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AMA concerned about new threat to motorcycle safety training funds |
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dkrager writes "
U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters is urging Congress to allow states to divert federal money now used for motorcycle training and awareness to instead promote the use of motorcycle helmets, the American Motorcyclist Association reports.
Peters sent letters to House and Senate leaders this week asking for the change.
Ed Moreland, AMA Vice President for Government Relations, expressed concern that diverting federal motorcycle safety funds to promote helmet use could harm rider training courses and motorcycle awareness programs that are already underfunded in many states.
"Helmet use is certainly one part of a comprehensive approach to motorcycle safety," said Moreland. "But this step is a direct raid on funds that were appropriated by Congress to address the specific safety concerns of the motorcyclists rights community. Furthermore, the use of motorcycle helmets is already advocated in existing motorcycle safety initiatives.
"Funding for rider-training courses is frequently under threat in cash-strapped states, and cutting the same-size pie into thinner slices is not the comprehensive, thoughtful, national motorcycle safety strategy we need."
Moreland also expressed concern that Peters proposal could contradict sections of transportation bills passed in 1998 and 2005 that ban the use of federal motorcycle safety funds to lobby state legislatures in favor of mandatory helmet laws and could effectively reverse those bans.
The AMA strongly advocates the voluntary use of helmets by adults, along with other appropriate safety gear, and does not oppose laws requiring helmet use by minors. But the Association believes adults should be allowed to make their own decisions about when to wear a helmet.
The American Motorcyclist Association: rights. riding. racing.
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a non-profit organization with 290,000 members. The Associations purpose is to pursue, protect and promote the interests of motorcyclists, while serving the needs of its members. For more information, visit the AMA website at www.AMADirectlink.com.
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The Golden Honda CBX 30th anniversary project |
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claude writes "
Back in 1979, when Honda decided to build the CBX their objective was simply to build the fastest production super sport motorcycle. Soichiro Irimajiri drew on his successful race bike design experience to produce not only the fastest production bike of its time, but also a bike that was technically light years ahead of any other vehicle.
Being an engineer, Soichiro Irimajiri left the styling of this exceptional technical feat to Honda stylist Norimoto Otsuka. However much he tried to instil on the bike a look that reflected just a hint of civilization, the beholder's gaze is drawn compellingly to that magnificent power plant. This machine was unashamedly different, a complete departure from anything that had come before, and a benchmark by which everything else that came after was judged.
Described as the most exotic charismatic motorcycle ever built, its total lack of pretension and minimalist styling perfectly reflects its racing pedigree and its unique personality.
In 1979 the CBX seduced everyone by its boldness and charm but only a certain motorcycling "elite" - those who perfectly understood the concept, actually bought one. The average rider was simply too intimidated by the bike, its sophisticated power and audacious concept was to prove too much of a radical departure from the norm to make it a commercial success.
Today, 28 years later, in a world inundated with exceptional feats of technological prowess the CBX is still seducing everyone. And it still only appeals to a certain motorcycling "elite".
Because the Honda CBX was such a brilliant statement of technical ability and daring it has taken its rightful place amongst the motorcycling legends. Twenty eight years after its first appearance the CBX can stand proudly in the company of any modern bike.
Rumours that Suzuki are about to revive the in-line six give credence to the fact that the CBX was at least thirty years ahead of its time.
In February 1978 Cycle magazine concluded a long article about the Honda CBX with these prophetical words:
"It embodies extravagance without vulgarity and high style without pretence - you see muscles and tendons not chrome and fussiness. It has been designed and not decorated. There is no trashiness in the concept, and none in the execution. The CBX is an immensely flattering bike with perfect elegance and class, and history will rank it with those rare precious motorcycles that will never, ever be forgotten."
It's difficult to read those lines and not be deeply moved.
And it is our duty to keep that legend alive, to continue to give substance to those words. We have chosen to be the CBX elite - we own the legend, and have the responsibility to perpetuate the legend.
I have long contemplated the manner in which one can perpetuate a legend in a way that best befits that legend - Gold perfectly symbolises the Honda CBX motorcycle.
