The words you are searching are inside this book. To get more targeted content, please make full-text search by clicking here.
Discover the best professional documents and content resources in AnyFlip Document Base.
Search
Published by MotoX SA Magazine - The 70's, 2017-02-01 03:51:01

MOTO X VOLUME 2 NUMBER 9

MOTO X VOLUME 2 NUMBER 9

'ROCKET' REX TAKES THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES

Come to Shell for answers.

Suzuki and

Keith Zeeman do.

Suzuki jShell CS 1000 outright winner oj the 3 hour Superbihe Challenge.

Keith Zeeman, South African motor cycle champion,
on his sponsored Suzuki, (aces and wins with Shell Super
Motor Oil.

It's Shell's definitive answer to the problems two and
four stroke bikes face on the road and in competition.
Always ahead of the field, Shell Super Motor Oil is specially
designed to keep your engine and plugs clean, minimize
.. exhaust deposits, while protecting bearings from corrosion
and pistons from seizing.
Whatever motor cycle you ride, come
to Shell for answers. The champions do.

SUZUKI Shell

VZ78/JS380/309

Registered atthe G.P.O. as a newspaper. INTERNATIONAL SERIES-pg 3,11,28

Transvaal Series

3 INTERNATIONAL SERIES - Staten and Carlqvlst prove their worth
10 TARLTON - Champion of Champions

BRICKOR - Re-opens with an excellent turn out

Natal Series

28 INTERNATIONAL SERlES - Staten dominates the days racing

Cape Series

11:INTERNATIONAL SERIES - Grant fared well despite his InJuries

.Features

2 EDITORIAL - Views and News
15 HONDA- News
16 MAXI - The successful breakfast run
19 JONMARK - A new exciting range of watches
20 THE '6' - Road test
29 HON DA - News
33 ROCKET REX - Our American visitor
34 HAKAN CARLQVIST - Our Swede visitor
35 GRANT MABEN - Our South African star
361ANDREW CARR - A most promising Junior rider
37 HONDA - News
43 YAMAHA - News
44 YAMAHA - News
45 GRANTS FAREWELL - Left for the U.S. OF A.
474 x 4 CLUB OF S.A. - News from Charlie Treen

MOTO X & BIKE NEWS S.A. VOL2 NO.9 JAN/FEB 79 PAGE 1 COVER:
Brent Oppenheimer captured Rex Staten
moments before his first South African moto.

CENTRESPREAD:
Brent Oppenheimer captured yet another
tense moment as the pack has Just left the
gate.

(BW Editorial

publicltill.

p.o. box 82760
southdale 2135

Volume 2-Number 9 JanlFeb 79. 1979 has brought about many changes
us, the publishers of Mota X SA.
Distributed nationally bvlntermaq, other things we have vas.tly

Moto X & Bike News S A is published ov,""'r'I1",n our staff with a" no. of
monthly by the proprietors GW
Publications. capable people and as a
we can look forward to a bigger
EDITOR & ART DIRECTOR: and better mag than ever before.
Gary Whyte
Also due to the success. and
CONTRIBUTORS: bsequent expansion of our business
Charlie Treen, Viv Zimmerman, Andre have now finally been able to
de Klerk and Craig Whyte.
comfortably settle down in permanent
SUBSCRIPTIONS & P.R.O.: premises of our own, in New Plaza
Viviane Whyte. Centre, Suite 201-203 150 Jeppe
Street, Jhb.
COMPILED & DESIGNED BY:
GW Creative, Suite 201. New Plaza We invite anyone interested in the
Centre.
clr Jeppe & Rissik Sts, biking scene to come in and see us. We
Johannesburg.
Gary Whyte & Chris Groenewald. can perhaps have a chat and any

MAKE-UP BY: suggesions and constructive criticsm
GW Production, Suite 201. New Plaza
Centre. would of course· be more than

clr Jeppe & Rissik Sts, welcome. Fill us in about any two-

Johannesburg. wheeled happenings of any

TYPESETTING BY: importance and we'll do our utmost to
Good Graphix,
2nd Floor, Loutan House. cover it in the best way possible.
141 Pritchard St,
Johannesburg. Always bear in mind that it is our

PRINTED BY: business to promote biking in general,
GWPrint
Suite 201. New Plaza Centre. so let us hear from you, advertisers and

clr Jeppe & Rissik Sts, readers alike. .

