Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

,, WtItin' • V.OlCES By Chuck Clayton CALIFORNIA CHAUVINISM' Whatever that special quality is that makes California an outstanding state of mind turned up winners again despite all the efforts of the police power freaks in Washington. I mean the helmet law was going.to make it. this year, in the state which has become a haven for 25% of America's road bikers. A spokesman for the U.S. Department of Transportation had darkly vowed "we're going to get California!" The ralls were greased. The Highway Patrol, Chiefs of Police Association, and the Northern California Au tomobile Club endorsed it. The highly respected Assemblyman (now Senator) Claude Biddle agreed to sponsor it. Why should California be different from the forty-some states which put people in jail for getting caught upon a motorbike without this certain hat? Are we that much better drivers, or l'erhaps just better citizens? A lot of people took time out of their busy lives to inform first themselves, and then the legislature, on this question. Most of us probably wear helmets most of the time that we are riding. Nobody asked us if we wan ted this ridiculous law. They merely asked the police chiefs if they wan ted to enforce it, and the "new cen turions,"· I'm sorry to' say, officially went for it. (All of the policemen I spoke to, including several Chiefs, were opposed to the helmet law and surprised to learn that their association had endorsed it.) When the helmet bill squeaked '. .~ ". 'JO' ::> -, '" w == Z W ...J U >U NO MOTOCROSS Why don't Northern Calif. have as many MX's as Southern Calif. It gets a little bit sickening having one race to every two or three in the south. Answers or comments. DOUG REYNOLDS San ta Rosa, Calif. But you have more time to rest between motos... Ed. THANK YOU NOTE "Thanks a lot Eastside Motorcycle Club." After driving 80 miles to your race at Alviso, we find a beautiful track full of holes and over·watered. After racing District 35 and 36 for the past year, we paid our first $3.00 entry at your track. Also THANKS A LOT for the TWO ENORMOUSLY SMALL TROPHIES for a 12 man Main although supposedly within the rules, we have found no other club that tight with 12 man Mains. Also we hear you are going broke with $3.00 entry. Thanks a lot for quitting! DISTRICT 36 RIDERS DONDE ESTAN BULTACOS? LOS What the heck is holding up the delivery of the 1972 Bultato Pursangs? I have had a couple of 125 Pursangs on order from the biggest Bultaeo dealer in the San Francisco Bay area for over a month now. At the time of the purchase, I was told by the dealer that 1 could probably expect the bikes within two weeks. Now he tells me that "Bultaco will not have any bikes avallable for another 30 to 45 days." Is there some way that an "impatien t Bultaco rider" can find out what the score is? Also, where he can purchase two 1972 Pursangs? SCOTT R. DENNEY Sunnyvale, Calif. Funny you should mention that, Scott. We've been trying to get a 125 Pursa.ng for our Lightweight Review and we're told that they won't be available until 1973 or later. Bultaco does not have the 125'5 in sufficient quantity, but if your order was accepted from a reputable dealer you might be one of the lucky ones and actually get one...Ed. ANOTHER ENDORSEMENT FOR THE FINE LINE OF PRODUCTS FROM HALITOSIS BISONUS What hoi The Buffalo Breath motocross shirt (which is secretly a New Zealand rugby jersey) is excellent wear for street riders, too. Lissen: I got spit off a bike getting on the freeway wearing one of Brad's shirts. It went a long way to protect my bod against abrasions, lacerations, wheezes and other bozos. Add this to the fact that the shirt is light, comfy and oh·so-fashionable (people stop me in supermarkets and want to know where they can buy one) and you have a right charp chirt. Just thought that both street riders who read Cycle News migh t wan t to know. DAVID SWIFT Los Angeles, Cal. Gee, Dave, you wouldn't be needing another one to replace the shirt you shredded, would youL.Ed. •

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