Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

they tell us what we can or cannot do. The law requires us to drive on the right side of the road, and given the average American's driving ability, I for one am damned glad of it. If Chuck Clayton is going to argue against a helmet law, that's his choice. But I'd suggest he find some rational grounds to do so, not misquotes, ridicule and specious logic. America's motorcycle' newspaper VolumeXXlV Sharon ClaYlon, Publisha Mike Klingc:r,Complrolln Skip Johnson, AssocMU: Publishal National Sales Mdn4gt!T jaclC M3ngus, Associ4~ Publisher/ Editor Rheba mith. Circulation Manoga Caroli~ Gendry. EXt!cuhVt: SeCTetary to the Publisha Editorial Kit Palmer, Associate Editor Paul Carruthers. Associflte Editor Farren Williams. Associate Editor Mike Larson, Assistant Editor Edwin.. Mangus. Calendar Editor Advertising Terry Prall Sales Marwgn David Mell. Dealer Sales Managn Mark Thome. ales MOruJgn Mike OlUrch. wtern Sales M(mager Thomas R. Gomer. Easum Sales Managf'T Linda Brown W/,stem Ad Coordinator Carla Borden. £.asIan Ad Coordinator Linda Von de Veld. AdtJnluing Asst. Graphic•• nd Production Malcolm Wilson. Production Managt!T Diana Hilgenberg. Graphic Artist Peggy Smilh Graphic Artist Staa,r CU~I. Graphic Artist Marion Hatashita. Typ~~tter Carolyn Bnmham. T'Y~s~Un Drenms Greene. Lab. Tt'ch. Accounting/D.te Processing Donna Bryan. IIccLJ R~uruabl~ Coordinator Rt:'pi:I s. Assistant Gm~'3 Fran Hamwe)', Cr~dit Tasteless promotion I enjoyed the latest issue of Cycle News (Feb. II/Feb. 25) with one exception. The ad on page II for the San Diego Supercross shows a diagram of the track and section four is named "Bailey's Triple Trouble." I have heard that David was involved in the' design of this obstacle and this is where the name came from. A few months ago, this may have been a great attendance builder, but considering David's misfortune, I feel· this is an inappropriate, in fact, tasteless type of promotion. The subject of triple jumps and this promotion is of great concern to me. I do not feel that the current trend of triple jumps should continue. Other countries around the world have already awakened to this and redesigned the tracks for improved saCety. Over the last few years, motocross has given the sport of motorcycl ing a lot of good publicity because the attraction and focus was on the rider's conditioning. The safety oC the riders is paramoum and the track designers and promoters must take immediate action, or motocross will take on a "Roman Chariot Race" auno phere. Circul.tion anah Ta)'lor,lfssi.stant Alma Anguiano. Assistant Oteri ehal m;:ln, Assistant . Marirn Ailiams. As.(i.uant DONEMDE Publisher, Motorcycle Dealernews Irvine, CA the President mad. They'd have fun with this one. So write your letters. Write a basic one, use a copy machine to make a bunch, have everyone at work sign one, put them all in an envelope (saves stamps) and send them out. Then do it again next week. And remem ber every signature is worth 100 opinions to those who are voting on this. Keep up the good work, Cycle News, without you we would never know what is happening behind our backs - everyone else is history. TERESA TETREAULT Cypress, CA Stand by your man American Honda is very pleased with the support and encouragement given to David Bailey by his many fans and friends. We know he appreciates it. We would like to let everyone know that we have waived theinjury clause in David's contract and will be retaining him on Team Honda at full salary Cor the entire term of his contract. We have conCidence that David's spirit and determination will re ult in a strong recovery. GARY MATHERS American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Manager, Motorcycle Sports Dept. Carson, CA JIM MILLER Editor Cycle Guide Magazine Torrance, CA CC replies, "Thanks for allowing me some choice at least." ... Editor Balentine update Cycle News recently published excellent coverage by Anne and Tom Van Beveren of the December 21 AMA Ride For Rights. At that event many people donated to the Bob Balentine Fund and signed a large Chrisunas card that was designed by jim Carr of the Los Angeles Trade Tech art department. It was delivered to Bob on Christmas Eve in the hospital along with $143. I saw Bob this past Sunday at his home in Mojave and he is gelling around very well on crutches. He can drive a car or truck with automatic transmission. Unfortunately, Bob was a victim, twice, of a fate that could have easily struck anyone. Bob will be at a fund raiser that is being held near Red Mountain on Saturday, February 28. Members of the Dinosaur Riders Association and I will be at the event. If it· has been awhile since you've seen a desert-ready 650cc Triumph twin, look for us at thestaTl. "Little" john Hateley, who won the Houston ational TT twice, will be in our group. Al Baker has puta lot of effort into helping Bob so let's all join him in this really worthy cause, W.nfAd. Debbie Winkler, Want Ad Snks De.ler S.....nd Service David Mell. lXalt'r Sal~s Manager S.rvice .nd SUpport