Vol. 32, No. 6 December 2011 • $5 THE CBX Gets Modernized Inside: • Show reports from: Motogiro, Rice-O-Rama, Barber, Concours • Collecting literature • Hundreds of classifieds OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB OF NORTH AMERICA, INC. THE COVER STORY 24 My sixth six 1982 Honda CBX goes modern. FEATURES 8 ‘Street Rat’ heals vet 22 2011 Rice-O-Rama recap Hodaka project bike sets record. Northeast vintage bike event is a success story. 12 The time-travel binders 28 A Dream ride Literature collector transported back at a glance. Motogiro USA inspires Honda restoration. 16 2012 Boca Concours scheduled 32 CB350 tech help February event includes bikes, cars, planes and more. Replacing the air cleaner bar. 34 Six-capade in Santa Fe 18 2011 Barber Vintage Festival recap Concorso in N.M. lines up some classic sixes. Workshops enhance the festivities in Alabama. DEPARTMENTS 04 President’s letter 46 Regalia 39 Classifieds Vol. 32, No. 6 December 2011 • $5 THE On the cover J.R. Luksik’s sixth CBX was an unexpected find CBX that received a unique Gets Modernized modernization treatment. Inside: • S how reports from: Motogiro, Rice-O-Rama, Barber, Concours • Collecting literature • Hundreds of classifi eds OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB OF NORTH AMERICA, INC. December 2011 www.vjmc.org 3 PRESIDENT’S LETTER THE VJMC magazine December 2011 Vol. 32, No. 6 Done, undone and farewell President his year signals the end of organization, our complexities Hal Johnson 402-660-6710 my time as president of change too. The dynamics of ad- [email protected] the Vintage Japanese Mo- ministration required changes to the T Editor torcycle Club. Two years seems by-laws to reflect our growth, and Brendan Dooley to have passed quickly! Most of to position the VJMC for positive [email protected] the changes that have occurred strides in the future. We made many Art Director within the VJMC have been be- substantial changes to the by-laws Rhonda Cousin hind the scenes, but important that streamline processes, clarify There are several things I Classified ads nevertheless. positions and responsibilities, and Gary Gadd We formalized meeting as a lay the foundation for growth. believe we have left undone, 817-284-8195 [email protected] board face-to-face. Board mem- These were all changes that which the incoming board needs bers live widespread across the were overdue. Needless to say, to address. Display Ad Director/ Bob Billa country, so getting us all in the there were many heated discus- Membership retention and growth, without a doubt, takes the 760-636-3288 same room was a challenge. But sions along the way, but in the end I [email protected] it was a worthy one. believe we are far better positioned highest priority in my mind. Our membership has been relatively West Coast Rep Insurance was a major topic now to be a leader in the vintage Bill McClennon of discussion during the first nine motorcycle industry than we were static over the last several years. 714-996-2278 [email protected] months of the term. In the end, I two years ago. OK, maybe some slight growth over don’t think there is a perfect policy And yet, the voting and gov- the last two years, but not much. Mountain States Rep Volunteer Needed for a group like ours, but at least erning leadership board is com- The next board will be organizing we have something in place that prised of volunteers; volunteers the VJMC to a central strategy Central States Rep seems to serve the current needs. who have professional careers, based on membership retention and Volunteer Needed growth. Tactics may include: We all recognized that “exposure families to manage and lives to Northeast Rep and liability” is an issue that will run. They also represent a broad • A “rally-based” growth strat- Gary Renna egy. This may be a mix of a 732-766-0827 never go away; we live in a very spectrum of experience, and dif- [email protected] litigious society. To that end, we ferent views of the world that continued presence in the large national events such as Vintage Southeast Rep formed an insurance committee often conflict with their fellow Volunteer Needed to continually monitor our insur- board members. So the process Motorcycle Days at Mid-Ohio, ance needs. of governing often appears dys- combined with our own VJMC Membership Director regional and national rallies, and Bill Granade As the VJMC changes from functional and messy. It can be 813-961-3737 a “club in a garage” to a thriving challenging. VJMC-“sanctioned” local events. [email protected] CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 