25 Years Ago October, 1976
25 YEARS AGO OCTOBER, 1976
ROUNDUP
Cycle World’s annual “Ten Best Bikes” headlined this month’s issue. In stark contrast to the streetbike bias of today’s selections, there were no fewer than five off-road categories—including Best Trials Bike-making for an even mix. Best 350-400cc Roadster went to Yamaha’s RD400C two-stroke Twin, which, of course, was riding its rear wheel in the accompanying photo. The liter-class pick was another legendary machine, Kawasaki’s KZ900. “If it weren’t for harsh suspension and a moderate chassis wobble when cornering at high speed, we’d have to label the KZ900 perfect,” noted the author of the story. “As is, it’s only the ‘king’ of the superbikes and best bike in its class.” • Long before another “King," racing legend Kenny Roberts, would field his Proton-backed 500cc Grand Prix bike, he got his feet dirty in the design and construction of a roiling chassis for use in dirt-track and TT. The K-R Racing Specialties Yamaha TT500 offered an affordable alternative for hotshoes looking to assemble a kit flat-tracker. What prompted Kenny to enter the framebuilding business? According to Senior Editor D. Randy Riggs, Roberts “had a few of his own ideas that he felt would eliminate the handling problems he had experienced, but people either wouldn’t listen, or were too busy turning out existing designs to take time out to experiment.” Will Roberts deliver power to the people once again with his two-stroke Proton Triple? I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
Don Canet
