Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1960's

Too soon we were at our destination the beautiful old San Luis Rey Mission. It was still early and the church was just emptying of morning worshippers as we vroomed into the big parking area. We paused for pictures, then to get all four of us in a photo at once, we put the camera on a high brick curb and used the sel!-timer which delays the shutter for 10 seconds, giving the photographer a chance' to get into the picture. In our case we wanted everyone mounted. I cannot climb aboard if my wife is already seated so she had to stand behind while I sprinted back to the bike, swung my 'leg over the saddle and got seWed, then she had to climb on the back and try to look like she'd been there all the time. We made it, but much to the amusement of our road companions and a few other interested observers who didn't bother to cover their laughter. Scramblin' Around By Maureen Lee We had the extreme pleasure a couple at weeks ago to go to the Harley-Davidson press showing of all their new models at Saddleback Park and a more royal presentation we've never been to. Harley makes everything first class and they togged all of us journalists out in orange team jackets and turned us all loose to ride whatever model we wished and they had everything there. Can you imagine road racer Tony Murphy on an Elecu-aglide? Anyway, all you could see were orange jackets charging allover Saddleback. The model we really pounced on and had been waiting to see was the new Baja. Dave Ekins and Paul Hunt had brought along some at the prototypes they've been racing and we got to ride those plus the brand spanking new one they'd just put together, and let me tell you scramblers, there's going to be some changes made in our 100Cc classes! Believe me! The two racing machines were each set up to suit the chaps who've been ridIng them in regard to torquiness, shocks etc. and it was interesting to feel the dIfference while the new one was box stock. The Baja feels more like a "big" bike than anything I've ridden in regard to wheelbase, size of the wheels etc. and sitting on the seat, little ole shorty here was almost tippy-toe compared to how I am on my Hodaka. But, as we all know, bigger wheels etc. improve the handling, so who cares about a bit at tip-toeing? We sincerely suggest that if you're considering a 100Cc for scrambles or anything else, at least take time to check that little scooter out when shopping around. It's a true little dirt machine, believe me! Since this column is for our road test issue we'll comment on another bit at equipment now resident in our garage. For a long time we always regarded minibikes as a bit Mickey Mouse, nothing to rldlcule but not for us. Then we started watching what some at the biggest names in the business were puttering around on at Ascot and other tracks. Hmmm. Maybe they're not so Mickey Mouse after all and one would sure save a lot at leg work trudging from turn to turn to take pictures. So we checked out what Mashburn, Coppage, Romero et al were ridIng, the Honda M1n1trall, and that dld it. One came home from Long Beach Honda the same day, tuned by John Rice. It's our fourth Honda and our sixth set at two wheels and we can honestly say we're having more tun with Ih1s one than with any of the others. It is an absolute blast! Many at the monthly publications feel that minis are not for adults and we've kind of gone along these lines too, butfor just doing what the M1n1tra1lis builtfor, putsing around over short dlstances, we'll say yes, this one is for adults. It has much better suspension that most, won't put you on 'your ear if you tweak the throttle by mistake and when in real icky stutf you can paddle along with your feet, contentedly in control. The only thing you have to "unlearn" is that NO, those front levers are both brakes and one is not a clutch! Ask David Aldana about that, he got his just about the same time as me and did it. So if your wife feels a bit left out of things but doesn't want a bigger bike like a 50 or a 100, just get her to try a Mlnitrail, and she'11 be on her way. They actually even look like a baby motorcycle. We caught the dune-buggy- jeep races at Ascot last night and boy, if you've got a spare Tuesday evening, go. Those guys are out of sight and probably some at them think we're nuts for riding bikes. But it's a good show and we'd sure like to see a bike race run there som eday leaving in all the bumps they put in the course for the buggies. It would really liven up Ascot bike racing! HARLEY liard to get models ready for qUlCI< delivery SkiPFOADYCE ~S@€J ,,"O'O_C'l,r (:fNI(1 14th & MAIN, RIVERSIDE, CAL. By A BMW Rider Tesls The 74 BIll Harmer At the close of business on a Thursday in July, we listened to hurried last minute instructions from Sales Manager Jim Stewart and rode out of Andres' San Diego Harley-Davidson Company on a new 1969 full dress 74". The candyapple blue paint and abundance of chrome, feeling the envious glances from shoppers at the parts counter and on the sales floor who had no way of knowing that the big beautiful machine was only being loaned to us and would have to be returned at 8 O'clock Saturday morning. Rolling out of the driveway we were spotted by our old friend, Gabe Palmer, President of the Terrapins Motorcycle Club, who had stopped by to "shoot the breeze" with Jim Stewart. His face brightened and he asked if we had purchased a new bike. When I explained that we were going for a 100 mile run on the morrow for the purpose of "Road Testing" the Harley, and would like it very much if he and his wife Martha would accompany us, he agreed with a handshake. After setting the hour and place to meet, we headed the new bike towards our home. As it bumped the bottom of the frame going up our driveway, I