Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1960's

A.F.M. Race Scene i M/C Mech. School Opens Nexl Week 0... By Rudi Hartnut By Reg Sheldric" Motorcycling in S4lutIIern California scores aaether first wifb the impl~ accrellted motorcycle mechanics course, scheduled to begin at LIs Angeles Trad~Technical College Aprilll, 1961. TIle Minutemal Motel at 3151 Las Vegas BI'd. St. will lie race head- g ..taflln crt tile first ~ t.:l ~ ~ U :... U The program. brought into existence by the scarcity of professionally trained mechanics needed to keep up with the rapid expansion of the motorcycle industry, will involve about two years or 2,000 hours of instruction in various facets of cycle repair. Students will receive college credits for courses taken and will be awarded an A.S. degree upon completion of the program. Announcement of the course came at a recent kick-off meeting at the college which was attended by representatives of the major English and Japanese companies, including Honda. Suzuki. Triumph, BSA and Yamaha. Young Doug Christopher. fonner professional racer and mechanic. was named to head the curriculum. Christopher has attended a number of factory training schools and is well founded in both theory and practice of the motorcycle repair business. Dean of Instruction Franklin Johnson, who presided at the meeting, said that the college and industry worked together for two years to develop a comprehensive curriculum. ·We hope,· Johnson warned, • that our students rloo't think they know ail there is to know about motorcycles when they graduate from this institution. They will enter the trade as mechanic-trainees and not as journeyman mechanics. we hope that they will carry their starting salary and become an indispensable segment of the motorcycle industry within a short period of time.· Johnson added that he has received inquiries about the program from all over the U.S. and some foreign countries and indicated that the college would break with tradi tion and begin the course in the middle of the seme ster because 0 f the w-gent need (or trained personnel. Considerable growth and expansion is expected and the college is already making plans to add another section and another instructor. In addition, a shortened night course for individuals who are already working in the industry, will go into the works on APril 17 . Manufacturers' representatives present at the meeting pledged support of the program with the donation of special tools. materials. service manuals and other training aids. However. private shop owners were urged to donate any unwanted motorcycles or parts to the college. The program outline is as follows: 1. Orientation to the Motorcycle Industry (3 Units). Instruction is given in customer relationships, health, industrial procedures. industrial relations. job orientation, local laws and ordinances, responsibilities of citizenship, trade ethics. safety. shop records, work habits, worker relationships, industry organizations, and use of trade publications. 2. Theory of Tools and Measurement(3). This course includes a review of basic mathematical processes, as well as instruction of the variojls measuring systems and devices. Hand power tools and equipment used in the repair of motorcycles are studied. 3. Internal Combustion Engine Theory(3). A study is made of engine types, construction. operating principles, and performance. The theory of combustion and the characteristics of fuels are emphasized. 4. Engine Disassembly and Assembly (4). This course offers shop practice in engine disassembly and inspection, valve and neat reconditioning and installation, checking, tolerances fitting ~·MILE SEASON OPENS parts and engine reassembling. The student is given instructions in the use of various engine rebuilding equipment. 5. Fuel Systems (3). A study is made of the various types of fuels used in internal combustion engines. The theory and principles of operation of carburetion and fuel injection is also studied. 6. Carburetor Breakdown&Assembly (2). Shop instruction is offered in servicing, disassembly, inspection, reassembly, and adjustment of the most common types of carburetors. 7. Electrical Systems Principles (4). The theory of electricity, parallel circuits, series circuits, ohm's Law magnetism and induction, coils, capacitors, distributors. motors, relays and switches, batteries, generators, and magnetos is studied. 8. Electrical Systems Breakdown and Assembly (3). This laboratory course includes the servicing and testing of distributors, ignition systems, starting motors, A.C. and D.C. generators, regulators, switches, relays and magnetos. Instruction is given in the use of electrical and tuneup equipment. 9. Lubrication Systems Theory (2). A study is made of the types of lubricants, classifications, viscosity, flash point, auditives and lubrication systems. 10. Power Transmission Theory (2) Instruction is given in transmission theory and operation, gear design, gear combinations, ratio, types of clutches and final drives. 11. Power Transmission Breakdown and Assembly (3). Laboratory instruction is offered in the repair and servicing of clutches, transmissions and final drives. 