Volume 38 / Number 4 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017 • $5

18th Annual

Concours d’Elegance

WHAT’S INSIDE: Oregon Vintage Ride, Show, & Swap Meet 24th Annual Death Valley Rally Callaway Reactor Ride Honda 1961-65 Sports Cub

official publication of the vintage japanese motorcycle club of north america, inc.

IN THIS ISSUE Features EVENTS: VJMC at the 37th Annual Ore- gon Vintage Motorcycle Ride, 6 Show, and Swap Meet EVENTS: COVER STORY Second Annual Dreyer Bike Show 18th Annual 10 Riding Into History MAINTENANCE Concours d’Elegance & RESTORATION: ...... 42 A Motorcycle 17 Towing Primer ODDS & ENDS: You’re Invited! Barber Vintage Departments Festival 2017 PRESIDENT’S LETTER: 21 Take 40 Rides this Summer...... 5 RIDES: 24th Annual BACK IN THE DAY: Death Valley Rally 22 Lauren Levey / Yamaha RD350...... 8 EVENTS: FROM THE EDITOR: VJMC Mountain Zen and Now...... 9 Motorsports 3rd Annual CUSTOM CONNECTION: 29 Bike Show Kai Zen...... 13 EVENTS: 2017 Bill Brown Vintage Motorcycle FEATURED BIKE: 30 Picnic Honda C72...... 15 PROJECT BIKE: KICKSTANDS UP AT DAWN: A Dream Come True The Manuscript, the Meaning, the Moral, and the Magic: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance ...... 27

35 FIELD REP FOCUS: EVENTS: Bikes on Central Missouri Ride Series: the Beach 2017 The Callaway Reactor Ride ...... 32 38 TECH HELP: EVENTS: Tech Tip #20: Handy Things to Have in the Shop...... 53 The 2017 KCVJMC First Friday at ADVERTISER’S SPOTLIGHT: the Kansas City 40 Arts District Dubya Wheels...... 59 EVENTS: 7th Annual CLASSIFIEDS...... 60 Spring Rally 46 at Donnell’s ADVERTISERS’ INDEX...... 61

Volume 38 / Number 4 HISTORY: AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017 • $5 The 1961-65 On the Cover Honda C110/CA110 18th Annual Billy Aldrich’s Sports Cub RC162 on the Hall of Fame circle 49 Concours d’Elegance at Riding Into History WHAT’S INSIDE: MAINTENANCE Oregon Vintage Ride, Show, & Swap Meet 24th Annual Death Valley Rally Callaway Reactor Ride & RESTORATION: Honda 1961-65 Sports Cub Shoe Polish Trick cover photo: 58 official publicatioN of the ViNtage japaNese motorcycle club of North america, iNc. Mike Fitterling Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine 3

PRESIDENT’S LETTER Take Forty Rides this Summer Official Publication of the VJMC elebrate the fortieth anniversary of the VJMC by taking forty AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017 rides before winter. I recently made an executive decision not Volume 38, Number 4 C to hit the rear of the Silverado that cut me off and chose to lay PRESIDENT Tom Kolenko my bike down instead. After spending most of June on crutches, 770-427-4820 the pain is starting to go away, and I can’t wait to take those forty [email protected] rides. I was lucky and get to play another day. New lessons were EDITOR learned, and hopefully I’ll have another twenty-six year gap like I Michael Fitterling 863-632-1981 did after my last accident. [email protected] Our Pigeon Forge rally and Mid-Ohio AMA Vintage Days built on fortieth anniver- DESIGN DIRECTOR sary significance for all in attendance. Pete Slatcoff and his rally team created great Nadine G. Messier [email protected] fun for all members and guests in Tennessee. Sean Carrigan’s team at Mid-Ohio com- manded the largest infield club tent with the AMA’s support. Jim Townsend and Ellis CLASSIFIED ADS Gary Gadd Holman kept the swap meet tradition alive at Mid-Ohio in its second decade. Thank 817-284-8195 you to all these folks and their teams who represent the VJMC so well. [email protected] It’s not too late to add the West Coast Rally, Barber Vintage Festival, or the AIMExpo MAGAZINE DISPLAY ADVERTISING DIRECTOR events to your 2017 bucket list. Jack Stein and Bob Leonard are planning a great West Bryan Bentley Coast Rally in September in Southern California. Pete Slatcoff’s AIMExpo team will 864-923-0559 [email protected] be in Columbus, Ohio, in September. The Thirteenth Annual Barber Vintage Festival rounds out the year in October, featuring our largest VJMC bike show at motorcy- MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR Bill Granade cling’s Mecca. We have had more events in 2017 at the national, regional, and local 813-961-3737 levels than ever before. [email protected] Recently, a member sent me a Fox News/Hagerty article covering the most popular CHANGE OF ADDRESS Please direct these requests to motorcycles for millennials that bodes well for our club’s future growth. These 20 to Bill Granade: 35-year-olds identified bikes from the 1970s as most popular, due to their low cost, [email protected] 13309 Moran Drive, Tampa, FL 33618 ease of maintenance, reliability, and good parts availability. Vintage Hondas accounted Membership check renewals: for twenty-nine percent of the millennial buyer interest over the past five years, with 1 year - $30 / 2 years - $55 / 3 years - $80 Outside North America: 1 year - $50 Yamaha capturing eleven percent and Kawasaki at six percent. Seems like the “kids” get it too! ADDITIONAL COPIES In order to minimize unnecessary expens- It is important to thank members like Jay Bennett for representing the VJMC at the es to the club, VJMC prints a limited number Oregon Vintage Bike Rally, Al Brotz (Field Rep-WI) staffing a VJMC booth at Rocker- of each issue of Vintage Japanese Motorcy- cle Magazine. However, we would be glad to box 2017 at Road America that signed up eight new members, Craig Long (Field Rep- accommodate any requests for additional copies IL) for securing sponsorship for Rockerbox T-shirts, Todd Tagatz’s team (Field Rep- from members. MN) for staffing the Minnesota VJMC bike show, and Ellis Holman (Field Rep-IN) for These requests must be submitted before the 15th of the month preceding each issue. For representing at the Dreyer Honda Bike Show. Signing up new members at great events example: for the October/November issue re- is the best way to add to our ranks and share our passion for Japanese motorcycles. quests must be received by September 15. We often hear the refrain that “nothing VJMC ever happens in my area,” especially MISSION STATEMENT: The purpose of this organization is to promote from locations without active field representatives. You can change that. Volunteer to the preservation, restoration, and enjoyment of become a field representative by going to our website and downloading the application vintage Japanese motorcycles (defined here as those 20 years old or older). The VJMC also will and confidentiality statement and sending it to me. Great events tend to be simple, promote the sport of motorcycling and camera- local, and accessible. derie of motorcyclists everywhere. It is with great regret that I announce that our National Field Representative Coordi- © 2016 Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club of nator Sean Carrigan is stepping down due to health concerns and new job demands. North America, an IRS-approved Not-for-prof- it 501(c)(7) corporation. All rights reserved. We thank Sean for his contributions to the VJMC field rep program and as lead orga- No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted without permission. All articles nizer of the infield VJMC displays at Mid-Ohio in recent years. Replacement candi- copyright by their respective authors. dates can self-nominate from the field representative ranks after one year of service for Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine is pub- consideration to this open Board of Directors post. Contact me directly if interested. lished six times per year, in February, April, June, Keep riding until you get your forty rides in for our 2017 anniversary celebration. August, October, and December. The views and opinions expressed in letters or other content Ride safe and often, are those of the author and do not necessarily represent VJMC policy. The VJMC accepts no lia- bility for any loss, damage, or claims occurring as Tom Kolenko a result of advice given in this publication or for claims made by advertisers of products or ser- VJMC President vices in this publication. [email protected] Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine 5 6 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017 events VJMC at the 37th Annual Oregon Vintage Motorcycle Ride, Show, and Swap Meet by Jay Bennett / [email protected]

ut on by the Oregon Vintage Mo- Ptorcycle Club, this is a two day event held each year at the fairgrounds in Corvallis, Oregon. People come for the weekend or for the day, and there is a wide variety of motorcycles to see and enthusiasts to talk to. The event has been going on since 1980 and keeps growing every year, with about 800 in attendance this year. On Saturday, there was an eighty-five mile ride with forty-two bikes going through the beautifully green spring countryside. There were all brands and countries represented on the ride. For the Asian category, there was a Suzuki rotary-engined RE-5, two Honda CBXs, and a Yamaha two-stroke/two-cylinder and others. Many bikes were thirty to sixty years old. The ride was great fun, seeing all those old and rarely seen bikes on the road. Many townspeople stopped what they were doing to see My pretty and helpful wife and I talk- the gaggle of old bikes going by, and we ed to people about the VJMC and the SHOW CLASS WINNERS even got some thumbs-ups. benefits, such as the kinship with others in restoring and keeping old bikes run- 1st Place The weather was awesome, with clear Michael Roberts skies and low 80s on both Saturday ning. Our table had VJMC brochures, 1975 Honda CB 400F and Sunday. Normally, weather for this the magazine, key rings, and side stand event is overcast, cool, and even heavy coasters to hand out. We had a nice 2nd Place rain. This weekend’s weather was the banner also to announce our club. Mark Willhoit 1990 Honda GB 500 best I can remember for the event. By the end of the show almost all the On Sunday, the Show and Swap Meet merchandise had been handed out and 3rd Place was to start at 10am, so around 8:30 we awareness of the club had increased. John Adsmond arrived. We put up our tables with the In the show, the Asian class had thir- 1962 Honda Dream VJMC signup materials to hand out. ty-six entrants, with many that were On another table we had an actual Burt simply bikes to be ridden occasionally Munro (of The World’s Fastest Indian and not necessarily show queens. Both story) piston to display and tell about the “drivers” and “show queens” have a our travels to New Zealand. On a third place and are prized by owners and ad- table we sold some excess parts from my mirers for what they are. restoration projects (Honda CB400F, The event was a great success, with ter- CBX, Mini Trail 70, and Yamaha XT/ rific weather, lots of people and friends SR 500) to clear the garage and recoup to talk bikes with, and some fantastic some of the overspending on projects. motorcycles to enjoy in the sun. l Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine 7 BACK IN THE DAY

Yamaha RD350

by Lauren Levey

auren Levey on a 1975 Yamaha RD L350 original café racer “back in the day.” l

8 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017 FROM THE EDITOR Zen and Now by Michael Fitterling / [email protected]

his issue has a decidedly Asian fla- from a fantastic National Rally in Ten- as well. As you can see from this issue, T vor with two articles, each in their nessee (story in next issue). We had a events are happening all over the con- own way, speaking about Zen. Check another chance to tackle the “Dragon” tinent, from the Pacific Northwest to out Toby’s Kai Zen story in “Custom and discover new routes around the California to the Midwest to the East- Connection” where this Japanese way Smokies, along with attending an un- ern states, so don’t miss those in your of approaching motorcycles is ex- precedented-sized bike show right in area. If events are lean where you are, plained. Also, Marsha Heck, in her col- our dining room. consider organizing one or two your- umn “Kickstands Up at Dawn,” reflects Now’s the time to get in those dis- self; your Board of Directors stands after Robert Pirsig’s passing on Zen covery rides and adventure onto new ready to help you create memorable and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. routes on board our vintage machines. events full of fun and comradery where Zen is a book I’ve read multiple times, Enjoy the summer; it will be gone all you are. which has encouraged me to write too quickly for many of us. But fall is I hope you all have a great summer of about the internal experience of riding, full of good times, too. Join us AIM- safe riding, and I hope see many of you rather than about the raw mechanics Expo in Columbus, Ohio, for a truly soon at a VJMC event! With any luck, and creating mere travelogues. amazing motorcycle experience. State it will be aboard my basket case GS550, Summer is here, and I’m just back rallies will be coming up this autumn under construction now. l

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine 9 This Honda Dream 50 showed up too.

Also in the custom class was this very tasty Kawasaki based café racer.

This very nice Honda CBX won best of show.

There were some really unusual bikes that showed up for the show, such as this nice 1973 Yamaha TX750.