suddenly realized just how low slung this new 74" is. Next morning early, letting Gabe and Martha take the lead, we started North on 395. Gliding along at 65 mph, we coJlldn't help but notice and enjoy the stabillt'J of the big bike on the highway. When we needed some extra "go" for passing, the machine surged ahead eagerly at the slightest twist of the throttle. We found the brakes responsive to the slightest touch and the stopping power was surprisingly good, although we found the position of the pedal a bit awkward. With our No. 12 boots flat on the floorboard, the pedal was about four inches above our instep and it was virtuallY impossible to step on the brake in the conventional manner without dislodging the passenger's foot from its peg. In due time we learned that by swinging the braking foot outwards about a foot, raising the knee and bringing the foot back, it could be placed on the brake pedal without disturbing the passenger. By the time our 100 mile ride was completed, we were getting used to this new method of braking and outside of awakening a few seldom used muscles, it caused no further annoyance. As we arrived in Escondido, there were several signal lights which called for down-Shifting and coming to a full stop once In a while. It was here that we became aware of the great distance of the shift lever from the floor board. Instead of the instep movement that we were accustomed to, the entire leg worked to change gears. We understand that there is an accessory lever available for the machine which would probably cure this complaint. The electric starter is a great convenience. Beyond Escondido a few miles we took a left turn towards the coast on the old, seldom travelled Gopher Canyon Road. Leaving 395 the road climbs a fairly steep grade. We went through the gears and were happily rewarded when the big twin purred up the hill in 4th gear as easily as if it had been level. Swinging the brute from side to side to curve through the rolling hills was a thrill that only the rider of a 74" can fully appreclate. No other machine has such a big throbbing engine between your legs telegraphing every stroke of raw power to your body. The wind and the early morning mist on your face give YOU a sensa- Gabe and Martha Palmer, left, accompanied the Harmers on this road test. tion of power and freedom that can be achieved no other way. It was here on the open road that the powerful twin was at its best. The pulsing beat of the engine, the throaty roar of the exhausts and the singing of the tires all blend together giving the Harley 74" rider the feeling of the ultimate in a road ridIng machine. Separate oil and gas tanks, and the large speodometer fill the space between knees. 1969's engine has been only slightly altered in the 1970 model. The girls explored the ruins of 'the sunken gardens and the lavanderias while Gabe and I carefully examined the big Harley. Gabe opined that it was the Cadillac of motorcycles and that owning a Caddy is the dream of all autoists, therefore owning a full dress HarleyDavidson 74" is the ultimate goal of all road riding cyclists. I pointed out that many people owned Cadillacs, while only a select few (by comparison) owned full dress Harleys. "Yeah" he replied, face beaming, "and !' m going to be one of those select few some of these days." We made a visit to the Mission Gift Shop where the women bought a lot of junk to put into the capacious saddle bags and we had a pleasant conversation with the young Franciscan brother who was tending the store. We learned thai the Mission was the 18th in the California chain and filled a void between San Diego and San Juan Capistrano. It was founded in June of 1789 by Father Fermin Lasuen and named for Louis IX, King of France (1215-70) who was canonized in 1290 because of his Crusades into Egypt and the Holy Land. The first adobe church was built in 1802, but the present church was dedicated in 1815. In its greatest days the church had an Indian population of more than 3,000 and was known as "King of the Missions" • We left the beautiful old place until another day, returning by Interstate 5 which we reached by going west into Oceanside. As we neared the end of our planned 100 mile test ride, (actually 95.3) we noticed more and more that the wide tank was forcing our legs apart, occasioning some discomfort in our hips and lower back. It would take a few days of riding for our bones and muscles to adapt and this would soon seem natural. Wife informed us that the 100 miles had left her more "saddle sore" than the 350 mile trek to Las Vegas. Further questioning disclosed thai she had to sit partly on the chrome hand rail at the rear of the saddle because the seat wasn't long enough to accommodate both of us. Airlines and theatres have found that the American fanny has expanded over the years and are building their seats proportionately larger. Maybe Harley-Davidson should take a page from their books and add about four inches to their saddle. After all it is the only cycle big enough and strong enough to carry us heavyweight motorcyclists without downshifting. Again, there is probably an •accessory available ••• After Gabe and Martha had departed to take an afternoon ride to the mountains in" search of some sunshine, I took the Harley to the corner gas station and topped off the tank(s) in order to check the mileage. I was impressed to find that the machine had delivered 34.7 mUes per gallon although heavily laden through hilly country at speeds in excess of 60 miles per hour. Summing uP, we were favorably impressed by the Harley-Davidson.74 as a pavement going, touring machine and if H-D doesn't /!lake a longer saddle, we may just possibly have one custom built. CO) ",~ ~ ~ tal ~ tal ..,J ~ ... U

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