12. Frame and Suspension Theory and Demonstration (2). This theory and demonstration course offers instruction in the types and us.es of frames and suspension. proper and safe use of straightening tools and equipment and frame welding. 13. Wheel and Brake Laboratory (2) Shop training is given in wheel tuning, wheel lacing. wheel balancing, brake service and repair. 14. Engine Diagnosis and Repair (4) Shop experience is given in engine diagnosis equipment, diagnosis techniques and engine repair techniques. 15. Transmission Diagnosis & Repair(2). Shop practice is offered in proper diagnosis and repair techniques in clutches. shifting mechanisms, transmissions and final drives. 16. General Service and Tune-up (4). Instruction is given in the initial service, set-up and adjustments of a new unit. Also warranty service, preventive maintenance and tune-up techniques are covered. 17. Shop Management and Control (2). Shop practice in the supervision of work in progress, problem advising, shop leadership and control of quality production and cost. Prospective entrants must be 18 years old or must have a higlt school diploma. They must also live in the L.A. Junior College District or in a district with which the L.A. Trade-Technical College bas an exchange agreement. Tuition is free. with the exception of out of state residents (or -mom tuition has been set at $UO per semester. Any intp.rested individuals should write to L.A. Trade-Technical College, 400 W. Washington Blvd., or phone 74lH18oo. vm fOR SAfE "IGHT R'D'''G The Speridon Safety Vest has been designed to protect and save lives of motorcyclists who do a lot of night riding. It is a simple garment made to be worn over street or work clothes whenever necessary. The Nite-Glo vest will pick UP and reflect back any direct light striking it and makes the wearer visible for at least 100 yards. Its reflect! ve properties are not affected by moisture, including washing and dry cleaning. The garment is made of durable nau' gahyde, paneled front and back with a high intensity reflective cloth material. It is also available in water repellent nylon with several colors and racing stripes. Retail price of the vest is $12.95, available from Speridon, 113 Arroyo Dr.• So. San Francisco, Calif. FRIDAY NIGHT(tl Riders and spectators alike will have their eyes turned skyward Friday, April 14, to see if higher powers will allow the half-mile season to finally begin. Last Friday, some 150 riders turned out to do battle, only to find out that the track was too wet for competition. Sammy Tanner, the ·Flying Flea· from Wilmingion, remains the man to beat. But there are more riders who appear capable of turning that difficult trick. Mel Lacher. a red-hot San Diego rider, is one who threatens orten and appears ouly to need a little more endurance to vie for the title. Chris Draayer of Salt Lake City, who finished among the top five riders in the U.S. last year, figures to be in the thick of the chase for the 1967 crown. SO does Mert Lawwill of San Francisco. who had a bangup season in 1966. Ralph White and Dan Haaby. local SOuth Bay favorites, are also ranked among the top flattrack pilots in the country. r-------------, Ho.. C.'"r :G L e:J aty I .,§A ~ _S!P.!'!~ !J.1~?11. I quart..s fIIr the ·SiI,er State Gralld Prix" fIlis ClIIIliag SUna,. Mr. and Mrs. Morri s are furni ag oyer tlte IlIItel to tile cycle racers .d tIIIse riders planniAg to sta, OYlII'IIigb should *'II lIIemalile.Theirratesare ... rea.lallle COIsidering fbat most all of Ibe IlIIteis aid botels are booked fIIr fbe gllf touraameat. Here in Las Vegas. finding support for racing is always a little hard and when you run into people like the Morrises it revives one's faith a little. The overflow can check with the Sulinda at 2035 Las Vegas So. The Stardust event will be under the direction of the San Francisco Chapter with the assistance of Los Angeles and Las Vegas chapters. At Cotati on Easter Sunday, the S.F. Chapter held an excellent race program. Set UP with a little uncertainty considering the Easter weekend, I'm sure the crowd was far greater than expected. There were a lot of riders who went up from So. Cal. The crow d started to come in around noon and by 1:30 the stands were full. A three-hour practice session gave the racers plenty of time to get used to the track layout. Further information drifts in that we will have a good list of entries from the other two organizations (see Calendar of Events). There should be well over 100 entries in the G.P. and sidecar cJasses alone. Local SCCA members have offered their assistance as have the Riding Roulettes of Las Vegas. Radio trucks will be out on the big three-mile circuit and will have instant contact with the control tower and the Start-Finish line. With everyone's promise to be at the track by 8:00 a.m. we should be able to get practice underway promptly at 9:00 a.m. In a 24-hour town like Las Vegas, you need a club to get people into bed early and up in the morning. Entry blanks are available from the L.A. and S.F. Chapters and list all regulations and payoffs. Las Vega.s Moto-Cross Sidecars a-Go-Go (And Some Don't) The Las Vegas Chapter of the AFM bas (ound a sponsor and members plan to present a Motn-Cross series. A layout has been (ound that closely resembles a F.I.M. course-sand. dirt. water. hills and IlIIlleys in a two-mile stretch. The area will be roped and Oagged. The purse will be $200.00 for the first event and classes are 0-100, 101-250. 