Pure gold is the ultimate expression of everything this bike is and what it means to those who continue to treasure this exceptional machine.
I am an artist; I belong to a world of people who create within a context of 'high culture', people who use imagination, talent and skill, to create works that can be judged to have an aesthetic value. Soichiro Irimajiri and Norimoto Otsuka used imagination, talent and skill in creating the CBX; I will use gold to accentuate its aesthetic value and transform it into a work of art.
You can support this project by donating parts but also by purchasing my 2007 calendar.
This calendar is a luxury printed edition of the world's most exclusive (one single copy) and most expensive (€ 200 000) calendar that I have created for a French fashion house.
The calendar measures 19,69 inches by 23,62 inches and is printed on paper of the highest quality. It comes with a certificate of origin and is presented in a gift box. I will also sign each copy that is bought by a CBX owner.
The calendar price is $ 32 plus postage, and all the proceeds will go toward the golden CBX project.
PM or email me at claude@incedo.be to order your copy.
More info about the project and the calendar on my website http://incedo.be
Thanks for your support.
Claude Saint-Raphael
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backroadbruce writes "
I was twisting my way up Hardscabble Pass, a scenic bit of mountain road on Hwy 96 in Fremont County, Colorado, and a road I know very well, driving it three to four times a week. As fate would have it, on this particular day I ran up on a Chevy Tahoe traveling at the posted speed limit. It was a nice day, so I settled back and started paying more attention to the scenery than the road. This was no hardship, as the pass is different every trip.
So there I was, nice and relaxed, laying the bike through the corners at low speed as one does just for fun, when suddenly the rear end stepped out violently, like I had hit a patch of ice. Adrenaline surged as more through luck than anything else I was able to recover the bike, although I came damn close to laying it down.
I immediately pulled over and inspected the bike. No visible problems, nothing leaking onto the rear tire, no visible damage to the tire, and nothing loose anywhere. I went back to the point on the road where the incident occurred expecting to find some sand or gravel, but the surface was clean. What gives? I inspected the tire again, this time pushing hard on the center of the tread. It gave the slightest bit. Not good, looks like low pressure.
My shop was 8 miles away, so I continued on, keeping the bike upright through the remaining curves. A tire pressure check at the shop showed 16 pounds of pressure. Spraying the tire with a soap solution revealed a neat hole, most likely left by a nail.
My guess is I ran over something right after departing home that day and had about 18 pounds of pressure in the tire by the time I reached the pass. As I laid the bike through the turn the sidewall partially collapsed, throwing the rear end out. Up until that point I hadn't noticed anything to indicate a problem, but I was kind of day dreaming along. It's one time I'm glad I had traffic slowing me up.
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dkrager writes "
Kiwi Cutie
Check out page 70 of the July issue of Classic Motorcycle Mechanics magazine.
There is a 4-page article about Peter Braunberger’s immaculate silver 79 CBX
1000Z that prowls the roads of New Zealand. Congratulations Peter! This is an
excellent promotion for our beloved six.
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Barber's Motorsports Park |
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 Well if you were down South in Alabama and running across I-20 heading East of Birmingham and didn't stop at his museum, then you really missed out on a super complex ,and a look at one of the best bike museums in the world. When you turn off of the interstate you wonder what is back here in the woods, all I can say is follow the road back in, thru the trimmed lawn and pruned tree lines. Just one mile into the 740 acres that will hold you suspense for hours, and remember to have your camera or you will kick yourself all the way home.
Once you arrive on the 740 acres you will find parking for anything from the biggest motor homes to private parking just for motorcycles. The Track one of the newest was designed to accommodate FIA and FIM-sanctioned races. The track is 2.38 miles in length, and can be divided into two short courses as well. Now for racing, being that it is 45 wide with 16 turns and changes 80 feet in elevation you know there could be, and has some great superbike racing that goes on there, along with cars as well. The motorsports complex hold events starting in mid March and runs through the end of November. There event calendar features such races as the Great American Rolex Sports Car Series, as for the motorcycles it holds the Honda Superbike Classic. When the big racers are not in town there are events almost every week, you can take a class and take a few laps in a Porsche from the Porsche Driving Experience, or The California Superbike School, having one of there licenses you can get on the track just about anytime it is open.
