CONTENTS

Report to Our Readers.....................Page 3

The Last War-time Event.............  . . .Page 4

Pacific Coast's First A.M.A. Race.........Page 5

Battle of the Motors......................Page 6

Men and Maids of Motordom

By Louise M. Scherbyn................ . .Page 8

30 Years Ago, by Van....................  Page 10

No More Stalling, by Mrs. Steele.     .Page 10

Mr. Turner Visits Johnson Motors........Page 11

What's Going On With the Clubs.........Page 12

Here's What They Say......................Page 14

Going Into Competition?

By C. Trumbull, Jr...................•. .Page 15

A.M.A. Competition Committee Sets Rules. .Page 16

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9

The MOTORcYcijSt

September, 1945

c/iboul

Men and Maids of Motordonri

By LOUISE M. SCHERBYN

HI, YOU SERVICEMEN—

Motorcyclist Jamboree and Clambake!

How those words sounded like the good

old times! At a cycle shop in Rochester,

New York, I continued reading the huge

announcement of this glorious affair. It

was to be on July 29th at Riverside Park,

Springfield. Mass, and sponsored by the

Pioneer Club of Springfield.

Sunday morning, the day we were all

looking forward to for a wealth of sun-

shine. Skies began to clear but no sun

greeted us on the 29th! Riders were slow

in congregating but by noon several hun-

dred machines and riders were on hand

for the long awaited occasion.

T.T. races led off with plenty of ex-

citement during the occurrence of several

Wirmer of the long distance

award came clear from Texas.

During my 50-mile trek homeward I

thought about that meager gasoline al-

lotment and about those worn looking

tires. Neither were exactly pleasant

thoughts for a joy-rider’s holiday but if

used with care they might possibly con-

vey me through this 700 mile jaunt.

On Friday noon, with my Indian Junior

carefully checked, hopefully I rode out

of Waterloo, New York, over the hills

of scenic Cherry Valley, and crossed the

great Hudson River at Albany. Then on

down the Mohawk Trail in the Berk-

shires of Massachusetts, up Jacob’s Lad-

der and the long climbing grade of Leba-

non Mountain. The day had been per-

fect. Flash floods of a few days previous

had left a few rough marks on the high-

ways but with a little care and skill we

bounded niceljr along.

Six hours after leaving my home in

the Finger Lakes region I reached Pitts-

field, and for a full hour it was a long

search for an overnight lodging. At

length, along the highway between Pitts-

field and Lenox, a kindly lady fed me

peaches and provided me with about the

nicest accommodations in the State.

We rolled into Bud Acker’s shop short-

ly before noon the next morning and put

on a few minor repairs on the bike. Then

again scouting began for a good bed, and

that was easily found two miles from

Riverside Park.

Early that evening rain began to fall.

It continued to fall until it poured and it

kept pouring steadily until the middle of

Best-dressed riders, with trophy.

Teresa Maschi and Eddie

Obloczynski.

girl

of Hartford,

man.

rider,

and Eddie Obloczynski, also

i, won the cup for best-dressed

i. The long distance rider’s trophy

was taken by a lad from Texas. The long

distance Club trophy was presented to

the Munson M.C. of Massachusetts.

A delicious clambake with lobsters,

clams, chicken, salad, rolls and iced

watermelon replenished all appetites in

mid-afternoon. There was so much to

eat that many riders carried home the

lobster and chicken to help relieve the

meat shortage another day. Park conces-

sions along with the fireworks in the eve-

ning offered much amusement, and I’m

sure everyone had a grand time.

Monday morning my trip continued

along the highway closely bordering the

Connecticut River into Hartford. Here

I was a guest of Clara and Don Varrcll,

both members of the Pioneer Club. Dur-

ing the afternoon Clara and I drove our

mounts to the WTIC studio and there we

enjoyed a nice visit with Bob Steele. Bob

surprised us with the news of his pur-

chase of a new shaft-driven Indian 45.

He called it a big brute because it was

too enormous for his little wife, but his

kids . . . they just loved it!

spills on the muddy course but luckily

no one was injured. Willard Wolfe and

Bob Mitchell provided many thrills by

their wheel-to-wheel attempt to pass each

other. Willard Wolfe, first place win-

ner, received a handsome trophy. Plank

riding event was also captured by Willard

Wolfe with Mitchell coming in with top

honors in the potato race. Motor Maid

Teresa Maschi of Hartford, Connecticut,

nattily garbed in gray and brown, was

awarded a silver cup for the best dressed

Escorted by two 45*s, one Indian and

one Harley, piloted by Clara Varrell and

Lu Mitchell, the take-off on Tuesday for

home began in a heavy mist. Soon we

rolled along ’ncath a bright sun and after

65 happy miles together we parted at

Great Barrington taking with us a friend-

ship not to be easily or suddenly forgot-

ten. We knew the best friends in the

world arc motorcycling pals.

