Vol. 33, No. 5 October 2012 • $5 THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY RALLY Years 1977 201 2 •Inside: Tempting Suzuki find • Rust-removing tips • Vintage show reports • Hundreds of classifieds OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB OF NORTH AMERICA, INC. THE COVER STORY 28 VJMC celebrates 35 years in style East Coast rally draws hundreds to Indiana FEATURES 34 Tiddling around 08 DealingTool withtips broken fasteners Big fun in little packages 37 Show report 12 VJMCShow is ‘Classicreport Club’ at Mid-Ohio VJMC at the Gilmore Museum 40 Ride report 16 CustomXS400 Yamaha cafe ‘wins’ project rally Storming the S.C. backroads 42 Restored CB400F 20 ATempting closer look at theSuzuki GR650 Bringing a four back to life 46 Show report 24 IntroducingGL1000 a newproject generation to VJMs All Japanese show in Kansas City 48 Show report 26 RemovingTech help rust from tanks Hodaka a star in Washington DEPARTMENTS 04 President’s letter 50 Classifieds 06 Letters 54 Regalia Vol. 33, No. 5 October 2012 • $5 THE On the cover 35TH These Kawasakis were ANNIVERSARY just two of the dozens RALLY of beautiful VJMs to show Years 1977 201 2 at the East Coast rally. •Inside: Tempting Suzuki find • Rust-removing tips • Vintage show reports • Hundreds of classifieds OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB OF NORTH AMERICA, INC. October 2012 www.vjmc.org 3 PRESIDENT’S LETTER THE VJMC magazine October 2012 Full speed ahead Vol. 33, No. 5 President his club has the pedal to remains one of the best vintage Tom Kolenko the metal. It’s midsum- motorcycling events in the USA. 770-427-4820 Tmer as I write this and we The seasoned team of Lloyd Blythe, [email protected] are in the execution phase of the Gordon East, Bill Granade, Buck Editor 35th Anniversary event schedule. Mitchell and Barry Whitley continue Brendan Dooley [email protected] I had the privilege of attending the to set new standards for a club event. AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days at The generosity of George Barber Art Director Mid-Ohio celebration and our East providing free weekend passes to Rhonda Cousin Coast National Rally in the past 30 our members bringing show bikes Classified ads days. At both events, the hard work, guarantees an amazing field of Japa- Gary Gadd 817-284-8195 planning and commitment of our nese iron. You owe it to yourself to Blythe, bike show specialist Greg [email protected] members to serve others was truly visit this iconic setting at least once Pitt, chefs Gary Rhodes and Steve inspiring. These folks were commit- in your life. Searles, and others who donate their Display Ad Director/VP ted to helping members have fun. The momentum in the club contin- Gordon East time and talents so many others can 864-944-8687 Mission accomplished in most ob- ues to build. In response to my plea have fun; you all make this club bet- [email protected] servers’ eyes. for greater local event participation, ter each year. Thank our dedicated Leaving Atlanta for Mid-Ohio at individual members have stepped West Coast Rep club volunteers when you see them Volunteer Needed 9 p.m. and driving all night gave up. David Rutherford contacted me at events … it goes a long way. me lots of seat time to reflect on to volunteer to represent the VJMC Perhaps our greatest challenge is to Mountain States Rep Volunteer Needed the amazing people in this club. El- at the Japanese White Rose show in get the word out about this club. It’s lis Holman and Pete Slatcoff spent southeast Pennsylvania. I sent him a impossible to “over communicate” Central States Rep months assembling a cadre of vol- display banner and some membership with our members or the motorcycling Volunteer Needed unteers that made things happen. signup cards which he put to good community. People even approached Northeast Rep With the belief that you “frontload use by enrolling 11 new members. us at the Rally wanting to know how Volunteer Needed for success,” these men and their David has just become our newest they could join the club. Raising Southeast Rep dedicated teams created amazing Field Representative in Pennsylvania VJMC awareness is a continuous Volunteer Needed memories for all our members lucky and we thank him for his hard work. task. Case in point, Gordon East just Membership Director enough to attend either event. Mid- If you are interested in becoming a sent me the upcoming schedule for Bill Granade Ohio volunteers this year signed up VJMC Field Representative, please the 2012-’13 International Motor- 813-961-3737 [email protected] more new members than any other contact me directly. cycle Shows which begin