, Ore. 97113
STILL IN BUSINESS
Just got the September issue. Great! 1 very much enjoyed the Triumph Bonneville owner survey. Unfortunately, the first paragraph is a bit misleading giving the impression that Norton, Enfield, and BSA are no longer available. Not so! It’s surprising how many folks think Nortons are no longer sold. The long-promised Norton rotary bike is now slated for release by the end of the year although it’s doubtful that it will be sold in the U.S. According to NVT spokespeople, the rotary (which was actually designed as a BSA to appear in 1973) will not meet current Federal safety standards.
Dave’s Classics Bikes of Seattle is now importing new' Madras Enfield Bullet 350 Singles. These Indian-made machines are advertised at S1 895 and are a real, authentic classic bike made in 1980!
And. for those of you who still don’t know. BSA is back in business. The “new”> BSA is NOT the Birmingham Small Arms Company, but, rather, the BSA Company division of NVT. Bikes range from 50cc moped types to Yamaha-engined 175s. The Garretts Green assembly plant is also building up modified 250 Can-Ams to replace aging military BSA B-40s.
As this year’s Boston-based All-British Motorcycle Meet served to confirm, there are still an awful lot of us limey-lovers around—and there are more joining our ranks all the time! True, the “who’s bike’s better” battle still rages between many rice-burner owners and Lucas home-before-dark fanatics but Cycle World has done a lot to help promote the “time and place for everything” creed. Many of our members have written to let me know they have come over from other mags to CW just for this reason. After all, if you guys keep up your support, maybe we’ll eventually be able to buy new Broughs, Vins, AJays, Rudges . . . sigh . . .
Bill Litant BSA Owner’s Club of New England Watertown, Mass.
VEE FOR VICTORY
I’ve just read A Vee for Victory in your September, 1980 issue. The reason for my letter is the Avon Venom tires used on the Hesketh. 1 own a Harley-Davidson Low Rider and have cruised from Mexico to New Foundland and a set of those tires would be outrageous on my bike. Are they tubeless? How can 1 get a set?
John Bishop Smithtown, N.Y.
We found an Avon Tyre dealer in your home state. Contact fed’s Cycles, P.O. Box 473, Vailsgate, N.Y. 12584. Telephone number: (914) 564-6778.
