Letters
LETTERS
GPz550 RECOMMENDATIONS
After long awaiting your test on the G Pz550 (August, 1981) for almost six months (I’ve had one for 5 months now), the article proved to be everything 1 expected; informative, to the point, and very interesting. However, there are a few things I’d like to clear up.
At Brainerd (our local racetrack), the GPz easily revs past the redline in sixth gear, and at best has gone 10,200 rpm in top gear by the end of the straight.
Also, 1 would recommend on any road racetrack (except the very bumpiest) to use more fork oil and almost 20 psi in the front forks to make it firmer and more progressive. With these changes it handles just as well, reduces the scraping almost exclusively to the footpegs and eliminates the contact of the fairing and oil cooler to the fender (which can happen under extremely hard braking with lower air pressure and no extra fork oil added.)
Paul Geek Winona, Minn.
At the time the test was written our staffers had only ridden GPz550s at Willow Springs, Laguna Seca, and Sears Point. Since then they’ve been on the Riverside long course and report that the GPz550 with stock gearing exceeds 10,000 rpm on the straight. The fastest California racers are replacing the stock fork springs with KZI000A3 parts, making tubular preload spacers to suit (about 1.350 in. long); running zero air pressure (measured with the front wheel off' the ground); and using 15w or 20w fork oil to a level 150mm
from the top of the stanchion tubes, measured with the springs removed and the fork collapsed. Preferred shocks are S&W^ PI-6 models with 80 or 90 lb. straightwound springs, depending upon rider weight and preferred tires arc 120/90-18 and 3.50-19 Pirelli Gordons. Those change es are good for three seconds a lap at Willow Springs, and about two seconds S' lap at Sears Point. However, the stiff springing will allow some front-end oscillation on the straightaway at high speea over bumps. The key to controlling such oscillation is to stay tucked in behind th<¿ fairing and push evenly against the handlebars, holding the gas on. When cluh rules allow it, jetting up, advancing timing and running race gas will give a GPz 550 another 0.25 to 0.30 sec. at the drags, which equates to a couple of bike lengths on a straightaway.
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THE SOLUTION?
Most potential buyers of motorcycles realize the high costs a dealer would have with bikes available for demo rides, so my suggestion is to the manufacturers.
Why not set up regional centers for thet bikes, accessories and customer relations? At these locations their products can bt seen, priced, and test ridden. To keep the joy riders away they could require a valid motorcycle license, a possible deposit and insurance cost for the ride. Additional sales might cover the costs but there could* also be referral costs by dealers wanting to participate. This would be the ideal plac<* to voice an opinion, suggestion, or a complaint. A true selling point would be the ability and enjoyment of riding a bike prior to paying several thousand dollars.
Thomas A. Gates Los Angeles, Calif.
SIDECAR SOLILOQUY
John Ulrich's story covering Essaff% sidecar antics was fabulous (Three Times ^ Trouble, September, 1981). 1 could actually feel my arms, fingers and legs throbbing from the pain of withstanding the Gforces of the passenger platform. y
I've never paid any real attention to sidecar racing but after reading and re-reading this story I intend to watch more of this aggressive racing.
Do a Part II when you get your arm sockets re-set. Okay?
Douglas GrindstafT, Columbia, Mo.
ANOTHER THEM-AND-US
Being a sport touring rider for the past eight years I've been mistreated by cars, trucks, dogs and cats, but never by the Department of Natural Resources.
On a recent ride with 40 other motorcyclists for Muscular Dystrophy sponsored by Harley-Davidson, we paid $10 each plus various pledges and rode to Indian Creek State Park (about 120 mi.). We were on big touring machines and assumed that being part of the public we would be admitted to the park if it was not full. We were turned away not because the park was full but because the quota of motorcycles permitted in the park was filled.
The anti-motorcycle sentiment that offroad riders experience also affects the street riders and I question the legality of this particular occurrence. The next thing you know they’ll limit the number of motorcycles that can ride together . . . this used to be a free country.
J. H. Woodall Lafayette, La.
MONEY TALKS
For those who don’t like buying a bike without a test ride this is my system.
If you can do it, take a cashier’s check or cash in a few thousand dollars to the dealer. I tell the salesman that I wish to buy a bike and he can hold the money while I test ride it. In every case I have been allowed to ride the bike because they realize I am a serious buyer . . . whether or not I buy that day or take a few days to think it over. I’ve bought a lot of motorcycles in my lifetime especially in the last five years and this has always worked for me.
Mike Smith Fresno, Calif.
