Letters
LETTERS
French ticklers
Concerning May’s cover photo with the smoking rear tire on the French-built Ducati 916: Not since Lindbergh landed has a cover made such a statement. Who let you lunatics loose?
Jim Jung Hawi, Hawaii
Regarding your “French Flyers” feature, the paint scheme on the Overlight II Honda CBR900RR was nasty Thumbs up! Jeff Maruna Sheffield Lake, Ohio
That six-cylinder Honda CBX Rebel is one mean machine. And that single-sided, nitrous-injected V-Max was right on. R.W. Burdick Minot, North Dakota
Hey guys, about that BMW in the “French Flyers” article? I need its FRC “dual-cannon” exhaust system now!!! Please tell me how to get in touch with FRC, or at least a U.S. distributor.
Dave Johansen Laramie, Wyoming
The appropriately named Frog Specialties Exports (310/370-9856) has plans to import many of the components featured in the article, including FRC pipes and Beringer brakes.
Give Don Canet an “F” for Art Appreciation. Saying that da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” is a French art treasure is like saying Rodin’s “The Thinker” or Monet’s “Water Lilies” are American art treasures. Yeah, they may reside in these countries now, but the hands that created them did not, nor were they created there. Erik York Woodstock, Connecticut
Next time you ’re in New York City, Erik, make sure to stop by that famous French landmark, the Statue of Liberty.
Classical gas
Right on, Peter Egan. I just finished reading his May column, “Classicism and the modern bike,” and couldn’t agree more. I own a new Ducati 900SS, and in no way does it come close to matching the looks of those mid-’70s classics. Now, to go with my Kawasaki S3 400, I think I’ll acquire a KZ900, one of those BMW R90Ss he mentioned (only mine will be orange), and a Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans. Classic bikes, all. Mark Jones Seal Beach, California
I agree with Peter Egan. After 50 years of motorcycling, I own one classic and one bike that will be a classic. The former is my ’56 Norton Dominator 99 with Featherbed frame and Roadholder forks. The other is my aluminum-framed ’89 Honda Hawk GT. Les Summerfield Panama City, Florida
OF Pete’s right again. First sight of a Ducati 750SS and my hormones boiled over. Same with the Vincent Rapide, BMW R90S, Sophia Loren, Shelby Cobra, Fender Strat, Gretch Tennessean and any Morgan.
Dallas Squyres Modesto, California
Honda 450s forever
Kevin Cameron’s article on Todd Henning (“The Outsider,” May) brought back fond memories of a time when I was building Honda 450 racebikes. The 450 Twin was ahead of its time, but few appreciated the racing potential of this engine. My bike used a total-loss ignition system, Amal carburetors with custom manifolds, a quickchange BSA rear wheel and a Gold Star gas tank. There were no 500cc or 650cc machines faster! Thanks for bringing back the memories. Monte Darling Rathdrum, Idaho
Flex appeal
The May, 1997, Clipboard piece titled “Flex appeal” was fascinating. But while the author speculates it would be a good idea to install tunable urethane pads in racebike steering heads and swingarm mounts, I think such a concept would not work well in conjunction with chain drive. Side-to-side flex would likely cause chain breakages, resulting in a myriad of problems, maybe even crashes. I therefore predict that the next big breakthrough in GP bike design will be shaft drive. Nick MacalllSO Las Vegas, Nevada
Followed quickly by a CB radio, pinstripes, deer whistles, stuffed toy animals and membership in the Good Sam club, no doubt?
Hop along
When Bert Hop wood’s masterpiece book, Whatever Happened to the British Motorcycle Industry, first appeared in 1981, it provided most enthusiasts at the time with an insider’s view of the workings of the big three British manufacturers. But even back then, it was apparent to many that Hopwood’s work was not without a few freshly ground hatchets.
Reader Information
Editorial offices are located at 1499 Monrovia Ave., Newport Beach, CA 92663. Editorial contributions are welcomed, but must be guaranteed exclusive to Cycle World.
We are not responsible for the return of unsolicited material unless accompanied with a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Letters cannot all be answered, nor can all Service inquiries be answered. We appreciate correspondence sent to the editorial offices and will use the most interesting and appropriate letters in the magazine.
One year subscription rates (12 issues) for U.S. and possessions $19.94, Canada/ Foreign $27.94. (Please remit by money order or draft on a U.S. bank, payable in U.S. funds.)
Subscription service: RO. form 3579 and all subscription correspondence should be addressed to Cycle World, P.O. Box 51222, Boulder, CO 80321-1222. Please allow six to eight weeks for a change of address to become effective. Include both your old and new address, and if possible, a mailing label from a recent issue. For faster service, call 303/604-1464 or fax 303/ 604-7455.
Back issues are available for $5.95 each ($7.25 Canada; $12.25 other foreign) in U.S. funds. Please add $2.00 for the Buyer’s Guide. Send a check or money order to: ISI/Cycle World, 30 Montgomery Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302, or call (201) 451-9420. Advertising: See SRDS. Circulation auditing by Audit Bureau of Circulation.
It is obvious what Hopwood thought of the ohc Fury/Bandit 350 Twin, but to identify the design as “one of the final nails pounded into the British industry’s coffin” as April’s Up Front column did, is unfair and not altogether accurate. By all accounts, the finished machine showed promise. If anything worked against the 350, it was the projected $800 price disadvantage against the widely popular Honda CB350.
There can be no question that Bert Hopwood was one of the giants of the British motorcycle industry-certainly twice the engineer of Edward Turner. But by his own admission Hopwood’s strength was on the drawing board, not in the boardroom. In fairness, by the time he made it to the patient’s bedside in the early 1970s, the cancer had become inoperable and it is doubtful that any single individual could have turned things around.
And as far as Hopwood never saying, “I told you so,” most of us back in 1981 saw his book as a 315-page statement of just that! David Gaylin Baltimore, Maryland
Lumber-Glide
You really missed the boat this time. Unlike Associate Editor Wendy Black, I immediately recognized Virgil Huffman’s wooden Panhead (Round Up, April) as Harley’s latest techno-wonder, code-named “Hedge-Hog.” One question, though: If Harley is successful in selling solid wood motorcycles, will the Japanese manufacturers try to market a cruiser made totally from plywood? Jim Williams Bellingham, Washington
As a hobbyist woodworker, I really enjoyed Virgil Huffman’s “Hardwood Davidson.” But since it appears to be a faithful rendering of a ’65 Panhead, I have one question: Does it leave a little puddle of sap underneath the cases every morning? David Donaghy Coopersburg, Pennsylvania
Acorny joke, Dave, it leaves us board. That ’s awl.