Johannesburg. With regard to this months mag, we
hope you enjoy our scoop of the Inter-.
EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING national Series. It was really great to
OFFICES: see riders like Staten and Carlqvist
SUITE 201. New Plaza Centre. riding on South African soil and we
can only hope for more in the future.
clr Jeppe & Rissik Sts,
On a sadder note it is with heavy hearts
Johannesburg. that we say farewell to Grant Maben.
Grant as you probably already know,
AD ENQUIRIES will be riding in the U.S. of A. and will
Telephone 836-5937/8 be away for quite some time. The
move was necessary if he wishes to
CONTRIBUTIONS: make any impact on the International
We welcome any Photographs, articles MX scene, and we can only wish him
and illustrations. They will remain the all the best for the future. Who Knows,
property of MOTO-X S A unless prior maybe one day a South African world
arrangements are made with the editor MX champ?
to return such material. Photographs
should be 5" x 7" colour or black and Finally, we would like to take the
white prints. Contributors will be
awarded a fee if material submitted is opportunity of congratulating
accepted.
Kawasaki SA on their admirable efforts
Copyright reserved. Nothing in this
magazine may be reprinted in whole or in the recent past. These guys are
in part without the express permission
of the publisher. All published material really forging ahead, vastly expanding
becomes the sole propery of MOTO-X
SA themselves, and armed with their

All opinions expressed are not great new models they seem set to
necessary those of G.W. Publications.
make a really big impact on the S.A.

biking scene.

See you again next month.



The incredible fall that to averyones great dlssapolntment kept Maben
out of the days racing. (Photo saquence: Brent Oppenheimer).

Geoff Gray wal 1st South African home, earning himself the Kruger
rand donated by Lynton Draper of Draper Plant Hire. (Photo: Gary
Whyte).

Rex Staten In the process of
blowing off all the competition.
(Photo: Brent Oppenheimer).

PAGE4 MOTO X & BIKE NEWS S.A. VOL 2 NO.9 JAN/FEB 79

Carlqvj8~S relaxed style is often deceiving. This Swede is fastl (Photo: Seymour Smith).

Deon du Plenlslays lt on. (Photo: Seymour Smith).

MOTO X & 81KE NEWS S.A. VOL2 NO.9 JAN/FE8 79 PAGE 6

PAGE 8 MOTO X & BIKE NEWS S.A. VOL 2 NO.9 JAN/FEB 79

Castrol announce
dIfferent strokes fOrdifferent folks.

We need hardly tell you a bike's different from new Super TT, designed specifically for all
a car. And so are its lubrication requirements. A 2-stroke motorcycles.
bike operates at different revs, under different
loads, with different oil temperatures and different As you'd expect from Castrot. both oils have
sump capacities. Yet until now, the only oil been rigorously tested on street and track. Both
available for your 4-stroke bike was a car oil. are formulated to ensure maximum motorcycle
performance, protection and engine life. And both
Now, from the lubrication specialists, comes represent the ultimate in motorcycle lubrication
South Africa's first oil designed specifically for a today. So from now on, insist on the oils designed
4-stroke motorcycle: Castrol Grand Prix. specifically for your motorcycle. Castrol Grand
Prix. Or Castrol Super TT.
At the same time, Castrol announce brand-

New grand Prix NewSuperTT
2-8troke
4-811Oke motorCyCle oiL motorcycle

~ SouthAlrics 'slirst 4-stroks moto/cyc/IJoil.

nil Csstro!'s new,st
2~strok,lubricsnt.
uIl.

