FEATURES_________________________________________

24 TO BE YOUNG AND FOOLISH by Dave Sleeper

Bikers' sci-fi

30 THE GREAT INSURANCE HASSLE by D. Randy Riggs

Now you see it . . . now you don't

33 PROJECT: NEW YORK STEAK by Mike Griffin

Kawasaki's biggie for '73

46 THE PROD RACERS by D. Randy Riggs

Road race your superbike

59 JERRY BRANCH JUST FLOWS AND FLOWS by James Lewis

A close look at an outspoken tech man

76 DRAG TECHNIQUE by Ralph Springer

Straight ahead

84 KR 750 FOR THE STREET?

Von Neumann goes cafe racing

118 JUST RIDIN'by Tom Madigan

Not everyone's an expert

132 MONOTRACK-KAWASAKI 750

Tomorrow becomes today

137 NICKNACKS

Assorted goodies

ROAD TESTS

4 NORTON INTERSTATE

Trim, graceful, traditional

8 KAWASAKI MACH IV

Dreadfully fast

12 SUZUKI GT 750

For sybarites and hedonists

16 HARLEY-DAVIDSON XLCH 1000

Brawn plus integrity

20 BMW R75/5

Superb quality

26 MOTO GUZZI 850 ELDORADO

. . . Mama Lucia's linguini?

36 TRIUMPH TRIDENT (TT MARSHAL'S SPECIAL)

... at 100 you change into third

64 HONDA CB 500

Smoothest of the smooth

72 KAWASAKI MACH III

Still the quickest 30-incher

80 YAMAHA XS-2

Potential minus pizazz

86 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SUPER GLIDE FX

Big yet friendly

90 DUNSTALL-NORTON 810

Beautiful, fast. Not a trace of arrogance

100 SUZUKI GT 380

Love that exhaust note!

104 HONDA 350

Like a finely hewn gem

108 KAWASAKI S-2

Quickest of the middleweight multis

122 HONDA CB 750

The gentleman's superbike

TECHNICAL

40 HONDA TOP-END REBUILD by Robert Schleicher

Rejuvenating a wheezy 750

51 PRIDMORE'S BIKE, FOR EXAMPLE by D. Randy Riggs

A not-so-typical production racer

54 SPORTSTER SUPER-TUNE by Robert Schleicher

Simple yet rewarding

68 HEAVY HONDA HOP-UP by James Lewis

Added urge for the 500 Four

96 HORIZONTAL OVERHAUL by Robert Schleicher

BMW valve job step-by-step

112 HONDA HYDRAULICS by Robert Schleicher

Be kind t'yer binder

126 CARE AND FEEDING OF THE FOURS

Tuneup tips

Of all the many and diverse forms of motorcycle competi-

tion, quarter-mile drag racing is perhaps the most accessible

to the average motorcyclist.

On a low-budget, amateur level, there isn’t a need for

expensive machine modifications or a great outlay in parts,

accessories and other racing necessities. The equipment you

use is the equipment found in just about any street rider’s

workshop: a street legal motorcycle, some protective

clothing, a helmet, a few tools and spares.

Motorcycle drag racing, then, is a cheap, convenient waj

to satisfy a competitive urge without a great outlay of cash

and consequently, the sport is growing nationwide quite

rapidly.

But even with drag racing’s outward simplicity, there are

some very important basics to be aware of and a host of

hints to help make your quarter-mile runs quicker and

faster which is really what drag racing is all about.

Let’s take a look at organized drag racing. Basically,

there are three major sanctioning bodies guiding motorcycle

drag competition: the American Motorcycle Drag Racing

Association (AMDRA), the National Hot Rod Association

(NHRA) and the American Hot Rod Association (AHRA).

The AMDRA, of course, is the most specialized in that they

deal solely with motorcycles while the other two organiza-

tions are automobile-oriented and include a comprehensive

set of drag racing rules for motorcycles to service their

sanctioned strips. However, the AMDRA is primarily an

eastern-based group while the NHRA and AHRA encom-

pass the entire United States. . in

It is important, if you’re contemplating par icip

an organized drag racing activity, to fin . Then

sanctioning body is in force at your loca P-

acquire a copy of that group’s current ru e 0

out just what regulations cover your particu ar c •

The AMDRA, for example, has a numbe °f S^1

classes. Stock means exactly what it says. Str le

stock mufflers, stock ignition system, the en i .

must be in showroom stock condition. Super Stock^ *

y°u a chance to modify your motorcyc e rules

street class although many of the sho\ street

^PPly. Street Modified is the next step P^ building and

drag racer and gives you more lat t j a stOck

tuning your motorcycle while stil

appearance. 4 -ucces but it

The NHRA and AHRA have similar str your local

Is important to know which group is san somewhat

drag races since the street class ru . drastjcaiiy but

between the three organizations. Per aP mean a genuine

a modification in an AMDRA meet might mean

technical hangup at an NHRA bash.

Just how serious you want to be is solely up to you.

There are degrees in drag racing that allow you to progress

as your time, money and talents increase. Remember, like

any form of competition, drag racing is hard on motorcycle

components and preventative maintenance and day to day

care is very important. Nothing is as frustrating as a bent

valve in the staging lane or a broken chain on the way home

from a meet.

The following tips on machine and rider preparation and

drag techniques are slanted toward the first-time competi-

tor or the novice at drag racing. If you’re new at the game,

take them to heart and you’ll find that, with some patient

work and a sprinkling of luck, your ETs will lower and your

speeds will increase; trophies and maybe even a little cash

will start coming your way!

The key word in any form of racing is safety. Your

personal safety should come before anything else and that

means protective clothing. Often you’ll see the weekend

drag racer making passes down the strip in a pair of denim

pants. He’s seriously pushing his luck because an oil spot

can sneak up on you anytime or place. Remember, a drag

strip is hard, hot asphalt and not soft dirt or sand.

Pavement rash is very hard to live with. Buy a good-fitting

leather jacket and if at all possible, a pair of leather pants.

A motocross brand will do but there are other more

form-fitting designs that will look better and be more

comfortable. The ultimate, of course, is a tailored leather

suit. Expensive sure, but how much do you value your

hide? You’ve got to balance your bank account against

some painful asphalt burns.

A helmet is next. All the usual guidelines apply here.

Snell-approved, certified by all the normal agencies that

monitor helmet construction. A full-face coverage model

will give you that extra margin of safety but a regular

design plus a face shield or a pair of quality goggles will do

nicely. Again, don’t put too cheap a price on the safety of

your head!

Boots should be heavy above all. Thick protection

should extend up around the ankle or calf. Some drag

racers use light road racing boots which are good but

normally are thin and wear through quickly. Add a pair of

gloves to the package. Virtually any type will do as long as

they are tough leather. If you do spill during a run, chances

are your hands are going to bear the brunt of the fall so

protect them.

A large majority of motorcycle drag racers in the street

classes merely ride their bikes to the strip and then ready

them for racing. When you arrive at the strip and take care

of entries and sign-up, you can start working on your

machine. A good idea to remember is try and arrive early. It...