Etc.

etc.

CAGIVA LOOKS TO THE EAST

Cagiva’s path back to profitability in the wake of its spinoff from Ducati may depend on income generated by important new ventures in Southeast Asia and the Czech Republic.

The former was inaugurated by the Cologne Show debut of the Stella, a liquid-cooled, 115cc, reed-valve sports moped that will be built in Thailand by a company called Cagiva Asia Pacific. The latter will be addressed by production of the stylish Cucciolo big-wheel 50cc scooter at the Cagiva-owned CZ factory in the Czech Republic.

The cash flow generated by highvolume, low-cost models such as these will form the basis for Cagiva’s plan to restart production at its home plant in Varese, Italy. This has been closed since early summer, with the work force laid off on half pay while the company is restructured.

“Cagiva has several difficult months ahead,” admits company boss Claudio Castiglioni. “But we do have a business plan which will envisage production of the F4 (fourcylinder) starting on time next winter, after we launch it at the 1997 Milan Show. Before then, we will concentrate on R&D of the new four-stroke (Husqvarna) models, and on making proper plans for the rebirth of the Cagiva marque in 1998.”

PAIOLI-KAYABA SHOCKER

Another Italian company that has forged successful links with Asia is Bologna-based suspension manufacturer Paioli. After some years of technical cooperation on an informal basis between the two companies, Paioli and Japanese giant Kayaba recently announced a formal link. This will see the two companies market each other’s products in Europe and Japan, as well as collaborate on joint R&D projects in the future. The tie-up will allow Paioli forks to be sold in Japan for the first time, but will also interest those Japanese bike manufacturers with European factories, who will be able to source Kayaba products locally without paying European import taxes.

CALIFORNIA BANS TWO-STROKES

Despite protests from the AMA’s Districts 36 and 37, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has gone ahead with its plan to “ban” twostroke motorcycles from off-highway use. Any dirtbike manufactured after January 1,1997, will be prohibited from registering for a “green sticker” that would give it access to the state’s Off-Highway Vehicle areas. Older dirtbikes, and those used only in closed-course competition (such as motocross races), will be unaffected by the new regulations; however, the fate of desert racing, enduro and observed trials machines is still up in the air.

Concerned enthusiasts can get more information from AMA Western States Representative Dana Bell at 310/438-6527.

FLAT-SIX PACK

Honda Valkyrie owners now have an owners’ club of their own, or at least a club chapter they can call their own. The Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) has formed the Valkyrie Special Interest Group for owners of the big bruiser cruisers. Memberships cost $25 per year, and more information is available form club coordinator Richard Doell at 82 Sadler Rd„ Bloomfield, NJ 07003; 888/991-VALK.

FOR THE RECORD

Our statement in February’s “Ultimate 600cc Challenge" that a Yamaha YZF600R had won the 1996 European Supersport Championship was incorrect. Though Yamaha’s Massimo Meregalli was in contention for the crown, it ultimately went to Fabrizio Pirovano on a Ducati 748SP Also, our reference to Matt Hines’ use of QwikSilver carburetors in his Vance & Hines Pro Stocker (Race Watch, December, 1996) was inaccurate; the carbs are Lectrons, distributed by Fast By Gast at 800/866-3880.