25 Years Ago October, 1982
25 YEARS AGO OCTOBER, 1982
A cover action shot showed Executive Editor John Ulrich aboard an electric-lime-green Kawasaki KZ1000R Eddie Lawson Replica and gave performance-minded readers a hint of the extensive road test within. The ELR-commemorating Lawson's 1981 AMA Superbike Championship-came equipped with a 4-into-i Kerker exhaust and a racing-type triangulated swingarm supported by Showa piggyback-reservoir shocks. While the limited-edition machine offered plenty of promise, it drew some harsh remarks: "Worst feature of the bike is the rear suspension. These imitation Works Performance shocks don't do anything to help handling or comfort." An accompanying article provided a look into what's required to build a competitive,
race-kitted KZ superbike, plus a riding impression of such a machine.
• Feature Editor Peter Egan penned a masterpiece titled “Old Stone,
Green Trees & Speed” that delivered an account of his maiden voyage to the Isle of Man TT. The story was rife with Eganisms, and even the channel crossing from Liverpool to Douglas aboard the ferry was related in such a humorous and entertaining way, I felt as though I was right there on deck, although that ship sailed long ago.
• Even if the TT seemed an Isle too far for the average American motorcyclist, turning a few pages deeper revealed “Sunday Ride,” with this issue’s destination the fabled Alice’s Restaurant, a spot that remains a popular San Francisco Bay Area bike roost to this day. -Don Canet
