25 Years Ago April, 1974

25 YEARS AGO APRIL, 1974

A Husqvarna 250 CR in mid-flight was depicted on this month's cover. Inside, the corresponding road test praised the bike for being as close to a factory-prepped racebike as possible. "Numerous magnesium components, reed valving and forward-mounted rear shocks make this one machine experts can earn a living on," read the subtitle.

• Also tested was Norton's Commando 850 Interstate, which editors touted for its all-around ability. I personally got a kick, so to speak, from the description of the bike's lengthy cold-starting procedure: "Flood both carburetor float bowls by depressing the tickler buttons until gas runs all over the engine cases. Messy. After ignoring the choke device altogether, swing the kickstart lever out and really stand on it. You have to use every ounce of body weight in a determined effort... Sometimes the Twin will fire on the first or second kick, but if it doesn't, figure on 10 or 15 prods with the kickstarter." Whew! I broke a sweat just reading it.

• On a sadder note, the Competition Etc. section comprised a two-page photo essay of the late Cal Rayborn, top-ranked U.S. roadracer and land-speed record-holder. Senior Editor D. Randy Riggs eulogized, "He leaves an empty spot that will never be filled-not because he was the fastest man on two wheels, not because of the accomplishments too numerous to mention-but because he was Calvin...and we loved him. Thanks, Mr. Rayborn, for it all."

Don Canet