Letters
LETTERS
T’d off
Motorcycle bias is to be expected from Cycle World, but interviewer Ian Falloon, in citing great Bolognese technical minds, might have slighted Nobel Prize-winning Guglielmo Marco (1874-1937) a tad in calling Dr. Fabio Taglioni the “greatest of them all” (“Dr. T,” CW, July). The respective influences of these two men are hardly in the same league-desmodromic valve actuation remains slightly behind radiotelegraphy in global significance.
Don’t misunderstand. I love motorcycles and motorcycling. But perspective is always appropriate. John JOSS Los Altos, California
I enjoyed Phil Schilling’s words on the Ducati 750SS adjoining Ian Falloon’s interview with the Great One, Fabio Taglioni. While others may say that Classic Bike is the only true collector’s periodical, you have kept the past a very essential element of Cycle World's success.
Phil very humbly left out the fact that, as tuner, he was at least co-instrumental in the development and campaigning of the Cook Neilson “California Hot Rod” victory at Daytona in 1977. Facts that I am sure most of your readers are well aware. Most impressive, however, was the humility and unassuming nature of Taglioni, the man, as presented through Falloon’s interview.
Steve Hatfield Ft. Walton Beach, Florida
Here is one who hopes Brian Dietz rides his 1974 Ducati round-case 750SS. An investor (as opposed to a collector) values money more than any passion he may or may not have for the desired object. Such people really distorted the Ferrari market in the Eighties, to the detriment of the real enthusiasts. While such objects (Ducatis, Ferraris, etc.) can give immense pleasure when viewed as static sculpture, their true essence and the passion of their creators can only be discerned in the dynamic mode. I am now riding my fourth Honda > Pacific Coast, so I must be one of the loyal cadre that you mentioned in your Quick Ride. My PC ownership periods have been preceded and fol lowed by other steeds, including sev eral of the Winnebago-type touring bikes, but I seem to be drawn back to the PC's uuirkv nracticalitv.
When all is said and done, and it’s time to check out (as it will be for us all), I would rather go with a smile on my face and no regrets than with a few extra bucks in the bank.
William R Truby Euclid, Ohio
High art
Regarding your “downer” given to certain closed-minded prigs in the art community (Ups & Downs, November) and their poor reviews of the Guggenheim Museum’s “Art of the Motorcycle” exhibit: What did you expect?
Just stop and think for a moment. We motorcyclists represent to them, if not a counterculture, at the very least an uncivilized fragment of our society.
They probably felt quite justified in their comments, coming from their limited, biased viewpoint.
Furthermore, I propose that you would have been even more provoked had those stuffed shirts actually enjoyed the exhibit. Be honest with yourself, a certain appeal of our sport/lifestyle/culture is that it is intended to offend. In our heart of hearts we take some small degree of pleasure in being different, in not being accepted by mainstream culture.
It fuels our sense of rebelliousness. We revel in being different. Ask yourself this question: Do you even want to be accepted by those people?
John Bonsett-Veal Madison, Wisconsin
The Coasters
Thanks for the article on the Honda Pacific Coast (Quick Ride, July). You summarized the PC 800 experience well: a great motorcycle that gets no respect. There’s not much status for a do-it-all streetbike. It’s not an Ibe-bad cruiser, not a Ricky-Racer sportbike nor a luxury-liner tourer, although it blends all of these quite well. The “bubble-bike,” as my wife calls it, has a balance few other bikes achieve. Just ask an owner.
Tom Hillen
St. Louis, Missouri
I really enjoyed your article about the Pacific Coast, “Have trunk, will travel.” I am one of the PC faithful. I find nothing wrong with a smooth, wraparound body or a trunk and seat that are larger and more comfortable than those on most motorcycles.
Urban Antos
Barnesboro, Pennsylvania
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I live in Florida, but I bought my most recent PC from a dealer in Ore gon. I flew out to Portland, and rode the 3850 miles back, all in great com fort aboard Honda's most misunder stood two-wheeler. Now (thanks to CW), the secret of this bike is out.
