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VINTAGEVINTAGEVINTAGE JAPANESEJAPANESEJAPANESE MOTORCYCLEMOTORCYCLEMOTORCYCLE CLUBCLUBCLUB OF NORTH AMERICA Founded 1977 Volume 25, Number 4 August 2002 $3.50 Bill Silver’s CYP77 James Grooms’ Black Bomber Celebrating 25 years of vintage motorcycling Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club Newsletter August 2002 This Issue Contains About This Month's Cover Page 2 Calendar of Events Page 12 Editor's Corner Page 3 AMCA Revs Up Interest Page 14 In Japanese Motorcycles President's Page Page 4 VJMC Financial Report Page 16 VJMC Member Profile Page 6 Rick Seto VJMC Staff & Field Reps Page 18 Canada Page 7 Classified Ads For Sale Page 22 Feature Article Page 8 Wanted Page 30 VJMC Day Ride Reports Page 10 About This Month's Cover: the fenders, side covers and the rims in the interest of ride- The beautiful example fork sliders were painted Honda ability. The shocks, combined of a Honda CB450 K0 featured cloud silver, then clear coated. with good rubber and front fork on the front cover belongs to James said that this gives them tweaking, make this old bike a James Grooms, our new Vice a sheen that the original did not pleasure to ride. Far better than President, and VJMC Field Rep- have, but is much more durable. what they were originally. resentative for Kansas. He The headlight ears and fork up- James also notes that timely bought it two years ago, and pers were also repainted, while advice from Bill "Mr. Honda" although it was showing only paint on the headlight and tank Silver concerning the oil pump 995 miles on the clock, it had were left unmolested, as they saved the motor from some po- passed through the hands of were in good shape, and be- tentially catastrophic top-end three or four different owners, lieved to be original. All the damage. and had been poorly stored dur- bearings / bushings were ser- ing its periods of inactivity. viced, the cables replaced, and All in all, James says the carbs overhauled. The the CB450 is a nice rider that, James says he merely shocks were replaced with although done on a budget, has performed a "Refurbishment" of Hagon units, which are very nevertheless won a few awards the bike, but what he did would nice; they came with the at some local rallies. qualify for most of us as a com- shrouds. Modern rubber (Avon plete restoration: The frame got roadrunners) were mounted on Our thanks go to James for a powder coat treatment, and sharing this picture with us. COVER INSERT: This Issue's Web Password: The insert picture on this month's cover is of a CYP77 recently restored by Bill "Mr. Honda" Silver. Bill has written an "backfire" enlightening article about the "Police" version of the popular CB77 which will be featured in an upcoming edition of the Effective August 5 th VJMC Newsletter. (Use Lower Case) Volume 25, Number 4, Page 2 Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club Newsletter August 2002 Editor's Corner By Richard Sulik, Editor This August, 2002 edi- will be acknowledged in a timely tion of the Vintage Japanese manner. And, while the Editor reserves Motorcycle Club Newsletter While space considera- the right to make customary marks my inaugural effort as tions dictate that not every con- editorial changes (such as cor- your new Editor. I have ac- tribution will appear in the very rections to spelling and punctua- cepted this responsibility at the next issue of the Newsletter, tion), every effort will be made direct, and I might add, persis- contributors are asked to under- not to violate the spirit or intent tent, request of Jim Townsend, stand that the Editor appreciates of the writer. the VJMC President. A short having a reservoir of material time after this occurred, I men- from which to draw on in the Feedback Mechanism: The tioned to an acquaintance that I production of future Newsletters. new Editor has noticed that the had been designated as the And, contributors should be as- Club has lacked an important new Editor of the VJMC News- sured that all material submitted mechanism for its operation: A letter. He guffawed, and said: will be considered for publica- Feedback mechanism. In truth, "How did that happen? Were tion. a Feedback Mechanism of sorts you the only one who wasn't at has always been in place: the meeting?". Ta-Boom! Also, while the Editor When people like what they see will strive to produce a "Bal- in the Newsletter, they send in But Seriously Folks -- I anced" Newsletter, members their money and join, or renew humbly follow a long series of should realize that the Editor their membership, and the Club newsletter