25 Years Ago June, 1972

25 YEARS AGO JUNE, 1972

ROUNDUP

The editors got into the swing of summer with this issue, using a California sunset as the backdrop for a cover shot of a Triumph T120RV Bonneville. Although the venerable “Bonnie” had been subjected to a major redesign the year prior, it went under the knife again for 1972, receiving a new five-speed gearbox. While the surgically enhanced version was a little quicker than its predecessors, editors enthused, “No, you don’t need a five-speed gearbox to enjoy the Triumph Bonneville. But it sure is neat.” -Wendy F. Black

• Perhaps just as “neat” in its own day was the Scott Flying Squirrel, subject of a rare, but popular, CW “Classic Test.” Scott, a small British pioneer in two-stroke engineering, manufactured the Flying Squirrel from 1935-1970. Dubbed by editors as “a mind-boggling motorcycle,” the 596cc Twin combined antiquated styling with latterday technology, such as a telescopic fork, swingarm rear suspension and liquid cooling. Clearly ahead of its time, the Flying Squirrel even boasted inclined cylinders resembling those of current Yamaha sportbikes.

• Of course, no June issue would be complete without Daytona 200 coverage. With an eight-page feature applauding the surprise win of Yamaha privateer Don Emde and a four-page “Daytona By Dice” board game, Bike Week got more than its fair share of copy. It just goes to show that the old adage is true:

The more things change, the more things stay the same.