Etc.
ETC.
HISTORY ON WHEELS
“Motorcycles Forever” is the title of an exhibit running through September 29 at the Reynolds-Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin, Canada. With more than 120 bikes from 14 countries displayed in chronological order, the exhibit traces the development of two-wheeled transportation through the 20th century. In addition to motorcycles, the museum features airplanes and automobiles and offers courses in vehicle restoration. For further information, call 403/352-5855.
HOG HAULERS
Ford is negotiating with HarleyDavidson to produce a limited-edition pickup truck bearing The Motor Company’s logo, a Ford spokesman told Cycle World. Both American companies were established in 1903 and remain at least partly familyowned, so there’s a strong tie-in for advertising purposes. The main stumbling block is financial: Harley wants a larger licensing fee than Ford is willing to pay. But the auto-maker is confident that the deal will go down, and that approximately 5000 of the all-black, possibly lowered, F-series trucks will be produced.
ANNIVERSARY GUZZIS
To celebrate its 75th anniversary, Moto Guzzi has begun production of two new models: a fuel-injected version of the pushrod Sport 1100 and a new version of the Daytona dubbed the RS. The latter machine mates an 1100cc version of the fuel-injected, eight-valve Daytona engine with the Sport 1100’s chassis and bodywork, with detail styling touches to differentiate it from the pushrod bike and a different rear-suspension design. An anniversary edition of the Le Mans 1000 is believed to be due later this year, followed by the Centauro street rod that debuted at last November’s Milan Show.
REVENGE, ITALIAN STYLE
As Cagiva works flat-out to complete its new F4 Superbike, interest turns to the identity of the rider who will carry out the bike’s racetrack development. Early signs pointed to Pier-Francesco Chili after he was asked to ride the F4 in its debut at Mugello last year, but Chili is busy racing a Ducati in the World Superbike Championship. Now, word is that Cagiva’s choice is none other than Loris Reggiani, the former 250cc GP star sacked by Aprilia at the end of last season. With massive R&D experience (Aprilia’s current dominance of the 250cc GPs is due largely to his efforts), Reggiani is an ideal candidate to mold the F4 into a competitive steed-as well as to race it in 1997, when Aprilia’s own V-Twin Superbike is scheduled to make its debut.
ENDANGERED HORSES
European motorcyclists’ twoand-a-half-year battle to fend off a proposed 100-horsepower limit isn’t over yet. Despite the fact that the original proposal was defeated in the European Parliament, Commissioner Martin Bangemann has hired Dutch research institute TNO to study the relationship between horsepower and accidents. France will be allowed to keep its 100-bhp limit until the study is completed, but will have to remove it if no correlation is found.
GANG PRANG
Swedish stunt rider Patrik Furstenhoff recently crashed his turbocharged Suzuki GSX-R1100 while wheelying at 85 mph-an occupational hazard for someone riding anything this powerful, you might think, except that he was carrying six passengers at the time! Even more amazing, no one was seriously hurt in the accident.
