The rear suspension gave very
little rear wheel movement.
didn't appear for another year or
more), the twin-cam Manx was
powerful enough to enable Mathews
to win at record speed, averaging
88.55 mph in defeating the powerful
Harley-Davidson and Indian factory
teams in the grueling race lasting
more than two hours.
Indian probably didn't mind too
much that the British OHV 500 had
defeated their 750 side-valvers, for by
then they had been appointed U.S.
distributors for Nortons. The victory
was due, however, as much to Francis
Bean's painstaking preparation of
the winning machine (and Klamfoth's second-place finisher), as well
as his methodical planning which
resulted in ultra-fast pit stops for
refueling: Bean was the first man to
use a prototype version of the dump
cans which are now the norm in
replenishment in long <;listance
racing.
Furthermore, in typical fashion
he'd made a host of detail modifications to the bikes to counter the
unique conditions imposed by the
combined sand and tarmac course,
from enclosed primary chains and
drip-fed lubrication of the rear
chains to pecially-made gearboxes
which offered a usable set of ratios
in spite of the AMA provision that
all machines should be fitted with
a kick-stan - even though engines
were kept running during refueling
and there was a rolling, clutch start!
Of all people, he thoroughly
deserved the special gilt trophy he
was awarded after his bikes' third
victory in 1951 as the Victorious
Mechanic: that rrophy is now
A well-sprung saddle and "bumpad" made it comfortable.
Motorcycle World with Larry Huffman
via satellite
--.,.gj>1l
** IN DEPTH INTERVIEW **
** WITH BOB HANNAH **
** &: DAVID BAILEY **
It comes to you live, every Sunday night from 10 to II p.m.
KOLA 99.9 FM
KTIM 100.9 FM
Los Anl{d('s Ri\'l"rsiu{'
Orangt' Co. San Bc:rnardino
San Frall( i,co Oakl;Il'u
Call in and lalk with all tile top personalities
and be part or motorcycle world.
1-(800) 228-5249
KSCO 1080 AM
Santa Cruz
XTRA "EXIra Gold" 690 AM
SIIOIlg'l"st AM Sl:llion in
W"Sll'I"ll I .5.
Sponsored by
$
SUZUKI
Right On Suzuki
21
