Letters
LETTERS
ALL ABOUT OIL
Thank you John Ulrich for the wealth of not-so-commonly-known information about oils and their grades. I learned more about oil in your one article than four years of mechanical engineering schooling at the University of Illinois taught me.
One thing though: Do the SUS numbers of SAE 15w and 20w both start at 12,000? It seems that 15w should be
12.000 to 24,000 SUS and 20w from
24.000 to 48,000 SUS with no overlap.
Tom Campbell Peoria,111.
SUS numbers for 15w and 20w overlap and a manufacturer has the option of calling an oil between 12,000 and
24.000 either a 20w or a 15w, despite logic to the contrary.
Greatly appreciated the article, All About Oil in the October 1982 issue. Gave me what a 4 year B.S. degree in Petroleum Engineering would have.
Bob Watts Cincinnati, Ohio
HONDA XL250R FANS
I had been thinking about buying a good dual purpose motorcycle. When I read your article on the Honda XL250R, I did my part to help make the editor $20 richer.
Went down to the Honda dealer and bought one. I was very surprised how -well it handled on the street, especially tight curving roads. I'm able to out-perform larger, more powerful street bikes on such roads. The Honda runs like a champ on the street. On the dirt it's a great play bike for tooling around the desert. I just love it.
Em sure that dual purpose bikes are not a dying breed and the editor will indeed be $20 richer at the end of the year. Mike Campilongo Huntington Beach, Calif.
First of all Mr. Girdler, I am without a doubt your greatest fan, so would you please autograph your XL250 and ship it to me as I will cherish it greatly.
Next I would like to invite you to my quiet little town in Arkansas which is the home of “East Freddie and Boxcar Teddy.“ Freddie’s real name is David, but since he rides a 900F and wears duct tape on his knees we gave him the name. You would have to meet the other guy to understand.
These guys love to hang off of curves while going 10 or 15 mph, sometimes even without their bikes. (You would have to see to understand.) So if you are ever this way, please stop by and visit. Also if you won't part with your XL250 just autograph anything such as a Sabre, or even a BMW and mail it air freight as I need a bike badly.
Doug Roy
Mark Eastman Paragould, Ark.
READY TO RACE
Em 16 years old and would like to start racing. I own a RM250 Suzuki MX. I need some advice on howto start racing motocross. I have three years of trail riding experience. Do you think I have enough experience riding motorcycles or should I practice more and move down a class?
Kevin Thomas New Albany, Miss.
Sounds as if you have enough experience, certainly enough for the beginner class at local motocross races. The beginner class doesn't mean the racers are beginning riders, just beginner racers. So don't be upset at the thought of entering that class, even with your experience. Since you have been riding an RM250 for some time enter on it. It’s best to be comfortable on the machine you’re competing on. If you're not sure where to go to compete, check with your local dealers, the race calendar in the back of Cycle News or give the AMA a call.
KZ1000 REPLICA
Guess what! You should have pulled the breather box cover on the KZ1000R and looked inside.
The production KZ1000R comes stock with a pleated paper element, not foam. On page 54 of the KZ1000R owners manual, it clearly shows a pleated paper element.
James McQuown Pasco, Wash.
Kawasaki has produced only 750 of their trick 1982 Eddie Lawson Replica street bikes. Eve talked to dealers who were mad as hell that they were unable to get one, let alone customers like myself who would love to own one. The October 1982 issue tests the Replica, and on page 92 there is a picture of what looks like a tangled version of the same bike, with John Ulrich walking away from it. You didn’t do it, did you John? How could you!
Art Davis Houstatonic Mass.
NOTHING NEW
This is one for all you who think Honda has come out with something startling new and original with their VFour series of motorcycles. As long ago as 1939, 43 years ago, a British company named AJS was racing a water-cooled overhead cam, 500cc supercharged VFour. Its best showing of the season was at the Ulster Grand Prix where, ridden by Walter Rusk, it set a lap record at over 100 mph, and battled for the lead until sidelined by a broken chain. The winning machine was equally interesting. It was a transverse dohc four cylinder Gilera, also water-cooled and also supercharged, ridden by an Italian named Serafina to a race average of 97.85 mph. Not too shabby when you consider the chassis, suspension and brakes of the period.
Pete Wilson Burnaby B.C.
FONDREN’S HARLEY
Mr. Fondren’s Harley in the September issue is really a joy. If only the company could see fit to mass produce such a creation, I then might be persuaded to part company with the more frantic four-> cylinder machines of oriental manufacture.
If Mr. Davidson or any other members of Harley-Davidson read this, I will buy a Harley if it handles better than a Buick, has enough power to generate some thrills and stops better than the current models which seem to have wooden brake pads in the front. I know that the last American motorcycle company has the capability to manufacture machines such as that red beauty of Mr. Fondren’s, why don't they? And why does the cost remain so prohibitive?
Pete Plassmann Sierra Vista, Ariz.
If you haven't been to a Harley-Davidson dealer lately you might be surprised to find that Harleys are getting more affordable. The latest Sportster is not only more like Mr. Fondren's motorcycle, it is also less expensive than any Harleys have been for years. As our last test of a Sportster indicated, the hike does handle better than a Buick, stops in about the same distances as any other motorycle and provides, if not thrills, at least a fun ride.
AND ANOTHER VIEWPOINT
I just wanted you to know that the socalled Harley in the September issue is about the most pitiful excuse for a motorcycle that I have ever seen. If Mr. Fondren doesn’t know any better than to do this, then Cycle World should have known better than to print pictures of it.
I’m the proud owner of a Harley Sportster and I bought it because it looks* and feels like a real motorcycle . . . not some piece of junk.
If Mr. Fondren wants a Japanese motorcycle he should have bought one instead of desecrating a Harley like this.
David Butcher Washington, W.Va
EDDIE’S HIGH SIDING
My question is about the series of photos by James F. Quinn in Race Watch showing Eddie Lawson crashing in a turn during his Superbike heat at Road America. About how fast was he traveling when he went down? And wa% this slide on the pavement caused by the steering damper that eventually seized?
I also found the article. The Harley According to Fondren very informative and entertaining.
Ray Franko Tampa, Fla,
Eddie was traveling about 60 mph when he fell. The crash happened when the rain tire on the front of Lawson’s superbike lost traction and slid out. Rain tires work well in the rain, but overheat and quickly become slippery in dry conditions. SI