Castrol

~8#SUr•P•E·e~ ~

~~~

Two·Stroke Oil

Themotorcycle 0/1s.
From the lubrication specialists.



MOTO X & BIKE NEWS S.A. VOl2 NO.9 JAN/FEB 79 PAGE 9

Grant Maben proved his ability as the this season - South African National 125 cm3Junior Class
1. Sym Grobler Suzuki
best Motocross rider in South Africa 125, Transvaal 125 and 250 and the 2. Wayne Jones Honda
3. Peter Hills Suzuki
with three fine wins in each of the Champion of Champions.

heats of the Sportsman Lager With Stevenson filling third place

Champion of Champions meeting held behind Maben and Jones, Darryl

at Tarlton on Saturday 25th Werner, riding steadily throughout the 100 cm3Junior Class
1. Derek Graham
November. day finished fourth, and a very 2. Norman Miller Suzuki
3. Robert Davies Suzuki
Riding his 250 machine, not suprising- creditable fifth place went to Kenny Suzuki

ly since the majority of the other riders van der Merwe riding a 250 cc

were mounted on 250 cc machines, he machine, iKawasaki~

won all three heats by a very Nicky Milosovich eventually won the Minicross Class

convincing margin - on average he Support final after a tough tussle with 1. Gary Butcher Suzuki.

was 35 seconds ahead of the rider in Tommy Maben - a race which was run 2. Charles Bezuidenhout Suzuki

second spot. with all the fervour of the Champion of 3. Deon Koekemoer Suzuki

Tyrone Stevenson gave Kawasaki a Champions.

good showing in one of his last rides The consolation final was won by Support Class
1. Nicky Milosovich
for them. He has been signed by Derek Bird from Marcel Guiget and 2. Tommy Maben 125 Suzuki
3. Brian Becker 125 Honda
Butch Hirsch and Lynton Draper to Seft Vidra. 125 Suzuki

ride a Draper Husqvarna next season.

He came home second to Maben in the Results of Sportsman Lager

first heats, but after a bad start in the Champion of Champions Consolation Class

third heat, dropped to sixth place to 1. Grant Maben 250 Honda (seen 1. Derek Bird 125 Yamaha
allow a hard-riding Martin Jones to above)
2. MarcelGuiget 125 Suzuki

clinch the runner -up spot in the 2. Martin Jones 250 Honda 3. Seft Vidra 400 KTM

Champion of Champions. 3. Tyrone Stevenson 250Kawasaki ~

Last years winner of the event, Charlie 4. Darryl Werner 250 Yamaha

Tissen, just could not get his works 5. Kenny van der Merwe . 250

water-cooled Yamaha together and he Kawasaki

eventually retired for the day with an. 6. Tony Riddell 250 Yamaha
125 Suzuki
incurable miss. i, Robert Campbell 250 Honda
250 Suzuki
By winning the champion of Champ- 8. Roy Sturgeon. 125 Suzuki

ions, Maben has won every title in the 9. Horace Bergstrom

Championship events he has entered 10. Greg Wilson

PAGE 10 MOTO X & BIKE NEWS S.A. VOL2 NO.9 JAN/FEB 79





nAr~tAtnro::: to the motor Robbie Wicks had a front wheel

by the Western 1'>.",,,;..,,,,,,,,1_ collapse on him which put him out of

club were treated to some fine this race. while Tyronne Stevenson's

racing throughout the day as Husqvarna suffered ignition problems

as enjoying fine weather. which effectively put him out of the

day's racing.

that watched the mota cross

were particularly fortunate to Mota two - Robbie Wicks's father

some fine riding by all concerned. has successfully repaired the Honda's

Naturally all eyes were fixed on the two front wheel with the aid of Des Burton.

OVIBrSIBarsiders - and Grant Maben. I However, it was this selfsame wheel

believe anyone went away disap- which caused Robbie to come off

pointed because the events all had again as it dug into a mud patch after a

share of drama and excitement. jump. It is not often one witnesses

Robbie travelling so fast on the a track

The major attraction of course was the without being powered along by his

international MX series which was run bike. He must have slid for some 20

in four heats here in Cape Town, and a feet in the mud.

report of these, along with the minor

events follows. Staten, at the start of this event, had,

either by misfortune, or a set plan, got

Mota one - The pack of riders all got away very poorly. Whatever the

away to a good start. So much so that reason it served to excite the public

Maben was forced to slow down at he set off after the flying Grant Maben

at the first jump as he couldn't find a who had got the hole shot with

clear path in front of him, having been Carlqvist in hot pursuit.