10 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017 events 2nd Annual Dreyer Bike Show by Ellis Holman, Director / [email protected]

hat a difference a year makes! these bikes. WLast year was the first annual Honda built the AC15 (Honda Dream Dreyer Bike Show. It was cold, forty-five 50 shown) to commemorate the suc- degrees, gray, and rainy. This year, it was cessful 1962 Honda CR110 single-cylin- partly cloudy and in the mid-70s. This der racer. Showing the 1960s-style were year, we moved the date from mid-May short racing handlebars and an elongat- to the twenty-seventh, the day before ed and low-profile fuel tank. The engine that small auto-racing event just down was a rare design for 50 cubic centime- the street. The nice weather brought out ters, having a single cylinder with dou- thirty bikes in the various categories: ble overhead camshafts. , , , 60s, 70s, 80s, and custom/race. All the various classes were nicely The winning bikes were selected by represented. There were approximately people’s choice. That was a good thing. 150 people who showed up to take in As I walked around and looked at the the show and enjoy the sunshine and bikes on display, it would have been a warm temperatures. Some other bikes Dreyer Motorsports on West Washington Street in really hard job of judging. that made an appearance were: Honda’s Indianapolis, IN hosted the The owner of the TX750 had an in- VFR400, Honda CR250 Elsinore, Hon- event as they did last year. teresting story to relate. His father pur- da CT70, Honda Z50, Honda CB125A, chased the Yamaha new in 1973. It was and a Hodaka ACE 100. ridden relatively few miles then stored. Many of the bikes had interesting sto- Time passed, his father moved on to ries to go along with them. The owner other things, and the Yamaha slept of a nicely turned out, red 1979 Honda peacefully in storage. Just recently, the CBX related his story. His best friend son, now owner of the TX, got the ma- had an extensive collection of various chine out of storage and brought it back machines, including the CBX. He and to life. He rode it to the show as its first his wife had decided to move to Florida outing after getting the bike up and run- and downsize. There would be no room, ning. Looking at the TX is like looking save for a few machines. The collection at a time capsule. was sold off down to three machines, in- This CB900F with The CB900F was a “Euro” design first cluding the CBX. Two of the machines Hondaline fairing seen in Europe. Honda based their then went with his friend. He told his friend showed up. new DOHC roadster, the CB900F, on he could have the CBX. When he was their RCB-series RS1000 endurance done with it, his friend told him that he racer. Initially named Super Sport like had to donate it to the AMA museum. A the 750, it was later named after the Bol true friend indeed! d’Or endurance race. For those attending the bike show, A 750 chopper showed many of the Dreyer Honda provided a nice lunch of custom touches used in the day. Many pulled pork, chips, and soft drinks. A companies offered complete rigid big THANKS to Mike Dreyer for mak- frames or “weld-on” rear frame sec- ing this event happen again. tions. Amen offered its “Savior” sprung The VJMC was well-represented at the frame, which gave the rider a bit more show and in attendance. Members came ride comfort. Tall sissy bars and stepped from as far north as Warsaw, Indiana, seats were also common options, as seen and as far south as Seymour, Indiana. Though not too common on this machine. Lots of chrome plating Many of the bikes were ridden to the these days, CB750 choppers like this one were common on the engine covers was also done on show and were regularly ridden. l back in the day. Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine 11

CUSTOM CONNECTION Kai Zen

by Toby Jones / [email protected]

n 1960, Triumph Motorcycle’s general pan was “Kai Zen,” the philosophy of Imanager and chief designer, Edward continuing improvement. Turner, made a trip to Japan. Turner’s Kai Zen is a philosophy that the Jap- purpose was to inspect and evaluate anese manufacturers believed in, and Japan’s motorcycle manufacturing though it was never used in their ad- facilities. He returned to England very vertising campaigns, it was constantly Kai Zen is a philosophy impressed with what he saw. What on their minds, from the chief execu- he had seen on his tour was clean, tives all the way down to plant assem- that the Japanese well-lighted, modern work places bly workers. It was not uncommon for manufacturers believed with precision equipment and pro- the Japanese manufacturers to shut in, and though it was duction capabilities far beyond that of down an assembly line and make an Triumph (or any European manufac- improvement at almost any time. Kai never used in their turer). The British motorcycle indus- Zen is what introduced the rest of advertising campaigns, try had enjoyed success for decades the world to reliable motorcycles that and had gotten comfortable with their were not only a pleasure to ride, but it was constantly on position in the marketplace. Unfor- also required little maintenance. In their minds. tunately, they chose to return most the Japanese economy of the time, few of their profits to stockholders rather motorcycles were purchased by “mo- than investing them in improved de- torcycle enthusiasts,” in fact, most sign and manufacturing capabilities. were bought as simple transportation. However impressed, at that point Mr. Competing amongst themselves for Turner didn’t feel the Japanese were this market, the Japanese manufac- a threat to Triumph. He didn’t feel turers had come to understand the they were interested in or really had importance of a product with a reli- a market for larger displacement mo- able electrical system, one that didn’t torcycles. He actually commented that leak oil, didn’t require the owner to the small Japanese motorcycles would be mechanically inclined or even un- be good for business. His thoughts derstand the inner workings of the being that the smaller bikes would in- machine. At this time many motor- troduce more people to motorcycling, cycles were operated in rural areas, and when they were ready for a larg- where most roads were cart paths and er, more powerful mount, their choice repair shops and parts suppliers were would be Triumph or one of the other few and far between. This fact made European motorcycles. How could he reliability the determining factor in know that in a few short years Honda the purchase of a motorcycle and of would introduce the mighty CB750; the utmost importance to the design- and Kawasaki, Yamaha, and Suzu- ers and production managers of these ki would soon follow suite with fine companies. large displacement motorcycles. Mr. Soichiro Honda, Edward Turner’s Turner was a brilliant designer who Japanese counterpart at the time, had not only helped create milestone was also a brilliant designer, but Mr. designs for Triumph, but also was in- Honda was also a visionary. At a time strumental in designing the famous when his company was quite success- Arial square four. Unfortunately, ful and the number one motorcycle what he had missed on his tour of Ja- manufacturer in Japan, Mr. Honda Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine 13 chose to travel to Germany and other the notoriously grueling race, and or restructure and improve the design parts of Europe in order to purchase Honda secured sixth, seventh, and and manufacturing of their machines the finest machinery and tooling in tenth places. Again, Kai Zen stepped to keep pace. Many of the famous the world. These huge investments into play, and only three years later, names in the motorcycle world simply put Honda on the brink of bankrupt- a young rider named Mike Hailwood ceased to exist, while others returned cy, but without them Mr. Honda knew claimed victory at the Isle of Man in years later displaying the quality that that his goals of precision and produc- the 125 and 250cc races on Hondas. that enthusiasts demanded and had tion in manufacturing could never be As a matter of fact, Honda motorcy- come to expect from Japanese ma- reached—another example of the Kai cles took the first five places in both chines. Zen philosophy. Only continuing im- classes. In the next few years other I don’t think it’s a coincidence that provement keeps a company on top. Japanese manufacturers would follow the theme behind this year’s Riding While the Japanese manufacturers Honda’s lead, designing and building Into History Vintage Motorcycle Con- had all become very proficient at de- race winning motorcycles. So much cours de’Elegance Show, saluting Jap- signing and producing dependable so that rule changes were instituted, anese Vintage motorcycles is Kai Zen. machines for everyday transportation, disqualifying many of the more exotic After all, continuing improvement is they all understood how far they were Japanese racing machines—a perfect what Japanese motorcycle companies behind the Europeans in terms of per- example of continuing improvement. were striving for when they created formance and handling. A trip to the Kai Zen is, at least, partially respon- these machines that the members of Isle of Man to compete in the 1959 sible for the quality of all the motor- the VJMC collect, restore, ride, cus- Tourist Trophy certainly confirmed cycles we ride today, regardless of tomize, and enjoy every day. So the this. While the Honda machines fin- their country of origin. The influx of next time someone asks you about ished well behind those of the Agus- continually improving motorcycles your obsession for vintage Japanese ta, MZ, and Ducati teams, all but one coming out of Japan forced all man- motorcycles, just smile and say, “Kai of the Honda machines did complete ufacturers to either shut their doors Zen, brother, Kai Zen.”l

14 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017 FEATURED BIKE Honda C72

JMC member Bob Bogaerts owns Vand restored this beautiful 250cc 1960 Honda C72. l

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine 15

MAINTENANCE & RESTORATION A Motorcycle Towing Primer by Floyd Finch, South Carolina Field Rep / [email protected]

nce upon a time there was a young dirtbike to the stable as well. As soon as Oman who had a motorcycle. He rode his beloved offspring got big enough to this motorcycle everywhere. Back and handle an 80cc dirtbike, he taught her forth to work, bar hopping, to all of the to ride. They had fun riding around the different events he attended, and even farm but decided to try out a few of the over the river and through the woods to trails in the national forest a couple of grandma’s house. This young man had counties over. By that time, he had pur- no use for a truck or motorcycle trailer chased a typical utility trailer for use and tended to look down upon those around the farm hauling hay and horse who carried their motorcycles around feed, so they loaded the dirtbikes up and on trailers behind cages instead of rid- took off for a day of fun. Two full size ing them. Your average 4’ x 8’ or 5’ x 8’ open util- motorcycles in But then he had an idea, as ambitious ity trailer is plenty big enough to haul a 6’ wide trailer young fools tend to do, and began buy- two, or maybe three bikes, but still small ing old motorcycles to either be fixed for enough to be pulled behind a small resale or parted out to make a few extra truck or even your average family sedan. bucks. This meant that he needed a way You’ll need a little more room to store to transport non-running motorcycles. a larger trailer securely. If buying a new Being of low budget and owning a fairly one, you should get one that has the rear typical mid-’80s mini-truck with a four- gate built as a ramp. If you have a larger cylinder engine, the young man gath- truck or SUV, the open utility trailers ered-up some scrap steel, an old Chrys- are available in any size you can find a ler K-car rear axle, and some good used tow vehicle to pull. In almost every case, tires, and welded up a sturdy little single the best way to decide what size trailer rail motorcycle trailer. to buy is to consult the owner’s manual Why bother with such a small trailer? of your tow vehicle and get the largest If you only have one bike, it’s perfect. trailer you can load your cargo onto and Most single rail bike trailers can be still be under your vehicle’s maximum pulled behind any vehicle that you can towing weight. The other caveat with install a trailer hitch on, no matter how open utility trailers is that they tend to Steve Gauding with his e-track wimpy it is. If you have limited space, be magnets for thieves. When you are equipped 7’ wide they don’t take up much room. You can traveling, your bikes and anything else trailer get fold up models, stand up trailers that you have on them are in full view of ev- can be stored vertically, or even a trailer eryone passing by, and anything that in a bag that can be knocked down to be isn’t securely locked can disappear fast. carried into your house, apartment, or In some areas, the trailers themselves garden shed for storage. The other good are a target, especially the smaller siz- reason is budgetary, if you’ve got enough es, because in a lot of states they are not extra funds to have a nice old bike worth registered and can be resold very easily. preserving and showing but not enough So on the road and at home take reason- dough to own and feed a 7.0 liter die- able security precautions. sel-powered tow rig. Back to our tale now. The not-as- Fast forward a few years, and now the young-anymore man sold his candy Mirror mirror on the wall, not-quite-as-young man has a kid, he metallic painted low rider truck and got Pete’s got the nicest rig of still has a street bike, and he’s added a a work truck. This led to bikes being all.

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine 17 hauled around in the back of the truck. unload, in case an accident should hap- and one of these may be a good fit for If you have a good ramp and someone pen, and you need help. I still haul some you. I have tried using a typical soccer to help you safely load and unload the bikes in the back of my pickup but only mom-style passenger minivan to haul a bike, this is the easiest and most con- the smaller ones, such as scooters and bike before but will tell you that I do not venient way to haul your motorcycle. dirtbikes; full size machines go on the recommend it. The ceiling is too low, no Most trucks have good tie down points trailer. tie down points are available, and the built in. The biggest plus to this method A van is another viable option, with door designs make getting the motor- of hauling is not having to deal with a most of the same advantages and dis- cycle in and out challenging, to say the trailer. Your pickup truck will drive just advantages as a pickup truck but with least. If you already have such a minivan like normal; you can park it anywhere two huge advantages: 1. A van provides and have a good trailer hitch on it, look in a normal parking space. The same lockable, weather-tight storage for your at your owner’s manual and see how concerns about security apply to your bike and belongings and 2. A van can much it is rated to tow and get a trailer cargo as apply to an open trailer. You be camped in once you reach your des- to match its capabilities, and you will be do need to be very careful loading and tination and take the bike out. If you just fine. unloading motorcycles into the back go van shopping, measure your biggest Flash forward another decade or two of a pickup. Be sure you have a long bike you plan to put in it, especially the and the still-young-at-heart man is de- enough ramp to keep the approach an- overall height. On some vans the ceil- veloping a collection of old motorbikes gle as small as possible and secure the ing is too low for larger bikes with tall and likes to be able to haul them around ramp to the truck with a tie down strap mirrors and windshields. With a pickup the country and show them off to oth- so that it will not move and fall down. there’s no roof to worry about hitting er enthusiasts. Wear and crash dam- Newer pickups keep getting taller, with your head on like a standard van. If age have slowed him down a bit; he no bed floor heights that make loading you are specifically shopping for a van longer has enough machismo to endure motorcycles into them a risky affair, so I to haul bikes, consider a high-roof ver- very much discomfort. Plus, some his- also recommend that you have someone sion. Recently, the manufacturers have toric bikes deserve preservation, as op- to at least watch you while you load or begun offering compact cargo vans, posed to having the wheels ridden off

