Letters
LETTERS
Letters to the editor are welcomed and should be addressed to: Cycle World Editor, 1499 Monrovia Ave., Newport Beach, Calif. 926634*^ All letters are subject to editing and cannot be returned.
STOPPING POWER
It is refreshing to see emphasis put on the stopping performance of the new bikes today, instead of all the attention leaning toward acceleration. I know from experience that sometimes eight or ten less feet required to stop can make a difference. Being the owner of a 1975 electric start Triumph Trident, I am amazed to find that my bike will stop equally as well as the Honda Sabre, with just a single disc up front and one in the rear as opposed to the Sabre’s dual disc front and drum rear setup.
Your test states that the Honda’s 30-0 mph distance of 32 ft. and 60-0 mph distance of 1 19 ft. is the best your magazine has obtained with a production bike. Knowing that my bike is equipped with fairly good brakes for a street bike, my curiosity was aroused, and prompted me to dig through my Cycle World back issues. Sure enough you folks were a little slack on your homework, as your September, 1975 test of the Triumph T-160 Tri-> dent produced stopping distances better than the Honda Sabre. 30-0 mph in 30.5 ft. and 60-0 mph in l 17.5 ft.
Jeff Clark Lancaster, Ohio
A NEW TRIALS STYLE
Last week in San Francisco my son and I were walking down Market Street, whei? up ahead I saw some character riding a motorcycle on the sidewalk. As we caught up to him, il turned out to be a police officer on a Honda XL250 riding along checking the people out. At the plaza was a two level drop down to the subway entrance, and down the stairs he went, trialA style, to the delight of many spectators. He rode around the lower level, stopping now and then to question people, or just to be friendly. When he finished his rounds, he gassed it and easily bounded back up the two levels to the street and rode off to the applause of the spectators obvious!)* fascinated that a motorcycle could do such a thing.
Seems like a very imaginative police department to me!
Fred Gamble Snowmass Village, Colo.
THE AMERICAN DREAM
I was very pleased to see the Honda 300 Scrambler in the June, 1982 issue.
In 1965 after I first began my Cycle World subscription, I bought a Honda 300 Dream. I was a single, second lieutenant in the Army then but I still ride it on errands and to and from National Guard annual drills.
The Dream brought my wife and me together (but that's another story) and I’m thinking of restoring it for our 25th anniversary. The problem is I'm really having trouble finding parts for it. I lost a hasp cover and it's hard to get batteries for it. 3.25 x 16 tires are also a problem to find.
Anyway, keep sending us the stories on the old bikes.
Don Banwort West Bend, Iowa
On page 85 in your June, 1982 issue, there’s a picture of a fork leg about to shaj the axle retaining bolt. One thing about the 305s, they’d buzz your buns numb at road speeds so that you stood on the pegs for relief. (Besides rattling most of the bolts loose.)
Alan Hiatt Fiddletown, Calif
INTRODUCTION TO MOTORCYCLING
I just finished reading and re-reading your Introduction to Motorcycling. As a kid in Europe I went from a Solex to an ancient N.S.U. and here in the states 1 had a BSA Lightning, an old Ariel and a brand new' Bonneville, Then 1 sold every thing and for 10 years, no bike. Last year I wanted to ride again and joined the ranks of those you mentioned in the book. Eve got a beautiful, black 1981 650 Special with 10,000 completely troublefree miles on it. The next and probably last step up will be
Harley.
Em now' into motorcycles and have a lot of respect for them. A lot of things 1 already knew but it was good to read about it from people who know' what they're talking about.
Kees Andriesse
I Santa Barbara, Calif.
Your Introduction to Motorcycling was very interesting, informative and entertaining. Your book presented motorcycling as a healthy outdoor sport, which it truly is. After 18 years of riding both dirt ^nd street, I’m not ashamed to say there were still some things I learned from reading it.
Stanley Spink No. Kingstown. R.l.
MOTORCYCLE FORCES
Did anyone notice the Associated Press photo in the Los Angeles Times on May 27th?
The British Royal Marines landed on the beachhead in the Falkland Islands and they brought motorcycles!