Fred W. Hawkins Osprey, Florida
The Michelle Chronicles
In regards to an item in the Ups & Downs column (CW, November, 1998): Michelle Duff has more balls than you and I could ever hope to have. Unfortunately, too many motor cyclists don't know the history of Michelle Duff. To know who (transex ual) Michelle Duff is, one must first know who Mike Duff was.
I ran into Mike in the late Sixties, after his big racing accident, major surgery, remarkable recovery and re turn to roadracing in Canada. I re member one race in particular at Mosport, Ontario. The entire 250cc GP field had left and disappeared into Turn 1 when Mike came running with his bike onto the track, bump started it and off he went. By the last lap, Mike was comfortably leading the field. He made it look so easy, it was nure ma€~ic.
Mike was a cut above the rest. He was soft-spoken, articulate and a joy to talk to. I'll always think of Mike Duff as a great roadracer and human being. Mike's world was becoming a difficult place to live in, though, and he was about to check out.
Then, through the miracle of mod ern medicine, enter Michelle Duff-no doubt a better person than Mike was, and every bit as good on a motorcy cle. Imagine that! I take my hat off to Michelle for all her trials and tribula tions, and I wish her all the best life has to offer. She deserves it.
George Soares Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Michelle Duff then ex-GP star Mike, was a Cycle World staffer from June `68 to February `69.
Gold strike
Your November issue has several references to the venerable BSA Gold Star, including Jody Nicholas’ “Sportin’ Norton” sidebar and, of course, the customized job pictured every month in David Edwards’ Up Front column. Moreover, it seems the Goldie gets mentioned in some context or another quite often in CW. I’d bet readers would like a Gold Star overview and I’d bet Jody would do a fine job writing it. Perhaps he’d recount that last lap at the ’63 Laconia National for us, too!
David A. Paddock
Merrimack, New Hampshire
Tub talk
As usual, Kevin Cameron has used a particularly apt way to illustrate a physical principle when he describes how the boundary layer of water next to our skin in a hot bathtub causes us to engage in a variety of creative ways to remove its insulating effect so as to again feel the “delightful warmth” ( TDC, November, 1998). But, as we readers of your magazine know only too well, there are yet more fundamental forces at work here-namely, adaptation of the heat receptors of the skin and habituation of the perception of heat. In short, we get used to everything, and when we do we lose our delight in it. It’s how our brains work. Thus, we are caught in a never-ending quest for more power, more speed, greater cornering angles, stronger brakes, more gorgeous exhaust notes and ever-cooler custom cache. Ain’t it great!
Another thing to think about next time you’re soaking in the tub.
John Santelli Englewood, New Jersey
Aero-tail?
I’m confused. First, Honda comes out with the Shadow Aero, a new Honda designed to look like an old Harley. Now I see in September’s New Ideas that Harley sells a kit to make your Softail look like an old Honda! Whoever designed that headlight nacelle had a 150cc Honda Benly Touring at some point in his life. What’s next? Will Honda begin using a bar-and-shield logo? Will H-D start a “You Meet the Nicest People...” ad campaign?
It’s all too much for me-loan me a Buell XI for a few days; I think a good, fast ride will clear my head. Chris Roy Laguna Hills, California
Diverted
I just spent a few weeks in Norway on a Yamaha XJ900S Diversion. A great bike. When will it be available in the USA? Bill Moeller
Los Altos, California
We liked the hike, too, when we tested a European version in 1995. Using wisdom that escapes us, Yamaha maintains the sport-standard Divvy has no market in the US.
Road food
I enjoyed reading about the adventures of Helge Pedersen and his travels (“Continental Drifter,” CW, November). When he was in “Chili,” he spent time fishing for octopus, huh? I hope it didn’t have too many jalapeños and red peppers in it! Elmer Golden
Cincinnati, Ohio
All right, Mr. Rand-McNally hotshot smarty-pants, “Chile" it is. □
