Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1960's

PROFILES •• By Dorotby M. Curran Art By B.E.R. Service r BURBANK 317 N. Victory Blvd.· Burbank, Calif. 91502 Tele hone 213 849-4921 (213) 842-4847 - Spear cafe Circle The family motorcycle meeting place Corner - 230th & W. Hwy. 138 • lancaster area Fine Food & Cold Drinks • Phone aYailabl~ lor Emergencies Dlr. Inter. 5 to 138 Hwy-Approx. t6'2mi. - - SPECTATOR LIABILITY AND PARTICIPANT INSURANCE FOR TRACK OWNERS, PROMOHRS AND CLUBS ~ BUSINESS PACKAGES- MOTORCYCLE & AUTOMOBILE - LIFE & ACCIDENT. s. HARRIS· PINSKY OF IIICHAEL BENDER & ASSOCIATES, INC. 5225 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD, Suite 717 L.A., Calli. !IOO36 (213) 937.2011 BROKER INQUIRIES INVITED, Nell Haney Welcomes You I HARLEV-DAVIDSON I of Lomita ~~"'" 40 New 1I0larcycies In stock () New Sportsters Immeclale dellY.., 2212 Pac. Coast Hwy. (213) 534-5530 PENTON l~~::C only $&45. 00 .2 Walt Axthelm's Triumph-Suzuki Motors 1049 West 5th St., Pomona, Calif. C714)629-8642 Torslen Hallman Racing, Inc. West Coast Dlsl. for PENTON Motorcycles Torslen Hallman special design leathers & racing equipment U.s. Disi. for Trelleborg 1I0to-Cross tires For dealer info. write or call 5345 TImken St., La lie sa , Cal. 92041 (714) 460-1402 One of the oldest chartered motorcycle clubs In the United States celebrates Its fifty-sixth birthday this year. In operation since 1913 when motorcycles were just new tbIngs, perbaps no more than ten or twelve years In their infancy, the question might be asked today: How well bas the club survived? And where Is It going? "We're going just where we've always been go1ng," says Bill Lohrke, hardworking secretary of the half-centuryplus Eugene Motorcycle Club, "towards more good, clean, sate-driving, non.ccldent records." (They've already won several national awards.) The a wards are attered yearlybytheAMA(Amerlcan Motorcycle Association) to which the club Is aftillated for the "betterment of motor cycling." To belong to the charter club you must also be a national member. Bill admits the picture of motorcycle clubs has been tarnished by a few hellbent people, but adds, "Does one bad apple make the whole barrel rotten?" It Is to this end - correcting the public Image of speed and destruction, letting the concerned citizenry know what the club Is really like - that Blll and others like him are dedicated. ThIs- plus fightIng the state legislature Into repealing what they feel are some pretty unfair laws aimed at restricting the rights of motorcyclists. As to the membership themselves: The club bas a credo before accepting new people. People, says the secretary, of any status, any walk of life - merchants, truckdrlvers, d1tchdlggers, lawyers, age or differences do not matter, to them the only question asked Is: "Let your intentions be knOWCl. And a 90-day probationary period Is provided to prove those Intentions are for the good of the clUb, for adhering to its high standards. There Is nothing complicated about these standards, they have to do with human behavior; slncerity, an honest admission to the love and clean sport of cycling observing the rules of caution and good conduct. They are welcome then to participate In the many activities the club atters - and they are legend. For instance: On this summer's agenda willbe sueb things as an overnight campout at the Mt. Loop Tour, Castle Rock In July for the Castle Rock National Motorcycle Events; group participation In local events sueb as an opening at the fairgrounds or parade (last July they participated In the annual Emerald Empire Roundup), or just plain riding on a balmy weekend afternoon. Does this Rule of Intention necessarily limit membership enrollment? "No, I don't think so?" says Blll, a tall, rugged looking individual In his mldforties who, during his eleven . vear membership, bas served In every office capacity but treasurer. "Most enthusiasts who come here know it's a good way to have fun at little cost. It's a good way II'AII· ICATU The lilliin' 1969 Welleo CItJ60t IS ttle most toltlPJetlensiw in tbt lI'lOtW'CJc\IlCtdSOtltl Industry. 92 JlII!S. huMtreds 01 UIvI1rahoftl, 01 the most nneed motorc~le ICttUOl'In .1Id hilh perform,,"" components. Also Include's iftfomlltion of Internl to III motorcycle enttllllintJ. TACO TaAIL 100 - _ , ~ • h••1 p.rf.,,,,.r - .......-.doo $09.9S._:uefo, 11OiL ... $219.50. 0."-, -.-s . . . . . . . low • $119.95. lOIs . . . . . _,_ _., -__ _ .... 1 W.BCO ZNC. 211 _ 111m • ftIlIC[, CALFOItIA 112I1 Foot Pegs for Yamaha Fits Models - DnB, cn, & An 12mm x 1.25m ISO 11Iread Li&tltwei&tlt Low Cost N!!BA!!D~!OCK ~ 4915 Pacific Blvd" Vernon, California, Phone: 589-5488 of getting together, and most are solid respoas1hle clt1zeDs." Tbere Is something though, he admits, about a small club with, '!&Y, 16 to 30 members tbat bas a closeDeSS, a proximity you often miss In the larger. Club headquarters Is In the HarleyDavidson shop owned by two original charter members and dedicated people themselves - Orbre and Lyda Purcell. Orbre, called "Wob" by his friends, bas been In the motorcycle business for forty-three years. He Is also a benignly humorous fellow considered, In these past years since he's limited his club activities, as a kind of "Pappa" to the outfit. Everyone comes to Wob to ask about parts, to talk, tell their problems and triumphs; as In the case of 24-year old David Sheftel. A professional of the short dirt track, David, a machinist by trade, bas made it on his own. Selfsponsored, he built up his eQUlpm.ent for the past two years to ~ point where, this cyclists being In the welfare c:a1Iegory stung.) Pet1tiOllS were circulated, bringIng the Issue to the attention of the stale legislature. In March, 1969 the senate voted to repeal the law, twenty-to-nine. It now Is roosted In the House of Representatives who, cyclists say bitterly, are just "sitting on it" waiting for the session to end, without having to act upon it. What does all this mean? To the motorcycle clubs throughout Oregon - and perhaps other states where such laws exist, it simply means: The light-helmet law foisted upon them, robs them of their rights to make their own decislons,_as guaranteed In the Constitution. "Left to himself," Bill Lohrke says, "the average rider Is a sensible fellow. He'd go to whatever lengths necessary to protect himself and others. He just d~sn't want to be told what to do. And eve n more to the point is: Why are motorcycles the only vehicles with this kind of law? It could start the cry of discrimination!" Survey ADULT SCHOOL TO OFFER MOTORBIKE DRIVING CLASS Jean & Bill Lolwke. sum mer, he plans to travel In a van he bought, following competition all around the country. A good deal, encourages Wob, booming: "But keep yourself In good physical shape, hub? 'Llke any athlete In top sports who thinks It's Important - maybe it's even more so In cycling." Wob also hosts many of the club's cookouts and picnics, Is an expert on broiling steaks. His wife Ly

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