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/126421
Zappa (Continuedfrom page 23) would be wonderful if factory bikes would run the same caune on the same day as all the other bikes, but in a factory clUll. "When the contest goes away, the fun goes away. MOlt of the pros will teU you the mOlt fun they had was when they raced production bikes for trophies. The point is that there's no contest when you put the factory bikes up against the production bikes. The factory bikes are better, therefore it's DOt a cootest. Do you see what I mean? The day's past when you could take a production bike and work on it and be competitive. A while back it could be done. "Loolt at Hannah's production bike two yean ago. The works shoclt wasn't doing the job, so I put the right oil and accumulator in the stock shock. I sat him down and tallted to him like a father and explained to him why it would work, bett~r. He went out and rode it and realized it. The bike did the job. "I'd venture to say that even Hannah couldn't win on a Itock bike anymore. Don't get me wrong. Bob Hannah has done more in the span of motocross in the United States than anyone elae, but there's just too big of a difference now. "The claiming rule doesn't seem fair either. That rule came before factory bikes were around. Today it's for a no· good reason. A few yean ago someone could claim a bike that was production and had been worked on. Today, someone claims a factory bike and in a few months the factory changes their design. The person who claimed the bike can't get the parts he needs anymore because they aren't being made" Joe said. A racer comes into the shop and uIts Joe to put a clutch baa into his dated Maico engine. A five minute job turns into over an hour, as Joe diacoven other bad parts and replaces them with his leftover Maico mventory. He looked up from the job at the racer. "If you have the money, fme. If you don't, we'll fIX it anyway. Some rat dealer would replace the bad pan and let it eat up some other parts. I fIX it right or not at all. I'll sit right here on my can and drink my coke before I'll do a bad job." Joe doesn't bill the factories for the work he does on the factory bikes. "Keith McCarty will tell Yamaha what I've done to their bikes, and they'll reimbune me sooner or later for the job. It's always been fair." If the rewards the lappas receive from their involvement with motocross aren't monetar}', other reasons must intercede. One glance around the shop teIls the Itory. A poster of Hannah coven a corner of one wall. In large black letten it is scribbled. "To Toe--Bob Jiurricane Hannah." On the booltlteeping table lies a Father's Day card, IIeJ1t to Joe lappa from John Savitslti. "John 100t his own daddy in March, and now I guess I'm son of his daddy," Joe said. A look of satisfaction crossed his face and he set the card back on the table. Marry lappa's trophies adorn the shop. Rows of them can be found on the floor in the bathroom. "I weld for an income and am involved in racing for a hobby. When I have a chance to help a youngster with his racing, I like to do it," lappa said. The day draws to a close, and Joe lappa locks the doon of his shop. As he jumps into his trock, he turns and says, "Fol1ow me home. Men's got roast beef on the table for dinner, and there's plenty for everyone," I ( I I ' , RIDE AWARE Whatever you decide to do, do it with Cycle News. Husqvarna INVENTORY REDUCTION SALE ••• ~EE,US NOW AND SAVE •• We heve one of the most complete lines of Husky perts end ec:c:easories in the country T&OYamaha 24020 Narbonne Ave, !Torrance/Redondo areal lomita. CA'90717 213-534-2311 II . . .; ~ ) • RM PARTS: Genuine SUZUKI feetory proven perts in stock. pistons. rings. nuts. bolts eny RM pert you need. • FACTORY PORTING: (RM's only) To factory proven spec's, Use the facilities the • CYLINDER BORING "Factory Teams" turn to Set up like the PRO's, Sudden ServIce. while in the Midwestl • CRANK REBUILDING UPSorFeder.1 Midwest Action Cycle offers We do It right. Expr• • to you the finest availllble Machine Servicesl MIDWEST ACTION CYCLE Rt. 12 • BOX 163· LAKE ZURICH,IL 60047·312'438-6300 Youl