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/126428
If the rules aren't written properly - and I mean riKilt now - the 500s will be unafJordab1e in a shan time. Granted, it will probably stan with the existing bikes now o~ the market. But they won't really do the job so we'll see new and exotic machines designed specifically to win. If Harley were to start building a 500 you wouldn't see it for two or more years and I can A MACHINE FOR EVERY PLEASURE Bultaco Is Still The Best Buy Available! Motocr. . "We have contributed better than $250,000 (to the sport) in building motorcycles, traveling to the races and such." Norm McDonald guarantee that it wouldn't cost anywhere near what a 750 does. Not only that, your maintenance costs would be about double what it is now because we are talking about a bike that revs at 12,000, not the eight to 9,000 of the XR. All these facts need to be spread out on. the table and the rules written properly right now to stop exotic machinery from corning in somewhere down the line. A claiming rule would not really help much. We have to.write rules on the design of the engine and limitations therein. Without rules you _could see double overhead carns, eight valves per cylinder, fuel injection and on and on with no limit. In those circumstances the cost would be astronomical. In addition, the equip. ment would not be available. You would have a manufacturer build the required 25 units that only their fac· tory riders getting the bikes. Reverting to a 200 unit rule would be an answer, but you would have to watch getting so far out that you drive away the competition you're seeking. No matter what we do, the rules have to be written with caution and exper· tiese. Nil: I think if we do this slick enough .and soft peddle it, the dealers and not the factories will get heavily involved. Allowing juniors to use 500cc equip: ment as they now do is a good thing and still low key. " ... the people who are making the rules don't have any idea what it costs to build or maintain a 500cc bike." Dick O'Brien GR.: I hope that if there is one sane thing that comes from this meeting it's to incorporate tbe juniors in the National program for 1980 and to make it a junior National rather than just a suppon race. 1 feel that will add prestige to the program, give the fans twice the show and give us a solid farm team of up and coming ri~. If and when Dick O'Brien leaves Harley·Davidson, I would like to have him write the rules or at least be on the committee to, because he is one person who is definitely in the know. He's been in this ballgame a long time. He makes ~ when he speaks and O. B. isn't only for Harley·Davidson. He's for the sport and as far as I'm concerned the people in charge should stan asking him some questions. • "I believe that if we -use a little common sense we can work this 'problem out." Punan. 250 S~,745.00 Punan. 370 S~,79S.00 Woods, Trails or Desert Sbort Track Frontera 250 S~,776.00 Frontera 370 S~,845.00 Astro 250 S~,946.00 EurQpean Quality & Bultaco's Price We offer you the most for your dollar! Bultaco International LTD, P.O.Box 2237 A romn. itone ptb.....o.entaal Tl·;U U lC 'HIJ·; . Cycle News want ads work The Teflon Super Smooth Cable *Complete line for racing bikes *Requires no oiling *Smoothest pulling cable *Flexible throttle wire gives long life *Heavy duty housing, resists stretch and abuse Write for Free Itereture Terrycable PO BOll 1321, Hesperia, CA 92345 (714)247·2&46 Out of state can toll free 18001854-4691 • RM PARTS: Genuine SUZUKI t.ctory proven pel1a In stock. platona, ringe, nuta, bolta eny AM pert you need. • FACTORY PORTING: IRM'. only) To factory proven .pec'•. Use the facilities the • CYLINDER BORING "Factory Teems" turn to Set up Hke the PRO'.. Sudden . . . . . . while in lIle Midwestl • CRANK REBUILDING UPS or FecIenl Midwest Action Cycle offers We do It right. E,..... to you the fi.-t II\I8ilable MKhine Servic:eel MIDWEST ACTION CYCLE Rt. 12 • BOX 163· LAKE ZURICH,IL60047 • 312438-6300 Youl