Inside: Historical Dealer Shots • Riding to Panama • Rare Roadpal S • Hundreds of Classifieds
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Vol. 32, No. 4 April 2012 • $5 THE Great XS was a ‘parts bike’ •Inside: Historical dealer shots • Riding to Panama • Rare Roadpal S • Hundreds of classifieds OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB OF NORTH AMERICA, INC. 2 www.vjmc.org April 2012 THE COVER STORY 20 ‘Good Parts Bike’ A quick look at a 1972 XS650 pays off FEATURES 6 Are you down with MSP? 16 Finding those key parts Taking care of Miscellaneous Small Parts Western Hills’ history in helping 10 My garage 24 Rare moped in the U.S. Salvaging VJMS under a neon glow 1981 Honda Custom Roadpal S 12 Riding to Panama XS650 Specials hold up nicely DEPARTMENTS 04 President’s letter 32 Classifieds 38 Regalia Vol. 32, No. 4 April 2012 • $5 THE Great On the cover XS was a ‘parts Randy Just was discouraged bike’ to hear this XS described as “a good parts bike” by its owner, until he had a look at it. •Inside: Historical dealer shots • Riding to Panama • Rare Roadpal S • Hundreds of classifieds OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB OF NORTH AMERICA, INC. April 2012 www.vjmc.org 3 PRESIDENT’S LETTER THE VJMC magazine April 2012 Vol. 33, No. 2 The Year Ahead President Tom Kolenko am happy to report that the VJMC bike displays are important for raising 770-427-4820 plans for 2012 are really starting the awareness level among motorcyclists [email protected] to come together. Individual board that we exist. Anyone who has ever I Editor members are stepping up to lead this worked the display table at these shows Brendan Dooley club into the new year with innovative knows that lots of seasoned motorcy- [email protected] event planning, rallies and shows. We clists have never heard of this club. Art Director have formed an executive committee Our presence at these venues boosts Rhonda Cousin of the top four officers to help plan the membership sign-ups and expands Classified ads agenda for our monthly conference the riding public’s recognition of our Gary Gadd calls. Gordon East was elected Vice mission to promote the preservation, have been generous to this club for 817-284-8195 [email protected] President and also volunteered to restoration and enjoyment of vintage years with their time, resources and serve as advertising director. Treasurer Japanese motorcycles. I’ll be visiting commitment. In appreciation of their Display Ad Director/VP John Fiorino is building a new club the Charlotte show and have the op- help and assistance, we wish to thank Gordon East the following supporters: 864-944-8687 budget. Secretary Bob Leonard is portunity to thank everyone for their [email protected] fine-tuning new bylaw proposals. This hard work. If you get to attend one of • George W. Barber and his team has streamlined the coverage of these shows, be sure and stop to say entire team at the Barber Motorsports West Coast Rep Volunteer Needed the many functional needs of the club hello to these members who dedicate Park for providing premier club event and permits the full board’s attention their weekend to this club. space and free weekend passes for our Mountain States Rep on substantive issues. This great magazine is the most members bringing display bikes to the Volunteer Needed The VJMC celebrates its 35th important benefit provided to all annual Barber Vintage Festival for Central States Rep anniversary in 2012. Special coverage members. To stay great, it needs new the past seven years. Many amazing Volunteer Needed on our website and in our magazine articles, features, photos and experts memories, friendships and experiences Northeast Rep will capture our 35 years of growth sharing their stories. Editor Brendan have been created over these October Volunteer Needed from eight members in 1977 to 3,154 Dooley welcomes all efforts at captur- weekends for our members lucky Southeast Rep members today. Director Peter Slat- ing a restoration, special ride, show enough to attend. Volunteer Needed coff is championing this milestone or technical tips relevant to vintage • Steve Liberatore and the Mo- celebration with special regalia, an Japanese motorcycles. Great photos, torsports Group of the Yamaha Motor Membership Director Bill Granade anniversary rally and coordinated clear concise writing and great stories Corp. for generously supporting VJMC 813-961-3737 local events. If you have any special increase the submission’s likelihood club events in Georgia and at the Barber [email protected] photos, stories or anecdotes from the of publication. So, take some time Vintage Festival each year. Mission statement: early years of this club, be sure and and capture the passion you have for • Kurt Whittington at Advanstar The purpose of this organization is to promote the preservation, restoration share them