Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1960's

Bill Cody Returns To Winners Circle by Mike Capallte COSTA MESA, CALIF. OCt. 10,-" Wl1d Bill" Cody, riding for the ValvoUne 011 Company sponsored U.S. Racing Team, was able to repeat his effort of a few weeks ago and take home the win in the Handicap main. Charging to his fourth win over Steve Bast for the evenlng was Rick Woods as he took the win in the Scratch main. As these boys are preparing for the infiux of the EurQPell.D riders at the end of this mODth, they are bonlng themselves to such a f1ne edge that these visiting riders might be a bit surprised. AD otherwise beaut1ful night of rac10g Abo.e: Bill Cody slid.. under DeWayne Keet· er. Cody was the night's Handicap Main win· ner while Dewayne found himself adjusllng to America's short tracks. He has been in Eneland picking up a new rldlne style and a L1mey accent. Right: Greg Haserot leads Jim Gresham (outside) and John Fishburn (Inside). tantram as he appeared with two uniformed officers whose appearance changed Millers mind about protest1ng and he left the track so the race could pro- ceed. ' [n a special race of the four best riders from last week, Steve Bast and Johnny Carter were pitted against Rick Woods and Don Hawley. As th1s was to be a team effort type of race, Woods and Hawley (respleDdeDt iD his brand Dew leathers) had plaooed their stratagy well for they immediately took over the lead and with Woods OD the outside and Don on the inside, they kept Bast and Carter at bay for the eDtire race. As the Handicap main pulled to the Une, 11 was Bill Cody, Eric Olesen and DeWayne Keeter on the 20-yard liDe. This was De Wayne's f1rst o1ght since his return from England and at the beg1n1ng of the evening you could tell that he was Southern California Trials Assoclallon's half·llme show was acclaimed the best e.er, 3800 fans rewarded them with a standlne o.allon. was marred by the antics of Ron MUler used to the larger tracks, but as the who in his handicap heat had charged off evenlng progressed, he adapted very well, his 30-yard Une before the gate went UP ' in fact he was in the main. On the thlrty and by the time the starter had released yard marker was John FishburD while the gate, Ron was aJ: the 10-yard Une back on the 50-yard l1ne sat Rick Woods and g010g like gaogbusters. Ron's defense and Steve Bast. As the riders a1l pulled when informed that he had been disqual1UP to the line, Woods 'and Bast got a fied was that he had not broken the tapes little over-anxious and blasted off before which was a little absurd as this theory the starting gate went UP and were ca1led meant that a 50-yard man could roar back. TheD were disquallf1ed for the same UP to the 10-yard line as long as he didn't thing Miller was, but were a1lowed to break the tape. As the race in which Ron run to determine fifth and sixth place had been in rolled to the Une, Ron came pay-off. As the gate went UP, Bill Cody out also and wheD told to leave, he jumped to the lead to take the win. refused. As the offic1als would not start The Scratch Malo again turned into a the race with seven men on the track, the Woods- Bast duel as they left Mike Bast next race was called out and they a1l and Mike Konle in their dust. Woods returned to the pits. When the race was commandeered the lead and was taking again attempted, Miller -came put and sat the corners in beautiful style while the down on the track to the boos of the fans fans were scream10g at the toP of their lungs. Rick took the win and the crowd who were gett1ng a little tired of his childish games and wanted to see the went home happy as the last race was races that they hadpaJdfor.ltseemsthat certainly the best. (Results on page 20) the promoter also had enough of Ron's Temple Cify Kawasa'i OnlyBUL TACO Complete Parts & Accessories Steve's Bultaco Open 6 days a week Mon. & Fri. 9-9 othors 9-6 7627 Van Nuys Blvd. - Van Nuys. Cal. (213) 780-6300 Area's leading volume Kawasaki Dealer 5663 N. Rosomoad Bl.d., Tomplo City (2131 286·7504 Desert Secrets From Wes Anderson Sr. By Wes Anderson, Sr. Sixteen year old Wes AndersoD, Jr. won the tra1l-bike class and was 43rd overa1l on the 1968 Sao GabrieL M. C. Barstow to Las Vegas 196 miles Hare and Hound. As In any competitive sport, extensive preparation, checking and rechecking of machine and rider was mandatory if we were to win. Sponsored by Steens of Alhambra, Wes, Jr., rode