forced to go on the outside.

arlqvist made his big effort on la

four and in most spectacular fashion

overtook Maben by out jumping him.

Staten was, in the meantime, carvin

his way through the field. On

penultimate lap he shot passed

but was unable to get in front

The end of the race saw Staten again
in first. Carlqvist again in second.
Maben again in third, with Gary
Bergstrom in fourth.

The minor events had their surprises
and drama as well. In the 250 support
Hennie Vorster showed improved form
to win all three events. The other
riders weren't really in the showing but
enjoyed their dices along the way as
they picked them up.

The 125 cc class was small in number
but big on drama. Last year's interna-
tional meeting had Craig Zimmerman,
also in the 125 class having the most
spectacular prang of the day. This year
it took Alistair Stuart-White and his
Trans Cape Steels teammate Dave
Sawyer to bring the crowd to its feet.

Alistair set it all off by going over a low
berm at speed. He disappeared into the
trees, the branches held back theblke
and in springing back to their normal
position, catapulted Alistair's bike
straight into Dave Sawyer's bike. This
set Dave off course and put him into
the trees, trees as well, with both bikes
in a heap at the side of the track. Not
much, damage was done to the
bikes but Alistair and Dave certainly
felt crushed as the day wore on.

After all the excitement of the prang
we still witnessed a great race between
Mark Connely and Peter Claxton which
Connelly just won from the new under
200 cc W.P.M.C. champion. B.Becker
(Tv1)came in third.

Staten and Carlqvist on their trick tandem. No wonder no one else In the second event for these smaller
stood a chance? (Photo:Neil Hermann) machines, Connelly led for half the
race before Claxton far out jumped him
to take first place and hold on to the
chequered flag. Stuart-White, stiff and
sore, came third.

This was the first time in the five motos and our own national champion of The high school events had a different
in which Staten had competed in this whom we can be proud.
country in which he suffered a defeat. winner in each of the three races. Carl
Lap seven found Staten 45 seconds
Mika Hopkins, the Western Province ahead of Maben and in the region of a van Rooyen got the hole shot in the
250 cc champion came in in fourth minute ahead by the end of the race.
place. first and stayed out front for the whole
Wicks overdid things again and what
Moto three - Staten shot away from must surely be a record for him, put his race. He was under pressure from Roy
the start, intent on putting as much bike down. down once more. He did
distance between himself and the however recover to finish the race. PHeiffer all the time, who, him self,
second man as possible. His intent
was underlined by the fact that after moto four - Drama, Drama, Drama. was being chase by "revitalised" Clive
only two laps he was 12 seconds Just another way of saying there were
ahead of Carlqvtst, Maben wasn't far three false starts before the race got Baynes. '
behind and could have been underway.
considered about a second behind Hilton Beattie showed the local contin-
Carlqvist. On the fifth lap 25 seconds Can you believe it I Wicks cane adrift gent the way home in the second race.
seperated Staten from Maben. This again, putting himself from fifth to Roy Pheiffer again filled second, while
time check between Staten and eighth. Baynes repeated his previous third
Maben was not meant to be place.
derogatory to Maben in any way, but Just after the halfway mark of this
as an exercise in finding out the speed event Staten lapped Deon du Plessis
difference between the overseas visitor who was at that stage in sixth place.

MOTO X & BIKE NEWS S.A, VOL2 NO.9 JAN/FEB 79 PAGE 13

Maben saying thank.for his third Two visitors filled frist and second
overall winnings while the trophy girl places in the third event. They were
doesn't know whether to laugh or Andrew Thompson and Neil Riddel.
cry as she eyeballs his 'patties'. Roy Pheiffer closed off his
participation in the day's events with a
(Photo: Nell Hermann) third place.

A final summing up. What can one say
when the country's top rider is soundly
beaten by two visiting overseas riders?
Should a day of mourning be declared?
I believe not. I believe that after seeing,
and comparing, the overseas visitors
