Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

Houston's- Crash Bash scram By Janet West HOUSTON, TEX., April 4, 1971 - Bob Graham wasn't very'sociable with fellow 250cc Experts competing in today's motocross races at Cyclesports Park. In fact, during each running of the class's three motos, Graham pushed his AJS into a lead and ran away from everyone. Even Fred Hanna (CZ), who can usuaUy tag along with anybody, found himself rejected by the "out of sight" Graham in the third moto. But, as these two sped about the course separated from the rest of the pack, a very tight battle was building to a head in a fight for third between Bob Hanna (CZ), Jake DeBoe (CZ) and Robbie Esterlein (Hus). The trio were tied after two motos which meant for aU-out, no-stop riding in the final go. And, when riders get serious like this, accidents become NEW FILM TO SHOW CHANGE IN OFF-ROAD M/CING The story of the family motorcycle sport of "trail riding" is soon to be told in a documen tary film being produced by Race Time Productions, Graphic Systems, and Marion Dean in conjunction with the COllejo Trail Riders, Inc. The film will show a growing family involvemen t in off road riding as a recreational pursuit of millions of American families. It will documen t changes that are taking place for the motorcycle enthusiasts. Changes that must help protect the vanishing open land areas; meet the need for families to get away from the city and into the open skies of the desert, mountains, and lakes; and the pursuit of adventure with a new image of family togetherness, controlling activities to preserve the ecology; provide safety; and abate noise for continued fun and excitement. The documentary hopes to present the chaUenge in the changing scene. A challenge caUing for the cooperation and support of trail riders, manufacturers, municipalities and the _ public alike. Interested parties are invited to support. (213) 377-6506 or 372-7384. probable. After the start Hanna held the advantage with Esterlein a mere front wheel ahead of DeBoe who took a jump, overshot and came down on Esterlein, jarring both but netither went down. The incident aUowed DeBoe to edge slightly ahead and_begin closing in on Hanna. When DeBoe found an opening and attempted to pass, another crash occurred, this time knocking DeBoe off and completely out of tile race. With DeBoe out, Esterlein again held fourth and tried desperately to catch Hanna. He got close several times, but the race had been decided and Hanna took third. As if the 250cc Experts had set the example, the remaining classes began to follow suit - crashes and stiu more crashes. One of the more spectacular came during the Open Intermediates second moto when Ben Goodwin on a Yamaha collided with Bobby Wilson (CZ) in the lirst sandy turn, putting Wilson out for the day with machine repairs required. Neither rider was hurt and Goodwin continued to race and managed to place in the final show. . Then came the Open Experts, and this was a disaster. A CZ came off the line a little too strong, wheelied down the start, h.it a bump and was lofted about 30 feet straight up. Bob Graham spied the airborne machine just in time to swerve aside before the machine came down on hint. During the excitement, the riders were trying to avoid the crashing machinery which resulted in two more riders going down. When the dust . cleared, Mike Calbreath found Greeves attached to the rear of his Maico and Mike Murski found h.imself on the dirt looking for his lost bike. Both were able to continue but very far behind. The only person who didn't see the spectacular was Robi Holbert, setting a blistering pace in the lead. He never knew about it until someone told hint. Graham, after avoiding the disaster, went on to take second. And, after aU the spills, not one rider was seriously injured. PORTA- a '" '" By Maureen Lee Th.is pas~ week I've just about decided I've had it with bureaucracy, both on local and st~te-wlde levels. There are days when you feel like turning into an anarch.ist (even If deep down you know you never will) but sometimes elected officials just want to make you flip your wig, not to mention the paid civil servants who wouldn't have their jobs if weren't for us taxpayers. To wit:. Long B~ach now ~~ the law that you may not ride on any private I?roperty WIthout WrItten permtSSlOn etc. etc. When this first came up in this city, all lor most) of the dealers rallied around as did Cycle News, MORE and interested indivi~ua}s to see what coul~ be done. Friends, you have never seen anything until you SIt 10 on a City