Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125818
... . If ... Internal Specs M ..... ~ ... GAMB IT: One for us at Red Rock 6 TEST: Can a 175 find happiness on asphalt? It better.....•...........8. NATIONAL: The Crashal Rock TT 10 DESERT: Desert .................................•..........12 SECTION: Norte .............................•............. 14 INTER·AMA: Bit of bitter bruising befalls Kansas? 20 PURVIEW: Gain' to Laguna Seca? .................•............22 CENTERSPREAD: Ad ..........................•......•.....24 EU ROPE: All day and night at 'Montjuich .....•......•......•.....26 EUROPE: They still motocross there, too............•............ 28 ASCOT: Hackie in Keeter land ........................•........30 SECTION: More Norte (mas?). .............••..•...............32 RESULTS: It's not how you play the game 34 CALENDAR: Read it, read all about it......................•.... 38 N ~ .., " ~ w Z W ...J U >U AmeriCil's No.1 Weekly Motorcycle Newsp.per Sharon Clayton Publisher Tom Culp .........•..General Manager Edna Mewton secretary to Publisher Tad Rafferty M.illnaglng Editor Catherine Lampton ......•.. Art Editor Art Friedman • . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . •Edltor Dave Schoonmaker ..... Associate Editor Howie Fowler ...•.. Advertising Manager Wendy Blanton .... Advertising Assistant Aheba Smith ..•.... Circulation Manager Cheryl Steinberg ... Circulation Assistant Rosalind Quinn ...• Production Assistant Hector Aguilera Lab Technician Marion Hatashita Melvin Phelps Dave Crowe Grace Camp Barbara Bebeck Chris Kolbet IGarnet Dunn Michael Collkas Ken Lee SuqeekY Haynes David Pauli Kathy Fraser Typographer Assistant TypograPher Collection Manager Accounting Manager Accounting Assistant Accounting Assistant Accounting Assistant Services & Support Services & SuppOrt Services & Support Servlces & Support Receptionist National Advertising Director: Tom Culp Cycle News West and Headquarters P.O. Box498, Long Beach California 90801 (213) 427·7433: L.A. 636-8844 TELEX NO. 673474 Cycle News, East·Dixie Edition 4190 First Avenue Tucker. Georgia (404) 934·7850 Cycle News, Central Edition 1118 West 6th Street Austin, Texas (512) 476·7571 Subscription: One year, second class mail $12.50 2 years, second class mail $22.50 3 years, second class mail ..•. $30.00 Single copy price $.50 Published w~ekly except the first and last week of t11l~ calendar year by Cycle News. Inc.. Pose Office Box 498, Long Beach. California.. Second Class Postage paid at La ng Beach, Calif. Editorial stories. canoans, photos, etc. are welcome. Addressed, stamped envelope assures I'Cturn of editorial maner. Reprinting in whole or part only by premission of the publishers. Advertising fates and circulation information will be sene upon request. See S.R.D.S. Copyright i';lCycie News: Inc. 1973 all rights reserved CYNIC?'MAMMOUTH? LOVE? Such a cynic at Mammouth, that John Ulrich! If I didn't love him, I'd call him names. Hugs and kisse .... JEAN from Denver and now in L.A. MINI RULESA MESS We were very interested in your report of the first AMA Youth Division "National" at Olympia, Washington and appreciate the space you devote to reporting the activities of the young racers. Mission Honda's minicycle racing team was scheduled to compete in this event. We did not go and, so, assume we fall under your reporter's criticism which went, "Many of the 'hot' set-ups didn't show because they were assured that there would-be a tear down for the first three place winners." The real reason we did not attend (and it applies to many other minicycle racing teams we have spoken to) is that the rules would not allow us to compete. Mission Honda, and most of the other minicycle racing teams around, are quite happy to