18 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017 them. Having been to more than a few panies sell wheel chocks and tie downs shows, and looking around he has seen that attach to this track, giving a truly the easiest way to haul a motorcycle is modular set up to haul different bikes with an enclosed trailer equipped with in. The other option to consider is buy- a built-in ramp and motorcycle-specif- ing a plain trailer and adding the wheel ic wheel chocks and tie downs. If you’re chocks and tie downs yourself. While considering an enclosed trailer, look at this doesn’t give the versatility of the the capabilities of your tow vehicle, the e-track systems, you can tailor it quite size of your motorcycle collection, and specifically to meet your needs, and if your budget, then get the longest, wid- you don’t mind putting in a little work, Tom’s van est, best equipped trailer that your tow it can save you a few bucks too. One area vehicle and budget will allow. One thing not to save money on is the doors. Make self-contained living quarters. I have I know from experience is that a 5’ X 8’ sure that you get a side door at the front never had any personal experience with enclosed trailer will hold only one full- of the trailer. At the rear, a ramp door one of these (yet), but the people that sized motorcycle. At the very minimum, with spring assist is the best; after all, I have talked to that do own them are you should get a six foot wide trailer, why carry around a ramp if you don’t usually very satisfied with them. with a seven or eight foot wide being need to? An added bonus for some, once Hopefully, this has been of some ben- preferred. Many trailer companies offer getting the bikes out, is being able to efit to someone thinking of purchasing motorcycle packages, but they are usu- camp in the trailer. or upgrading their motorcycle hauler. ally designed around large cruiser mo- Speaking of camping in your motor- Do your research and be realistic about torcycles and really just are not set up to cycle hauler, the next step up is the fac- your needs, both current and anticipat- carry a variety of different sized motor- tory-built toy hauler RV. Whether it’s ed, when looking at tow vehicles and cycles. For the most versatile set up, get self-propelled or a tow-behind model, trailers. It’s still more fun to ride the an enclosed trailer equipped with sev- these spacious vehicles offer a place to bikes, but sometimes hauling them is eral rows of slotted e-track. Many com- store your bikes and the comforts of for the best. l

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine 19

ODDS & ENDS You’re Invited! Barber Vintage Festival 2017 by Tom Kolenko, President / [email protected]

ome and help us celebrate the thir- photo of the bikes you will enter, unless Cteenth anniversary of the greatest you have displayed these approved bikes vintage motorcycle event in the world. in years past—all new entries must have Our goal is to gather over 125 high photos. Only box stock and factory orig- quality, original members’ bikes for all inal bikes qualify for the free weekend 75,000-plus visitors to admire. pass offer. There is lots for all VJMC What brings the world to Leeds, Ala- High quality “drive-in” bike show en- members to do, even if bama, in October? Over 800 entries in tries are not eligible for the free ticket you don’t bring a display AHRMA racing, huge swap meet with deal but are very welcome all weekend at over 500 vendors, tech seminars, vendor the VJMC booth. Make your hotel res- bike for the show. Fan Zone, rides, thrill shows, café rac- ervations and campground reservations ers’ Ace Corner, auctions, and access to early, since most lodging sells out for the world’s largest motorcycle museum this international event. VJMC on-site yards away. This is a family-friendly fun camping is very limited and reserved for event where spouses and children feel those VJMC members who have worked welcome too. the event since 2005. Detailed event and The VJMC needs your best stock, local lodging information can be found original, or restored vintage Japanese at www.barbermuseum.org. motorcycles for its premier Saturday There is lots for all VJMC members to bike show. Good, clean, original, ear- do, even if you don’t bring a display bike ly machines from Yamaha, Honda, for the show. Friday’s activities include a Kawasaki, Suzuki, and even Hodaka, huge “show and shine” area, Sounds of Bridgestone, Tohatsu, Fuji, and Lilac are Japanese Horsepower contest, techni- sought. Quality and variety are the Bar- cal seminars, regalia sales, and member ber Festival traditions, with over forty meet and greet opportunities. awards presented. High quality street Saturday is filled with morning show bikes, motoX, and road racers are invit- registration, our huge afternoon bike ed. To maximize member participation, show, and ends with a members’ barbe- we limit single member entries to three cue picnic. It’s peoples’ choice judging, bikes. So get out the polish and bring as always, with everyone invited to par- your best vintage iron for the show. ticipate. Sunday caps the event off with The generous Barber folks provide two our members’ parade laps around the free weekend passes ($120 value) to each famous Barber race track at noon. of the pre-registered VJMC members If you still haven’t added this event who bring show display bikes. Saturday to your bucket list, then check out the show bikes need to be pre-registered YouTube video of the Barber Vintage through Tom Kolenko (tomkolenko@ Festival that Don Erwin posted from his gmail.com, 770-427-4820) by Septem- drone flyover in 2014. ber 15, 2017, to qualify for the free ad- Many volunteers are needed to help mission package. Send your complete setup, score the bike show, work the contact info, mailing address, phone membership booth, sell regalia, and cre- number, bikes you want entered, bike ate these fun times. Please contact me if photos, membership number, etc. to get you wish to help. See you all there Octo- pre-registered. You must send an email ber 6-8th, 2017! l

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine 21 22 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017 RIDES 24th Annual Death Valley Rally

by Brendan Durrett, California Field Rep / [email protected]

ince 1993, Vintage Japanese Los An- Sgeles has sponsored an annual Death Valley Rally. We ride from Lancaster, California, to Death Valley for the week- end, covering several hundred miles in three days. Although we often camp at Furnace Creek, this year we stayed at motels in Beatty, Nevada. Every year is a new adventure, and 2017 did not dis- appoint. A record 50-plus intrepid riders gath- ered at Crazy Otto’s coffee shop in Lancaster for a delicious breakfast. Crazy Otto’s is always great, offering king-sized portions of classic coffee shop fare. The weather was sunny and mild as our group of mostly vintage bikes hit of minerals, and the processing plants the road. Riders’ machines varied from run around the clock. The town itself is Kawasaki triples to an early Honda 305 a bit eerie, though, since hardly anyone Scrambler to a Kawasaki Concours. lives there anymore. We rode northwards, passing through Heading north we came to the vast a truck stop town, Mojave, and then Panamint Valley, bordered by the 11,000 eastwards on the old Twenty Mule Team foot tall Panamint Mountains. Our me- route—the same path taken by the fa- chanical adventures began there. Aidan mous Borax mule wagons a century ago. brought a show-quality Kawasaki H1 This led us to a long stop to explore the triple. Noticing a rattle, he pulled over living ghost town of Randsburg. Look- and discovered his middle cylinder ing like a Western movie set, Randsburg muffler mounting bolt had gone miss- features an antique general store with ing. Lacking a hardware store (or a vol- its original bar still intact. They have unteer to take a bolt off another bike) an burgers and such, but the thick, creamy improvised solution was found. A rag shakes and malts are the ambrosia of the was tied around the pipe. This appeared desert. The rest of the town has centu- to do the trick, but what was not noticed ry-old buildings lovingly preserved on in the heat of the valley was the brake the outside in a state of arrested decay torque arm was captured by the rag. In by their owners, while the insides have time, this led to a bent brake stay. been renovated. Around the houses and Pushing onwards, we made the long stores rusty mining machinery and ve- climb to Towne Pass and descended hicles serve as yard art. into Death Valley itself. What a beau- Moving along, we crossed the high tiful view! After a gas stop at Stovepipe desert, taking in vast views of moun- Wells, we ascended the eastern side of tains, chaparral, and Joshua trees. As Death Valley towards Daylight Pass and we neared the industrial town of Trona Beatty. While heading up, Aidan’s bike we smelled the vaguely pungent odor of suddenly became very loud. His middle its two large chemical plants. Nearby exhaust pipe had broken clean off right Searles Dry Lake is mined for a variety at the exhaust port. Onto the chase truck Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine 23 the bike went, and then Roy’s CB350F wouldn’t start. It turned out that at the same moment as Aidan’s exhaust broke Roy’s battery had failed. So the group put Aidan’s battery into Roy’s bike, and he was back in business. Saturday night in Beatty most of the group dined on the porch at KC’s Out- post. The wait was a bit long, but the food was very down home good. We were so hungry after a long day in the saddles that we inadvertently poached another table’s dinner from our wait- ress. Oops. On Sunday, most of the group headed southward to take in a long scenic loop. We stopped at the historic Amargosa Opera House and heard tales of its char- ismatic savior, Marta Becket. At the gas stop town of Amargosa we shopped at the Area 51 Alien Center, gift store and rode to Pahrump to get a battery for Jeep Road from Beatty back down into took pictures in front of the local broth- Roy’s bike. They found one that was Death Valley was closed due to flood el. As far as I know, no one partook of close enough and then located a rare, damage. Undeterred, Neil, Buddy, and their services. Honda OEM spacer at the local Wal- Roland went rogue, taking their Honda Afterwards, the main group rode into Mart to make the battery fit (a flip flop CL360, Suzuki Tempter, and Kawasaki the southern end of Death Valley. We sandal). Concours. Titus Canyon is a twenty-six rode up the long grade to Dante’s View, Meanwhile back in Beatty, another mile long four-wheel drive road crossing which offers a breathtaking view of the group turned to seeing what could be a high ridgeline, passing a ghost town, entirety the valley and across to the done about Aidan’s broken exhaust. and descending down into Death Val- Panamint Mountains. We also stopped They approached the local sheriff, who ley through a narrow water-carved slot at Zabriskie Point for a view of the was friends with the local high school canyon. Dirt bikers who passed Neil’s multi-colored formations and rode to metal shop teacher. The teacher volun- group could not believe they rode the Badwater, the lowest point in the United teered to come in to the school and help street bikes over the rocks and through States, at 278 feet below sea level. Head- out. It turned out his ex-Marine brother the soft gravel. Having been in Titus be- ing back towards Beatty, we stopped at is an ace welder and was able to weld the fore, I would have loved to see the Con- Furnace Creek to gas up, buy souvenirs, exhaust pipe collar back onto the header cours wading through the deep gravel and grab an early dinner. pipe! It also turned out that the welder’s that ate my front wheel, causing me to Aidan and his buddies were deter- birthday was that very day and that he capsize years ago. Things got so gonzo mined to get Aidan’s and Roy’s bikes was born in 1975, like the H1 itself. It this time around that one of Neil’s new back on the road. One group split off was Destiny. boots lost its sole. Everyone made it, from the rest of us at Amargosa and I had been told the Titus Canyon though, and a terrific time was had. 24 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017 onto the shoulder but was able to keep the rubber side down. Hopefully, none of the bikes were nicked by airborne sand particles. Amidst all of this, my own Kawa- saki H1 was shedding parts and not running that well. The middle cylin- der kept fouling plugs and generally misbehaving. Near Furnace Creek the alternator cover fell off (luckily the rid- er behind me scooped it up before the cover was run over). In Amargosa, the seat lock stopped latching. In Beatty, the oil pump supply line started leaking all over everything, thereby activating my bike’s external lubrication system. As I rode back to Lancaster, my ignition key disappeared, vibrating right out of the ignition switch. This is a very thought- ful theft prevention idea. Once the key was gone and I turned the bike off, no one could turn it on again. I guess my bike was not quite ready for prime time, but it was a good horse and brought me all the way back to Crazy Otto’s. In the end, all the bikes completed the ride. During the early years, many bikes would grenade on Death Valley rides, but over time, most folks (except for me, apparently) have gotten better at bring- ing bikes that are ready for hundreds of hard miles out in the open desert. Even tiddlers are up to the task. Many a CT90 rider has marveled at how a 90 will ar- rive at Death Valley good as new, while the rider is worn out and saddle sore. Once the riders arrived back at Cra- zy Otto’s, all enjoyed a tasty dinner. Neil even got to eat in the 1959 Ram- bler American converted into a booth. While we ate, we shared tales of our ad- Sunday night many riders gathered at Springs Resort served up a tasty brunch ventures that weekend and made plans the Happy Burro. A classic Western bar, while we took in the endless desert view for next year’s rally. the Happy Burro is festooned with local from their porch dining area. Nearby Like many of our Death Valley Ral- and desert antiques mounted on rough Panamint Springs is one the very, very lies, this was an adventure. The Spirit of plank walls. Their chili is legendary. few year-round water sources in the re- VJLA award goes to the intrepid souls The men’s bathroom features a unique gion. The resort was built in the 1930s, who went the extra mile to fix their bikes mechanism: a pair of motorcycle han- along with the first toll road into Death and to the outlaws who took wildly in- dlebars mounted to the wall. Twist the Valley. appropriate bikes off road. Well done! throttle and…well, you can guess. Riding back to Mojave, we encoun- If you’re interested in participating On Monday many folks went their tered ferocious desert winds. Waves in Vintage Japanese Los Angeles’ 25th own way homewards, while the rest of of dust and sand blew across the road, Anniversary Death Valley Ride in the group retraced our route back to while riders were tossed back and forth. 2018, please drop us a line at bdurrett@ Lancaster. Along the way, Panamint One rider was blown off the road and earthlink.net. l Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine 25