with the local talent two things emerge
quite clearly.

Although Grant Maben was beaten he
most certainly was not disgraced. With
his natural ability and decided flair and
dedication he will not only improve
with the experience he gains on the
American circuits.

The other thing to emerge is that ALL
riders, no matter what class they are in,
will have to strive a lot harder, in their
endeavours to lift the overall standard
lift the overall standard of moto cross
in this country. Don't start a whole
song and dance about being a young
country entering into the big world of
mota cross, with little or no money re-
sources to back the riders. How, may I
ask did any other country start? We
don't need more -committees. We just
need people who will allow the sport to
take precedence over their own feel-
ings and pride. Then we also need
riders who are prepared to ride and
train, ride and train, ride and train .....
to improve their own personal best.
After which we will see any overseas
visitors being taken on - and beaten
- by our South African riders.

Statan hails the Gods while on his way to victory.
(Photo:Nell Harmann)

HONDA CENTRE

TRIUMPH.

The Goodall brothers of Cape Town

scored a hit by picking up the Triumph

franchise for South Africa.

Triumph have two machines in produc-

tion, the twin-carburettor Bonneville

and the single-carburettor Tiger, both

of which are 750cc OHV twins. It

look as though only the Bonneville will

be brought into South Africa. The

Triumph are now available at many

Honda dealers.

The Bonneville has many

improvements on the models that used

to be available in South Africa. It has

disc brakes back and front, gasgirling

shock absorbers, 18,2 litre fuel tank,

electronic ignition , it is light, tough

and fast. It handles like many of the

best in South Africa today.

Available at main Honda dealers.

Price: Triumph Bonneville R3 100.

Triumph Tiger R2 995 when available.

HONDA'S NEW SHAFT DRIVEN, of the Red Rocket. If it handles and KnobbyPattern

WATER COOLED, V TWIN CX500 moves anything like the 250 Rocket Fuel Capacity: 6.5 Lit.

NOW AVAILABLE. then Honda will again have a winner in Cylinder arrangement: Single 15 0 in-

Honda's ultimate machine is now avail- the new year. clined from vertical

able from all Honda dealers. The Available early this year from Bore x Stroke: 56 x 50 .7mm

machine is said to be the best handling Midmacor, prices are yet to be Displacement: 124.87 cm %

machine ever to come from Japan, and decided. Transmission: 6 speed constant mesh
Available colour: Tahitian Red
will fill the gap as a medium tourer. SPECIFICATIONS FOR CR125RZ.

The Honda CX500 is what Honda call Overall length : 2,136 mm Overall Width: 890 mm

an all rounder, it is fast, comfortable, a Overall Height: 1,208 mm Wheel Base: 1,422mm
goo dh dl "ff Seat Height: 935 Dry Weight: 91.0kg.
an hier, ecfornohnical, dl erent to Front Tyre Size: 3.00 - 23 (4PR) Engm. e Type: A'ircoo Ied 2 stroke
Compression ratio: 8.4:1
any mac me 0 temarket, shaft knobby Patern

driven, water cooled and ideal for com- Rear Tyre Size: 4.00 - MH 24 BHP/1 0
muting. So fur the peffionthM really ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ax~_o_ffi_e~p_ow~e~r:~~~~~~~~

wants an all rounder the CX will fill that

gap.
To quote: John D'Oliviera - The Star

'The best handling machine I have ever

ridden'. Not only John O'Oliviera but
nearly every motoring editor through-

out the world agrees with him.

The CX500 also won the Cycle World

Ten Best Bikes award with a second

place overall.

This is a machine in a million and is

now available from all Honda dealers.

Retail Price R2 999

HONDA'S. NEW

MOTOCROSSER.

The new Honda CR 125RZ looks very

much like it's big brother the Red

Rocket 250 and the specification being

very much the same. It looks like

Honda Japan have put more time into

frame shocks, travel and swing arm.

Looking at the machine I would say it

will handle just as well as the Rocket.

The lines of the little 125 follows that

PAGE'8 MOTO X & BIKE N.EWS S.A. VOL2 No. 9 JAN/FEB 79

The MAXI-HONDA breakfast run •••••••••••••••••••••••••••

went off like a bomb bring a total of Roma Guzzi (Pty) Ltd has opned a NEW SHOWROOM for the
convenience of customers - at corner COMMISSIONER and
700 bikers to Hungry Wheels resort. Kruger streets Jeppe. This branch will be managed by Neville
