25 Years Ago December, 1971
25 YEARS AGO DECEMBER, 1971
ROUNDUP
Because the 1970s tended toward excess-consider the sexual revolution and the popularity of polyester clothing-it’s no surprise that this issue of Cycle World included a profile of a V-Eight-powered trike. Christened “The Mexawop Express” in honor of builder Dan Hernandez’s Mexican/Italian heritage, this custom three-wheeler was anything but subtle, with its 1967 Ford Mustang engine, psychedelic paint and eight-track stereo.
• Like the ’70s, the “Roaring ’20s” were not known for conservatism, as evidenced by “The Good Old Winter Time.” A humorous reminiscence of cold-weather riding a halfcentury prior, author Gene Bizallion recounted traumatic tales of being trapped in an icy stream beneath a Harley, and of towing ice skaters across a frozen lake behind a sidecar at 50 mph. Chilling stuff.
• Having revisited the past, the editors returned to the present, testing two new motorcycles with ground-breaking technical features. Suzuki’s GT750 was the first modern mass-produced bike equipped with liquid-cooling, while Yamaha’s 100cc LT2-MX helped pioneer reed-valve induction.
• Finally, the editors took a shot at predicting the future. “Viewpoint: The Roadbike in Tomorrow’s World” was a tongue-in-cheek satire that suggested motorcyclists prepare for a tax based on the amount of space a vehicle occupied on the road, as well as for a sterilization law requiring motorcyclists to choose between fertility and fun. Preposterous, until you consider some of today’s pending legislation. -Wendy F Black