One strong defense against being taken when you are dealing with dealers is your financial agency, bank or other such institution. When you have a legitimate and justifiable complaint that is being ignored the people who are financing his bikes can carry a lot of weight.
E. W. Perkins Pease AFB, N.FI.
THE GOOD GUYS
This is a special thanks to the McKinney Saw and Cycle Shop in Ruston, Louisiana. My Honda 750 Four threw a chain 10 mi. out of town on a Sunday night in November. I hitchhiked into town, found the Honda shop and called the emergency number on the door. Mr. McKinney interrupted his steak dinner to haul my bike in and sell me a new chain.
It’s great to know there’re dealers out there that care.
Dr. Joseph Ben-Tiífany II Austin, Tex.
While passing through North Clarendon, Vermont on a tour through the Northeastern U.S. and Canada, our Honda Interstate picked up a screw in the rear tire. A call to the local Honda dealer was futile as he had no 17 in. tire in stock. He recommended Dan Turco and Sons, a Ya-> maha dealer who rendered fast, efficient service.
We want to thank Dan Turco and all the other fine dealerships who helped make our trip pleasant and enjoyable. It means a lot to know you can count on them when you’re on the road.
Gary Thorne Easton, Penn.
CLUB UPDATES
The Modified Motorcycle Association is uniting all motorcyclists in one common cause on December 6th. This is the date of our Annual Toy Run for needy children. If you want to see 30,000 motorcyclists of all types then be at the park-n-ride at Magnolia Avenue and Freeway 91 in Fullerton, Calif, at 10 a.m. and bring a toy for a boy or girl.
As long as we can continue to unite together in worthy causes we can help to stop a lot of unfair legislation and unjust stereotyping.
If you have a question, call (714-771-2290 or 714-538-5305) or write me.
Chubasco Division Adjutant 1319 Jacaranda Ave. Orange, Calif. 92667
We are forming a Yamaha T Register to actively support the interests of TA, TD, TZ, RD, YZ owners and RD, YZ and OW factory road racers. The Register will be published quarterly containing an ongoing list of the machines by model and serial number. We will also function as a sounding board for members wishing to exchange technical and historical information necessary for restoration or competition. Anything worth printing will be gratefully accepted. Annual membership dues are $10.
Jim Reed
Yamaha T Register 719 Belmont Center Port St. Fucie, Fla. 33452
I want to organize what you might call a “semi club” for Honda CX/GF 500 owners. It costs nothing to join and there will be no newsletters, patches, decals or pins. We will just share tips, shortcuts, frustrations and general knowledge in the ownership of these wonderful machines. All you need to do is take pen in hand and write.
Charles Hestand 710 Rhodes Grandview, Mo. 64030
THE RIGHT PLACE TO BE
Tell Paul Siemans that anyone who rides around curves in Colorado at 65 mph> ^deserves whatever he gets (Letters, September, 1981).
b If you really want to ride hanging off the left side of the tank going 65 mph then why not join the Rocky Mtn. Road Racing Association. You will learn to judge your skills and the bike’s skills while having ^fun. You can’t blame the bike or the streets and highways in Colorado for your lack of ^good judgment.
Richard Chase
Yamaha Denver
Denver, Colo.
I, too, found that sport riding is not for the street. After recently breaking my leg dDadly on my favorite stretch of road I now understand this message; leave the sport riding on the track. There are enough dangers on the street without pushing your luck. I’m not chickening out, just finally ^getting smart.
Tony Murrill La Grande, Oreg.
GRAND DESIGN
If God had intended for man to ride motorcycles, he would have designed one that looks like Suzuki’s Katana.
Bruce Morton Newport Beach, Calif.
INTERNATIONAL INTEREST
I’ve been reading Cycle World for some *time now and it’s always interesting to note the problems you encounter on the iöther side.
I was especially interested in the CX500 owner who was concerned with the amount of revs his bike was producing. I have 33,000 kilometers in 12 months on my CX500 and cruise at 120 to 160 km Tfairly hard and constant. Realizing that pur roads leave something to be desired compared to yours and this is not very fast by your standards but the bike is using 6500 to 7500 revs, and I still average 50 to 58 mpg. The tappets are adjusted regularly at 8000 to 10,000 and I have no "worries.
Ian Miller
Hebersham, Australia
In your article, In the Land of the Midnight Run, you mentioned the taxes were ,very high in Norway. In my country a Kawasaki 1300 costs $15,000 and a BMW ^100RS is about $17,000.
How about import taxes of 170 percent?
Hector Cademartori Buenos Aires, Argentina B3