KICKSTANDS UP AT DAWN The Manuscript, the Meaning, the Moral, and the Magic: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

That feeling just before the ride begins or just after the bike starts up at the end of a long day in the shop is why we continue to do what we do. This column is an attempt to put into words the magic and mystery of life with a vintage Japanese motorcycle. by Marsha Heck / [email protected]

n April 27, 2017, the radio voice to one’s motorcycle. Themes famil- and always attention to quality? Obroadcast that Robert Maynard iar to Japanese vintage motorcycle Pirsig died three days earlier, at age enthusiasts include: understanding The Meaning 88. Pirsig wrote Zen and the Art of the past and its relationship to the Pirsig was aware of how his Super- Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry present and future; misunderstand- hawk was running—engine heat, into Values (ZMM) about a 1968 mo- ings and misfires that lead to new chain, how rich the mix, etc. True torcycle trip through the western US, insights; destinations and obsessions beauty and inspiration came not with his eleven-year-old son, Chris. along the way that distract and or from mindlessly watching the open Before setting out on his 1964 Hon- fuel the journey; quality—always an road unfold at 70 mph, as Sutherland da Superhawk, 121 publishers had exploration of quality; and the con- did, but traveling at 50 mph in con- rejected Pirsig’s book proposal. Ac- sistent discourse between mindful cert with the bike. The romantic view cording to his Los Angeles Times obit- precision, rational problem solving, that everything is going to be fine— uary, more than fifty-million copies, and a mindless, romantic view of mo- riding a machine completely unaware in no less than twenty-seven languag- torcycle travel that Pirsig compared of the intricate inner workings that es, have been published. in contrast to looking out the window propel it—was blasphemy to Pirsig. while in a car. He disdained the romantic view of The Manuscript Would those who revere these Japa- life where happy endings are due to Pirsig was clear that his inquiry into nese relics prefer the perfection of less no apparent effort on anyone’s part. values was not to be confused with pragmatic riders, like Pirsig’s friend, He argued for and lived a commit- actual instructions about literal mo- John Sutherland, in ZMM? The rela- ment to quality in all areas of life. torcycle riding and repair or ortho- tionship of this romantic antagonist A bike that needs repaired, is rust dox Zen Buddhism. Like this column, to his bike objectified both rider and covered, or has no tires may seem ZMM was not intended to be techni- machine. Pirsig depicted by compari- strange to the non-enthusiast. By cally informative about motorcycle son his own dynamic and unpredict- any measure of efficiency and ratio- parts, repairs, restoration, nor the able relationship with the bike; in nal logic, a newer model, less likely particular mix of gasoline, water, air, tune with how to prevent, or able to to need repair, makes more sense. A and electricity that moves Buddhists, decipher how to repair, breakdowns. car is safer and more practical. Yet, Christians, or others across country His responses to the Superhawk were vintage Japanese motorcycle enthusi- on two wheels. integral to the journey, compared to asts choose every day to ride, restore, Pirsig crafted what critics term a Sutherland, who valued a speedy ar- and repair impractical bikes. These “narrative,” with a rich (but not too rival at the destination. grown men and women talk of beauty rich to arrive safely) mix of relation- Arguably, readers of this magazine and bestow awards for aesthetics that ships, emotions, realities, geography, are more closely aligned with Pirsig. uninitiated outsiders might question; history, philosophy, angst, and adven- Philosophically speaking, what does winning bikes, after all, lack mod- ture. Throughout, tensions are clear it mean to be a rational, problem ern lines and other contemporary between what might be described solving, vintage Japanese motorcycle conveniences. Perhaps this dichoto- as an “ignorance is bliss” approach enthusiast? Why this treatment of the my might inspire readers to consider to motorcycle riding and diligently philosophical aspects of riding, re- their own philosophical journeys and monitoring and thoroughly tending pairing, and restoring with precision, the alluring balance of art and tech-

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine 27 nology in vintage bikes. and future. Although ultimately rec- dence. Pirsig wrote driven by passion Relationships between the practical onciled with the romantic Suther- and caring. Those who passionately and the romantic are indisputable: land, Pirsig held the journey higher and with care restore vintage bikes the spark must ignite, and the elegant, than the destination, and that the “may seem to wander sometimes,” , shining, red finish on a 69 Dream bumps along the way enrich our trav- as he explained, because what he was wins awards rendering months of un- el. Among other potential morals of trying to do was “so big.” l paid labor invisible. To seasoned vin- ZMM is the fact that the romantic tage riders, there are moments of free- and classic can exist together, and References dom on the open road, intoxicated by that ordinary and transcendent ex- Pirsig, R.M. (1999). Zen and the Art of the romantic notion that all is well, periences are one and the same. Per- Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry celebrating power in the throttle’s re- sistence is crucial for an author who into Values. New York, NY: Harper- sponse, and dismissing struggles in proposed a book about a motorcycle Torch. the shop (temporarily) as ancient his- journey to 122 publishers in 1968 and tory. The last sentences of ZMM de- for those who polish bikes long bur- http://www.moq.org/links/LinkDa- scribes such moments: “We’ve won. ied in barns. ta/Pirsig1974Interview.html It’s going to get better now. You can While there is no accounting for sort of tell these things.” (1999, p. 531) taste, taste can be accredited, though http://www.npr.org/sections/thet- not accounted, to values. Why are wo-way/2017/04/24/525443040/- The Moral values not count-able? Might Pirsig zen-and-the-art-of-motorcycle- Through stories, a tenacious search agree, because they are philosophical? maintenance-author-robert-m-pir- to understand the experience, defi- For VJMC members, perfection is not sig-dies-at-88 nition, and value of quality perme- preferable to the persistence and po- ate every page on which Pirsig wrote etry of repairing and riding vintage http://turnmeondeadman.com/zen- practically and mystically about the bikes. One could argue the process— and-the-art-of-motorcycle-mainte- past and its relationship to present the mindful experience—takes prece- nance/

28 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017 events VJMC Mountain Motorsports 3rd Annual Bike Show by Tom Kolenko, President / [email protected] photos by Chris Haugen

n June 3, 2017, the VJMC partnered with the Mountain Motorsports deal- Oership in Kennesaw, Georgia, to celebrate vintage Japanese iron. General Manager Ivan Johnson of this vintage-friendly, multi-line modern dealership pulled out all the stops to help make our members and guests feel welcome. He provided Jersey Mike’s subs for lunch, unlimited air conditioned floor space for the thirty-six entries, and permitted us to rattle the windows during our Sounds of Japanese Horsepower Contest indoors. This show drew many excellent examples of stock and modified oriental rides. Best of Show honors went to Joe Berastegui’s 1974 Kawasaki Z1 900. Trophy winners included: Buck Mitchell, Berkley Boone, Greg Murray, Kent Mangold, Todd Booth, Brian Tate, John Chaves, Chip Tucker, John Mincey, John Alder, Rodney Osborne, and Frank Schoenbeck. Rodney Osborne won the Sounds Contest with the death roar from his 1978 Kawasaki Z1R. We also added sev- en new members: David Shearouse, Barry Schlosberg, Steve McCoy, Robert Boothe, Kent Mangold, Brian Tate, and Mark Liston. Best of all, the Mountain Motorsports folks have invited us to do it again in 2018. Plan on joining us. l

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Tropy winners Rodney Osborne and Z1R Sounds of Horsepower contest winner VJMC President Tom Kolenko pre- senting a plaque to manager Ivan Johnson 1960s Honda row CB750 Honda Café Racer winner

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine 29 30 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017 events 2017 Bill Brown Vintage Motorcycle Picnic by Mark Bayer, President KCVJMC, Kansas/Missouri Field Rep / [email protected]

his annual event was held on Satur- on our KCVJMC website. Regarding Tday May 13. the “open garage” events, Bill opens his Bill Brown has been a VJMC member shop and motorcycle display area for for a number of years, but he has been visitors to view his collection, work on a vintage motorcycle enthusiast for de- their bikes, and to ask technical ques- cades. I might add that Bill likes all tions about motorcycle repair. These brands and types of motorcycles, how- open garage events are on Wednesdays ever, he has a special place in his heart and Saturdays. I might add that Bill is for old Japanese bikes. Bill’s collection a master mechanic who taught motor- of seventy-two motorcycles, scooters, cycle mechanics for decades. He retired and mopeds covers machines from just this year from years of teaching auto nearly every continent. Around fifteen and motorcycle technology classes. of his machines are specifically small There was an interesting mix of vin- Japanese mini-bikes and scooters. He tage motorcycles that showed up. A has a wide variety of little Honda CTs, restored Kawasaki Z1B, along with a Trail 90s, and Honda scooters. He also 1970s’ shaft-drive KZ 1000 Kawasaki has a really clean 1967 unrestored Hon- were there. There was also a really nice da Cub and owns a CL160 Scrambler in 1970s’ Yamaha 175 Enduro and an ear- very good condition. He recently added ly CB750 built for the Japanese market, a 1967 Honda S65 Sport to his collection which had been imported to the US. which he has restored. He upgraded the All the writing on the motorcycle was S65 with a 110cc engine with an electric in Japanese, not English! There was starter. Bill also had two Honda “Kick- a CB350 four and a really clean 1991 ’N’-Go” scooters on display. Many had Honda CB750 as well. Most of the bikes never heard of these. The Honda “Kick- were more modern, because most peo- ’N’-Gos” are from the 1970s and have ple have to get to Bill’s home by highway. three wheels. The scooters have a foot At least a dozen VJMC members were in join the national VJMC club. peg (bar) in the back that, when pushed, attendance, possibly more. Over the years, I have attended at least will propel the scooter forward. He has What a great day we had for the event. ten of Bill Brown’s Picnics, at least three both the junior and senior sizes. The The weather was perfect, and it was also of his sidecar rallies, and have been to chain used to propel the three-wheeler a perfect day for the ride to Bill Brown’s. several of his Wednesday open garage is a Honda starter chain. These display It is always fun for club members to get events. What makes them so fun is how creative Honda’s technical staff together and talk, eat, and catch up on that every event is so different. There were. what each is doing. This venue is also is always a core group of people in at- Apart from his unique and interest- a good way to keep in touch with other tendance, but there are also new people ing collection of two-wheeled vehicles, people in the motorcycle community. who come as well. I gave at least three Bill sponsors two great events yearly I spoke with people from at least three new people a tour of Bill’s mini-muse- and two open garage events during the other local motorcycle clubs. It was a um. Bill is so hospitable and people are months in which they can be held. The great occasion to let people know about so friendly that folks just love to attend. events are as follows. In the spring he our upcoming events. I had at least a Try it in your area; invite the people who has his annual “Bill Brown’s Picnic,” and dozen people ask me about our spring participate in your vintage Japanese later in the year he has a regional sidecar rally and met a vintage Japanese motor- motorcycle community to get together event. Bill’s sidecar event is the largest cycle rider who was new to our area and and talk as you cook a hamburger or event of its type in our area. If you own did not know about our club. I was sure hotdog. You might be surprised how it a sidecar set up, plan on attending one of to invite him to attend one of our meet- can build a community and also be so his rallies in the future. We list his events ings, join us at an event, and certainly to much fun. l Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine 31 32 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017 FIELD REP FOCUS Central Missouri Ride Series: The Callaway Reactor Ride by Mike Russum, Central Missouri Field Rep / [email protected]

hen riding the rural roads of cen- Just beyond the Reform Conservation tral Missouri Vintage Japanese Motor- Wtral Missouri, one icon is hard to Area and the reactor, you will find the cycle Enthusiasts. Each year, we meet miss. Whether you ride south of the Big OD Junction Country Store. This small at the Short Stop convenience store in Muddy along Highway 100 or north of store is fittingly located at the junction Millersburg to start the ride. The large the river on Highway 94, you can’t miss of Route O and Route D. Selling farm parking lot and surrounding blacktop the cooling tower and plume of the Cal- raised beef and pork, candies, snacks, jar make an ideal staging area. This year laway Nuclear Generating Station. The goods, cheese, deli, and hand-dipped ice the morning excitement started at 11am station is located on about 500 acres in cream cones, it makes a convenient and as VJMs began rolling in from the east the Reform Conservation Area in Call- tempting stop for hungry and thirsty and west on Route J. Different than the away County. It boasts a 1,190 megawatt motorcyclists. many cruisers that pass by, the VJMs Westinghouse four loop pressurized The nuclear generating station and the have their own sound, and we instantly water reactor and a General Electric country store serve as waypoints for one recognized riders in the classic upright turbine-generator. The plant produces of the region’s most popular VJMC rides, riding position. We quickly identified about nineteen percent of Ameren Mis- the Reactor Ride. This year marked the and named the old motorcycles as they souri’s power. third annual Reactor Ride for the Cen- approached our group, circled around,

