Letters

LETTERS

Rewriting history

In April's "State of the Sport" article, Cycle World identifies Harley-David son's 175cc Scat as being made in Italy by Aermacchi. It was not. The Scat was made in the USA by Harley, and was part of a lightweight line that began in 1947 (one year before there was a Honda Motor Co.) with the production of H-D's first two-stroke motorcycle, the 7.6-cubic-inch 5, or 125, as it was called in factory literature. This motor cycle was based on the German DKW 125, the design of which Harley bought (and upgraded) after WWII. This was followed by a succession of models, including the Hummer-the first H-D to have a model name-the Scat and the Bobcat. Swingarm sus pension was added in 1963, and at the end of 1966, Harley's U.S. lightweight production ceased.

Michael R. Lewis Tucson, Arizona

The "80-cubic-inch" 1947 Indian pictured in May's Roundup story about the possible rebirth of the com pany is a 74-cubic-inch model. The 80 was not built until 1950.

Robert Klein Menasha, Wisconsin

In April's Roundup, the "25 Years Ago" article contains an error. The machine in the accompanying photo is identified as a "500cc Norton Domi nator 99." If the bike is a 500, it can't be a Model 99; conversely, if it is a 99, it can't be a 500. Norton attached the Dominator designation to five dif ferent models: the 7, the 88, the 99, the 77 and the 650. The Dominator 7s and 88s had 500cc (actually 497cc) engines; the 99s and 77s had 600cc (598cc) engines; and the 650 had a 646cc engine.

Therefore, the machine in question is either a 5 00cc Model 7 or 88, or a 600cc Model 99.

Dennis A. Truxal Trenton, New Jersey

First, do some reading

I'm a motorcycle enthusiast and was wondering how to become a writer for Cycle World magazine? -

Chris Shafer Natural Bridge, Virginia

Obviously, an intimate knowledge of the histories of Harley-Davidson, In dian and Norton is not a prerequisite.

The Kevin question

Kevin Cameron's technical gobbly gook in the TDC column is unneces sarily difficult to read.

Ken Maike Port Angeles, Washington

Kevin Cameron is the Bard of Internal Combustion, the Poet of the Pis ton. He is the one writer who captures the violent beauties of the gasoline engine. His writing is my favorite part of the magazine.

Jerry Adams Denver, Colorado

The Harley question

It's disgusting that you people never have anything good to say about Harley-Davidson.

Eunice Mackey Martins Ferry, Ohio

Once more you've talked me into renewing my subscription, but only because your Harley-Davidson cover age has been so frequent and so fair.

John Clark Albertson Detroit, Michigan

Dyno-sore

Cycle World recently added horse power and torque listings to its roadtest specifications. Presumably, you are testing the bikes and not just re porting the manufacturers' claimed output. Incidentally, I find dyno charts to be so much more informative than the simple peak horsepower and torque figures you now publish. How about including the charts?

Mark Panarusky Raleigh, North Carolina

Starting with this issue, Cycle World spec panels will include a dy namometer chart showing horsepower and torque curves. And, no, we don `t rely on the manufacturers for figures. Our readings are taken at the rear wheel on a privately owned Dynojet Research dynamometer.

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