race honestly. In fact, we have gone so far as protesting our own riders so that we are sure of baving a tear down to prove our honesty. Of course, we lose Our protest fees but that's better than having people, like your reporter, casting snide remarks without proof. "MiniCycle Magazine" recently carried an editorial that cu t to the heart of the problem of racing with the AMA Youth Division. AMA's Catch 22 is that you have to be an "expen" to win a National title but there is no way a rider can earn enough poin ts to become an expert. What kind of sense does that make? Everyone of our riders is a minicycle expert and can prove it by displaying enough "gold" to bail out Fort Knox. Many of them have to race in expert classes in motorcycle races, too. Yet, in .. Youth Division races, they would have to race as "Juniors" and, thus, forego any chance of winning a title. Under these conditions we would be stupid to travel long distances to race in the "N ationals". There are other problems with the Youth Division rules and organization. Such as the fact that the first three Juniors in each class at the Washington· "Nationals" were declared HExperts". There is nothing in the rules abou t his and no prior warning. You just cannot run a national organization like that. However, the Catch 22 is enough to tum most good racers off. I t was for Mission Honda. JACK WARD Mission Honda Mission Viejo, Calif. THE ELSINORE BLUES In February 1 purchased a Honda Elsinore from one of the San Diego area Honda dealers. After being patted on the butt and told "Y'a11 have fun," I was off. No manual, no instructions to speak of, and no one around who really knew anything about the bike. Here 1 sit 17 weeks later, of which the bike has been down for the last six weeks. It seems that Honda has had some sligh t design problems wi th the transmission, especially fourth gear. Now according to Honda they know of only one instance of transmission failure besides mine. Apparen t1y Marty Tripes, Gary Jones and Billy Silverthom just though t their transmissions had failed. I do consider myself fortunate in a way. In the short time that I have owned the bike, 1 have grown to know and love the "Honda Hierarchy". I have had the pleasure of having the area service rep tell me that the problem was not in fact a design defect. Quite a' trick, from just looking at the engine with the cases intact. And not split. (I figure if he can tell that much from just looking at the outside of my cases, ne should be able to diagnose Gary Jones' shock problem from somewhere east nf EI Centto.) After driving 125 miles, I have spent a most enjoyable day at Honda in Gardena, being told by one of the sunny people of Customer Relations "Sorry 1 can't override the decision of the service rep." I have experienced the elation of having the Customer Relations' Supervisor thanking me with a smile. After my trying to get my problem resolved to no avail. The high point of my visit at Honda was being told by one of the engineers in Project Test and Development that the bike had been completely checked out, and I could have been riding the bike improperly. In closing I have measured the old style gear against the newer redesigned gear and find the difference quite apparent. I feel it is the manufacturer's responsibility to develop their bikes to su~h a degree that the buying public doesn't have to spend $ 1,222 on a bike, and after 39 hours be expected to spend $135 on a new ttansmission that was improperly designed in the first place. If anyone else reading this has experienced any problems with their Elsinores that they feel haven't been properly resolved, please send me a post . card stating your name, return address, nature of problem, motor number and dealer. Maybe if there are enough of us Honda will listen. P.HIL KJRK 10027 Via Francis Santee, Calif. 