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine 33 Departing the reactor grounds, we would usually stop at the OD Junction Country Store and then loop back to Millersburg via Highway 94. However, this year was a little different. Heavy rain in Missouri caused widespread flooding, and our return route on High- way 94 was under water. Not to be dis- couraged, we opted for another photo opportunity at the end of the submerged Highway 94. Riding up to the water’s edge just outside of Portland, Missou- ri, was a unique twist to our ride. Ev- eryone enjoyed looking across the new “lake” that swallowed the highway and surrounding countryside. After soaking and backed in. This year the 750cc mo- tractor trailers. These oddities of the in the sights, we headed back to the OD torcycle dominated in terms of num- countryside made our minds wonder as Junction Country Store for food, drinks, bers, along with KZs, Night Hawks, we whizzed by. As we put Fulton in our and ice cream. The many old motor- and early 1980s’ CBs. We also enjoyed mirrors, we enjoyed the Missouri coun- cycles parked outside the little store a wide range of motorcycle sizes, from tryside with its hill climbs, descents, attracted other motorized vehicle en- a CM250 Custom to fully dressed Gold and curves. The roads are generally thusiasts, and we enjoyed conversation Wings. Everyone was gladly received, good, though spring means you have to with a gentleman driving a beautifully and we appreciated each bike for its watch for turtles crossing the road. We restored 1950s’ Ford pickup. We learned unique place in history. found more than one little fella looking that motorcyclists are cut from similar The usual parking lot discussions for a new pond as we rode toward the fabric as hotrod and old pickup guys. ensued as we talked about what we’re Callaway Nuclear Generating Station, Few things are more exhilarating working on and the cool new items we also known as “the reactor.” than a motorcycle ride on a beautiful just bolted on. After a brief welcome to We were fortunate to be able to enter spring day. Missouri treated us to a new riders and a review of the course, the reactor grounds, as a reactor em- great forty-mile ride back to Millers- about fifteen riders departed on our ployee joined our group. Riding onto the burg with blue skies, fluffy clouds, route through Fulton, Missouri, and grounds and to the base of the cooling green trees, curves, and hills. We said then east on Route O. Route O is a fun tower, we sparked a little concern from our good-byes as we briefly pulled in ride with many curves and plenty of reactor employees who approached in and out of the Short Stop in Millers- straight-aways to ride at the 55 mph their trucks. After a brief conversation burg and each went on his way. This speed limit. We passed houses, trail- with our group member/employee, our year’s Reactor Ride was a great success. ers, junkyards, and front yards that tour and photo-op were allowed to con- We continue to organize around the resembled junkyards. We marveled at tinue. Seeing our ride’s namesake up motorcycles we love, as we enjoy the a property out in the country with a close was a truly unique opportunity, unique features and ride opportunities dozen or so junked mobile homes and and everyone enjoyed our time there. of central Missouri. l

34 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017 PROJECT BIKE A Dream Come True

by Mick North

y wife, Jean, was from the Bal- stown, Ohio. I told Russ to try to contact friend, Mike Lehman, who happened to Mtimore, Maryland, area. All her Earl again and see if he would be inter- be a Honda mechanic, that I didn’t think aunts and uncles also live in that area. ested in selling any of the motorcycles. I I wanted the Dream. He mentioned that They have a family reunion every year had forgotten all about the conversation he would be interested in it, if I didn’t during Labor Day weekend in Shrews- until we headed back to the reunion the take it. After a few phone calls to Earl, bury, Pennsylvania. We live in Lancast- following year, when Russ mentioned we settled on a price. My good friend, er, Ohio, which is about four hundred Earl and his motorcycles. Jeff Bash, and I headed out one morning miles away. In 2002, when we were at He called Earl, who happened to be at 3am to pick up my new purchase. the reunion, her Uncle Russ, shared home this time. Russ and I went to look Before we got there, Uncle Russ had that a gentleman named Earl had three at the bikes. Earl said they had been made an appointment at a notary for motorcycles sitting in his basement (I sitting in his basement for 25-30 years! the titles to be notarized. Earl had lost had mentioned I was looking for a Ves- Unfortunately, he had only two motor- the titles, so we had to apply for a lost pa scooter). Russ was retired and ran a cycles, not three. One bike was a Candy title. To make matters worse, Earl never small excavating business, so he knew Apple Red 1969 Honda S90, and the sec- had the motorcycles’ titles put into his several “old-timers.” We tried to call ond was a 1969 Honda 305 Dream. I was name. I was able to find a serial number Earl, but he wasn’t at home. We typi- very interested. Earl said he’d get back on the S90 but could not find the serial cally left on Sunday to head back home with me in a few weeks on the price. number for the 305 Dream. I had to use so I can go to “Swapper’s Day” in John- When I returned home, I told my good the motor number on the paperwork.

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine 35 The notary said it would take up to six over to me. After four months and many it. We took it to Kevin’s garage to tear it weeks for paperwork to be mailed to me. phone calls across state lines, I officially down. The first thing we did was clean Jeff and I returned about 10:30pm. had the titles to both motorcycles in my the carburetor and put a new battery After unloading the motorcycles, Jean name. Now, time to get to work on the in, along with fresh gas. After the third got her first glimpse of both bikes. She restoration! kick, it started and ran like a new one, said the 305 Dream looked “neat.” After The S90 had no oil in it when we got despite sitting for about forty years! We I told her that was the one I was going the bikes home. I put some in and no- let it idle for thirty minutes, and it didn’t to sell to Mike, she told me I was not to ticed a gasket was leaking pretty badly. miss a beat. I told Kevin we would not do sell it. The next day, I happened to find Mike and I put new pistons, rings, and anything to the motor. We took every- the serial number stamped on the 305 valves in, along with a new gasket. My thing apart and had the chrome refin- Dream on the frame under the motor; cousin, Mark North, owns a body shop ished. We took the frame to my cousin, no wonder I hadn’t been able to find it and did all the painting for me. Anoth- Mark, again for painting. We did a lot of before. I then contacted the notary to er good friend, Kevin Mace, also helped cleaning and polishing. I ordered new inform her of the change. She resub- put the S90 back together. white-wall tires, which took about seven mitted the paperwork and called a few Next, it was time to restore the 305 months to get in. I also was able to find weeks later, saying the title to the S90 Dream. When I was in high school (in a set of NOS mufflers, which are hard to , was registered to a lady named Tracey, the early 70s), I worked for a grocery find for this bike. Putting the bike back and the Dream to a gentleman named chain called Big Bear. At that time, I was together went pretty smoothly. The seat Steve. I called Earl to inquire if he knew also racing Penton dirt bikes (which I didn’t have any tears, so I left it. anyone by those names. Apparently, regret getting rid of to this day). A fel- We show the S90 and 305 Dream, Tracey had taken care of his wife before low co-worker named Ed (mid-40s) rode along with my original 1978 Honda she passed away. He said she would sign a Honda Dream to work. At the time, I 750K. Kevin shows his 1981 Honda CB the title over to him. I happened to luck thought the bike was pretty ugly. Funny 900-F Super Sport and a 1975 Kawasaki out on the Dream’s former owner; the how your tastes change the older you get. Z1-900. Some day, I hope my grandsons, notary knew him personally. She con- The 305 sat in my garage for about ten Karson, Levi, and Nash, will follow in tacted him and had him sign the title years until I found the time to restore my footsteps and show motorcycles. l

36 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017 Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine 37 BELOW: ABOVE: RIGHT: TOP RIGHT: Kawasakis Contestants Winners Hondas and dominated at Bikes on proudly hold Yamahas the show. the Beach their trophies. streetside in the tent

38 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017 events Bikes on the Beach 2017 by Michael Fitterling, Editor / [email protected]

ay 5th was a perfect day for a perfect ride along the Emerald Coast of Florida Mon Highway 98, running a stone’s throw from the water. Making it even bet- ter was my destination, which was another VJMC bike show at Ron’s Kawasaki in Panama City, also known as “Bikes on the Beach.” As Saturday dawned and the day progressed the tents filled with great examples of vintage Japanese motorcycles until they were completely full, with around thirty bikes. Saturday’s event was held directly alongside US 98, the main drag for all the bikers on their way to Thunder Beach, running concurrently with our show. That brought many curious riders in who had spotted the “bike they had when they were young!” Honda often dominates vintage shows; it’s not surprising given they dominated the street bike market back in the day. But at this show, Kawasaki turned out in force to be the show’s most prevalent make. Front and center was a row of seven beautifully restored Kawasakis. The Hondas and Yamahas filled up the line at the back of the tent, with minis waiting to be judged at the far end of the line of Kawis. Among the bikes were some really unusual ones, such as a Yamaha RDX125, brought by member Jeff Chapion. This was a bike imported from Reims, France, and has a yellow headlight. Jeff explained that until 1993 French civilian vehicles were require to have these lights, a throwback to WWII when they wanted to dis- tinguish between enemy and French vehicles. Also on hand was a “Port Cub.” with Japanese characters on the badge.. By afternoon, all the ballots had been cast and winners calculated. We gathered in front of the VJMC tent for the awards ceremony, where the owners of these great old motorcycles were recognized for their quality of restorations and the uniqueness of their bikes. ABOVE: Evening was spent at Peter Slatcoff’s home, just a few blocks away, for food and Honda fellowship with fellow members. Laughter and jokes passed around the table as we “Port” Cub enjoyed the BBQ and our friends, and put another successful show behind us. l

LEFT & FAR LEFT: Rare imported Yamaha RDX125 and a close-up of the fork

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine 39 40 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017 events The 2017 KCVJMC First Friday at the Kansas City Arts District

by Mark Bayer, President KCVJMC, Missouri Field Rep / [email protected]

ast year we were given the opportu- and see what’s going on. Riders started Lnity to have an event in the heart of coming in as early as 4pm. There was a an area of Kansas City called the Arts rock band playing one block north of us District. The area takes up around thirty and a rap group playing about one block blocks and contains art galleries, pho- south. Crowds were large, though not tography studios, bars, custom jewelry quite as large as last year. The weather shops, design firms, and dozens of inter- could not have been better. We had a esting restaurants. Every first Friday of large number of new people attending the month, most of the shops stay open who had never been to a KCVJMC event. late, musicians play on the street corners, We love to thank them for coming and food trucks sell whatever they have to of- to invite them to our meetings and to fer, and the crowds descend into the area. join the national club. Over the years, crowds of over 100,000 What could be better than sitting in the have been recorded. Where we hold our midst of a group of mostly vintage Japa- event is a very good spot in the heart of nese bikes, sipping on a drink, and tell- the event area. At the time of our event, ing stories, which get bigger each year. Garth Brooks was having a concert in Of the almost 100 bikes there, all but the Sprint Center, no more than eight or about half a dozen were Japanese motor- ten blocks away, and the crowds for his cycles, and of the Japanese bikes prob- event were really backed up. ably eighty percent were vintage. Every The 2016 event was a huge success, so year we meet new people who have great coming up this year which can be found we asked for and were granted permis- stories, and there will always be a few at: www.kcvjmc.org. Other local and sion to do the event again this year. It was new people who join us. Our local club regional events can be found at: http:// held on Friday, May 5th. Even though continues to grow, and our Yahoo group www.markbayersmotorcyclenews. people are just riding into a parking lot now has over 1000 members. All of our mysite.com/index_2.html. On the same during the event, there is actually a lot of events have grown, except when we have site, but on page three, are events being prep work which has to be done. People bad weather. When Frank and I started held by other VJMC Field Representa- have to show up several hours before the the local club, there were probably no tives in the Midwest. Check out what event to keep as many cars out of the lot more than twenty-five VJMC members Jeff Ecker, Jim Neiurwirth, Hal John- as is possible. The lot has to be cleared of in the area, and now we have over 130. son, Dennis Murphy, Michael Russum, vehicles already parked there, cones are We have quite a number of VJMC mem- Bob Kelly, and Noel Moss are doing. On put out into the street to create a clear en- bers in areas close by who attend our these pages there is also contact infor- tryway, strips of security tape are placed events on a regular basis. mation for each of these people. on the asphalt in the lot so the motorcy- We want to thank the Treanor firm Last, but not least, KCVJMC is spon- cles have an idea as to where to go, and for the use of their parking lot (check soring the VJMC Midwest Regional we need people to help park motorcycles. them out at: www.treanorhl.com), and on August 5th. Make sure and try to Several others have to remain at the en- we thank the KCVJMC members who attend. We are also sponsoring a “Two- trance area throughout the event to help helped set up and tear down the event. Stroke Only” show being the only show riders in and out safely. We also set up a We hope to be back next year. We had of its type in the US, apart from the 2- table to sell T-shirts, place VJMC litera- heard about the 2016 event that attend- Stroke Extravaganza held in Los Ange- ture, and greet people walking by. ees had really enjoyed it and there is no les. It is a VJMC event but is sponsored The event was listed as being from 5pm doubt that the same will be said of the by Wilson Performance. Bill Wilson is to 8pm. People typically come and either event held this year. a VJMC member who attends many of visit with others riders or hit the streets The KCVJMC has several more events our events. l Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine 41 BOTTOM: Just a few of the winning VJMC members