Council Meetmg where the boys have already decided what they're going to do before they put their backsides in their comfortable chairs. Half the time our side was barely given a chance to speak up. My publisher even offered to provide bikes, decibal meters, a water truck insura.nce and riders, the wh.ole bit. so the Council could observe, hear and mayb~ partiCIpate n:, a test of how I1ttle. nOIse a properl)' silenced machine makes. Basically, we ';Yere aski.ng that a ~rnall portion of a now belOg developed park be set aside for mtnJ and traIl bike rIding, and we wanted to give the Council a chance to see what this was all about. Fat chance! They wouldn't even grant us the courtesy of allowing us to even show them, even though the whole tab was not going to cost the city one cent. The Brahmins had decided that a place for the two-wheelers wasn't feasible (read not wanted) so they pushed us off. Wonder if they've stopped to think how many votes who signed the petitions will stop to think on this come time next election? Hmmm! Quite a few, I'll tell you, it's grand to live in a city where they can buy the Queen Mary without teUing the population about it 'til after they've done it, but won't give our little kids a placc to ride their bikes. As to. the next bit of burea,:,cracy, last week I mentioned the fun and games I'd been havmg WIth the motor vehIcle department over registering a foreign machine. If you ever have the chance to pick up a bike such as I did, imported from over-seas, doesn't matter from where, take a tip... make sure the. first time you go to the DMV that you get ALL the papers you need to be filled out. These include a cust~ms declaration from the person ~ho brought the bike into the country if he dldn t regtster It hrmself, ~ll those neat little forms about you haven't ridden, pushed, parked etc. on the street if you want an oCf-the-road-registration (and oh my do they seem unhappy when they find out they're not going to get some more money from you for a license plate! It took me a total of five trips to get my paper-work caught up only because each time I went down, the clerk would look through what I had and say, "Well, you have to have a copy of so-and-so" and then not look any further to make sure there might not be something else I would need as well, so it was sign one form and then find out next day I needed somethingdse. So, if you're going to register or change title on a dirt bike, make sure you have everything. Maybe your town has a good DMW, there are lots around... but I keep forgetting, I live in Long Beach, and it's a crazy town! ~~.~ (213) 894-9218 WARREN WILSON MOTORS South of :>;ordorr in MOTORCYCll SliliS-SIRVICI S~puheda, Calif. 9000 SEPULVEDA BLVD. Garage, Kitchen, Bedroom, Bathroom, Dining room THE SMUGGLER The travel trailer designed especially for motorcycle riders. No need to spend a small fortune for a truck and camper. Just hook up the family car to a "SMUGGLER" and accomplish all the things listed below: Unusual Features: Plush living comforts while "Roughing it" Carries five large mOlorcydes 45 inch double doors provide easy loading and unloading LIft ~p floor p~?tects all cabinets and upholstery from dirt and damage Th~ S':'luggler. can be used as a storage area for your bikes at home ThIS ~n1que t~lIer can also double as a utility trailer (Haul the T.V., washing machIne, couch, even the old piano.) Available in four models: 14 S 6 (not self contained) 16 S 6 (semi self contained) 17 S 6 (Self contained) 19 S 6 {Self containedl Standard Factory Equipment (All models) Custom drapes and upholstery Wall to wall Ozite "Indoor Outdoor" carpeting Double stainless steel sink Electric water pump Large capacity ice box (Butane or electric refrigerator self contained modelsl Ample waler supply Butane storage tank (Double tank set-up self contained models) Self contained 12 volt lighting sy.stem Large wardrobe closet Sleeping facilities for six with seating for nine Large Pan 0 Rama View windows Electric brakes ' Optional Equipment: Butane and/or electric refrigerator (Standard on self cont. models) Oven-Broiler combination (Standard on self cont. models) Chemical toilet (Standard on self cont. modelsl Other Standard Equipme~t: (self contained models only) Hot and cold water with demand system water supply Bathroom with toilet, lavy and shower Thermostatic controlled heater SEE IT: Cycle World Show April 15-18 Booths 58 & 59 -~--- 12400 Benedict Avenue Downey, California 90242 (213) 869-6616 N '" C. « ~ w Z W ...J U >- U

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