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both compression and rebound damping rates. The bike is cold-blooded and difficult to start much like a stock motor, but there most similarity ends . The first difference you notice is the way the bike accelerates in first gear. Much like the old H-l or H ·2 Kawasakis, the front wheel paws the air whenever the throttle is twisted . And it's not a situation whereby you must snap the throttle open to get the wheel off the ground. Rolling the grip briskly can have the bike vertical rather quickly. When you power-shift into second gear, the front end comes up. Then you can shift to third with the wheel in the air and carry the wheel for quite a distance. You must exhibit care when driving this one, or a ticket for "exhibition of speed" will be your reward. I estimate top speed to be an honest 130 miles per hour, possibly higher. During the test, we were not aware that somehow the bike had nicked a couple of exhaust valves. The effect was that the motor wouldn't idle and didn't like large throttle openings at low-to -midrange rpm in a higher gear. But it should be known that the quarter-mile times were achieved with valves in this condition and probably better times would be achieved with fresh valves. One point to remember her e is that the bike produces so much power and revs so quickly that care should be exercised not to over-rev the motor. Fresh valves took care of the idling problem and lessened the caminess of the motor, but this is a peak power motor and some loss of tractability is to be expected. On the other hand, around town performance is not drastically impaired as long as the throttle is not opened to large amounts at low rpm in fourth or higher. The exhaust system as tested was too loud for around town use. Every policeman within miles will hear you coming. Again, I can't comment on the "standard" Moriwaki pipe because I didn't test it, The bike was fitted with the new "EBC " brake pads. They provided excellent decelleration ch aracteristics on the fro nt , but th e rear brake was oversensitive and prone to lock-up . Possibly "EBC" will have differen t pad materials, but the pads as tested were too strong at the rear wheel. Again , the front brakes were terrific - stro ng an d progressive. I didn't get to test the handling and suspension sufficiently because the weekend I had the bike was very cold and mist made it impossi ble to see clearly through my shield. Also, if there's th at much mist in the air, the pavement is wet. T he impression that I did get was that the suspension was too stiff. Suspension settings are very complex. Requirements change with the following : rider weight, riding style, roughness of the different comers encountered, speed through each comer. When you change any of those four factors , you change the requirem ents for spring rates, preload semngs, compression and rebound damping needs. The bike is fun to ride but is better suited to the racetrack than the street because of noise and tractability. The "hand -bent" racing pipe is race-legally under 1IS dBs, but that's loud. I never felt comfortable twisting the throttle on public roads because of the noise. Why should my fun ruin someone else's? And to be an effective street bike, it needs more mid-range . But get it to the racetrack, and that 75·80 horsepower will eat up that pavement in front of you . Champion Moriwaki - USA is the sole U.S. distributor of Moriwaki parts. They can be reached at 1980 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa, CA 92627, ~r by calling 7!4/642.204~. • 21st. annual 25-lap NATIONAL TT SATURDAY APRil 3 8 pm 10th annual Half-mile Gardena _ o ld Cup ' G (EXPERTS, JUNIORS, NOVICES) FRIDAY, APRIL 2, RESERVED SEATS A VAIlABlE A T SANCTIONED TICKETRON(5) ~="""TA C""",""TION .... _ . $7.50 $3.75 _II _.• ------------- - -- - --------- -, E_ National n APRIL 3 .... ........ $15.00 IAi clllld.... . not _ $7.50 AlI_ Gardena Gold Clip APRIL 2 c... Ooly , _ 00Iy CIlOll ;,.....- -.. sia.ee $6.50 GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS ON SALE AT ASCOT ON RACE DAY ONLY !TIl II . ..... 1 _ _ Ift!y.} - - MAIL ORDER TICKET FORM Enclosed is my checkfor TlCkets@$""ch ·Total$, _ PI_ IlIlcl ose a sail addresMd atampecl IlIlv,lope al ong wit h check or money order payabl, to - AGAJAN IAN ENTE RPRISES . P . O. Box 98 PHONE _ GIWdena, Ca l li . 90247 NAME C IT Y ADORESS ST ATE _ Z IP I I I I I I I I 18300 VERMONT AVE. GARDENA, CALIF. (213) 323 ·5055 (2 13) 321·5323 FREE VIP PARKING FOR STREET MOTORCYCLES 31