Smith (ex Honda Braamfontein). New Moto Guzzi and out
The orginiserlVERITIY ROSS, Assistant usual top quality secondhand bike will be on show.
Advertising and PR Manag~ress of PHONE 37-6638/9.
Midmacor, put up a tremendous
display of the latest fashions by Norma ••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Jean, new products form Biketique,
and some of the latest products from ROMA GUZZI (PTY) LTD
Maxfactor (Maxi).
All make up was done by Maxi, and 5
super lucky draw prizes were handed
out by Max Factor; Biketique handed
out lucky prizes vouchers to 5 lucky

people.

The Hungry Wheels owners layed on
tremendous breakfasts, and later on
serving flap jacks to everyone.

The new breakfast run venue, Hungry
Wheels, has really made themselves
popular amongst the Sunday morning
bikers.

71 END STREET (CORNER PRITCHARD ST.)
JOHANNESBURG 2001

23-8829 23-9571

MOTO X ft BIKE NEWS SA VOL2 NO.9 JAN "FEB 79 PAGE 17

rani

Grant Maben-
Youngest & most
successful Motor
Sportsman 76/7/8

WB NBBD YOUR SUPPORT

to help what could be our next

World Champion to go

overseas

Since the 4th, February 1978, Grant has started 118 races his tally reads
as follows:-

99 -1sts.

6 -2nds.

3 - 3rds
10 - D.N.F.

Has won the National 125cc championship for 3rd consecutive year.

Has won the Transvaal 125cc championship for 3rd consecutive year.
Won the Transvaal Provincial 250cc championship
Won the Natal Provincial 250cc championship
Won the Syringa Series 125cc championship
Won-the Syringa Series 250cc championship
Won the Syringa overall championship

Presented with the State Presidents award for sporting achievement in
South Africa.

Nominated the South African Motor Sportsman of the year by the S.A.
Guildof motoring journalists.

Presented with Honours by the Sports Car Club of South Africa.

PLEASE SEND YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO: OVERSEAS RIDERS FUND
A.A. MOTOR SPORT MANAGER COMMITTEE
P.O. BOX 596, JOHANNESBURG. 2000

PLUS ANY IDEAS THAT COULD HELP THIS FUND



PAGE 20 MOTO X & BIKE NEWS S.A. VOL 2 NO.9 JAN/FEB 79

HONDA CBX 1000cc ROAD TEST. Hi Sp@@tl
Motors
In 1969 Honda caused a sensation
with their superb 750 four cylinder Servicing, Tune-ups,
motorcycles. These bikes started the and Engine
race for superbike supremacy. Their
engine proved to be ultra-reliable, their Modifications
exhaust notes were all to pleasant to are our
the enthusiast's ear. Their clocks and
instrumentation actually worked fault- Speciality.
lessly,and probably very important too
were that they never had any oil leaks WORKSHOP:
and they had hardly any vibration. Errol Norval &
Other Japanese manufactures follow- Frik v.d. Westhuizen.
ed this market with their version of four
cylinder motorcycles and they too had 633 ONTDEKKERS ROAD
success.The superbike era was boom- DELAREY
ing. But Honda had caught the market ROODEPOORT 1725
and was on their way to all the sales
records. Since then a Honda 750 is NlOto x & BIKE NEWS S.A. VOL2 NO.8 JAN/FEB 78 PAGE 21
usually reffered to as a Four, not
because it is the only one, but because
it was the first popular one. Now nine
years later, Honda once again caused a
sensation with their exciting six
cylinder. CBX. With the engine
sporting, twin cams and four valves per
cylinder..

Here Honda didn't boost their engine
capacity to beat the next bike, they just
changed their design and built a more
sophisticated engine by .their racing
machinesof a decade or so ago.
Racing machines that had
extraordinary success on all European
racetracks in Europe.

So when I took delivery of the Honda
CBX from Honda public relations
officer, Digby Wesson, I was not sur-
prised to find that Honda had once
again achieved something different in
the motorcycle industry by manufac-
turing a bike that looked different
performed different, handled different
sounded different and was also
virtually free of vibration.
I am inclined to think that a Honda
CBX will from now on mostly be
reffered to as a six in general
conversation, as it is the case with the
Honda four 750.
As I rode out of the Honda Centre yard
into the morning traffic on this gigantic
machine everything felt a lot different
from the Suzuki GS1000 and Honda
750, that I am usedto riding.
I felt very uncomfortable at first steer':'
ing the Honda through the late
morning traffic because it felt big and