Chris Aitclteson. Headquarters Rt!cepiionisl Leonard Herring. ServlCt! arid Su~porl N.tio...1 Helldqusrt8rs 220 I Cherry Ave.. Long Beach. CA 90806. P.O. 80x 498, Long Ilt:ach. CA 90801·0498 (213) 427·7433; 213/636·8844. E••tern Office 4190 Firsl Ave.. Tucker. GA, 50084; mailing addrt'>, P.O. 80x 805, Tucker. CA 30085· 0805. (404) 934-7850. Cycle Nt"w (U P 141-340) i.s publislu'd weekly except the firsl and lasl 'A't.'ek of Ute c-.alendar yeecember 1986. ON THE FRONT PAGE: David Pyle pl.ys around on the 1987 301 cc Fantic trials bike. See page 22 for Fantic test. Photo by Len Weed. Lunatic fringe We've had it folks. I'm sure most oC us had no idea what Iunatics some of the Sierra Clubbers really are. I had wrillen a response to a point mentioned in a local paper stating how bizarre Cranston's Desert Protection Act seemed - finally a chance to elaborate on what was going on to the unconcerned public. I was not vicious, and I did not lie. It was more oC a plea for extremists to leave us alone. Six a.m. the day my leller was printed, a call came to my home to the effect of- don't we care about all of the animals we are killing? (Ever tried to run down aj'ack rabbit? Pretty dangerous stuff.) Two days later a 4:30 Saturday morning call. I wasn't the lucky one to speak to this idiot, although he did ask for me. This all occurred weeks ago. Upon our return £rom a bitchin' weekend in Anza Borrego (one oC the proposed closure areas) we received a 6:00 a.m. call from our lillie friend; he asked iC we enjoyed our weekend in the desert killing animals and he hoped a raulesnake would bite all oC us. (Maybe he w~ote that article in California Magazine, eh?) ~ keep telling jeanine to get his name and number and I'll call him back maybe ask him if he enjoyed that steak he had Cor dinner. The point is this, these psychopaths are behind that wilderness bill, and they're all the same or they wouldn't get along so well. 0 don't think that bill will die because it's so unreasonable; so are these people. Remember both the Senate and Congress are controlled by Democrats now, and they're having fun making Most factory rider contracts have a clause that puts a limit on the number of days a rider can be sidelined due to injuries before the contract is void. American Honda is to be commended for backing Bailey in his time of need. Bailey, the defending 500cc MX National Champion, is paralyzed from the waist down as a result of injuries suffered in a practice accident in early January. Cards and letters can be sent to David at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, 751 S. Bascomb Ave., San lose, CA 95128 ... Editor. Essential liberty Regarding Chuck Clayton's argument against California's proposed mandatory helmet law (CC Writer, Feb. 18-Mar. 7 issue). I might suggest that he be a bit more careCul with his quotes. The actual quote from Benjamin Franklin is, "They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." You have to agree that deleting the italicized words as Clayton does - changes the meaning considerably. And noting that, "A helmet law is nothing like a seat bell law," is nonsense. W~y? jkcause Clayton says so? Because he'll stamp'his feet and hold his breath if I say it is? The- two are analogous, and the fact that he has the option oC paying Cor a helmet has '!l'Othin~ !O do with it. Does he honestly think he's not paying for the seat belts in his car? Moreover, the typical libertarian reaction to helmet requiremems, i.e., "the governmel1t can't tell me what to do," is juvenile. The legal system limits our rights as much as it outline our responsibilities; laws are not bad simply because PAT OWENS L.A. Trade-Tech Los Angeles, CA Safety equipment Bravo, Dave Holeman! Your suggestion for improved back protection equipmem is great and I believe it is a very real solution to a problem that effects us all. We do have the technology if only we will apply it. I believe in this course oC action. An idea I do not support though is curbing or eliminating track obstacles. ProCessionals will always push the limits of saCety minded zealots to regulate racing, we will soon all be riding fiat track races on YZingers with training wheels. O[ course, back injury scares us all; it has affected my racingdrarnatically since I heard the Qews of David Bailey. But for myself, giving up riding i not an acceptable alternative. I look instead, as you do, to the industry to provide greater safety throug~ applied technology. Perhaps some Corm oC collar, such as football players wear, combined with higher and more protective neck support. I don't know what kinds of devices will emerge, but iC they prove to be even somewhat useful in reducing back injuries, I'll be among the first in line with cash in hand. MARVEADAMS Chatsworth, CA The movement afoot to eliminate double or triple jumps is not one being conducted by "safety minded zealots," but by those who are sincerely concerned about recent accidents that have caused major and minor injury to riders most would

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