251-500, 5Ol~pen. First three places will cash in. The date is May 7th, and full details on the location will be in the Calendar of Events next week. SO far the Chapter has received 35 entries and has been in contact with many California riders who plan to come uP. Entry blanks can be had from Secy. Dutch Cunningham, AFM. Box 1082. Las Vegas. Nevada. A complete set of rules and regulations will be sent out to all entries and AFM members intere sted in riding the event. April the 23rd ••. Vacaville ... AFM National points race ... More later. The sidecar pilots were out again and the crowd loved every moment of the show. Malcolm Pa....er stayed up till 5:00 a.m. geUing his machine ready (or Sunday but experienced a little trouble. Malcolm and his wife, who is his passenger. are old hands at sidecar racing in England. The Bums chair corrected the carb troubles that plagued them at the Stardust in February but (ailed again this time to get into the race. Much wo.... will have to be done to dethrone Reg Prilbore from his perch as sidecar ..ing here. A.F.M. Stus to the Stardust $1,000.00 is up for grabs at the stardust track this coming Sunday in the G.P. Classes. I understand there are a few new sidecars in the works, including a 450 Honda kneeler. From all reports. if they are true, we will have around 12 or 13 sidecars on the 16th. Sunn, Ponderosa Sportsman Short By Wes Anderson On April 2 the Ponderosa desert terrain was nice and damp, with no dust. The sun shone brightly as 311 eager riders lined up - ready to race. A course comprised of three 13-mile loops awaited Open Class competitors; trail bikes were to cover two loops•.And off they roared. Doyle Fields, Triumph-mounted, led all the way, finishing with a three-minute advantage over second place Howard Jackson on a Bultaco. The old desert veteran Bill Hutton wound up third. Favored Bud Eltins crashed. but fortunately was only shall.en up. Ninetyeight of the 195 Open Class entries received trophies for their efforts. Tra.il Bikes Cli ve Thomas on his hot Honda led both trail bike loops. Thomas bad a oneminute lead over Greg Miller riding a Hodaka. Fourteen-year-old Wes Anderson Jr_ gotoff to a late start and came in a close third on the Eisenberg Yamaha. Fiftyeight o( the 116 trail bike entries received trophies. Big Frank Wheeler gave up a solid fifth spot to help a fallen rider. Mary Brooks was the first girl in: Seventeen members of the Sinners M.C. had their own race. First Open Class rider was Jack Contreras with Jerry Moffett winning trail bike honors. (Results on page 16) -9~ Sate 'It.S .:: 9fJ1l, factory '.porler/ .. Direct .. Distri.tor fraac"i. for . .. •• 'tala••otortyrle .. .. .. .. Complete line - 50cc thru 350cc .. 7 engine sizes in 14 models incl uding racers. : .. A name proven. International It Factory representative in Calif. .. [or appointment. .. : It It State Interest & quallflcatlons" All raplles coufidantlal. .. .. • .. .. .. BIX C, % Cycle News, P.O. : Box 498, Loag Beacll, Calif. « .. * Track & TT Opens A ·118 aI S IhgaIe prl ou ' The weekly racing bonanza for lightweight riders gets underway next Tuesday and Thursday nights at Trojan Speedway in SOuth Gate. Starting the 18th the track will host lightweights - 250cc and under - every Tuesday night on the new TT track. The AMA-sanctioned events. presented by the Play.boys M.C. will have heat races, Semis and Main Events for three classes both nights. The races are open to all except AMA Expert professional classed riders. Any AMA Novice or Amateur professional may ride as well as any rider who does not hold a professionallicense. The three classes will be. Class one: 5Occ-loocc. Class tlOO: 101cc-2oocc and Class bee: 201cc-25Occ. A final uno[ficiaI practice session is to be held this SatW"day nigltt (rom 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. (or all riders and classes. The track will now open every Tuesday and Thursday night at 6:00 p.m. with the races starting promptly at 8:15 p.m. Pit gates close both nights at 7:30 p.m. Trojan Speedway is reached by taking the Long Beach Freeway to the Firestone Blvd. turnoff, then One block east to Garfield and one block south on Garfield to SOuthern. There will be trophies for all classes plus a special trophy to the winner of the new Sweepstakes race each night that pits the top three from each class against each other on ,a handicap basis. The two nights a week schedule will now run from April until November. Complete details on requirements and events may be obtained by calling 435-1013 in Long Beach. LAKEWOOD MAN WINS BIKE in SHOW Jim Kuntz, of 2813 Harvey Way, Lakewood. is the winner of the drawing held by the Motorcycle Insurance Specialists at the recently concluded Sports Cycle Exposition. Mr. Kuntz will be presented with his Bell helmet by BSA Western who donated the helmet. used as a prize for those who entered the drawing. More than 1000 people entered the contest, attesting to the interest displayed at the Motorcycle Insurance Specialist booth during the show.

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