editors who have cannot publish what is not being prospers. Conversely, when served the club well. Jim Town- submitted: If you want to see they cease liking what they see, send has said that while the more technical articles, then they cease sending in their re- club is made up of you, the you, the members, will have to newal money, and the Club members, he noted that the write them up and send them in. withers. This Feedback Mecha- Newsletter is the primary "Face" Bill "Mr. Honda" Silver has been nism, while effective, is crude, that the Club presents to its doing a superb job carrying wa- and it is difficult to spot trends in members, the country, and the ter for the Club in the Honda the level of member satisfaction world. Thanks to Jay Horine's "Technical" arena. Likewise except over long periods of efforts, that has been a very with the many Action Adventure/ time. To rectify this shortcom- handsome face, indeed. I might Comedy stories provided by Bill ing, space will be provided in walk in his footsteps, but I'll "Doc Speed" Melvin. If you like the Newsletter for "Letters To never fill his shoes. Neverthe- these types of articles, consider The Editor". Accordingly, mem- less, I'll attempt to continue to writing one up and submitting it. bers are encouraged to forward try and make the "Face" that we And, it doesn't have to be a their thoughts and comments to present to the world shine. In story; it can be an essay, a dis- the Editor. While the "Letters to that regard, I'll be trying some course, or just a "rumination" on the Editor" section is not in- changes from time to time, start- some topic relating to vintage tended as a "Gripe Session" per ing now, which hopefully will be Japanese motorcycles. For se, valid topics to address to the improvements, and that brings example, if you want to Editor are reasonable, non- me to my next topic: New Edito- discourse on why the little, inflammatory comments regard- rial Policies: small-bore bikes should, or ing what you like, or don't like, should not, be valued, or about the Newsletter, or Club Acknowledgment of Submis- countenanced with the same activities (or the lack thereof) sions: It shall be the policy of level of respect as the larger the Editor that all contributions displacement machines, by all means, crank it up and send it Continued on page 10 in; I'll be glad to see it. Volume 25, Number 4, Page 3 Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club Newsletter August 2002 President's Column By Jim Townsend ELECTION RESULTS If you are inclined to and manufacturers who deal As you read this, we write for the list, consider sub- with us and soliciting ads for the have just passed another mile- mitting such things as questions newsletter. This is not a time stone in the VJMC history. We and answers or even short arti- consuming job, but when added have had our first election of cles to the newsletter. Your to the other jobs the editor does, officers. Granted, we only had thoughts and writing will reach it makes a heavy load even one race and that was for Sec- about 2,000 members and worse. If you can devote a few retary, but we did have one. At friends as opposed to the 700 or hours every couple of months to the time I am writing this, the so that subscribe to the list. We this, contact Rich and talk it outcome is unknown and will be would like to start a “members over. announced at the Mid-Ohio Vin- letters” or Question and Answer tage Motorcycle Days. The Of- type column in the newsletter. VJMC DAY! ficers for the next year will be Send your submissions to Rich- James Townsend, President, ard. His e-mail address is It was a cold and windy James Grooms, Vice President. benley67@ aol.com . day with temperatures in the low Tom Kolenko, Treasurer and 40's here in Indiana, but we had either Ken Kerr or John Sullivan 13 hardy souls go for a curtailed for Secretary. NEWSLETTER STAFF ride after a hearty breakfast at a NEEDED! local eatery. It was followed up by a lunch at the Townsend NEWSLETTER CHANGES The newsletter is sup- house and a lot of discussion posed to contain news of what before it broke up about 3:00. We have also under- is happening in the club. I have gone another big change and found that if you are running an Christine Tibbets and that will be noticeable in some event that it is virtually impossi- Eric Nachbaur put on the North- changes in format and content ble to take pictures, get names east Cookout and had a pretty because we have a new Editor, and keep notes on what is hap- good bunch of guys show up for Richard Sulik.

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