with Peter. these special motorcycles in written Powersports, the promoters of the and enjoyment of vintage Japanese Webmaster Jon Radermacher form and send it on to Brendan at International Motorcycle Shows, for motorcycles (defined as those 20 years old and older, until 2012. We will em- has already provided early magazine [email protected]. providing free tickets and opportuni- brace 1990 until then). The VJMC also ties for our members to display their will promote the sport of motorcycling issues on our homepage that you can As this new riding season starts, be and camaraderie of motorcyclists explore in detail with just a click. A sure to prepare your bike and yourself vintage Japanese motorcycles at these everywhere. West Coast rally celebration is also in to ride safely. If you put new tires on national venues each year. © 2012, Vintage Japanese Motor- its earliest planning stages and targeted your favorite bike, make sure you scuff • Scott Dubuc at Homewood cycle Club of North America, an IRS-approved Not-for-profit 501(c) for October. Field representatives will them in properly. If you haven’t ridden Press for providing generous design (7) corporation. All rights reserved. also be enlisted to help support these since last year, spend some time in an and production work to make our No part of this document may be re- produced or transmitted in any form celebrations in their areas. Even our empty parking lot practicing your panic membership signup line cards true without permission. Vintage Motorcycle Days at Mid-Ohio stops. Given the rising gas prices, more works of art. The VJMC magazine is published six and Barber Vintage Festival presence of us will be riding our two-wheelers • Mitch Boehm at Moto Retro times per year, in February, April, June, August, October and December. The will have special features tied to the in the year ahead. Let’s do it safely Illustrated for providing issues of his views and opinions expressed in let- club’s 35th birthday. Plan now to join and have fun. high-quality vintage-focused publication ters or other content are those of the author and do not necessarily represent in the celebration. for door prizes at the Barber Vintage VJMC policy. The VJMC accepts no Festival. liability for any loss, damage or claims Special thanks goes out to those VJMC Sponsors occurring as a result of advice given in field representatives and their teams that Honor Roll this publication or for claims made by advertisers of products or services in dragged their best motorcycles out to the As the VJMC has grown over the Tom Kolenko this publication. Progressive International Motorcycle years, so have its supporters. Key VJMC president Shows during the winter months. These individuals and their organizations 4 www.vjmc.org April 2012 Garys Radiator Our Services include: • Gas Tank Repair & Seal Before • Motorcycle Radiators & Gas Tanks • Oil Coolers After • Plastic repair • New Recore, Rodout, Clean & Repair Radiators • Custom Aluminum Radiators • Industrial Radiators • Block Flushing •Thermostats • Water pumps • Air Conditioning Services • Recharging AC 225 W. Truslow Fullerton, CA 92832 Phone: 714.526.3367 TECH HELP PAINTING TIP When painting I hold a flashlight in my free hand Are you down with MSP? and point it to where Taking care of Miscellaneous Small Parts the spray is going. The By Jack Stein concentrated beam allows I refer to all the small parts, pieces and ultrasonic tank to give the parts a good soak- you to better see when brackets that go on a vintage Japanese motor- ing. These machines do a great job at busting you have achieved full cycle as MSP. These are the finishing pieces loose any small pieces or dried fluids. If you coverage with no running. that make a restoration or repair look great. don’t have access to such a cleaner, you can Refinishing the MSP is often the most time try carburetor cleaner in an aerosol can. It consuming part of a repair or restoration. is important before you start removing the After disassembling, I usually wash the old finish that you get all the oil and grease the compressed air I put on the rubber gloves painted MSP in a degreaser before I attempt off; if you don’t, you could end up spreading and wipe every thing heavily with lacquer to remove the old painted finish. I use a citrus- the oil all over the piece and compromise the thinner. I use my outside welding table when based cleaner and hot water. If the part has final paint finish. I do this to lessen the impact of breathing the internal passages, like a brake master cylinder To remove the old paint you can go several vapors (and to prevent an explosion or fire). or a carburetor, I ask a friend with a heated different ways. Paint stripper, sanding and a I put a fresh layer of clean newsprint on the blast cabinet with glass beads table to keep the freshly cleaned parts from all work well.