 Ok here is what you want to here about the Vintage Motorsports Museum, well it has 5 floors 4 which are open to the public to come in and enjoy. There is where you are going to shoot off some film, as you are going to see at any given day a minimum of 440 bikes from his collection of 900, that represents 15 different countries, and that means some 138 different manufactures as well. The bikes are on display where you can get as close as you would like just don't touch. Now if you are a collector and needed a part for one of your bikes. Yes they can pull the drawings from the manufacture plug the numbers into there CNC machine and out will come your part. Yes for everyone of his bikes, they have the drawings or have made them. His library is one of the best as well, it is such a collection of material that if there is something you would like to look up on a bike you can, but first you have to make an appointment as there is no walk-ins for that. Back to the floors of the museum, the first floor the one I said is not open where you can see work in progress as that is the restoration shop, machine shop, race shop, buffing and polishing shop and the staging area for the vehicles and bikes that will be moved in or out.
The rest of the floors are holding some of the best Master Pieces you will ever lay your eyes on, the bikes you will take in are some you have never seen before. They start from when bicycles were used before the turn of the century and motors were mounted to them. To some of the Indians and Harley Davidson that were raced on the wood tracks, as one of the displays shows that these bikes were built for racing and only racing as they did not have brakes and dripped oil and grease onto the tracks as they raced. Then you will move on thru each decade 1800's, 1900's thru 2004, you will see 6 large photos that cover the walls and are from pre-1935 showing the businesses from Birmingham using them for deliveries, pleasure, police work and racing in local settings. As you move around the building you will see several people wearing red jackets, stop them and ask away, as they can tell you the same as Mr. Barber, about each and every bike that is on display.
 I could go on and on about this Museum but I will stop and you can check out some of the pictures I have posted in the gallery, there you will find some that I know will be worth looking at as there is a sand cast CB450 (4) for Dave to peek at and then yes, there is a triple for Mark, for all of the turbo guys, there is one shot of each of the factory turbo bikes, and for EMS there are Duc's all over the place. So I hope you all enjoy as you will also see 1 of 4 ever produced V8's and it isn't a 350 cid either. Yes I will say that I enjoyed his museum twice in one week as I had to take a couple of friends I had to take there, so they could enjoy too. OK so did you guess what the make of the V8 was? well here is a picture to help. as I have said just a few shots of what you can take in if you get the chance to make it down there. Well worth the $10 bucks.
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CBX No Pipes
R: 2.33, V:497, C: 4
Cat Fight
R: N/A, V:209, C: 1
HSR 42 Turbo Idle
R: N/A, V:192, C: 0
MoreThunder
R: 5.00, V:712, C: 0
RoaringSei
R: 5.00, V:601, C: 4
BurningSixGun
R: 2.00, V:290, C: 0
Girls on trampolines
R: 5.00, V:557, C: 0
B52 Test Flight
R: 4.00, V:317, C: 7
Dream Dreams
R: 5.00, V:419, C: 2
CBX DNA
R: 4.11, V:753, C: 6
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| Thursday, November 18 | | · | What Is It Worth? by ems |
| Thursday, July 01 | | · | Crater Lake Run 2004 |
| Sunday, June 13 | | · | News from across the pond |
| Tuesday, April 20 | | · | First Screaming Sixes, then came the CBX |
| Thursday, February 19 | | · | The Roots Of The CBX |
| Friday, February 06 | | · | AMADIRECTLINK.COM LAUNCHES MEMBERS-ONLY AREA |
| Monday, January 19 | | · | Body Armor ? |
| Friday, January 02 | | · | Magazine Watch |
| Tuesday, December 30 | | · | So it's Suppost to be Winter |
| Wednesday, December 10 | | · | Featured CBX Website |
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