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: 1969 Sandcast Beautiful RE5 rotary Like-new 1969 CB350

Gordon Bass Toby Jones Bob Brandner Obis Brea Norton Mazzone 42 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017 cover story 18th Annual

Concours d’Elegance

by Michael Fitterling / [email protected]

n May 20, World Golf Village in Saint Augustine once again hosted Riding Into His- Otory. The concours-level show is the highlight of many vintage and antique motorcycle collectors, restorers, and riders. If you’ve never gone, well, you should put this one on your bucket list. Imagine a more or less circular lake ringed by a 1.2 mile long brick walkway bordered by golf course quality lawns. Now imagine that walkway filled with antique and vintage bikes the full circumference of the lake. Now you may be getting the picture. But now, imagine this year’s honored bike being the Japanese motorcycle, with the show’s theme

riding into history VJMC MEMBER award winners

Japanese Vintage, 1946-1968 Best in Class 1966 Honda CL77 Gordon Bass Madisonville, LA Award of Merit 1967 Honda CL90 Rodney Tredo Ormond Beach, FL Award of Merit 1966 Suzuki T20 Bob Pickering Tampa, FL Award of Merit 1968 Honda C110 Sport 50 J Jerry Sira Jacksonville, FL

Japanese Classic, 1&2 cyls, 1969-1980 Best in Class 1970 Yahama XS-1 Norton Muzzone Melbourne Village, FL Award of Merit 1972 Suzuki T500 Titan Robert Shearer Tallahassee, FL Award of Merit 1975 Honda XL100 K1 Tom Batchelor Bradenton, FL

Japanese Classic, 3+ cyls, 1969-1980 Award of Merit 1969 Honda CB750 Michael Ennis Plantation, FL Award of Merit 1980 Yamaha XS1100 Midnight Special Ronald Smrekar Saint Johns, FL

Japanese Modern, 1&2 cyls, 1981-1990 Award of Merit 1985 Honda XL350R Obis Brea West Palm Beach, FL

Japanese Modern, 3+ cyls, 1981-1990 Best in Class 1983 Honda VF750F Interceptor chase Knight Daytona Beach, FL Award of Merit 1984 Kawasaki GPz750 Jorge Ruiz Keystone Heights, FL

Japanese Specials, thru 1990 Best in Class 1975 Kawasaki KZ1000 Dave Boyer Ft Lauderdale, FL Award of Merit 1975 Honda CB400F Toby Jones Vero Beach, FL Award of Merit 1975 Honda CJ360 Billy Aldrich Lake City, FL

Competition Vintage, 1950-1976 Award of Merit 1976 Yamaha OW72 Jay Lacey Lynn Haven, FL

International Scooter, thru 1990 Award of Merit 1966 Honda P50 Robert Brandner north Palm Beach, FL

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine 43 being “Kaizen Honoring the Japanese Motorcycle.” It doesn’t get much better than that for those of us who love those old Japanese bikes. The day before the show, the event organized a Grand Marshals’ Ride fol- lowed by the Grand Marshals’ Dinner in the evening. There were two Grand Marshals this year—the legendary mo- torcycle racers Yvon and Miguel Du- hamel. Several of our members got to LEFT: participate in these special corollary Pristine Interceptor events to the main Riding Into History motorcycle show the following day. BELOW: Row of Hondas Saturday was sunny and warm, and other than the wind kicking up and Next year is another chance to see this trying to blow our VJMC tent away, spectacle of motorcycle magnificence, the weather was perfect. Manning the so make plans now to attend. The 19th tent were VJMC volunteers who fielded Riding Into History Concours d’Ele- questions all day from interested visitors gance is once again being held at the and signed up new members. A stroll World Golf Village, conveniently locat- around the lake revealed what truly ed off I-95, with hotel accommodations outstanding bikes come from all over on site. It is scheduled for Friday, May the country for this event. The VJMC 18, 2018 for the Grand Marshal’s Vin- supplied the lion’s share of the Japanese tage Lunch Ride and Dinner, followed bikes, which outnumbered all other by the motorcycle show the next day. makes. Rather than tell you, I’ll just let Make plans to attend and leave yourself the photos do the talking. plenty of time to take it all in. l

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine 45 46 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017 events 7th Annual Spring Rally at Donnell’s by Mark Bayer, President KCVJMC, Missouri Field Rep / [email protected]

n Saturday, May 20, the KCV- by 9am, around thirty motorcycles OJMC had their Spring Rally at had actually shown up. A little after Donnell’s Motorcycles in Indepen- 10:30 it finally had stopped. Shortly dence, Missouri. Every time I report thereafter the lot began to dry up. Mo- on this event, I typically begin the ar- torcycles began to show up in greater ticle commenting about the weather, numbers, indicating that they really and this time is no different, because wanted to come. By 11:30am, we had the weather reports had been stating at least ninety motorcycles. One mem- for some time that we were going to ber counted 120 a little after noon. We have heavy rains. Early in the week were down in numbers from last year, they even mentioned possible torna- but it was surprising that in such bad dos and hail. That’s not a good envi- weather so many actually came. The ronment for a motorcycle show. We temperature got up to around 70, the actually had a small tornado sighting lot dried up, and the crowds ended up about two days before the event, ten coming! It turned out to be a great day miles north of our show location. In for a motorcycle show. the Midwest, tornados are no joking We had people from at least four matter. There are still towns being re- states in attendance, and dozens of built because of storms that have hit people came in from out of town. the area within the last several years. It turned out to be great fun, and Two days before the event, the weath- we even signed up a number of new er reports were still grim. A few mem- VJMC members. I had two staff mem- bers of the club just shrugged it off, bers from the Suzuki Demo Ride saying if it did storm, there was noth- Truck comment that they rarely got ing they could do about it. It rained on to see old vintage Suzukis. There Thursday, again on Friday, and again was a nice early 1970s’ Suzuki T500 on Saturday morning. It was supposed Titan two-stroke twin, as well as a to stop raining about 7:30am, but rain mid-1960s’ Suzuki X-6 Hustler. Some- actually continued until 10:30am. one also brought an unrestored, but We had to show up at Donnell’s, even like new (really), early 1980s’ GS750. though it looked like the show would Along with the vintage Suzukis, there be a wash out, simply because the were plenty of Hondas, Yamahas, and event was planned, and it had been Kawasakis. Jerry Jeunemman brought promoted for months. Furthermore, several motorcycles, including his we would have had no way to cancel newly restored 1974 CR125 Honda the event. Bart Shiflett, the manager/ Elsinore. The bike was a complete nut owner of Donnell’s Motorcycles, had and bold restoration, and it certainly also been able to secure the Suzuki looked it! We also had an unusual- Demo Ride Truck, which is a big un- ly large number of vintage Hodakas. dertaking in itself. About eight of us Several were brought in from Nebras- showed up at 7:30am, and it was rain- ka. Thanks, guys. ing as predicted. We quietly comment- We had a barbeque food truck on ed to each other that the event would hand, which was a hit. We also had probably just be a loss. There is little many new visitors in attendance. I that can be done when the weather think bad weather creates a greater doesn’t cooperate. It surprised us that desire for people to want to get out, Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine 47 and so I think many did so by coming to our event. We ended up with a sizeable crowd. I was surprised how many people who attended were still unaware of the VJMC. We love to explain who we are and what we do. Kelly sold a bunch of T-shirts, from which the funds will go to support MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association). I want to thank the KCVJMC members who came out in the rain to help us set up. We really appreciate your willingness to help. Without people to help, these events couldn’t happen. This year took a little more work than normal, but it was certainly worth the effort. We have three more events this year and a club picnic. These in- clude a cruise in at a really nice outdoor mall area called Zona Rosa, the Midwest VJMC regional rally at the Mis- souri Wing of the Commemorative Air Force museum, and an “all two-stroke” event, where a Japanese Zero will be on display. Toward the end of the season, we will have our annual picnic. Come and visit one of our events. If you do, let us know so we can make you feel welcome. Our website is: www. kcvjmc.org, where we list events, activities, and have posted many pictures from past events. Hopefully the 2018 Donnell’s Spring Rally will feature better weather next year. l

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48 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017 HISTORY The 1961-65 Honda C110/CA110 Sports Cub by Bill Silver

hen Honda stepped up to the Though it featured an actual manual and replaced with a blanked-off hous- Wplate and launched the step- clutch configuration, the transmission ing, which had the job of retaining the through C100 Cub 50 in 1959, it was a contained only three speeds, much throttle drum alone. The first CA110s , vehicle of convenience and utility, not a the same as the C100 Cub 50 model. sold from November 62 onwards had vehicle of style and sporting pretenses. These three-speed C110 Sports Cubs the CY72 coded “short” tail light lens for Shortly thereafter, using many of the were highlighted by a white fuel tank, that year only. From 1963 onwards, the C100 parts, Honda reconfigured the en- which was not adorned with chromed tail light used was just a CB72 generic gine and chassis design to make a much side panels, and a small heel-shaped tail “long” lens assembly on an appropriate more sporting version of the same ba- light lens mounted over a double-bulb tail light mounting plate. sic motorcycle design; the Honda C110 tail light socket setup. The new CA110s (and later production (C115 55cc) Sports Cub. Bikes coming to the US market began C110s for the other parts of the world) While the upgrade traded the step- being branded CA110 (A for America) all came with a fourth gear added to the through frame design for an actual in 1962, had “winker delete” wiring, and transmissions and fuel tanks, which did “motorcycle with a gas tank between covers for the not installed turn signal feature chromed side panels with rub- your knees,” the first generation of the mounting points. The right side dimmer ber insert knee pads, commonly seen Sports Cub was only partially sporting. switch/throttle housing was removed on similar Honda street machines. Early

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine 49 1967 Honda SS50 successor to the C110 Sports Cub 50 (photos courtesy of the Honda Collection Hall museum)

horsepower increase with the 5cc big- ger bore engine, bringing it up to a 5.5 horsepower rating. The five-horsepower engine is only tasked to push a 145 lb. machine (plus rider weight), so the performance is spritely for such a tiny powerplant-pow- ered machine. Perusing through the parts illustration books, one discovers that there is no mention of an oil pump anywhere in the pages reserved for en- gine internals. The connecting rod has a small cub at the bottom, which scoops oil up through the 3/4 quart sump. All the other parts of the engine are more versions of the tank badge were marked some 53100-017-000 high-rise han- or less splash-fed, apart from some oil “Sports Cub,” then replaced with a sim- dlebars. Quite a number of part codes which is transferred through a pair of ple Honda 50 in a small round badge at- (C110-CS100) apply to the variations of metal pipes out to the carburetor and tached to the side panels. Sport Cubs sold around the world: back for cooling purposes (oil) and Honda’s use of the horizontal four- 011-C 110, 012-CE105, 013-C 111, 014- heating purposes (to prevent carbure- stroke engine with pushrod-operated C 113, 015-C 114, 016-C 115, 017-C2110, tor icing). That oil seems to be pushed valves extended to the C200 Honda 90 018-CF110, 019-CG110, 020-CGM 114, through from spiral grooves ground on touring machines, which were just one 021-C 116, 022-CS110. the main journals of the camshaft. Hon- step up from the Sports Cub machines US models arrived in the standard da experimented with three different during that era. The machines are so US selection of colors, which includ- intake manifolds and lengths of rubber much alike that a C200 engine can be ed White, Scarlet Red, Black, and Co- connecting tubes until they got the bal- installed into the C110 chassis, although lumbia Blue. Outside of the US, Smoke ance of economy and performance just the clearance between the front of the Green was a color option. Some of the right. cylinder head and back of the front fend- variations of these machines included Many Honda Sports Cub references er is minimal when the swap is made. C110-115 high-exhaust pipe models, show the bikes being sold from 1960 First generation Sports Cubs had rela- then C111 and C114 using low-mounted through 1969, at least in the US. Honda tively low, flat tubular handlebars from muffler systems. There were 50cc and apparently did bring in something like the factory. While current parts illustra- 55cc engine types. The 55cc versions 100,000 Cubs of all types in the early tions only show 53100-011-000 as the were just over-bored 50cc motors with years and warehouses were still holding sole part number for the Sports Cubs, 2mm bigger pistons/rings installed. leftovers into the late 1960s. However, the US CA110 machines wound up with Honda specifications indicate a 1/2 bear in mind that the OHC 50cc engines

