Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

VOICES America's weekly motorcycle newspaper LETTERS TO THEEDfTOR Volume XXXIV Sharon Clayton, President Michael Klinger, Publisher Editorial Paul Carruthers, Editor Kit Palmer, Associate Editor Scott Rousseau, Associate Editor Mark Hoyer, Milnaging Editor Keith Bush, Assistant Editor/CoT!!! Editor Cameron Coatney, Assistant EdItor Tom Titus, Copy Editor Alan Cathcart, European Editor' Advertising Terry Pratt, National Accounts'Milnager Mark Mitchell, Easlern Accounts Milnager Mark Thome, Western Sales Mil nager Thomas Gonter, Western Sales Milnager Forrest Hayashi, Western Sales Milnager Greg Mitchell, Eastern Sales Milnager Rick Matheny, Eastern Sales Milnager Rhonda Crawford, Western Ad Coordinator Laurie Torstensen, Assistant Carla Allen, Eastern Ad Coordinator Tina Farr, Assistant Marketing &< Promotion Mark Thome, Director ForrestHayasru,Manager New Media Development Mark Mitchell, Director Rick Matheny, Webmaster Robert McTigue, Production manager Oassified Ads Laurie Torstensen Graphics and Production Roo Johnson, Production Supervisor Mandy Lao, Productiun Milnager Dennis Greene, lAb. Tech. Stacey Guest, GraphiC Artist Vance Lanoy, Graph;'; Artist Administration Judy Klinger, Coordinator Leanne Sims, Administrative Assistant AccountinglData Processing Donna Bryan-Diamond, A/R Coordinator Geneva Repass, Assistant Herlane Lewis, Credit Circulation Meba Smith, Milnager Alma Anguiano, Processing Coordinator Keshona Dawson, Billing Coordinator Carol Maggio, DeP.ler Coordinator Service and Support Bridgett Bobrofsky, Receptiunist Michael Swedberg, Service and Support National Headquarters 2201 Cherry Ave., Long Beach, CA 90806, P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, CA 90801-Q498 (562) 427-7433; (213) 63Ml844. FAX (562) 427-6685 Godspeed Don Rhodes died Saturday, February 8, 1997, at his home. His generous heart . just quit beating. Don was at every MA and ISDE event and many of the National Hare Scrambles and Enduros - he was the one with the buzz cut, the sweat-pant shorts with mismatched socks and his pockets bulging with a shop rag, a tool or two and a bag of sweets. With daughter Iris Kay as cheerleader, Don was always behind th~ scenes to support with that expert knowledge and the tool he somehow knew you would be needing. Don loved motorcycles and the riders who rode them. When his son David and I decided to ride the National events, Don was right there behind the wheel, often driving through the night. He would load the trailer with tools, try to fif the bikes in on top, and away we would go. He was there for my dad 30 years ago and he's been there for me since my first race in 1987. I will miss my latenight phone calls to Don. He gave me confidence and support no matter when . I would call and always had an insight on a new bike or race tracle He generously gave of his time and talents to support the sport of motorcycling. He cleared trails, fought for the right to ride on public land, promoted events and was mentor to many a new rider. His special love was the ISDE. I will always remember his pride when the USA Junior Team brought home the gold from Czechoslovakia in 1991. Iris was wildly cheering and I turned to see Don grinning and nodding. Dan's son David was a member of that team. Iris, in her tribute to Don, said, "Throttie on, dad, and I'll meet you at the finish line." It will be a privilege for all of us to have Don meet us at the finish line. Jason Dahners Redmond, WA A fund in memory of Don Rhodes, for the benefit of the U.S. ISDE team, has been established. Contributions can be made to: Eastern Office 4188 First Ave., Tucker, GA 30084; mailing address P.O. Box 805, Tucker, GA 30085-0805. (770) 934-7850. FAX (770) 934-3112 Don Rhodes Memorial Fund, Northwest Motorcycle Association, 207 Urban Ave. #K10, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 ... Editor. Speaking generally The Hunwick Hallam, Excelsior, Aprilia and other European "styling" exercises certainly give credence to a paraphrase of one of Malcom Forbes' sayings. "When it comes to style, way out never is." God are they ugly! It's probably a good thing that Hunwick isn't planning on making any more than 500 units a year and not trying to sell them in the United States, because with that brand nam.e and those looks they won: t sell here. It is a good exercise of