Ups And Downs
UPS AND DOWNS
ROUNDUP
UP: To Pro Italia Motors, a shop in Glendale, California, that does more than sell new motorcycles and fix-up old ones. Owner Earl Campbell runs the tidy Ducati and Moto Guzzi dealership almost as if it were a big clubhouse for fans of Italian motorcycles, with an always-full coffee machine and a VCR cabinet well-stocked with race footage. The shop also sponsors parties and has rides along the nearby Angeles Crest Highway. There’s even a monthly newsletter mailed out that includes the latest rumors from Italy, as well as a small classified section and shop specials on parts and accessories. A recent issue included “A Ducati Prayer,” similar to the Lord’s Prayer. “Our Father who art in Bologna, Taglioni be thy name,” it began, continuing on to, “And forgive us our summonses as we forgive those who ride Hondas against us. Lead us not into transgressions, but deliver us from speed traps ....”
UP: To West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, who recently showed faith in his country's products when he took a lap around Germany's Hockenheim track sitting on the rear ofa new BMW Ki. At the controls was multi-time GP World Cham pion Toni Mang. Invigorated, no doubt, by the excursion, Kohl then flagged-off the start of the 80cc GP race. Now, if we can just get Pres ident Bush to slot a Harley-David son into the White House garage, the next world summit might really be interesting.
UP: To Soichiro Honda, the man who 30 years ago believed that America was ready for a different kind of motorcycle: small, oil tight, affordable and with an electric starter. Recently, Honda was in ducted into the Automotive F-Ia!! of Fame, an organ ization founded in 1 939 to preserve the role of the individual in auto motive history. Hundreds of men and women have been honored by the Michigan based group over the years. but Honda is the first Japanese to be inducted.
DOWN: To the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife, for allowing itself to be used. Under pressure from several environmental groups, that department placed the California desert tortoise on the endangeredspecies list. A 90-day period for public comment follows, after which, motorcycle. ATV and Jeep use in the Mojave Desert might be come a thing of the past. This, de spite the fact that off-road recreationists claim there is no documentation that their sport is harmful to the tortoise. Instead, they say. the species is threatened by respiratory disease and an over abundant population of its natural predator. the raven. "This is the worst threat we've faced-worse even than S-Il ," says AMA District 37 activist Dana Bell. S-i 1. you may remember, is proposed legislation that would severely restrict ot1~road riding in the Mojave. though. so far, it has gained little support in Con gress. The desert tortoise issue may well provide a different means to the same bleak end.
If rou come across a moiorc~'cle-re lated item thai you think should be singled out for an UP or DOWN, send the information to (`W Roundup, 853 W. 17th Si., Costa Mesa, (4 92627.