bulky and therefore I headed straight
to the nearestfreeway so as to first get
usedto the sizeof the bike and the way
it behaves.
Getting used to the Honda six doesn't
come easy as it has a chara<:*
completely different to any ot_
machine on the market today and it la
definately not made for the apprentice
motorcycle rider.

The Honda six is a gentle
glaht when ridden below 6600 rpm and
going slowly through the bende. Up 10

6500 rpm it behaves quite normal and

going slowly through I bends! it handles Here I would rate the Honda CBX as a beam was probably efficient enough
pretty fair and up to this stage there is good handler to todays standard of for a steady 80 km/h but over that
no cause for panic if one is used to the Japanese bikes. speed it is definately not good enough.
superbikes of today.
BRAKING Tail lights and indicators were very
The next stage of the game is of course good and I'm glad Handa has done
to ride the bike hard. Of course all this riding had to come to away with the irritating bleeper system
an end at a robot or stop street, and for on the indicators, and although one
Here the six changes into a vicious these everyday road safety signs, the would expect the self cancelling
tiger that is not for the novice to play CBX is very well prepared. The two system on such an expensive bike, it is
with. discs up front and a single disc at the not installed.
Riding it hard one finds that the bike rear brings the CBX to a halt with
pulls fairly well up to 6500 rpm and stopping power that is very impressive. INSTRUMENTATION
from there onwards to 9,500 rpm one
has to hold on tight so as not to fly off The front brakes were not as danger- Top marks for the speedo, rev counter
the bike. The powerband is so distic-
tive that after 6500 rpm, the steering ously sharp as other bikes I have and volt meter on the Six. They are
becomes so light that it feels like the
front wheel is hardly touching the ridden, but rather more progressive well designed and easily readable and
tarmac. and gentle. The back brakes were although the volt meter might be seen
The Honda six revs quickly and much to my favour, because one could
smoothly and the km/h comes ten not lock it with ordinary pedal as a not so necessary item, I think that
times quicker than one can count. pressure. In fact, I had to press quite
hard on the foot pedal to lock the back it will come in very handy when the
lOOk's in first, 130 in second, 165 in wheel. bike gets old and the battery starts
third and 180 plus in fourth comes packing up or a electrical short finds its
without any strain from the motor. On way in the wiring system.
one occasion I pushed the clock to 225
km/h on a downhill in fifth gear with The Honda CBX will stop just as APPEARANCE
the rev counter sitting at 8,500 rpm. quickly as any other superbike on the This is of course to personal taste and
Smoking the back tyre at a robot market but I think the danger of com- some may like the six and some may
comes as easy as reving the bike to ing off because of too hasty grabbing not. I like it very much and so does 90
7,000 rpm and dropping the clutch. It of the front brake is slightly minimised percent of pedestrians and other
snakes a bit to the left but one gets because of much more pedal and lever motorists.
away very quickly with pedestrians travel before the wheels actually lock The Honda six is definately a hell of a
staring in amazement. up. crowd puller and everywhere I
An American .magazine gives the
Honda six a quarter mile e.t. of 11.55 LIGHTING stopped, people gathered around and
sec. at sea level. I can well believe this
time, for at the Tarlton Dragstrip Dave The headlights. on the CBX is looked, stared, pointed and asked
Dellai Hunt put up a time of 12.55
seconds. I know that this time is still 1 definately a failure for such a big questions.
second slower than the American
magazine gives, but one has to powerful machine. I like riding at night Overall, the CBX is a very good bike
consider that their times are at sea level
and our times are a good feet above and I like excellent lighting, but this that takes a lot of getting used to and
sea level, and at this altitude one must
give at least one seconds grace. machine definately dissappointed me d~finately a bike with a completely
I would rate the Honda CBX excellent
