Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

Corbin Pacific Inc. and California Custom Cycles have teamed up to produce the world's first practical custom touring motorcycle. The Nomad is a 96-inch S&S-powered machine that features Corbin's saddlebags, fairing and chinspoiler. The part~ can be rapidly removed from the machine for aroundtown use. For more informa lion, call 6SO /941-5212. Similarly, Titan Motorcycle Co. of America has announced the introduction of its first touring model, the Roadrunner Sport RM. The bike is said to be fully convertible from touring to cruiser configuration in minutes. Power for the Roadrunner Sport RM will come from a 107-inch S&S motor. Multi-time amateur National MX Champion Justin Buckelew broke his lower leg (tibia and fibula), while practicing in Marysville, California, before the Hangtown Amateur MX. Buckelew, who broke the same leg last year, will be out the rest of the amateur MX season. Following the outcome of the recent fuel tests carried out at the Malaysian Grand Prix, the FIM will be conducting a meeting at its Swiss headquarters, inviting members of the Grand Prix Manufacturer's Association and various fuel and oil manufacturers involved in Grand Prix road racing to exchange views on the compulsory use of unleaded fuel in the Grand Prix World Championship. The meeting is scheduled for June 8. The Isle of Man Post Office wiIl be releasing its 1998 TT Dreams stamp collection, celebrating the historic road race, on June 1. The stamp collection features Isle of Man racing legends Mike Hailwood, Dave Molyneux, amoi Taniguchi and Joey Dunlop, as well as a stamp commemorating the Purple Helmets precision riding team. The stamp collection is available in various presentations, ranging from single stamps to limited-edition souvenir brochure with a special Honda 50th-anniversary coin. For more information, contact the Isle of Man Post Office Philatelic Bureau, P.O. Box 10M, Douglas, Isle of Man, British Isles IM99 1PB, or e-mail: stamps@po.gov.im. The United States Classic Racing Association is scheduled to hold an AMA-sanctioned vintage motorcycle race at the original Laconia race track at the Gunstock Recreational Arena area in Gilford, MIC numbers add up to ood news in '98 B ew Hampshire, on June 14. Past race winners are expected to take part in the historic event on the I-mUe course, including Ed Fisher (951) and Dick Klamfoth (1954). Ben Campanale, who finished second in 1938, is also scheduled to attend. For more information on the event and surrounding activities, call 603/226-5858. ased on sales numbers, motorcycling appears to be in a pretty healthy state, according to the most recent data from the Motorcycle Industry Council. With its figures tallied through March of 1998, the MIC reports that motorcycle sales are up 20 percent across the board, with,perhaps the most interesting change coming in the playbike and competition 1off-road segments, which posted the highest percentage increase in the market, at just over 26 percent. Despite roadblocks such as the recent emissions laws that have been put into effect in California, year-to-date sales from the same September-to-March evaluation period show a jump from 20,527 units sold in 1997 to 25,284 units sold in 1998, with Honda leading the way via its XR lineup of motorcycles, and accounting for roughly half of the total unit sales in the category as of March. In the compelition/off-road segment of the market, which includes but is notlirnited to such bikes as Kawasaki KXs, Suzuki RMs and Yamaha YZs, the numbers are equally as strong. Some 31,126 units have been sold from September to March of '98, up from the 26,171 units sold during the same-time period in '97. Yamaha was posting the strongest numbers as of March, with 9495 units sold - 1800 of those being YZ400F models. Also of interest was KTM, whose 1562 units sold nearly double its 818 figure for the same time period one year ago. Factoring in street bikes, total sales are up to 91,776 total units sold, well ahead of the 76,413 units sold in the same time period one year ago. Kenny Roberts Training Ranch will be offering a two-day racing class as part of the TravelCraft GP trip, September 1321. The class is open to riders of all levels, and humiliation is guaranteed. Former AMA champion and GP winner Jimmy Filice is tentatively scheduled to lead the class, whicl1 will take place in Barcelona, Spain. The group will also take in the Barcelona Grand Prix that same week. Non-riders are also welcome. For more information or to sign up, call TravelCraft at 800/241-1223 Actor Larry Hagman will be making an appearance on an upcoming edition of Bike Week on the Speedvision network. Hagman, who had leading roles in the "Dallas" and '1 Dream of Jeannie" television series, wiJl join Speedvision's