Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

EDDIE LAWSON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP T-SHIRTS Harley's most succeuful ...acer, Jay Springsteen, leads then-Harleymounted Ricky Graham in 198~. cylinder head and cam area of the Harley 750 V-twin to improve the jump ofhhe corners, where the Hondas had been slaughtering the American iron on the din mile ovals. "We've definitely seen' some improvement," says Denzer, "I think Scouy Parker's finishes have indicated iliat we've made some gain~, cenainly not where we'd like to be, but we're crawling along, creeping along, making a few gains." Next up is a new engine. But that depends on finding a big oUlSide sponsor so the company can finance mowr development, an amount in the region of $250,000. While Denzer says a "couple of sponsors have shown a great de-dl of interest," he won't go any funher. Buc if the new OHC, four-valve-per-cylinder mowr is w be ready for the 1987 season, a contract will have to be ann9unced soon. "This fall," says Denzer. The new mowr will be designed by Dutch-born Peitr Zylstra, the man responsible for the XR 750 and one of three men under Denzer in the race shop. The others are Bill Werner, who spends much of his time on the road with Scouy Parker, whom he is contracted to work for separate w his race shop involvement. Werner works on the dyno when in Milwaukee. Also in the race shop is Jerry Riedel, whose prime responsibility is reconditioning cylinder heads. As he surveys his lonely kingdom, it's not hard w imagine that Denzer might be annoyed at Honda's t!Jffiultuousentry into thespon, which fora long time was Harley-Davidson's private playground. The opposite is true. 'Tve seen some side eHects which I dislike, but none the less I think competition is good. Without that, I don't think Harley-Davidson would be improving, so I think that it does help the sport," he says. "It gives the spectators something more to go to the races for and after all, that's what this program is, a show, in effect, for the spectawrs. We need closeness in competition, we don't need anyone to be dominant, be it Harley-Davidson or Honda orany other company. You need a back-and-fonh-type situation. "But for Harley-Davidson in particular," he adds, "no way - it hun us." Honda's domination of not only din track bur also road racing in the U.S. has prompted many people w consider just what can happen when a factory decides it wanlS to be number one, asserlS Denzer. Harley-Davidson, for its pan, tie maintains, has always tried to help privateers and give them an equal c!tance. "We were accused of spending as much money as Honda, and I'm sure that we have," says Denzer. "But we've done it over a 30- or 40-year period, so I think there's a big diHerence there. "Harley-Davidson has always been willing w share their information tips w permit the privateer an even chance with us when we raced as a factory team. I think the hiswry books show that there were privateers who were winning nationals then as well." Basically, the Harley-Davidson race team has operated in 1985 as it once did, providing help for talented privateers such as Carroll Resweber, the only four-time Grand National champion. The team gradually evolved un.ril everything was being done out of the Juneau Avenue-plant race shop. While he can see advantages in both systems, Denzer would like that direct control over the bikes back. "From a selfish standpoint, Ithink it wQrks beuer that way, to have control on it. I think the type of equipment that gelS w the race track each week you have a more secure feding in because you watched it being'assembled. "Now, you cross your fingers and hope everything is tight and they've done all the things they're supposed w have done." Happily, he adds "Obviously they do. They're having the performance and the results are showing that they can." Denzer thinks the factory dfon will bethesamein 1986andheissure the Harley bosses will not be thinking about axing the team altogether again, despite Honda's second championship in a row. "The fact that they won it two years in a row is not going to be that much of an influence on us," says Denzer in a positive tone. "We've had lean times years before with the Triumphs when they were running and when Yamaha first came onboard with road racing and so on. I don't think that will have much bearing on what we do: our game plan will remain much the same. I£ we can find the finances, we will develop the new engine. 1£ we can't, then we will just have w carryon with what we have, and I think there's cenainly some gain in the present engine, also." • This striking new T-Shirt from Fine Line Sportswear is just the thing to wear at the races or out on a weekend ride. Designed with the active lifestyled person in mind, from the High Action full color picture to the Eddie Lawson signature. Get the Race-8re'd-Look that can only come from a world champion. Made of soh, comfortable 50/SQ ~I~ cotton fabric which keeps its original comfort and fit. All for an attractive low price of $12.95 (Shipping and Tax included) call Now To Order! (714) 623-1438 . Orders Shipped UPS COD, Check, Visa, Mastercard FilCtLiMt Sportswear 1040 W. Second St.• Pomona'/CA 91766 Lose Weight, Go Dymag! Thla High level of oualily is why Dym"ll Vlheeis are used by all Indy car teams and by more formula One car learns than all other brands combined. They know thai reduced .heel w~ghl improves suspension response, handling and ac.cderalion. 16. It, and Ie inch diameters. 1.55 10 .H5 inch widths. Prices from ~ dolla". BueD Ilnkes are the biggest adv,.,ce ~ brake technology since 19~. They are 60Clb lighter than conventional br~e rolors and this means a substantial reduclton in unsprung rotational weight. We bot roD an aluminum core between two thin :sheets of slainlm steel allhousands of pounds of 1lftS'Ul'. This creates a molecular bond between the metals. These ~YeIS are not ~ued or riveted ¥her. but permanenlly bonded althe moIeculio: Ievd. The e"""_ core reduces the .... and res,.ater resistance to brake fade than cast brakes. The stainlm steel gives the brake strength. durabilily and great braking feel. You have never experienced brakes like Ihese. Pttt.8bmgb Perfonaaace helPS reduce your bike's weight with the IaIest in Iijlt·weidlt higMech racing equipment. Vie seJlthe privateer the same lechnology lhatthe factory teams use. Dy-. MHC WbeeIto and BueD Ilnkes reduce your bike's unspru"ll nllaoonal weight. It lakes aJrnosllwice as much power to accelerate roIaIionaJ weighl as il does chassis weight. A pound saved in your wheels is worth two in lhe rest or the bike. Reducing unsprung weight makes your suspension's job easier. This wiD improve handling and [esponse. Dy-. MHC WheeJa are the only die casll1lallTlesium wheel. Unlike our compelito~ who use sandcasting we arc a~le to reduce our wheel·s ""ightw,hout reducing strength. Die casting gives precise control over the wheel's thickness and strength. AP Lockheed cab...... are Simply lhe besl In lhe woM They have been used by so many world champions lhat we can'1 begin 10 ist them. Precision machini"ll ,.,d the best malerials give lhese calipers the edge over the competition. Ask the top OP leams which ~Iipe" they use. lockheed! Vie are proud to be able to bring this world championship b'ake 10 American TaCer1. They are avaUa.bSe: in two piston or four piston verstoM from ge to 2~ dollars. Adjustable ratio masler cylinders also aVailable. Pittsburgh Perform~nce 414-392-3170 864 W31751 Hwy X Mukwonago, WI 53149 IAMMY TANNER

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