Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

~£!\W~£!\II ~~[f)tr@OO ~@1r~U~[k CAVEAT EMPTOR MOTOCICLISMUS by John D. Ulrich Of all the things that can be associated with motorcycling, perhaps the most aggravating is a motorcycle know it all. This strange and often dangerous creature is basically found as one of two types, the Motorcycle Shop Parts Man Know It All, and the Loud Mouth Novice Motorcycle Owner Know It An. The one type most motorcyclists will come in contact with is the Motorcycie Shop Parts Man Know It All. This individual is so brilliant and experienced in the ways of motorcycle parts stocking that he never has to look up a part in a parts hook. Instead, he instinctively knows what and where it is. As a variation, he may be so smart as to actually be able to use a parts book for a different motorcycle to find the part you need. These fantastic abilities, used either separately or in \!llison, often produce some interesting results. A classic example may be found behind the counter of a well known shop specializing in a leading imported motorcycle, located on a famous boulevard where many southland cruisers spend Saturday night. My first contact with this man's ESPP (Extra Sensory Parts Perception) came on a sunny January afternoon as I walked through the entrance to the parts departrnen t. "Hi, what do ya need?" "I need two sprocket bolts for that CB450K3 sitting righ t over there in the parking lot." He disappeared into the maze of parts bins and returned with some sprocket bolts. Since I had not yet taken apart the bike, little did I suspect anything was wrong. But, as I always do, I said, "You absolutely sure these are the right ones?" "Yeah, sure!" I paid and left. Later, after taking apart the rear wheel, I discovered that the parts did not fit. There I was, stranded with my bike apart, due at work in one hour, and I bad the wrong parts. Of course, it took much time, hassle, and rush before the bike was back together with the proper parts. But that was just a minor omen of what was to EI Toro Jr MX or Are You Sure There's Not a Cat in that Bag? come. Following my foolish belief that the closet shop was the one to go to, I again went to this shop when the time came to replace my bike's fork seals. Wishing to do the job as' soon as I got home from work that night, I bought the seals ahead of time. Again, I pulled my bike right up in front of the parts department, and walked up to the counter. "Hi, what do you need today?" "I would like some fork seals for that CB450K3 sitting right out there." "OK"here ya are." uYau sure these are the righ tones?" "Sure, sure!" I paid and departed. Later, at 11:00 that nigh t, I noticed th at the new seals slid in a little easier than the old ones, but though t nothing of it. It was not until I left for work the next day that realization struck. As I hit the dip at the bottom of the driveway, I noticed a spongy feel in the front end. And when I grabbed the front brake as a car turned in front of me, I struck oil,. Yes sir, a regular gusher! Oil everywhere! Black gold! All over everything, including my disc brake. I cannot remember when I was more horror stricken. Many hours, a missed day of work, and a pickup r.ide later, I angerly presented the evidence to the shop's owner. Would he replace the lost fork oil? No, but he would exchange the seals for the proper parts. "You see, son, you have to give us your frame and engine numbers when you get parts." Apparently the fact that the parts man never asked for the engine and frame numbers, and that the bike was parked three steps away was no excuse. Being at the time not yet eighteen, and doubting that my parents would consen t to a lawsuit for lost wages an~ a 95 cent bottle of oil, I settled for exchanged seals. If I had stopped' there everything would have been fine. But no, I had to press my luck. It seems the speedometer cable had been damaged in the rush to dismantle the forks the second time and so I needed a new one. Figuring that I could not go wrong with the shop's owner, I asked for a new speedo cable. Without asking for engine or frame numbers, he produced a cable, and I put my money down in what was by now a game of chance, like craps. Several hours later, after the proper seals were in, and I went to install the new speedometer cable, it was apparent that I had lost again. The cable was a full three inches ,too short. The next day I returned to exchange -the cable. Again, all was f'me until the shop owner asked, "Is that all?" I suddenly r.emembered two mangled points plate screws and replied, reading from a prepared sheet I had, just in case, "No, give me two points plate screws for a CB450K3, e.ngine number CB450E-40I8458, frame number CB450-4018400, license number 4B4925, tag number 3580215, vehicle type number 220, color candy ruby red, .five sp~ed trans, low pipes, disc brake fron tend." I bet my money, as little as it was, again. At home later, the speedo cable fit perfectly. But when I went to replace the screws...I had lost again. ... ~I THE tiZ_ -I~__ ~ MOTORCYCLE COMPANY . 1535 _ ROIICf1Inl Avenue G_ne, CIIlifornia 90248 - September 1972 _ by V. Lanza EL TaRO CAL., Aug. 23, 1972 - The Juniors had a different ride Wednesday night as the course was run completely backwards. This may have had an effect on Brad Dutoit or maybe it was that he hadn't been out for a few weeks, but Bobby Tocco was finally able to sock it to him and grab the first place away. This is the first time in a very long time that anyone has been able to beat Brad in the mini class. Charles Summers ' swept the first place in Schoolboy I, while Ken Morgan f'mished off Schoolboy III. The 100 Junior I went to Al Mendez, second whent to Roland Rodman, and third went to Johanna Stenerson. Johanna got a first in the first moto, was crashed in the second moto and didn't finish, then went on to get a fourth in the last'moto with an injured foot to rack up the third. Dennis Sigalos had no trouble in the second division of the 100 as he ran off with the first, as did Tim Merriam in the 125 Junior 1. The 125 Junior II shaped up to be a battle between John Heemsbergen and Pat Perkins. Heemsbergen won out this time, giving Perkins the second and Lee Mariam the third. Mike Wade had an easy time in the 250 1, and though he couldn't quite f'mish the evening with a sweep still grabbed the f'IlSt trophy. The 250 II riders came up with rather erratic rides to leave the finish in doubJ_until the very last moto, when Ward Craghead captured first to settle the first spot. John Holt w.as not far behind in points but still had to settle for second. Bruce Fickling, Jim Labroscian, and Mike Wade finished off the evening with a 1-2-3 finish in the 500 Junior. Last but not least was the Intermediate and Expert race combined, which included 500's to 100's with Jack Wright f'mished up first overall; Kevin Crawford, second; and Brad Duti~t, third. Dear Dealer: We wish to thank those of you who are now Indian Motorcycle Dealers and congratulate you for selling more India,n motorcycles than most fine European ,makes. • Now with completion of our new Indian Factory, we can offer even greater ~olume production for 1973, and more competitive pricing which,will enable you to compete on equal terms with dealers who have Japanese franchises. For those of you who are not Indian Dealers, we wish to extend to you our invitation to become a part of America's next motorcycle success story ••• INDIAN. Write to The Indian Motorcycle £ompany, 1535 W. Rosecrans Ave., Gardena, California 90249, or call me personally at (213) 532-7374. ' Telephone 21s-6S2--73l4 CebIe INDIANMOTO Sincerely, Keith Mullins Vice President , UNITED STATES Should women race if they're going to beat the guys so badly? . ITALY • TAIWAN ENOLAND ~ '" ~ w Z ~ ~ u

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