50 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017 began showing up in 1965 outside of the to own and drive around Sacramento, so headlight and tail light filaments via the US, with the first US examples appear- I sold it to my USASF buddy, Mike. He dimmer switch connections. This wir- ing as the S65 Sport 65 model later that apparently sold it to another friend, and ing system was continued onto the 1965 year. OHC models were designated as the bike has been lost forever, I guess. I Honda S65 almost intact, with the same C50 Cub 50s, while the Sports versions wish I had that one today! switch-grounded battery connection. were released as SS50s. For Sports Cub owners and mechanics Diagrams for the C100 show the fuse While in the USAF in 1970, I took a familiar with small-bore bikes with six on the positive battery lead wire, still hop over to Japan to explore the motor- volt electrical systems, studying the wir- with the ground lead connected to the cycle scene and bring home something ing diagrams can be a puzzling affair. ignition switch terminals. The C102 special. I didn’t know it at the time, but Even the batteries are a bit of a mystery. model Cub, which features an electric the local shop had a brand new 1967-ish For Sports Cubs, the battery ground wire starter, has completely different wiring, SS50 that was just so cute that I had to has the fuse and isn’t connected direct- as well as a much larger battery more have it. I had seen one when I was sta- ly to the chassis. The ground wire leads able to spin the starter motor over con- tioned in Puerto Rico a year or two ear- into the wiring harness and ends up at sistently. lier but had never known much about the ignition switch. The ignition switch A 1965 C110 Sports Cub, currently re- them due to their rarity. has multiple functions, in that it switch- siding in the shop presented mysterious The examples on the opposite page, es six volt battery power to the neutral symptoms that appeared to be related from the Honda Collection Hall exhib- light, horn, and brake light circuits in to insufficient grounding of the battery. its, are just like the one I owned. These the first ON position and also removes When the ignition switch was turned little missiles weigh next to nothing, the grounding of the self-powered mag- to the first ON position, the neutral have a five-speed gearbox, and peak neto ignition system, which allows the light would show dimly, and the engine their power at about 11,000 rpm. I regu- magneto to generate spark to the spark would start as normal. Once the key was larly pegged the speedometer at 100 kph. plug. The second click ON function of turned up to the second click ON posi- (60 miles per hour) in absolutely stock the ignition switch is to enable the light- tion, the headlight and tail light would condition. It was so tiny and impractical ing coil in the magneto to connect to the illuminate, but the brake light failed to

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine 51 come on brightly. This condition is gen- en volts, it was reinstalled along with a clutch cover). The shaft was repeatedly erally a sign that the tail light bulb sock- bit of wire, which was tapped into the changed to help prevent these problems, et is not sufficiently grounded to the battery ground side wiring. With one but when the engines fail to fire due to frame. After a thorough cleaning of the click of the ignition switch, the brake ignition or carburetion issues, repeated contact points on the tail light assembly light suddenly illuminated brightly and kicking of the engine with the spindly and bracket no improvement was ob- the once-dead horn beeped to life with little kickstarter shafts eventually lead served…Now what? vigor! It really DID need a separate to failure of the part. Even the kick- When the bike arrived, I had observed grounding wire after all. starter arm has a 001-030 part number an extra ground wire attached to the This bike, earlier on, showed problems showing now, which must have been battery ground wires and secured to the with the magneto with intermittent changed when the shaft was redesigned. frame on the other end with a sheet-met- spark, which was finally cured with a The current shop bike had about a al screw. In my haste to get into the new condenser, however the research on five-degree bend at the end, which near- heart of the wiring system, I discarded the magneto systems show that magne- ly prevented removal of the clutch cover the add-on wire as probably unneces- tos came from both Nippon Denso and without doing damage to the support sary to normal electrical function. Af- Hitachi, who used their own unique de- boss hole. With the help of a deep socket ter a wire by wire inspection of all the signs and components. The actual wir- and very long extension rod, I was able connectors and wire colors, everything ing of the 1965 machine didn’t match to bend the tip back towards the orig- from the factory seemed to be in order; up with the wiring diagrams printed in inal shape, however, it wasn’t perfectly except the system wasn’t working. The 1960-61. Despite the discrepancies, the restored to the original design specifica- new battery, which had been charged magneto did function as wired, once a tion. With a fully-functioning magneto once to a bit over six volts, had faded viable condenser was installed. and clean carburetor, the bike lights off to around two volts during a two week As sturdy as these bikes are, over- on a single swift kick now, as it should. vacation period for reasons unknown, all, the Achilles’ heel problem of the No matter how small a vintage Hon- adding to the system’s woes. 50cc pushrod engine is weakness of da might be, there always seem to be While the battery was put on a twenty- the kickstarter shaft. The last version lessons to learn about getting them up four-hour charge cycle, the only other of the kickstarter shaft has a -080 part and running; sometimes with a little plan of attack to be considered was to number (now superseded to 001-305, thought, ingenuity, and a small piece of replace the discarded add-on wire with meaning that it was revised eight or wire. another one secured to the frame. Once more times due to failures; mostly be- —Mr. Honda the battery was kicked up to around sev- cause the shafts shear off flush with the

p.s. not so fast, mr. honda!

Honda’s basic design features seldom light remained ON, glowing brightly. switch for the C110 is plastic and might need “extra help,” as it seemed was Disconnecting that “extra” ground wire not be so amenable to disassembly. For needed on this 1965 C110 Sports Cub. from the battery side wiring allowed the moment, it is working properly and While adding the extra ground wire the neutral light to be extinguished, probably with regular use the contacts apparently “solved” a wiring problem and the brake light circuit went dead as will remain able to make all those con- initially, there was an unexpected side well. !$#%!$!%$? What the heck is going nections internally as designed. The bike effect which arose after the bike was on now? Cycling the ignition switch ON was in the process of being sold while all lowered back to the ground and started and OFF including the lighting position this sequence of events unfolded, and up for the first time. a few times appeared to have cleared the new owner will be advised to seek a With the key turned ON, the bike’s neu- some kind of residual corrosion inside replacement switch in the event that the tral light burned brightly and the brake the switch contacts. Suddenly, the neu- wiring system becomes unstable once light lit up clearly, as intended by the tral light came on as normal without again. It is funny how often this occurs… makers. A brief run around the block was the added ground wire, and the brake bike is fine until you go to sell it and then successful. When the lights were turned light circuit was live as well. This was the all kinds of odd problems surface at the ON in the second switch position, both scenario that Honda engineers had in last moment. headlight and tail light worked properly. mind, in the first place! Their awkward Even after all the years of owning and What came as a surprise was that when and oddball fused-ground wire circuitry repairing vintage Hondas, one will still the switch was turned back to OFF, the really does work when all of the com- demonstrate that you may have lessons neutral light stayed ON and the brake ponents are working correctly. While I to learn about the care and feeding of switch was still ready for activation of the have disassembled various 250-305 ig- these amazing machines. l brake light! The engine would not start nition switches successfully in the past in the OFF position, however the neutral in order to clean the contact plates, the —Mr. Honda (again)

52 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017 tech help Tech Tip #20: Handy Things to Have in the Shop by Jim Townsend / [email protected] & Ellis Holman / [email protected]

Jim: One thing I have on my workbench on the back of the card and drop it in the The coaters might not know what a lower are a couple of sizes of tin cans that are bag. Problem solved. airbox support looks like, but the stickers short and easy to get into. Tuna fish and let them ensure they’ve got everything on cooked chicken come in good sizes, but Ellis: I keep the individual-serving, plas- the list. I have some smaller ones that cat food tic tubs from KFC. They have an airtight I also have a couple of wooden dollies came in as well. I got tired of those lit- top. They’re handy for keeping small that I built from scrap lumber, a bit of car- tle screws and springs hiding in back of parts, as well as small amounts of paint pet, and some casters. The dollies come a workbench leg and having to search for and what not. in handy when I need to move things half an hour for them. I get the generic sandwich Ziplock bags like engines around. If you’d like to have I took a tiny, special screw off of some- at Aldi’s. They’re perfect for parts. I used yours ready to roll, Harbor Freight sells thing a while back and dropped it in a small index cards. When I’m restoring a one very similar to what I made for $9. quart-sized ziplock bag. It almost disap- bike, I put the hardware in the bags, and peared down in the corner, and I’m sure I like you, put the part number on them. Jim: I made some of those little dollies would have lost it, but I could easily find I also use the little round stick-on tags too. I use them for moving engines, and that bag. I have a supply of old business that Staples sells. I put them on parts go- as I recall, I made three of them. An 18” cards, and if I need to identify that set of ing out to the powder coaters and match piece of 2x12 and four pieces of 2x2 and screws or spring or whatever, I just write that to a list I provide the powder coaters. four casters did the job. The 2x2s make

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine 53 a square about 8”x8” to keep the engine in the batteries too. cause the crank to spin, and the resulting from rocking around. They aren’t per- misalignment can cause excessive engine fect, but they do the job. Ellis: Though not a tool, I’ve found that vibration. I use a hydrometer to both put I suppose that by now everyone has Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Pure Castile water, distilled water by the way, in mo- at least started their bikes this year, but Soap is a lot better as a degreaser than torcycle batteries and check the charge here’s a reminder to change the oil, check a lot of other things I’ve tried. It’s also a state of the battery. I’ve tried absorbent the tire pressure, and to make sure other lot easier on my hands. If you use the Dr. glass mat (AGM) batteries, but they’re little things are in order. It is surprising Bronner’s, use any but the peppermint. not available for the bikes I have, so I use to me how much tire pressure goes down The peppermint will cause any small standard lead-acid ones. The hydrometer with the bikes just sitting, even if it is in a cuts you have to sting. I used to have to go is almost an extinct item these days. You climate-controlled area. That little point to a health food store to get it, but these may have to hunt a bit for one, but they’re could be life threatening, if you don’t put days Target carries it, so I guess its gone worth having. the proper amount of air in them. Noth- mainstream. It’s also environmentally ing gives a thrill like having an almost safe. To keep my motorcycles ready to go, Jim: I’ve seen all kinds of degreasers, uncontrollable machine. It is rather hard now that the weather is warming, I have but nothing works better on engines on the tires too. All kinds of things can float chargers on them. To make sure than Gunk. Harley dealers carry it, and happen to them. those smaller bikes, like CT70s, are ready it works wonders. Parts stores carry it Now that the weather is better, I get my to run this summer, I have a flywheel sometimes, but my last gallon I bought at bikes out and go for a five to ten mile holder that keeps the flywheel from spin- a Big R farm store. Try it. Well, back to ride. Since I have about eight to ten mo- ning, so you can loosen the nut holding the shop and getting my CL77 running. torcycles at any given time, I put on a lot the flywheel, that along with a flywheel I’ll see you at Mid-Ohio. of miles and never get far from home. I puller, makes the points replacement job have to go through the ritual—check a snap. Some people will simply put the Ellis: I’ll give it a look. Now off to fin- tires, check oil level, oil the chains, and I bike in gear and use the rear wheel brake. ish the Dream 50 for Pierceton. See you try not to forget checking the water level The downside of that is that it could there! l

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine 55

MAINTENANCE & RESTORATION Shoe Polish Trick by Tom Hemmen / [email protected]

was watching My Classic Car on Satur- day, in which Dennis Gage asked a guy Hey members! SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: I Tell us YOUR story! how he got his fifty year-old vinyl top to TEXT: • .pdf, .rtf or .doc file formats look so good. He said he liberally applied The best way this magazine • include your byline, photocaptions, and can accurately reflect what credit for the photographer black shoe polish. I’ve tried every kind our members are up to is if you Tell us what you’re doing! of vinyl/leather/upholstery renewer/re- PHOTOS: • high-resolution color pictures (300dpi) The VJMC magazine is only • typical file size of a .jpg will be at least 500kb storer on my fifty year-old Suzuki dirt possible through member • 1mb - 3mb per image is preferred interaction, and bike seat to get back that like-new, shiny we’ll pay you for it! black look with only temporary results. We pay $100 for Then I tried the shoe polish trick with feature stories (typically at least absolutely fantastic results. Looks like two full pages with new, doesn’t rub off, and doesn’t fade four or more photos). If your story is selected for away. Maybe I’m the last guy on earth to publication, you will receive extra copies of the issue in have heard of this simple solution, but if which it appears. not, maybe someone else in the VJMC send your stories and can benefit from this trick too. l high res photos to: [email protected]

