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/126799
chance to have its teething problems. Why did they get away from the original concept of building a "green Bultaco" for Schreiber? They hired the world champion and they thought everythjng was fine. But when it came time to put a bike into production I suspect it had to do with pride. I never really asked but I think that's what happened. They didn't want to put a "green Bultaco" into production. They wanted to build an Italjet. Obviously, the bike wasn't that great at first. They never had a chance to make their development mistakes quietly and recover quietly.· No first production bjke is that good. And Bernie's psych is so strong; when he's up, he's up incredibly, and it just went the opposite way with ltaljet. Few American riders seem to like Europe. Or they just tolerate it. Why was it different for you? Some guys go over and it's not like downtown L.A. or San Diego or any other town here. They feel out of place, insecure. They don't say: Well, it's different, it's something I'm going' to have to adapt to. They never break out of being an I-can-have-everythingI·want-all-the-time American, They don't allemp to become European in any way. You really weren't planning on riding nationals in '83, were you? . No. r didn't ride tbe first tbree rounds. I was going to school and skiing a lot. Larry Wise (of Cosmopolitan Motors) called me and asked if I wanted to ride a Montesa in the series. I think Fantic had really done well at the first rounds in Texas and Larry decided he had to do something. Also, Curt Comer had left Montesa that year. Why did you cool off on riding? Well, I was really in a transitional period. Going from totally outon my own with no restraints or schedule except being at a race when I had to. Back in America I had a job, working full time, and taking nine units at night. r really didn't have time to think abou t riding. So you rode four rounds. You didn't get a ticket 'back to Pennsylvania. Missing tha t ride cost you a ranking as high as number two for year, dependi'ng on how you would have do·ne. Right. Then you laid off again before the '84 season. Was that because of school? r think r was just burntouton trials. I was a lillie ir;'itated that I hadn't been able to get back to Pennsylvania. And I was back at school and working. r . quit riding in September. About two months later I started thinking about bikes again. I'd be. driving by some rocks and say: Wow, that'd be a great section. I decided all of a sudden I wanted to try a smaller bike. I called Larry but he was sold out of 242s. He said he could get me one in about a month. I got itat the end of February. Trying a smaller ·bike turned out to be the smartest decision I ever made. I had never ridden one. r found out that with a big bike there's a lot of power that's never used. With a small bike you have to use all there is. but you're never lacking, really. The biggest thing was the 242 was so much lighter than anything r had ridden. My style and that bike just clicked right in. How much riding did you do before the June rounds? I had a month to get ready, riding maybe a couple of hours every weekend. School was just intense. Even then, I was thi·nking r wouldn't make those first rounds because finals were the week before. r had to reschedule all my finals, really do some begging and pleading. I just barely got to leave the day before the first national back east. Did riding back east revive your interest? the chin strap, we'll trade you?' A new Snell-approved Hondaline helmet for your old one. Free of charge. Just call or go see your local Honda dealer. After confirmation, we'll get you a replacement helmet of comparable value. Were exchanging helmets because our own independent testing revealed that some of those we bought from American Sports Company may not conform to Snell standards. We bought them with Snell stickers. And sold them that way. But when we learned about the possible nonconformance, we .decided to take action ourselves. The name Honda has always stood for safety and honesty. It's a reputation we've worked for and earned. And that's something we wouldn't trade for anything. rrSAYS YOU'RE EUGlaE FORA F.E HELMET. Check the chin strap on your 'Hondaline" helmet. Because if it says HaWk, Stag or Hare on it. And if it has a date . between 1973 and 1982. And if it has American Sports Co. or has DUNS 00 847 8497 imprinted on HONDA.LlNE~ C> 1984 American Honda MolDr Co.. Inc. *Hondaline Hare. Stag or Hawk ASC _ will be exchanged floe otcharge for a new Hondaline helmet or $50 in the foem of a check from American Honda can be issued. Cycle News - Weekly news, not mOnlhly history. GOKI ELECTRIC STARTER KIT FOR THE HONDA ATC-ZOOX The GOKJ EI«trIc Start Kit ~atures the toRowing: • Kit comes complete with all necessary mounting a laptors. wiring harness" hardware. battery box jbattery not if'ldudedI. and detafted InslalIation instructions. Coo Brake Line Parts WiI-Quip Is the major supplier 01 Performance water, all and brake line systems used by Williams, Renault and Ferrari in Formula One, the IndylCART teams, and in AliA Superblke by Honda, Kawasaki and YoshimuralSulukl. We stock a complete fine 01 Setrab Coolers and Aeroqulp hosellttlngs and stainless braided fines lor water, oif and brake systems. cal/lor inlormetlon on your particular appI/ClItion or send S3 lor our complete CIIta/ag. ORDERS (714) 751·5131 Wit-Quip lKl1-A West Bak.cer ~l, Costa Mesa, CA ll2626 • KJt can be It btalIed by purchaser at home. • KJt works in corjunCtIOn with sttx:k manuallclck starter. ~ Stock lighting system provides power for charging the battery. GOI<1's EIecb1c Start KIt tor the Honda "rC-2OOX (fits years J983 to '99S) sells for 5235.00 (suggested retail) and can be ordered direct or see your JcxaI dealer. Ordef Part. Number ATe-lOB. Price ~ to change without notice. VISA. MasterCard accepted. GOKI MANUFACTWING COMPANY 9525 Cozycroft Nenue. Unit F Chatswoth. CA 9131 J USA f8I8f 998 <1152 Est. 1~7S 7