Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

~ Boulevard e e-r BeautY. 00 0') ...... The KZ750 Spectre attains a new level of style and performance for high-profile motor cycles. Brilliant colors and vivid gold accents leave a lasting impression. From its pullback bars to its plush, contoured seat, the Spectre is beautiful form without sacrificing func tion. A rugged DOHC engine combined with smooth shaft drive supply plenty of eyeopening pe rformance. All adjustable suspension cushions the ride so you cruise in comfort. And look even better. Let the good times roll. Interview: Kenny Roberts PUMP GASOLINE FULLY LEGAL FOR AMA COMPETITION CALL OR WR ITE FOR YOUR NEA REST OAECO GASOLINE DISTRIBUTOR... 201 W EST " 0" STREET WI LMINGTON, CA 90744 (213) 549-0840 Distributed In So . C8lifomi. By DON'S TIRE & CYCLE 1108 W. Holt Ontllrlo, CA 91781 (714) 988- &002 V-4 to title four? By Dale Brown 1982 may go down in the history books as the year America ruled the world, at least in the sport of motorcycling. Three-time World 500cc Road Racing Champion Kenny Roberts is tied for the points lead in his quest for a fourth title, Brad Lackey is leading the 500cc MXGP points, and Bruce Penhall is a solid favorite to repeat as World Speedway Champion. Add to that the fact that Danny LaPorte is only two points out of first in the 250cc MXGP circuit, and Bernie Schreiber is a solid second in the World Observed Trials Championship with the next World round taking place on home turf in northern California. But Roberts is unquestionably the leader of the American surge towards international dominance. He took his first title in his first year of GP competition, 1978, and he won two more before finally succumbing to an off-year with an uncornpetitive machine in 1981. Roberts stormed back to win the opening 1982 GP in Argentina, then debuted the long-rumored V-4 at Austria, where he finished third. Roberts came back to win in Spain, then finished fourth with tire troubles in the Italian round. With a break between the Italian GP and an international race at Donnington Park the week before the GP schedule resumes, Roberts flew home to northern California. We caught up to him there for a telephone interview. . . . The season to date: You've got two wins, tied for the points lead. How does this compare to seasons past? Well , it's similar to 1980 in one respect: All I have to do is to be very consistent because Franco Uncini, whom I'm racing against, is very consistent. We started out by winning,' p lacing good and winning and that's how 1980 started out. We won three in a row and then we placed.the rest of them. You've got a new V-4 now. H ow's that bike wo rking out? The bike has a much higher potential to win GPs. But right now the bike is not at its full potential, so depending on the race track, it could be better than the square four that I won Argentina with or not as good. But during the three weeks . that-we . . .. ~-."'~' have stopped racing, they 're building a new chassis alo ng with some new engine modifications and hopefully the potential to win races will be higher when I get back. Like I said, it's a whole new configuration. There are some things that are not as easy to ride but it's very reliable for a bike that's just been built. I'm pleased with the bike. It's just that we need to keep working to make it better. What's the primary difference between it and the square four? T op end power? . No, it has a little more acceleration. It's lighter than the square four soon top speed it's probably better. But in Spain Sheene's bike was a little better on top speed and about the same in acceleration. So depending on the racetrack and weather, it could be better or it could be not as good. In Italy I felt it was better than the square fours. "Uncini has been going like a rocketship and in Italy there was no one who was going to beat him. JJ O K, along with the new bike, the new ch assis, you also have new tires in the fonn of those massive Dunlop slicks. H ow are they contributing to the overall package? Well that's one of the big differences. In the past the problems we had at the racetrack were the testing of tires. I'd have four tires mounted up, two different ones on the bike. I go out and do four .lap s, come in and change • , "', ". ' I . • '. '

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