Vol. 32, No. 4 August 2011 • $5 THE Ride to Death Valley Inside: • VJMC Board Election Info • Show reports from Ohio, Colo., Wash., Canada • Nightmare Kawi, part 2 • Hundreds of classifieds OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB OF NORTH AMERICA, INC. West Coast’s Largest Motorcycle Show & Swap! September 24, 2011 909.629.7420 El Camino Community College, Upper Parking Structure, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance, CA. 90506 THE COVER STORY 20 VJLA annual Death Valley run The SoCal group’s main event. FEATURES 12 Third annual Columbus, 24 Barber Vintage Festival Ohio, show update Iron Pony Motorsports sets the stage. Your help, bikes wanted 14 VJM show set for August 25 Big biking weekend 23rd annual show in central Pa. Back-to-back shows separated by the border. 16 A life of VJMs Fell in love just before the Draft. 26 Vintage motorcycles reborn New show dominated by VJMs. 18 Auction report from ThrottleYard.com 28 H1 dream sinks at Mach Honda racer goes for $27,000. speed, part 2 The down and dirty of the rest in pictures. DEPARTMENTS 4 President’s letter 11 Letters, news and miscellany 8 From the editor’s desk 31 Classifieds 10 Tech Q&A 38 Regalia Vol. 32, No. 4 August 2011 • $5 THE On the cover On pic: Inside: This Kawasaki VJMC Board Election Info Show reports from Ohio, Colo., Wash., Canada Bushmaster Nightmare Kawi, part 2 Ride to made the VJLA’s Death Valley annual run to Death Valley. Inside: • VJMC Board Election Info • Show reports from Ohio, Could yours? Colo., Wash., Canada • Nightmare Kawi, part 2 • Hundreds of classifieds OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB OF NORTH AMERICA, INC. August 2011 www.vjmc.org 3 PRESIDENT’S LETTER THE VJMC magazine August 2011 Vol. 32, No. 4 President Re-engineering the VJMC Hal Johnson he VJMC Board of Directors has long held 402-660-6710 [email protected] the general opinion that our by-laws were in need of some evaluation, assessment and Editor T Brendan Dooley upgrade. This year, we have decided to take on the [email protected] challenge of keeping the VJMC relevant and effi- cient, even as it slowly morphs from being simply Art Director Rhonda Cousin a “club” to a vibrant, member-based organization. As a result, the board has enacted changes in our Classified ads Gary Gadd governing structure which will affect not only how 817-284-8195 we govern, but who will govern. Specific changes [email protected] include: Display Ad Director/ Bob Billa Board structure serve before having to step down, but that is an 760-636-3288 [email protected] We have moved to a fundamental board structure issue open for discussion in the future. based on two-year voting and non-voting board po- West Coast Rep Qualifications Bill McClennon sitions or “slots.” Each slot represents a two-year 714-996-2278 term, with an imposed cap of 11 voting slots, and There are a few requirements and qualifications for [email protected] candidates interested in being on the board. These a variable number of non-voting slots. Mountain States Rep Our current board of directors has five people include: Volunteer Needed who have decided to remain on the board, four who • Member of the VJMC in good standing for a mini- Central States Rep will step off the board, and two who will move to mum of two years. Volunteer Needed non-voting slots. • Verifiable experience in event coordination and/ Northeast Rep The non-voting slot category was created for or booth management. Gary Renna positions vital to the governance of the VJMC who • Must consent to a National Criminal History Check, 732-766-0827 [email protected] are financially compensated due to their positions. paid for by the VJMC, which shall show no record These currently include our controller, webmaster, of conviction on any financially related crimes or Southeast Rep and membership director. other offenses deemed detrimental to the reputation Volunteer Needed For this year’s election, we will have six voting of the organization. Specific convictions may be Membership Director slots open on the board. Currently, the new structure reviewed by the board for variance. Bill Granade 813-961-3737 makes no provision for the maximum number of • Able to provide a minimum of two written character [email protected] two-year terms that a member of the board may references, with at least one from an existing or COntinUed ON paGE 6 Mission statement: The purpose of this organization is to promote the preservation, restoration and enjoyment of vintage Japanese motorcycles (defined as those 20 years old and older, VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB BOARD MEMBERS until 2011. We will embrace 1990 until then). The VJMC also will promote the sport of motorcycling and camaraderie President: Hal Johnson Classified Ads Director: Gary Gadd Board members at large: of motorcyclists everywhere. 