92071 There are 0 thers... Ed. E.P.A. EMITS CRUD I'm totally bugged by the t.P.A. trying to put 2·stroke bikes out of circulation. Their idea is unrealistic. We did an emissions test in my ecology class using equipmen t and methods similar to those of the government. By the way, my bike is a runhing '70 DT, and the only vehicle cleaner than my bike was a new Mazda. If the E.P.A. wants to pick on someone, why don't they pick on these diesel trucks. They really pour ou t the crud. . KURT NELSON Westlake Village, Calif. c lall~llllllilllS The Motorcycle Shop Anehorage, Alaska . Cycle Supply HuntsVille. Alabama Yamaha Bessemer a-otmer, Alabama Action Suzu ki Tucson, Arizona Action Cycle Huntington Beach. Ca. Bill's Cycle Repair San Bernardino, Ca. Bob Chaves M/C San Jose, Ca. California Kawasaki Santa Monica, Ca. Cycles Unlimited Burlingame, Ca. Desert Moto Cross Tarzana, Ca. Fisher Auto Body Los Angeles. Ca. Grand Prix Cycle Fremont, Ca. Hollywood Kawasaki Hollywood, Ca. Baton MX Supplies Baton. Ark. Inter-Trends Inc. Caata Mesa. Ca. International M/C Canoga Park. Ca. Irv Seaver Motorcycles Santa Ana. Ca. Jim's Cycle Tracey. Ca. Kawasaki of San Mateo San Mateo, Ca. Marin Motorsports Inc. San Rafael. Ca. Motorcycle Specialty Van Nuys. Ca. •Premier Yamaha l=IlE 1115 IIER Wilson's Motorcycles Fresno. Ca. Yamaha of San Luis Obispo San t.uis Obispo. Ca. A & S Cycles Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Braward Suzuki Fort Lauderdale, Fla. John's Cycle Center Ft. Lauderdale. Fla. Spas Sport Enterprises Cocoa, Fla. The Yamaha Shop Sarasota, Fla. Wehnengine Eng. JacksoAville, Fla. Wes Cleaves M/C Sales Ft. Myers, Fla. World of Wheels Ft. Walton Beach, Fla. Yamaha Sport Cycle Ft. Pierce, Fla. Cycle Habit Decatur, Ga. Decatur Sport Cycles Decatur. Ga. Huntington Beach, Ca. Prof....ional Cycle Parts Sacramento, Ca. San Diego Yamaha San Diego. Ca. Sanford M/C Accessories Palo Alto, Ca. Super Cycle Eagle Rock, Ca. Temple City Kawasaki San Gabriel, Ca. Granny's Cycle Shop The Throttle Shoppe Durango. Colo. Longmont, Colo. A.K. Demin Suzuki ~on Rouge, La. Hitchin Post Atlanta. Ga. Windward Cycles Kaneohe, Hawaii Lewiston Cycle Canter Lewiston, Idaho Alsip Motors Alsip. III. American Cycle Center Baltimore, Md. Bogpicker Cycles Inc. Hyannis, Mass. Herb's Bultaeo Sales S. Dartmouth. Mass. Dexter's Motors Adrian, Mich. Honda of Helena Helena, Mont. N.B.C. Motion Products South Amboy. N.J. Motocross Specialties Inc. W. Babylon, N.Y. Road & Trail M/C Southampton, N.Y. J & R Sales & Service Winston Salem, N.C. Central City Suzuki Baton Rouge, La. Midway Cycle Canton, Ohio Reynolds Cycle Columbus, Ohio A-I Cycle Eugene, Ore. D & S Cycle Supply Tigard. Ore. Joe Dobbins Import Portland. Ore. River Roed Cycles Eugene. Ore. Tom's Cycle Sales Roseburg, Ore. Santich Imports Duryea, Pa. Steve's Cycle Shop Phoenixville. Pa. Stokes Cycle Center Charleston Hts.. S.C. . Shadeo Inc. Sioux Falls, S.D. Harry Suzuki Memphis, Tenn. Checkpoint Dist. Co. Salt Lake City, Utah Suzuki Sport Cycles New Orleans, La. Coast to Coast, Border to Border More Dealers Are Stocking Pit Cycle Shop Portales, N.M. II ALSPORT DISTRIBUTING COMPANY I Aurora Cycle Seattle. Wa"'. Empire Cycle Spokane. Wash. Hinshaws Honda Puyallop. Wash. Industrial Marine Supply Hoquiam, Wash. Lynwood Kawasaki Lynwood. Wash. N.K. Cycle & Accessories Pousbo. Wash. Paulsons Tacoma. Wash. S & W Motors Inc. Longview, Wash. Seattle Honda seattle, Wash. Tom Hines M/C Seattle, Wash. U.s. Cycle Seattle, Wash. Eau Claire Cycle Shop Eau Claire, WIS. Weisenberger Enterprises Wausau, Wis. Bill Kasson Yamaha Austin, Texas Tuned" Suspension 233 Seventh Ave" City of Industry, Ca. 91746 (213) 336·4502 •