Etc.
etc.
SUPERIOR SINGLE?
Well, it's no Ducati Supermono, but ya gotta admire Rex Marsee’s chutzpah.
The Temecula, California-based designer has always wanted to manufacture his own motorcycle, which is how he explains this aluminum-bodied, singlecylinder roadracer. Keeping things simple, famed framemaker C&J fabbed a steel-tube frame and box-section swingarm. A buddy came up with race-style triple-clamps and WP fork, and Yoshimura kicked in rearsets. Brakes are Performance Machine, and the finished product rolls on spun-aluminum PM wheels shod with sticky Pirelli Dragons. Marsee hoped to power his 210-pound, single-shock creation with a Husaberg four-stroke, but when negotiations with parent company KTM went south, he opted for a Honda CR500 motor. ExWorld Champion Kel Carruthers modified the two-stroke Single for pavement duty, while Rob North (yes, that Rob North) hand-rolled the aluminum gas tank and sleek tailpiece. Besides concealing the muffler, the latter also supports the rider. A fiberglass fairing is in the works. Marsee plans to put his CR500RR into limited production. Cost, sans engine, is $10,900. Marsee can be reached at 800/293-2400.
SKI SLOPE SWITCHEROO
Citing increased real-estate development, AHRMA has moved its annual vintage motorcycle races from Steamboat Springs, Colorado, to Park City, Utah. Roadracing will take place on a temporary 1.8-mile street course that wends its way around the town’s municipal golf course. The motocross and trials events will be contested on the slopes of the Park City Mountain Resort, and dirt-trackers will congregate in nearby Heber. Other happenings include a concours d’elegance, dual-purpose rides, extreme trials demos, an art expo and a Saturday barbecue and concert. Get in on the fun, September 16-19. For more information, contact AHRMA at 715/842-9699.
WHAT’S NEXT, WAL-MART?
How’s this for an experiment? Michelin is selling motocross tires on a trial basis at Sam’s Club membership warehouses in Colorado, Ohio, Texas and Utah.
“There are a number of recreational offroad riders who do not patronize motorcycle dealerships,” said a Michelin spokesman. “We hope to reach this group through Sam’s Club and convert these casual riders into long-term Michelin customers.” If all goes well, knobbies could be on shelves nationwide by next spring. Product choices will be limited, though. “Independent motorcycle dealers have been and continue to be integral to Michelin’s success in North America,” added the spokesman. “We have no intention of putting our dealers in direct competition with a national retail chain.”
HENNING ON THE MEND
Vintage roadracer Todd Henning is recovering from head injuries suffered last April at California’s Sears Point Raceway. His coordination, fine motor skills and balance continue to be affected, as are short-term memory and speech. The 48-year-old former AMA/CCS and AHRMA national champ is undergoing physical therapy at Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital in Braintree, Massachusetts. A fund has been established to offset medical expenses. Contributions should be addressed to the Todd Henning Medical Fund, Cape Cod Bank and Trust, 103 Shank Painter Rd., Provincetown, MA 02657.
R1 TOPS
With an income of $750,000 and a net worth of $3.7 million, the average Robb Report reader would seemingly be drawn toward exotic Bimotas and hot-rod Harleys. Better to go with a $10,199 Yamaha YZF-R1, says the magazine in its 11 th-annual “Best of the Best” issue. “Our editors and writing staff chose the R1 as the ‘best’ for 1999 because of its handling and proven on-road performance,” said Daniel Phillips, the magazine’s publisher. Other winners include Ferrari’s 456M GT (exotic car), Caesar’s Palace (casino) and Giorgio Armani (menswear).