Crossing the Hudson I left 15 cents

toll at the Rip Van Winkle bridge, then

rode on into Albany, our State Capitol,

again retracing the main route over U. S.

highway No. 20 westward across New

York State. Caught in a rainstorm the

last 80 miles wasn’t exactly a grand end-

ing of a perfect trip but yet we didn’t

mind for we, my bike and I, had been

feeling rain almost continuously since

Richard Wecas, of the Meadville

MC, somewhere in the South

Pacific.

the first of April. My tires still have a

faint tread. Hopes are bright for so01^

more riding and maybe another trip c

fore summer is over.

that °u Southern California comes news

Harvey Feuerhehn, former Pasade-

Marin > is StiU "ith the First U. $•

ne Corps on Okinawa. He dreams

and plans for re-opening his motorcycle

business back in his own city just as

soon as the boat will bring him home.

Robert Lamphier, stunt rider, still

maintains his ability to ride the iron

steeds by once in a while borrowing some

rider’s mount when they ride through

that forsaken region called “Indio”, Cali-

fornia. Bob fortunately has been kept in

Uncle Sam’s employ as Border Patrol

since 1941.

Bob Greene, Pasadena, wheeled his new

military mount back to his A.A.F. base

at San Antonio, Texas, during his last

leave at home. Bob thinks it buzzes bet-

ter than half of these glazed civilian jobs,

and that it’s a real break from army life

to own another motor, and bringing back

good old days like nothing else could.

Cpl. Scotty MacDonald is in the Phil-

ippines, Gordon Streshle is in Hawaii

and Bo-Bo Piercesan is with the Mer-

chant Marine somewhere across the Pa-

cific. Harry Sorensen is still in Los An-

geles, and now fully recovered after a

severe attack of blood poisoning. He is

with the L.A.P.O.E. Harry wants you

fellows to know that the Sorensen U.S.O.

will be waiting for you when you return.

Ben Webb and Gordon Steyer are at the

downtown Harley shop and Friday Wes-

tergard is over in North Hollywood. Ed

Kretz and Jack Horn are doing swell in

their new shop at Monterey Park.

Tom Banford, riding an Ariel, won first

place honors at the T.T. race at Crater

Camp recently. The event was sponsored

by the 3-Point M.C.

“Old Quarter Lap” Lenny Price of

Los Angeles, has written to say that he

is enjoying life in Italy riding a skiff

and surf board. He has been one of the

lucky souls to have drawn the job of

motorcycle rider in the M.P.’s and he

is now getting broken into life without

a saddle under him. Two years overseas

Faye and Martin Rickert during

Martin's recent leave.

in an army saddle is not an easy habit

to break. Meanwhile he awaits that all

important “return to the States.” Short

track will welcome him back when the

go signal again flashes.

Randolph Scott, the actor, was slightly

injured near Sawtelle, Calif. Randy

swerved his motorcycle aside to avert a

crash between an ice truck which had

suddenly turned into his path and then

bounded into another car. His vow now

is, “no more motorcycling.”

Jack and Ruth Hocker of the Indian

shop at Vallejo arc the happy parents

of little Eddie born on July 4th.

A few of our boys shortly receiving

medical discharge from the Navy at the

Sampson Naval Hospital are William Ra-

dimich, San Francisco, Calif.; Johnny

Mosier. Buffalo, N. Y.; and Lucien Char-

ell, Cleveland, Ohio.

Francis Rewa, Grand Rapids, Michi-

gan, recently was advanced from Seaman

First Class to Gunner’s Mate 3/c. He is’

on the U.S.S. Tennessee.

Apprentice Seaman A/S Martin Rick-

ert, Meadville, Pa., and the fellow who

used to keep the bikes in trim back in

his home town, is now with the Navy

on the west coast awaiting overseas as-

signment.

Cpl. Gerald Lawson, a member of the

Wayne County Club, Newark, N. Y.,

has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal

for courageous and admirable perform-

ance in Italy. As a pre-war rider, Jerry

rode in practically all club competition

around Central New York and many

times emerged as a first place winner.

