Letters
LETTERS
Right song, wrong speed
I remember with fondness the song “Little Honda” by the Hondells that was mentioned in David Edwards’ August Up Front. It was indeed a “boppy, Beach Boys kind of tune,” but if he’s playing it at 78 rpm as he mentions in the column, it probably sounds more like Alvin and the Chipmunks. “Little Honda” was a 45-rpm single.
Error aside, the column cleared up a misunderstanding I’ve been laboring under since ‘64. I swear I thought the lyrics went, “It climbs the hills like a mattress.not a Matchless. The only Matchless I ever saw back then was a Twin that was 305 Super Hawk fodder. It was owned by a friend’s brother-in-law, who, with his pompadour, pot belly and leather jacket, looked more like the “old” Elvis stamp than a hillclimber. Steve King
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
I didn’t know that “Little Honda” was a 78-rpm record, so I dusted off my old copy and cranked the turntable up to 78, and sure enough, it sounded a whole lot better. I always thought the Hondells were too young to have such low voices, and at 78 they sounded properly pre-pubescent. I also played some Elvis at 78 and I’ll be damned if he didn’t sound better, too. Thanks for the tip.
Beau Allen Pacheco
Northglenn, Colorado
After reading Peter Egan’s “Road Music” column in the March issue and David Edwards’ recent tribute to “Little Honda,” I came up with a few tunes that might go best with certain motorcycles. What do you think?
Kawasaki ZX-1 1: “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins.
BMW R100GS Paris/Dakar: “It’s the End of the World As We Know It (and I Feel Fine)” by R.E.M.
Honda Gold Wing: “Forever and Ever Amen” by Randy Travis.
Buell RSS1200: “Thunder Road” by Bruce Springsteen.
Suzuki GSX-R750: “Communication Breakdown” by Led Zeppelin
Yamaha Venture Royale: “Roam” by The B-52s.
Any Harley Big Twin with a sidecar: Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries.”
Honda STI 100: “Celebrate” by An Emotional Fish (obscure, but well worth the effort). Eddie Hall
Columbus, Georgia
Crotch rocket
“Budget Racing” in the August issue was fantastic. It showed how everyday riders like me can get racing thrills at an affordable level. And “Epilogue,” about author John Burns’ (thankfully minor) crash added just the right dose of reality.
Matt Rossbacher Tustin, California
“Budget Racing” was informative and filled with feeling. I also appreciated the inclusion of the specific costs for each item the bike needed and of the general costs for each race weekend. In fact, I started scouring the classifieds for a cheap Yamaha SRX of my own the next day.
Tim Kline Huntington, Indiana
John Burns’ “Budget Racing” was a fine narrative. At 27, I also hope to race soon, though I’ll try to avoid John’s type of get-off (“Here comes my crotch to hit me in the face again.”) I hope both his face and crotch survived intact. You can always get your nose fixed, but....
Jeff Hersha
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Bald is bad
In the August Letters section, reader Brian Knowles decries the number of badly worn rear tires he sees on motorcycles in California. Well, here in New Hampshire, I don’t think he’d see any bald tires. We pay $10 for an annual motorcycle inspection, and the condition of tires never gets overlooked at the state inspection station.
Michael Carroll Nashua, New Hampshire
Nationwide, 36 states require a periodic safety inspection. California is not one of them.
The Gilera dilemma
My brother and I were pleasantly surprised to see Alan Cathcart’s article on the Güera Nordwest 600 Single in the August issue. We only hope these great bikes get distributed in the U.S. Of all the 30-plus bikes we have owned over 24 years, only a Güera 124 and a little Gilera Thumper have found a permanent home with us.
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Sam Bogner Sparlano, Illinois
So Gilera’s new 600 Nordwest doesn’t run quite right? Something about the electronic ignition not being up to snuff? I recall the humiliation of struggling on my 1960s Gilera 124 to keep up with a friend on his 55cc Yamaha. Looks like Gilera hasn’t changed much. David Spicer
Canton, North Carolina
Old? Sold!
I want to buy a vintage motorcycle, but don’t know where to look. Can you suggest some publications?
Steve Shepherd Tulsa, Oklahoma
Walneck’s Classic Cycle-Trader (7923 Janes Ave., Woodridge, IL 60515; 708/985-4995) and Bike Journal International (P.O. Box 391, Mt. Morris, IL 61054; 815/734-1101) each have numerous want-ads. Hemmings Motor News (PO. Box 100, Rt.9W, Bennington, VT 05201; 802/422-3101) has bike ads. Also try Motorcycle Collector (30011 Ivy Glenn Dr., Suite 114, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677; 714/249-2270).
Up with the AMA
If anyone thinks American motorcycling is in trouble, buy a European or British magazine and read what is happening over there as the result of government meddling. The three most important words for U.S. motorcyclists should be “AMA, AMA, AMA.’’ Jay Krioner
Seattle, Washington
Net result
I’ve just received the August issue and, as usual, love it. But when you use a full color page to show Associate Editor Don Canet dressed like a security guard for the Victor McLaglen Motor Corps story, yet only allow a 1-inch-square B&W photo of tennis star Gabriela Sabatini on her CBR600 in “UPs & DOWNs,” you need your heads examined. C’mon, Don’s a terrific journalist, but he’s got lousy legs! John Stanley
San Antonio, Texas
His backhand’s not worth a damn, either. É3