This is clearly an unwarranted escalation of the conflict, and surely will bring ¿ibout rapid capitulation of the Argentines unless they are able to mobilize counterattack with equivalent forces of Montesas or Bultacos. Let us all hope that neither side will employ their CBXs or Turbos, or the high technology Maicos!
G. Pastukav
West Covina, Calif.>
OPERATION SANTA CLAUS
In 1981, ABATE of Maryland and District 7 of the American Motorcyclist Association sponsored our first annual Operation Santa Claus. We put the program together in about two months and it was a tremendous success.
This year we have more preparation time and have received extensive coopera-' tion from Baltimore city officials. The planned date is October 16 (rain date, October 23), and the ride will begin at Baltimore City Inner Harbor. You can brighten a child's holiday with a new toy or a couple cans of food. Better yet bring both. You will also reinforce the positive bikeH image.
For more information write or call me (301-435-2520) or contact the Salvation Army in Baltimore.
Bob Ritter
Maryland Motorcyclists Election Committee 6403 Lochcrest Road Baltimore, Md. 21239
FROM PARIS TO THE RED SEA
I’ve just returned from a four-week motorcycle tour from Paris to the Red Sea,, crossing through Turkey, Syria and Jordan. The tour is sponsored by the Guilde Européenne Du Raid who recently presented a 3300 mi. tour of the Sahara Desert via dirt bikes.
Because it was such a great adventure for me (I was the only American) I thought your readers might be interested. You must be 18 years or older and your bike must be a minimum of 250cc or above in good condition.
Write to Guilde Européenne Du Raid in care of Jean-Marc Cognot, 1 1 rue de Vaugirard, 75006 Paris, France. Unless you speak French ask the Guilde to send your information in English.
Tom Schaef Bradenton, Fla. 33505
CLUB UPDATE
All Triumph Trident and BSA Rocket Three owners who need technical information, parts and accessory sources or even moral support are welcome to join our club. We are an international organization (originating in England) and are now looking for owners in North America. We have a bimonthly newsletter and a parts searching service. We also get a lot of support from such experts as Doug Hele, Norman Hyde and Les Williams. Membership ft1 $1 1 U.S. or $13 Canadian.
Stephanie Coulshaw 611 Gilmour St. Ottawa, Ont. Canada KIR 5L7
How about forming a Kawasaki GPz owners club? All those who feel a normal motorcycle is not good enough, please write me and include a self-addressed envelope.
Eric D. Coobs 4005 Third Ave. South Billings, Mon. 59101
I would like to hear from other Honda Sabre owners interested in joining a national owners club now being organized as the Honda V-Eour Sports Tourers. Your ideas and suggestions are welcomed.
Dana Sawyer I l 2 Bishopgate Rd Columbia, S.C. 29210
HARLEY SPORTSTER
I noticed in the July, 1982 issue that the XEH was mistakenly labeled as the XLS Sportster. This error was detected on pages 5, 58, and 62. The bike was correctly identified (finally) on page 59. Was this test written on Monday? How Mr. Editor Girdler, a Harley man himself, let this slip by, I don’t know. At least it wasn't spelled Sporster.
Pete Freeh Sunnyvale, Calif.
Em taking this time to let you know that I'm not at all happy with your test on the Harley-Davidson Sporster. In spite of this bikes inadequasies, your entire article was written in the form of praise.
I find it rediculous to have to read thru three pages of nonsence, with my highlighter, to get the necessary information that is required for me to rate a motorcycle. Thats your job, thats why I subscribe to your magazine. I would suggest, you add to your usually thorough tests, an easy to read, unbiased breakdown of the good traits as well as the bad ones. I would like to see your format changed from a short story to actual test results, all written under respective titles, and the information listed in the order of importance.
Daniel Levenson Miami, Fla.
Thanks for your test on the HarleyDavidson Sportster in the July issue. I have been saving for this bike for quite some time and have been looking for some information about it, both up-to-date and objective.
Your test results confirmed what I hoped the bike would be and I’m paving the way for my purchase.
Ray Brennan Philadelphia, Pa. El