Genevieve Marie for a cruise along Southern California's Malibu coastline, and will discuss the importance that motorcycling has played in his life. The show is scheduled to air on July 14 at 8 p.m. eastern time. Check your local listings for show times in your area. Suzuki Bandit 600 or Marauder 800 motorcycle, a Suzuki DF60 outboard motor and a Suzuki LT-F500F all-terrain vehicle. Suzuki will also be supplying all of the motorcycles and automobiles that Will act as lead 1chase vehicles for the event. Former World Champion Kevin Schwantz is scheduled to be on hand for the event. . Speaking of Speedvision, motorcyclists who somehow failed to get their fill of "B-grade" biker movies in the'60s can review such silver-screen classics as "The Wild Angels," "Hells Angels on Wheels" and "Chopper Chicks in Zombietown" on Speed vision's "Lost DriveIn." Hosted by actor Bruce Dern, "Lost Drive-In" takes an irreverent look at the "B" movies that haunt "A" actors. In addition to these and other biker flicks, "Lost Drive-In" also showcases films centered around motorsports. "Lost Drive-In" airs on Fridays and Saturdays in the late evenings. Check your local listings. Bremerton Raceway in Bremerton, Washington, will be the site for the "Super IT Northwest Challenge," June 13-14. Those who are set to compete include TT veteran Joe Kopp and former ational MX Champion Chuck Sun. A special clay 1dirt compound is being hauled in to comprise roughly 35 percent of the asphaltldirt race surface. Post entries will be excepted the day of the event at $40 for the first class and $20 for any additional classes. For more information, see ..www.supertt.com.. on the World Wide Web for track layout and class information. Former Central Roadracing Association Series Champion Mark McCall, 36, was killed in a street-bike crash in his native Minnesota on Thursday, May 28. McCall is survived by his wife and three children. American .Suzuki will be the title sponsor of the inaugural Suzuki Rock 'n' Roll Marathon to be held in San Diego, California, on June 21. Nearly 18,000 runners are expected to participate in the event, and will be competing for a prize package worth more than $175,000, including a 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara sport utility vehicle, the choice of a PROMOTED: Cycle News advertising sales representative Greg Mitchell, to the position of manager, Cycle News eastern advertising office. Mitchell takes the position of brother Mark MitcheJl, who has departed Cycle News to join Seals Communications. HIRED: Jim Oark, as advertising sales representative, Cycle News eastern advertising office. Oark will be working closely with the Cycle News advertis-ing staff to develop regional accounts. OFFERED: Pit service support for the June 26~27 Best in the Desert race in Mesquite, Nevada, by Montclair Yamaha/Ty Davis Racing. For more information, call1-877·TY-DAVlS. OPENED: Mach 1 Vintage Road Racing, a service shop specializing in Ducati single-cylinder engines. Mach 1 also offers vintage road race tuning and preparation for Yamaha, Honda, BSA, Triumph, Harley-Davidson and other makes of vintage road race motorcycles. For more information., call Peter Talabach,413/623-6022. MARRIED, Longtime Checkers MC member Scott Steams, to his girlfriend, Diana Menke, on May 30, in Agua Dulce, California. OPENED: Strictly Hoclaka's website on the World Wide Web. The site can be reached at the following address: http://www.strict1yhodaka.com. The site contains information on the Hodaka marque, including the whereabouts of parts and bikes for sale, specs, and a photo gallery. MARRIED, Cycle News advertising sales and mar· keting representative Forrest Hiyashi, to his longtime girlfriend, Eveyln Montiel, on June 30 in Arcadia, California. CORRECTIO : The photography in Issue #21 of the WERA National Endurance Series was taken by Andy Chadwell, and not Scott Carpenter as printed in that issue. 0 r----------------------------------------------------------------,' ~ ~ SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM ame _ Address City _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ State Order Date Zip _ Please start my subscription to Cycle News: o Every week for one year (50 issues) for $38.00 (can be billed 2 monthly payments) o Every week for two years (100 issues) for $70.00 Six months second class (25 issues) for $19.00 One year (SO issues), 2nd class Canada or Mexico and all other foreign countries L~~~~~~~:~~~~an~~~~::~~~~~~~~ • o This is a 0 New Subscription o Renewal o Please bill me 5 ill 2 payments of $19.00 o Enclosed is my check or money order Charge my 0 Visa 0 Mastercard Signature MC/Visa# _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Expiration Date QiJ:lli ~, Send to: Inc. P.O. 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