58 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017 ADVERTISER’S SPOTLIGHT Dubya Wheels by Bryan Bentley, Display Ad Director / [email protected]

hen you are young and think you Ware bullet proof, you are inspired to try things that look a lot like fun but turn out to be a disaster. Such was my experience when I decided to go mo- tocross racing on a Honda CL90 at the ripe old age of sixteen. I actually made a full lap and then found out that I did not know how to make the big jump. Not only did I hurt, but the front wheel was a total loss. Unfortunately, the only source I knew to obtain a replacement was at the local Honda dealer. Now we have other options that save you from having to pay dealer prices, and you can buy a much stronger assembly. Dubya Wheels was started to address these is- sues. Dubya Wheels was founded by Kristin and John, with inspiration from Kris- tin’s father, Tom. Tom was a successful wheel builder, as well as a motocross rider. Now that Tom, a VJMC member, has retired, he has caught the sickness that infects most of us, the “collectors illness,” and has a museum of dirt rac- ing bikes. Kristin and John have truly created a one stop shop for wheels. You can send them your wheel and have it re-chromed or replaced, along with new spokes and nipples. The rims can also be finished in just about any color you can think of, in case you are building a custom bike more chemical and corrosion resistant or have a later model bike with painted than other coatings and offers superior rims. Spokes and nipples are produced UV resistance. All wheels are delivered in-house, and they offer many choices back to you trued and ready to install. contact info as well. They are available in stock types The one service Dubya does not offer and many custom shapes. They will also is wheel straightening. Although they Dubya USA refinish your hub in a variety of ways. will true a wheel, straightening a bent 2175 N. Batavia Street Hubs can be bead blasted, polished, or wheel is dangerous, as it will weaken the Orange, CA 92865 wheel and could result in a disaster. powder coated. Dubya also offers Cer- phone: akot for your hubs. This is a thin film, Give Dubya Wheels a call and let them 714-279-0200 ceramic coating available in a variety of know what you need. From stock to colors that offers a much thinner coat- custom, they have what you want in the www.Dubyausa.com ing than powder coating. It is also much highest quality. l

Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine 59 A “Vintage Japanese” motorcycle is 20 years old or older and, of course, CLASSIFIEDS Japanese. Please be aware that ads may/will be edited to conserve space. 12 lines of print will be free to club members. PLEASE NOTE: Please be aware of publication deadlines. For an upcoming issue, ads Ads will be run for one issue only. Please are due by the 20th of the month of the preceeding issue’s release. For example, ads for the October/November issue are due August 20. If you resubmit via the VJMC website or email if have business-related ads, please consider taking out a commercial display ad. Contact Bryan Bentley ([email protected]) or me for details and rate you wish an ad to run longer. Also, contact our information. Classified Ads Editor, Gary Gadd, if your post We can include color photos with your ad. Cost is a minimal $10 per pho- to per issue. Payment via Paypal is available on the VJMC website. For has been fulfilled, again via the VJMC website payment by personal check or money order, please address payment to “VJMC” and send to the address below. Photo ads will appear in the or email ([email protected]). This will help keep magazine issue following payment. our classified ads as current as possible. GARY GADD • 3721 HOLLAND ST. • FORT WORTH, TX • 76180 / 817.284.8195

the tires. Runs, current Califor- Ridden weekly. Only 60759 orig- new parts, including Spec II exp nia title in Non-Op. Dana Point inal miles. Asking $5800 OBO chambers, frt master cyl, brake FOR SALE & Greystone Concours winner. cash in person. Shipping up to lines, tires, tubes, chain, and Great show piece for the ga- buyer. Call for photos. Bill Gros- seat. $3400/offer. SF Bay Area rage or living room. 7011 miles. jean, The Villages, FL Phone Dave 925- 642-3215 Only $4295. Have a guy for ship- 352-430-0689. HONDA ping. Bill McClennen, wam50 @sbcglobal.net 714-996-2278. Honda Memorabilia. After 56 years of collecting Honda mem- SUZUKI orabilia, I’m selling everything. 1975 Honda MT250 Elsinore. To list it all would take many 8145 miles. Last ran 10 years 1985 Suzuki Madura 1200 pages in this publication. Let ago. Stored dry, complete. Also “power cruiser.” 17K miles, your imagination run wild with 1981 Honda CB750. 29000 black, some spares (includ- items you’re wanting: service miles; has four month old bat- ing NOS engine side covers). manuals, owners manuals, ad- tery. Front brake is dragging. Strong running, cosmetically vertising material, brochures, Starts and idles a bit rough. Last good, comfortable and rare. photos, slides, videos, post- ridden regularly three years Always warmed up, non-eth- 1979 Yamaha XS650 Special. ers and other Honda printed ago. Both bikes are non-opera- anol premium used these last 8200 mi, mostly original, recent material. Clothing, tote bags, tional status here in California, five years. At my age of 76 (and major elec work, many new keys, service awards, special so there are no back dues. Both VJMC #42), I hope another parts including tach, frt mas- tools, test equipment. Some have clean pink slips. Located VJMC member can enjoy this ter cyl, tires, tubes, brake lines, parts mostly NOS CB92. Also near Los Angeles International V-4 as much as I have. $3450. and seat cover. Really nice bike. some N600, S600, and S800 Airport. Erik, Los Angeles, Cali- Patrick Halstead. 360-357-3341. $3300/offer. SF Bay Area Dave automobile manuals and N600 fornia, [email protected] [email protected] 925- 642-3215 parts. Email me with what you would like, and I’ll respond with availability and price. 1991 Suzuki GSX1100G “The 1983 Yamaha XJ900RK Seca George G Grauwels, 715-533- Original Super Sport Touring (only year sold in U.S.). Candy 1999, [email protected] Bike”. Great shape, shown at red with black and silver ac- the 2014 National VJMC Na- cents, 41K miles—good run- tional Rally. Rare factory - fair ning bike used regularly. Always For 1965/69 Honda CB/CL/ ing, Avon Storm tires, Progres- warmed up and treated to CA160, CA95 and S65, still sive front springs, original tool non-ethanol premium gas these have new and used parts for kit, service manual, and cover past 5 years. RAC case savers, Honda 160s, S65, and CA95. included. Maroon color. 39k Eclipse soft luggage, Cyberlite Engine parts such as heads, miles. Pics by request. $2500 aux. stop light, oil temp gauge, pistons, cylinders, cases, and 1982 Honda Silver Wing. 500cc. OBO. Stu Jones, call or text 765- and many spares. Cosmetical- covers. Sealed gas tanks. Paul full restoration started but is 237-1119, Lafayette, Indiana ly 8-9. Owned since 1990 by Enz, 321-268-5461, Titus- ready to ride now. All plastic VJMC #42. At 76 years old, I’d ville, Florida, [email protected] there, some touchup and paint like to see another VJMC rider would make it look new. Newer enjoy this shafty as much as I tires. Replaced exhaust, radia- YAMAHA have. In WA state. $3950. Pat- tor, carb. 17400 original miles. rick Halstead. 360-357-3341. $4000 obo. David Landsberger, [email protected] 973-723-6515, Chincoteague, Virginia, dlandsberger@tmail. com misc. FOR SALE

1985 Honda Gold Wing 1200 1968/81 Hondas. 50 Japanese Interstate. Has Voyager attach- bikes, mostly Hondas. $100 ment for sale. Cranberry color. each or will part out. Includes 1972 Honda CB350 K4 100% Showroom condition. Extra 1978 Gold Wing engine, front lights and chrome, backrest. 1979 RD400F Yamaha. 11900 original show bike, including miles, mostly original, many wheel and fender, carb set and

60 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017 ADVERTISERS’ INDEX manifold, cooling fans, and ADVERTISERS APPEARING IN THIS ISSUE: other GW parts. Deal on whole lot. Also 2 Yamaha Big Bear Acme Zoom (Mule Pack Panniers)...... 54 Scramblers and Yam and Honda mopeds. Lots of seats and side AHRMA...... 54 covers. For CB750. gas tanks. For Bridgestone. 100/150 seat, Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum...... 20 very nice, $100. Dream and Su- BD Designs...... 51 per Hawk frames with attached fenders, electrics, wheels, etc. Buchanan’s Spoke and Rim...... 45 1965 Honda dream engine 150 Yamaha parts. I need a rubber cc, $100. Ask for prices. Make Buzzzzz Rag...... 37 offer on the whole lot. Located intake boot for the Yamaha YL1. ten miles from Rhinebeck, New Also leg shields and headlight CMSNL...... 64 York AMC meet at Dutchess City bezel for the U5 Newport. Ron Lebowitz, 239-994-4327 Ft. Charlie’s Place...... 37 fairgrounds. Ken Krauer, 845- Myers, Florida, ronlebowitz@ 266-3363, Salt Point, New York, Coker Tire...... joankrauer@ yahoo.com yahoo.com 14 Cycle House Performance...... 48 WANTED MISC. WANTED David Silver Spares...... 63 Dubya Wheels...... 8 Dealer memorabilia. Collector HONDA seeks 1950s-1980s Japanese Diamond Gusset Company...... 53 dealership items including ban- 1972 Honda Z50 K3. Looking for ners, signs, ashtrays, lighters, Gasolina Boots...... 36 excellent original bike in candy hats, clocks, promos, etc. Rare, gold color. Would like to find an weird, and old is good. Tom Ko- Hagon Shocks...... 19 original paint bike. Sean Mor- lenko, 770-427-4820, Atlanta, phew, 562-698-7484, Whittier, Georgia. Honda Restoration...... 34 California, vintage1948house@ yahoo.com Japanese Classic Motorcycle Show...... 9 Honda CBX 1000cc 6 cyl memo- rabilia for museum and the CBX JDV Products/Vessel...... 35 Book I am presently writing. YAMAHA Any brochures, adverts, post- Jess Bikes...... 36 ers, owner’s manual, workshop Johnny’s Vintage Motorcycle...... 37 manual, set-up manual, toys/ models, old photos, etc. related KSM-Hagerty...... 12 to the 1979-1972 CBX. Also pe- riod aftermarket fairings/body- Marbles Motors...... 28 work. Let me know what you have and how much you need! Motorcycle Yamiya 750...... 16 Thanks. Ian, 626-444-9358, Cal- ifornia, [email protected] l Moto-Services...... 18 National Motorcycle Museum...... 49 Nor’Easter Blastworx...... 44 NOS Parts Now...... 48 Precision Motorcycle Painting...... 53 Revival Parts (Mixe XS, Z1 Enterprises, Rendakk’s Cycle) ...... 4 Rick’s Motorsport Electrics, Inc...... 58 RJ Cycle...... 34 Spacecoast Plating...... 35 Speed and Sport Yamaha...... 54 Triple Deuce Cycles...... 51 Vapor Honing Technologies...... 56-57 Vintage Suspension (Race Tech)...... 48 Workshop Hero...... 2 Yamaha Powersports Division...... 26 Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine 61 VJMC REGALIA ORDER FORM

$ $ SHORT SLEEVE T-SHIRTS: M, L, XL / 20 2XL, 3XL / 25 • white 100% cotton , large circle logo on front & three bikes on back • black 100% cotton, small circle logo on front & large circle logo on back with “Tokyo Chapter” bottom rocker (no 3XL)

POLO SHIRTS: $ • black, red, or white 100% cotton, embroidered with club name & logo on left chest M, L, XL, 2XL / 25

HATS: • black or gray, cotton, baseball style with embroidered club name & logo $20

CLUB MEDALLIONS: • white/black or black/gold metal with 1/4” top tab mounting hole $10

DRINK KOZEE: • red foam with white club name & logo screenprinted $2 KEYCHAIN: • white soft vinyl with club name & circle logo linked to chrome ring $1

VJMC MEMBER MOTORCYCLE LICENSE PLATE: • embossed aluminum $7

VJMC CIRCLE LOGO DECALS: • available in 4”, 8” 12” 4” / $3 8” / $7 12” / $20

QUANTITY ITEM DESCRIPTION SIZE PRICE TOTAL

You can also order online: VJMC.ORG/STORE SHIPPING CHARGES $ ENCLOSED IS MY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER MADE OUT TO “VJMC” FOR THE TOTAL OF $

Add shipping and handling costs to your order: SHIP TO: NAME • All items sent U.S. Priority Mail with delivery ADDRESS confirmation $7 for first item and $5 each for additional items in USA only. CITY, STATE, ZIPCODE • Canadian orders multiply U.S. mail rate by 1.5 to determine S&H charges. PHONE NUMBER • Questions? Call Tom at 770-427-4820 EMAIL ADDRESS SEND YOUR ORDER TO: Tom Kolenko • 2445 Elmhurst Blvd. • Kennesaw, GA 30152 Questions?: [email protected]