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/126501
The swingarm is the same length as that found on a Sherpa, but the pivot point has been raised in the frame, again to lower the rear end. The wheelbase is about a half-inch shorter than a Sherpa. Dropping the rear end rak.es out the fork angle slightly. This seems to slow the steering just enough so that the bike is a bit more forgiving. Bernie feels that the geometry combination he and the factory came up with enables the bike to stay straighter in rocks while also making rear wheel (floating turn) steering easier. Betor forks are used. A change is planned in the bottom triple clamp on the production bike. Also, the sliders will be longer to create more overlap and fork rigidity. And the Italjet name will appear in raised letters on the sliders. Bernie switched to Michelin tires for the last two world rounds. These new tires may be stock on the bike. They are a lower profile than either a Pirelli or Dunlop with a very soft, clinging tread compound and a stiffer sidewall compound. Bernie feels the tires grip rocks better while the stiffer, lower sidewalls reduce any mushy feeling experienced with low air pressure. He also feels that the low profile allows the tire to put down both a wider and longer contact patch. The rims are red label Akronts, Those who have never experienced brake - pedal - to - the - metal - and· the· bike's-still-picking-up-speed on a Sherpa will be delighted to hear that the Italjet has steel rather than chrome liners that seem to resist mud and water-induced fade much better. Access to the air box is found behind the left side panel. Allen fasteners, flush against the panels, will be found on the production bike. The box breathes from the top. A Twin Air motocross foam filter is used. There's also a one-way squeeze-it-yourself drain plug. The chain is by Regina, with "gold" plates. A roller chain tensioner will be used in production. Another change for the production bike: The alloy skid plate will be widened to offer better case protection. Bernie used his own Answer Products replica bars. The production bars have not been finalized. The throttle is an Ideal, designed by Spanish rider Jaime Subira. It has to be the most compact spool throttle yet built. The grips are Maguras. The levers will be black, made by Tomaselli. The gas tank is a tough polyurethane plastic that has just been approved by Germany. It's the first plastic tank to be approved in that nation. Capacity is one-and-a-qu.arter gallons. The cap extends two inches down into the tank to assure a leak proof seal. The production seat will be similar to the one seen on the 50 model. The bikes will come with street legal (for Europe) headlight and taillight. A quick snap-on competition-only lighting kit will be an option. Another option is a changeover shift lever and brake pedal kit. The bike will be delivered with left side shifting. The steering Stops will be adj'-!Stab!e. For convenience, the same cable will fit both the clutch and front brake. Another convenience - the countershaft sprocket can be removed without having to pull the case. That's about it for the Schreiber Italjet. The color is green, one of Italy's national colors. Only it's a lime green. Kawasaki's lime green has for years identified the Green Meanies. But now, for Italjet, with the Americanjet Schreiber on the pegs, it will also signify the soon-to-be-seen Green Clean Machines. • Holiday Greetings ~~. to ALL of our cust·l-.oJ< hes for the New Year lers-especially those products! ..... 00 ..... (j) Gary Allison Tom Sauter Carl Smith Randy Snyder Alan and Evelyn Spears es Swartout Ed Arnet Matt Capri Doug Daniels Phil Darcy Tony Dell Dobbs Bros. Larry Domon Pat Egan _~'T.J. Usso ,.,JiU:'P'Vaselica America's best for 31 years P.O. Bolt 2826 • santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 • 213/941-1284 BEFORE & AFTER CHRISTMAS SPECIALS BELLFLOWER Harley Davidson/Suzuki Inc. 16211 Lakewood Boulevard Bellflower, California 90706 ~~~~~(213)634.1222 TAKING RESERVATIONS! 1981 Harley-Davidson Sturgis Belt Drive 1981 Suzuki water cooled 125 and 250/465 floaters ORDER YOURS NOW! . includes rack & windscreen '79 GS 750 ES-$2565.oo Also SPECIALLY PRICED '80 GS 750 ES-$3185.oo '79 GS 1000 $2799 00 -. All include 12 month/12,OOO mile warranty 35