Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125498
WATTS TOURS By Cbuck Clayton & Bob Bradford We don't often get the chance to point out some of the other reasons why people enjoy riding motorcycles besides for sport. Yet it is a fact that the majority of bikes in use are not the glittering competition steeds, but the more mundane, prosaic transportation or touring machines. There is undoubtedly more satisfaction per mile obtained from racing than any other vehicular hobby, but we cannot deny that just plain riding on the road has its considerable satisfactions too. For example: Last week a couple of your Cycle News staffers rode out on a pair of powerful motorcycles to visit what in some eyes might be considered the least attractive site in America: Watts, California. It was a clea~, balmy day and the old slum looked about as awful as ever - flat, dilapidated and almost overcome by neglect. Yet Watts has at least two major landmarks that set it apart from other suburban slums and both of them happen to be on the same block: the Watts Towers and the new Community teen-post. Short, deadend 107th street, near Wilmington, is the site of Simon Rodia's enchanting towers. Constructed by the artist, working alone over a period of 30 years, the delicate spires are a tribute to one man's individuality, and a symbol of triumph over the whims of beauracracy. Neglected by all except a few artists for many years, the now-famous towers were slated for demolition as a ·dangerous eyesore- by the L.A. City Building Dept. Could nothing be done to prevent this vandalism? Artists and other interested citizens were drawn together out of a community need to preserve their local heritage. A -Tower-in· was held one day, near Rodia's site and the local police showed up, wondering what activity would ensue. Music echoed from the streets, children danced and a few poems were read aloud in hopes of dissuading the wrecking crew, who, already were busy unloading a huge Caterpillar tractor. One worker kept looking over his shoulder, wondering if someone was watching him or if an attempt to abort the city's project was in motion. SOon enough a steel cable was hooked to a spire. A loud hiss arose from the crowd. The demolition chief informed them that if the tower survived this test, the structures would be allowed to stand. The towers were thought unsafe because the basic construction material was unfit for building material. After all, baling wire, cement and broken pieces of colored glass and pottery are only good for littering vacant lots. The hookup completed, a signal to the crew to begin the 'big pull' brought an intense groan from the crowd. Stretch, bend - Snap! The cable broke! A bellowing cheer erupted from the neighbors, who had waited all day. Fetching a stronger cable, the men hooked it up quicker this time and also a little farther up on the tower. The bulldozer chugged and whined to a shriek as one seashell cracked and fell. Cycle lIews staff. pauses wltll a partial spiral sparllllne In tbe backpo..,d. T_ Post on 107t11 51. was decorated by tile local youth. A club house Is currently belne .ected beblnd tills bulldtne. ***** FAIR WARNING NEXT WEEK IS APRIL FOOL . . . . . . Grind-knaw-Ahazziump! The bulldozer coughed, spit and quit. Singing started almost immediately, gala and cheer caressed the whole atmosphere as the workers looked in awe at their broken tractor. Dancing started, people were all laughing, shouting and smiling as the hard-hats bleakfully made their way out of Simon's sanctuary. Time has passed since then and a realistic neighborhood workshop has been formed to unite the Watts community. One of the major problems facing the local residents in transportation. There are now, two different sets of railroad tracks running through the area, neither of which is serving the people. A limited bus system exists within certain boundaries, however, the certainty of this remaining or expanding is doubtful. The key to unlock the transportation problem is motorcycles. WHY NOT? A bike shop in Watts, owned and operated by the members of the community who in earnest would provide tbe spirit of motorcycling could provide several monumental solutions for the anti-poverty· projects•.A few honest attempts to harvest bike enthusiasm have bloomed in the past. One shop was nipped in the bud, during the August riots. Another dealer moved out (after being protected from looters by his customers who lined up around the shop). Another fell by the wayside due to economic problems. Cycle News believes bike shop in Watts is needed to spur the entire locality. Research into this idea shows that literature from the Watts scene as well as numerous individual pronouncements indicate a glowing interest in bikes and the extension of a motorcycle's meaning. Marjorie Clark, research analyst from The Economic & Youth Opportunity Agency of Greater Los Angeles told what effect a new motorcycle sales outlet would have on the community. Shefeels·such an endeavor would be a way of handling transportation problems for private individuals who find it hard in commuting from Watts to other areas for employment. There's a low peak of competition interest,JlOwever. After some effort is made to institute modern motorcycling in the ·existing conditions, a Watts racer could use some of that black courage in a new and expressive way. When a fresh means of expression presents itself, men change.