someone's dream and will probably keep him off of the streets for a while and suck up a lot of other people's money. Indian, anyone? It was quite intt!resting that Cathcart devoted the first part of the article pointing out the many recent failed attempts at motorcycle manufacture promotion, but I don't see much distinction between Hunwick and the examples given except that Hunwick spent his own money first. Hunwick seems quite proud of the fact that Hallam isn't an engineer, It's not too difficult to build and run an engine. The British have been building "world beaters" for years, but reliability is engineered in from the beginning, not added on. But, maybe these guys are smarter than Hesketh. Calling pneumatic valve springs "desmodromic" is incorrect. Desmodramie valve actuation is defined as "positive mechanical valve closing," not just using another form of spring (air). Harold Parks Minden,NV Check, check Thank you, Dale Walksler, in your effort to raise money to save Grand National Dirt Track racing. I have been trying for the last two years to find a sponsor for the race series. As long as the AMA won't make any rules changes to open up the competi- - ~1'~~ ~. ,~"kk'fi . ~ -_... 'i:.'c -::". -" ~~ :'\ "',," tion for other manufacturers, I would suggest you take the money you raise and promote a race or two with larger purses for the riders. This way the riders will get the lion's share. ow, what is your address to send a check? Mike Stewart Las Vegas, NV As far as the AMA's willingness to change the rules in Grand NaHanal Dirt Track racing, have a look at Issue #10 (March 12). Walks!er can be reached at his Wheels Through Time Museum, 618/2444118... Editor. USA #1, SX fans zeros I regularly attend motocross, supercross, flat track and auto races. On February 15, I was at the Indy Supercross. I have never witnessed such low, degrading conduct from the fans as I did that night when the young lady was singing our national anthem. They jeered at her and whistled and yelled like a bunch of idiots. I cannot understantl wha t has ha ppened to the bike-race fans that has made them act in this way. Sunday, I watched the Daytona 500 and did not hear any such low-life noise from NASCAR fans. People, wake. up. Our national anthem deserves the respect of each and every person in the country. If you cannot respect it, then go to China or some other country, and see if they will tolerate your low-life actions. Don Patton Indianapolis,tndiana Letters to the editor should be sent to Voices, Cycle News, P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, CA 90806-0498, faxed to 562/4276685 or e-mail.editor@cyclenews.com.. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the position of Cycle News, tnc. Letters should not exceed 200 words and all letters are subject to editing. Anonymous letters will not be considered for publication. All letters should contain the writer's name, address and daytime phone number ... Editor. .... ~;:i'. e-mail editor@cyclenews.com subscribe@cyclenews.com FEATURES advertising@cyclenews.com Internet http://~.cyclenews.com cycle ews (USPS 141·340) is pubHshed weeldye=pt the last two weeks 01 the calendv y.... for $50.00 per year by Cycle ews.Inc..2201 Cheny Avenue, Long Bead\, CA 90806. PericxHcals Postage PaKI alLong Beach. CA and al additional mailing office. Canada Post International PubHcalions Mail '546615. PQSTMASTElI.; Send adclr6s ch~Ses to Cycle News. P.O. VINTAGE AHRMA Classics Days Rounds 1 & 2 - VDTRA Vintage 01' AHRMA 01', MX and R/R SUPERCROSS Round 7 - AMA Supercross Series from Daytona 12 FLATTRACK MARS Half Mile St. Augustine Half Miles 16 32 HARE SCRAMBLES Round 2 - AMA National Hare Scrambles from Wilseyville, CA .... .53 Box 498, Long Beach, CA 90801.0498. To detemti.ne the expintion date of yoursubsaiption, check the four numbers on the first line of your address label The first two digits indicate the last issue number you'll receive and the last two characters indicate the rur of the last iMue. Subsoiplion rates; Rates for the United States and its p0ssessions for one year, (SO issues). $50.00; two years (100 issues), S9S.fX); six months, (25 issues), $26.00; trial sub (15 issues), $19,00. Canada and Foreign, one year (SO issues), $91100; two years (100 issues), $175.00; six months (25 issues), $45.00; tr1tond U.S. Palent Offi

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