WAC Genevieve Hopkins, Syracuse,

N. Y. has returned from overseas and

is convalescing in a Kansas hospital.

Miss Hopkins operated a jeep 40,000

miles in Egypt.

Alsee Wettlaufer, daughter of dealer

J. W. Wettlaufer of Stratford, Canada,

and passenger, Delores Routhier, have

returned from a 1700 mile trip to New

York City, aboard their Harley 61. Their

trip took them through Central New

York and a visit with Louise Scherbyn.

Alsee’s brother, S/Sgt. Jack, is with the

occupation troops in Holland.

Mr. and Mrs. Bill Moody, Lindsay,

Ontario, Canada, visited the New Eng-

land States and New York astride their

BSA recently.

Secretary Vera Griffin of the Motor

Maids of America is presently located at

Virginia Beach. Va. Her husband, John,

is stationed with the Navy at Oceana.

Virginia.

Visiting riders are welcome at 906 Lake

Street. Carbondale, Illinois. Club meet-

ings are held every first and third Sun-

day afternoons at 2:00 p.m. at the Indian

Motorcycle shop. On June 17th the Jack-

son County Ramblers adopted a resolu-

tion that any members of the United

States Service Forces that are discharged

after the club became organized will be

permitted to take out memberships for

themselves and immediate family with-

out the regular initiation, fee.

• • •

Miss Lillian Varney, better known as

Jackie Roberts, feminine motorcycle

stunt rider from New Hampshire, has

joined Joie Chitwood and his “Hell on

Wheels.” She is appearing with them at

Dorney Park Speedway at Allentown.

Pa. Miss Roberts is well known as

America’s leading woman trick and fancy

motorcycle rider and has won many cups

for her daring feats.

Jackie comments, “I had to perform

in the rain last Sunday. The track was

made of tar and only one-fifth of a mile.

On my last stunt I skidded and went

down so I received a few bruises. That

is the only spill I have had while stunt

riding. On a borrowed cycle I’ve just

finished a 2700 mile tour across many

States.

“Leaving Dover, N. H. I headed across

the beautiful Pennsylvania Turnpike.

There are seven beautiful tunnels on this

Howdy, Pardner! Jackie Roberts

dons western apparel while on

tour through "cowboy land”.

pike. Just before reaching the end of

the highway I turned off for Wheeling,

W. Va. From Wheeling I went on to

Columbus, and from there to Indian-

apolis. At St. Louis I visited the famous

railway station, and it was the nicest

I’ve ever seen. It even includes a hotel

and a large U.S.O. My route went on

through Springfield, Mo., Tulsa, Okla..

and then to Claremore, Okla, which is

Will Roger’s home town. At one of the

cafes I saw 5000 different types of guns,

knives and other interesting relics. Upon

inquiries from the clerk he told me this

collection was worth $500,000. That

means in English a fortune. There were

cowboys walking around the streets in

their boots, Stetsons and other quaint

apparel, and some were riding horses

along the side of the highway. One cow-

boy on a handsome pinto pony asked me

if I would swap my iron horse for his

Indian pony. My borrowed cycle be-

longed to a disabled vet so it wasn’t my

motor, and if it had been I wouldn't

have swapped it for all the Indian ponies

in the West.

“At Tulsa I found the Harley shop

closed, so had to wait until morning.

During my three weeks stay in Tulsa I

was a frequent guest at the radio station

and met Jonnie Lee Wills and the Texas

Play Boys, and was given the honor of

singing a few western songs over the air.

After leaving Tulsa I rode on to Kansas

City and met Mr. Whitman, the Harley-

Davidson dealer, who was very nice.

Back to St. Louis and up to Chicago

visiting more radio shows. And here I

met Chick Hunt, manager of the “Prairie

Ramblers”, who is also an ardent motor-

(Continucd on Page 11)

19

18

DEALER GUIDE

Space in this section S10.00 per year for three line notice. Each additional line S3.00 per year.

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Complete line genuine INDIAN parts. Acces-

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Welcomed. Located on Highways 6U-70-80-89.

1517 East Van Buren St. Floyd C. New, Prop.

ARKANSAS

NORTH LITTLE ROCK—Complete line of parts

for Indian Motorcycles. Accessories, oil ana

competent service for all makes. We'll treat

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Motorcycle Service, 1501 E. Washington St.

CALIFORNIA