Letters

LETTERS

Ancient iron

I was extremely pleased to see the “Killer Z of ’73” on the cover of your January issue. And as an owner of an old Kawasaki Z-l, I was knocked off my feet when I read Pete Lyon’s accompanying “Revolution!” article on the first superbikes.

I’m happy to see that in this age of high-tech motorcycles, old classics like my Z-l are cheerfully remembered. Thank you, CW, for making all of us owners of ancient iron proud.

Frank N. Smith Norfolk, Virginia

Retro Rocket

Just a note to thank you very much for all the articles on British bikes in your January issue. I gave up buying streetbike magazines a long time ago because they only catered to Japanesebike owners or Harley riders. When I saw your 30th anniversary issue, I totally freaked. We Britbike riders are still out here. Thanks for not forgetting us.

Hell, keep this up, and I may even subscribe.

Rocket Man

San Bernardino, California

Thanks, Rock, it’s just our job five days a week, but it ’s been a long, long time since we’ve heard such praise. Say hello to the kids on Mars. Hope they ’re staying warm.

NR750 pros and cons

I’ve been following Honda’s NR project since the late 1970s.

European Correspondent Alan Cathcart says it’s been detuned (see “Aboard the NR Express,” CW, February), and at $60,000-plus, it’s hardly available. Ah, but then he goes and says it’s “simply magic.” I guess I’ll have to wait ’til I win the lotto.

Keep up the good work and take a ride for me.

Les Hill

Webster Springs, West Virginia

Why feature Honda’s NR750? I mean, it’s very interesting-to a point. But $60,000! And not even available to riders in the U.S. You may as well have been testing an Indy car or the Space Shuttle.

Steve Ross Unity, Oregon

Look for tests of both in an upcoming issue.

Down Under blunder

I would never argue with the erudite Kevin Cameron on matters technical. In fact, we are considering making him an honorary Australian. However, on matters of history, I feel free to point out an error. In his January tech story on the NR750, the esteemed KC mentioned that Honda sent the oval-piston endurance bike “off to race at Le Mans in the hands of journalists.”

One of the NR’s riders for that race was Malcolm Campbell, the fastest of the three Le Mans campaigners, who’s been a professional motorcycle racer for more than a decade. He has never been a journalist, and anyone even suggesting that he’s a member of the Fourth Estate would cop some severe aggravation from the man.

Sorry, Kevin.

Colin Menzies Sydney, Australia

These boots are made for ridin'

Peter Egan’s “Boots and saddles” column in February’s issue beautifully explains why taking a trip on a motorcycle is so much different than traveling by any other means. Some of my friends don’t understand my fascination with motorcycle touring. They should read Egan’s column. He puts into words the feeling I get when touring-a wonderful feeling, but until now, so hard to explain.

William Clark Comanche, Texas

Fast women

Thank you for the photograph of Nancy Delgado at the beginning of the “On Track” article in your January Race Watch section. There are a number of women who race, but it’s rare to see evidence of it in a magazine. I look forward to seeing more about women who ride and race in your publication.

Erika A. Lockhart San Francisco, California

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Nancy Delgado is not only fast, but tough. She crashed at the final AMA national in Miami, fracturing her skull. But she plans to compete in both Twin Sports and endurance races this year. “I hope to be ready by Daytona,” she says.

Gimme an H, gimme an A...

If the Honda Shadow 1100 is a harbinger of the V-Twins to emerge from Japan, Harley-Davidson will be very hard-pressed. Hard-pressed to meet the demand for its motorcycles, that is. Only Honda could take such obvious aim at a winner-the H-D Low Rider-and come up with such a piece of garbage.

Peter L. Adamski Fort Riley, Kansas

Gimme an H, gimme an O...

I’m starting a new business. I’m offering a kit to convert Hondas into Harley-Davidsons. Basically, what you do is ride a Honda for about 300,000 miles, then you take a screwdriver and poke a hole in the muffler.

For those interested, please send $169.99 (kit includes one genuine Harley-Davidson screwdriver).

Roberto Martinez Hialeah, Florida

Fire sale

Please send me a flaming red Suzuki Katana 600, for I am very poor and cannot afford one. Would it be too much to ask that a matching helmet be included?

Joey Crouch

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Sorry, Joey, but none of our Katanas are on fire at the present time.

Another satisfied customer

I don’t know why you sent the January issue to me. I do not subscribe, nor do I want to receive it! Please check your records.

Gary Murphy

Los Angeles, California

Accept our apologies. The records were destroyed when one of our Suzuki Katanas spontaneously combusted.