Nov. 2-4 in single event in our club’s history. The The best part of this job so far is Atlanta and finish in Charlotte Feb. Mission statement: The purpose of this organization is East Coast National Rally also broke meeting our members face to face. 22-24. We want to represent at each to promote the preservation, res- club records as the largest national Some have even become my riding of their 13 locations and keep vintage toration and enjoyment of vintage Japanese motorcycles (defined here rally in 35 years. Thank you to all heroes. At the Indiana rally, a trio cycling alive during the upcoming as those 20 years old or older). The the VJMC volunteers who made of 76-year-old members in Russ winter months. We will use email VJMC also will promote the sport of motorcycling and camaraderie of this happen. Bees, John Keele, and the legend- blasts, our website, and excellent motorcyclists everywhere. Next on the event horizon are ary Jim Townsend continue to ride magazine to get the word out. Wear © 2012, Vintage Japanese Mo- the West Coast National Rally and at a pace that keeps us youngsters in your club shirt to motorcycle events, tor- cycle Club of North America, an IRS-approved Not-for-profit the Eighth Annual Barber Vintage tow. Diehard Suzuki Katana rider, bring a friend along, help your lo- 501(c)(7) corporation. All rights Festival. The amazing team of Bob Koyo Takitani, rode 13 hours through cal field representative to stage an reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in Leonard and Jack Stein have gone torrential rains and thunderstorms event, volunteer to work a booth, or any form without permission. into top gear to create a rally program to come to the rally. His colorful organize a short vintage ride in your The VJMC magazine is published in Solvang, Calif., that sets a new Japanese dinner garb and T-shirt gifts area. Get involved. Help spread the six times per year, in February, April, June, August, October and standard for the VJMC out West. It’s provided added entertainment at our word about our passion for Japanese December. The views and opinions our first stand-alone VJMC rally in Saturday banquet. motorcycles. Ride safe all. expressed in letters or other content are those of the author and do not California. Don’t miss this opportu- Ultimately, this club depends on I hope to meet many of you in necessarily represent VJMC policy. nity to ride, show, scope out museums members interested in service to oth- Solvang and at Barber’s in Octo- The VJMC accepts no liability for any loss, damage or claims occur- and share experiences with fellow ers. Whether it’s field reps organizing ber. ring as a result of advice given in this club members over this weekend. I local events or regular booth work- publication or for claims made by advertisers of products or services hope to see many of you there. ers like Steve and Melody Adams, Tom Kolenko in this publication. The Barber Vintage Festival Julie Slatcoff, photographer Debbie VJMC president 4 www.vjmc.org October 2012 LETTERS, NEWS AND MISCELLANY Ideas for the VJMC off promotional space. The local AMCA club chapter has a list of locals who are proven, I have enjoyed being involved in the VJMC gave us space at their last show (2,000 visitors honest and reliable. We promote these busi- group. I am currently the Missouri field rep- and 120-plus bikes) to promote our club. We nesses, people and groups. resentative and the president of KCVJMC. had a free VJMC table, fliers with rotating Mark Bayer I just thought I would share some ideas and members at the table to promote VJMC and [email protected] observations which have come to mind! KCVJMC. First, I am surprised as to how many motor- Regarding the tendency for people to have High Praise for VJMC short-term VJMC membership; as I meet these cyclists have never heard of the VJMC club. Vol. 33, No. 4 Magazine August 2012 • $5 people who have been past members, I tell THE Secondly, I am surprised as to how many Now I get quite a few people have joined VJMC for a year or two them that our club is there for them! We want to represent VJMC locally for people who club magazines, news- and then stopped their active membership yet letters, etc., and to be like the old Japanese bikes. Every meeting still remained active with local motorcycle honest I scan though events. Thirdly, many people who own older begins with a “soft sell” request for member- ship in VJMC (very soft sell). We also begin them in a matter of min- Deceptive Japanese bikes don’t see them as vintage utes. Then I read the Au- R5 bikes, and finally, I have found that there is each monthly meeting with testimonials.