402-660-6710 3721 Holland St © 2011, Vintage Japanese Motor- cycle [email protected] North Richland Hills, TX 76180 Lloyd Blythe Club of North America, an IRS-approved 817-284-8195 [email protected] Not-for-profit 501(c)(7) corporation.All Vice President, and [email protected] rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any Commercial Ads Director: David Hellard form without permission. Bob Billa PR Director: Roger Smith [email protected] 760-636-3288 4525 Hillview Shores Drive The VJMC magazine is published six times [email protected] Clarkston, MI 48348 Tom Kolenko per year, in February, April, June, August, October and December. The views and 248-628-6262 [email protected] opinions expressed in letters or other Treasurer: John Furge [email protected] content are those of the author and do [email protected] Jack Stein not necessarily represent VJMC policy. Secretary: Randy Mayes [email protected] The VJMC accepts no liability for any loss, damage or claims occurring as a result Membership chairman: Bill Granade [email protected] of advice given in this publication or for 13309 Moran Drive Jim Townsend claims made by advertisers of products Tampa, FL 33618 Webmaster: [email protected] or services in this publication. 813-961-3737 Jon Radermacher [email protected] [email protected] 4 www.vjmc.org August 2011 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 PRESIDENT’S LETTER COntinUed FROM paGE 4 agreements with the VJMC as a vendor or obligations of their position. former VJMC board member. advertiser, or serving on other motorcycle • No verifiable history of having conducted him/ organization leadership boards. Geographic diversity herself with questionable ethical standards The VJMC operates on the premise that We have implemented language in the by- regarding truth, tact, fairness and goodwill each and every board member is an active, laws that states that the Nomination Com- in any public forum. serving member of the board, and not simply mittee may, all other factors being relatively • Must be computer literate and have access a voting chair warmer. While each position equal, give preference to the candidacy of a to email. of responsibility on the board may require person residing in an area of the country not • Must provide full disclosure of any potential different amounts of effort, everybody on represented by the current board members. conflicts of interest, including any financial the board puts in some time to fulfill the For example, if we have three open slots with four qualified candidates, but one of the candidates is from an area where we have no representation on the current board, the VJMC Board Elections Nomination Committee has the authority to set aside the candidacy of an individual from an area where we already have significant board representation. Currently, (and unbelievably), we have no representation on our board for 2012 from the Northeast United States, Canada, and very few from the Central/Western United States. If you are from these areas and have the qualifications to serve on the board, please consider becoming a candidate! Election of officers The offices of president, vice president, sec- retary and treasurer will now be nominated and elected internally by the board at the first meeting or conference call of the board. This greatly simplifies the system and enables the board to elect officers from amongst them- selves, which will encourage a fully function- ing and cohesive officer team. Are you a candidate? This is a year of change for our board, which opens up six slots for the term beginning in January 2012. If you meet the qualifications listed in this article, please contact our nomi- nation committee about taking the first steps in your candidacy. Nomination Committee Pursuant to the club’s by-laws, the VJMC 2012-’13 Election for Board Directors will be members include VJMC Vice President Bob held in November of 2011. The VJMC is especially interested in expanding board representation in the western Billa, Director Roger Smith and Director/ half of the U.S., and all of Canada. Members who fulfill the requirements and reside in Webmaster Jon Radermacher. those geographic locations are strongly encouraged to apply. If you have a heart for service, are willing Serving on the VJMC board is a volunteer position; six openings are available during to invest your time in the VJMC on the highest the November 2011 election. Leadership experience, business management experience level, and have the appropriate experience, and formal education beyond high school are a plus.