Mission statement: The purpose of this organization is to promote the preservation, restoration and enjoyment of vintage Japanese VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB BOARD M E M BERS motorcycles (defined as those 20 years old and older, until 2011. We will em- brace 1990 until then). The VJMC also President: Hal Johnson Classified Ads Director: Gary Gadd Board members at large: will promote the sport of motorcycling 402-660-6710 3721 Holland St and camaraderie of motorcyclists everywhere. [email protected] North Richland Hills, TX 76180 Lloyd Blythe 817-284-8195 [email protected] © 2011, Vintage Japanese Motor- Vice President, and [email protected] cycle Club of North America, an Commercial Ads Director: David Hellard IRS-approved Not-for-profit 501(c) PR Director & (7) corporation. All rights reserved. Bob Billa [email protected] No part of this document may be re- 760-636-3288 Magazine Liason: Roger Smith produced or transmitted in any form [email protected] 4525 Hillview Shores Drive Tom Kolenko without permission. Clarkston, MI 48348 [email protected] The VJMC magazine is published six Treasurer: John Furge 248-628-6262 times per year, in February, April, June, [email protected] [email protected] Jack Stein August, October and December. The [email protected] views and opinions expressed in let- Secretary: Randy Mayes ters or other content are those of the Membership chairman: Bill Granade [email protected] author and do not necessarily represent 13309 Moran Drive Jim Townsend VJMC policy. The VJMC accepts no Tampa, FL 33618 Webmaster: [email protected] liability for any loss, damage or claims 813-961-3737 occurring as a result of advice given in Jon Radermacher this publication or for claims made by [email protected] [email protected] advertisers of products or services in this publication. 4 www.vjmc.org December 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 2012 or 2013. all about bang-for-the-buck value. • Local level activity. Whether it be rides, Key to the success of the VJMC will be We have actually begun making strides in events, swap meets, or show-and-shines, a strong communication pipeline between this direction over the last two years, (our there is opportunity for local collaborations national leadership and the “boots-on-the- MetricFest in Omaha, Neb., was a pilot effort with motorcycle dealerships. We have often ground” organizers. And of course, nothing that was extremely successful by any mea- discovered the dealerships enthusiastically helps like the invitation to join from a friend. sure). I would expect the MetricFest model embrace vintage weekends, hosted by the That’s where you, the member, come in. to be spread further across the country. VJMC, as a shared opportunity to market So that’s it from my perspective. I hope • Leadership training. This opportunity may both the VJMC and the dealership for the that you will continue to support the VJMC be one that we don’t actually have to de- betterment of all. through your membership, your time and velop; it may simply be dropped in our lap • An annual membership drive. Through join- your efforts. Get involved. if we’re patient. Another organization is ing incentives, creativity or out-of-the-box going to embrace leadership training for rewards, this is a tactic that has a direct the broader vintage motorcycle industry, so impact on growth. And of course nothing Hal Johnson, all we have to do is wait until this comes helps membership retention like the continual VJMC president to fruition and take advantage of it when evaluation and enhancement of the value it does. I would expect this to happen in of a VJMC membership. Bottom line: it’s THE ISSUE DEADLINES The Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Magazine of the VJMC is published bi-monthly. Story deadlines for each issue are: February issue (No. 1) Dec. 20 April issue (No. 2) Feb. 20 June issue (No. 3) April 20 August issue (No. 4) June 20 October issue (No. 5) Aug. 20 December issue (No. 6) Oct. 20 6 www.vjmc.org December 2011 8001-CD-11-Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club Ad.indd 1 8/24/11 11:03 AM RESTORATION Hodaka‘Street project Rat’ bike heals is fulfilling vet, diversion sets record By Aaron Sanders n early 2006 after returning from my and really fast. The pencil sketch was tacked Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, where first tour in Iraq, I was in my office to the wall and dreams dismissed. the medical staff found that I had broken my daydreaming about a 1970 Hodaka Ace Over the next few years I completed the ankle and tore two ligaments.