a custom Hodaka built from parts taken from a S.S. Hodaka. Bob Belt, geDeral manager of SteeD'S a!ld a former number one desert plate holder, had given us the fullest cooperation all year on the S.S. Hodaka. As a first step Barry Eisenberg and 1 disassembled the bike completely. We were both thoroughiy familiar with the idiosyncrasies of this machine but this race was a big one and we were determined to win It! The wir10g to the coils, points and cODdensers were cut and re-soldered. The frame was thoroughly inspected for minute imperfections that might later fracture. Front and rear fork bear10gs were cleaned, lubricated, and adjusted. The front and rear shock absorbers were disassembled, inspecter;,and sealed. The tires were dismounted and inspected for possible breaks. A small break was found in a tire. Not wishing to gamble, we insta1led new tires and tubes. [n order to prevent a possible puncture from a broken spoke, rim centers were wrapped with several layers of masking tape over the exposed spoke nipples. Where the spokes crosSed, we bound them together with fine wire. The bike was capable of 55 mph so the mounted wheels and tires were balanced; an unbalanced wheel runo1og unevenly could be very tiring to the rider. The wheel bearings were remOVed, inspected, cleaned,and packed. WheD we were certain that the hubs were okey the assembly was re-insta1led and adjusted to pin-point accuracy. The brake shoes showed little wear so, after sanding, they were re-insta1led with new springs. The engine and transmission cases were takeD apart. Our inspection proved everthing was In excellent condition with no improvement possible; however, new seals and a piston ring were installed - just in case. The clutch fiber plates were replaced on suspicion; they'd been through many races and might possibly break UP, causing a D.N.F. New clutch and throttle cables were further insurance against mishap. We installed a FiltrOD air fllter and decided on S.A.E. 50 oil; we had received excellent results with this setUP In the past. The stock 20 millimeter carburetor had been trouble free a1l year and gave a full power band. The metering pin clip THE TWO-WHEELER Ready For Inmediate Delivery! 867 W. Collon A.e. San Bernardino, Cal. (714) TU 5-3445 was secured with epoxy to preveDt 11 falling into the main jet and causing a D.N.F. New shifter springs were instailed with a new ratchet spr10g 10 the shifter case. To insure inward cleaoUness, a rubber boot was used to seal out dirt. Placed between the case and the countershaft sprocket, it did the trick. The rubber boot was develoPed by Ron Benham, Steens Hodaka mechanic. Ron was repoosible for many constructive ideas during the eDtire •68 racing year. After a twenty-five mUe field test by Wes, Jr., we re-cbecked the timing, compression and handling of the machine. Then we re- tightened every nut and bolt we could reach. The bike was ready ano so was the rider! I was to be his mechanic a.:..d pit crew, meet1ng him at the three scheduled gas stops. For possible emergencies the truck was stocked with spare front and rear wheels with tires mounted; throttle cable, clutch cable, brake rod, foot pegs and cross bar, clutch lever, shift lever, an expansion chamber and rear shocks. The only trouble experienced by Wes, Jr., during the race happened between the first and second gas checks; he whiskered 2 spark plugs whUe passing through 3 feet deep silt at Soda Lake. That particular spot had a1l the riders talking to themselves. Later we found a piece of sagebrush sticking in the air cleaner hose. It made just enough of a hole to suck in dirt. Everyone who helped prepare our bike for the race was happy at the machine's stamina and performance; less than ' fifteen per cent of the more than two hundred starters finished. When Wes, Jr., led the pack across the line to f1n1sb first in traJl bike class, it was our reward for the many hours of hard work. We a1l cheered - especially me! What Dad wouldn't? SALES SERVI CE HOCKIES MOTORCYClES HODAKA YA~:S~E GREEVES Complete Machine Shop FaclliUes 22025 So. Figueroa Torrance, Cal iforni a(213) 328-1242 I I I I I I I MOTORCYCLE CLOSEOUT LIST· JOe (DEALERS ONLY) Tires, Batteries Handle Bars Tubes, Helmets Accessories Cycle Clothing send 10. on your letterhead to: AfS DISTRIBUTORS 229 E. THIRD ST. LEWISTOWN, PA. - 17044 I I I I I I l

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