as a performer. as far as a headlight is concerned ......"""~....different character and behaviour to

other bike that I have ridden.

HANDLING
I have heard some complaints about
the handling of a CBX on straight
roads and on bends, but the one I had
did not wobble on straight roads, did
not wobble on tighter bends, in fact it
handled very well all round. On one
occasion in a long sweeping bend I
noticed a bit of wobbling, but it wasn't
bad enough for me to have to slow
down or do anything drastic.
Definately nothing to panic about.

PAGE22 MOTO X & BIKE NI;:)NSS.A. VOL2 NO.9 JAN/FEB 79

Johannesburg distributors of Sole South African Importers
Kawasaki motorcycles and Distributors of KTM
and spares. motorcycles and spares.

Mota X & Bike News SA Vol. 2









_PAGE28 MOTO X & BIKE NEWS S.A. VOL2 NO.9 JAN/FEB 79

Tsubaki Chains. EVER MOTOR SHOW
The chains will be tested for the whole Honda Centre Cape Town won a 2nd
year of 79, and the Honda riders will place in Cape Town's biggest ever
ride in all Club, Transvaal and National motor show which started on Saturday

events. the 25th. November.
The team, now called the Maxi Trials The show organised by the Western
Team, will now carry the Tsubaki logo Province Motor Club brought nearly
on all tanks and side covers. every Motor Manufacturer to display
The test will be run over the year and a
survey will be done from time to time their products. The show stand was
and reports will be reported to Tsubaki. won by Mercedes and according to the
Tsubaki chains are now available from officials it was a very close decision be-
every Honda and Biketique dealer. tween Honda and Mercedes, the final
result going to Mercedes. The show
HONDA CENTRE CAPE WINS 2ND
PLACE IN CAPE TOWN'S BIGGEST was held in the Cape of Good Hope
Building and lasted for 8 days.

FANTASTIC SKATEBOARDS FOR A range of Preston Petty products will Later the' company was moved to
ONLY R24. soon be available from all Biketique Oregon where it expanded and started
dealers. making a full range of products e.g.
Biketique and Honda dealers through- Preston Petty formed his company in integral brackets, making fenders to fit
out the country are now offering a 1969 by designing and making front any machine, universal taillights, rear
range of five different skateboards for fenders. He developed a plastic fenders, hex grips, headlight/number
only R24. each. compound that rpovided superior per- plates, engine skid plates, lights, gas
The biketique Big H series of skate- formance and soon followed with caps and handlebar grips.
boards are made up of:- another fender for the rear, number All products have an attractive styling
1. The Hornet, a revolutionary new plates for the racers and later a number and have maximum strength and are
trick board. plate that concealed a complete plastic extra lightweight. The Preston Petty
2. The MX, motocrosser board
with smooth or knobbly wheels. tool box. products also have a warranty.

3. The Super Sport, a new designed
speed board.
4. The Hawk, a unique slalom board.
The boards are quick and versatile.
The tracks are cast aluminium, the
wheels are high
performance polyurethane, the axles
are high tensile steel, and all wheels
have sealed bearings and nylon nuts.
AII'Bikeitque dealers carry full range of
spares and accessories which include
Helmets, decks, knee pads, gloves,
elbow pads, truck and mounting bolts,
nylock nuts, all types of wheels:
slalom, speed trick and freestyle,
sealed bearings, bushes and groumets.

TSUBAKI RUNS CHAIN TEST
WITH THE HONDA TRIALS TEAM.
Tsubaki have supplied every member
of the Honda Trials Team with all new

,..

PAGE30 MOTOX8 BIKE NEWSS.A. VOL2 NO. 9JAN/FEB 79

Grant leads the pack through Hammarsdales' first bend~(Photo: Seymour
Smith)
Maben W.F.O. on one ofthe superfast straights at Hammarsdale. (Pt)oto:
Seymour Smith)

..~

Rocket Rex as most of us knew him: Flat outl (Photo: Gary Whyte)

MOTO X & BIKE NEWS S.A. VOU NO.• JAN/FEB 7. PAOU1

Deon du Peul. had a r... onably good day despite the hairy competition. Robbie Wick. wa. on form proving a

CPhoto:OaryWhyte'. top challenger. (Photo: GaryWhyta'.

A couple of aldehack clown. arangely In control of their Incredibly ugly )
machine. (Photo: Gary Whyte)

Thla •• wh8t com .. of .uch tomfoolery. Note the front wheat. (Photo:

Gary Whyte). _,

Aa long .. they happy and enloylng them .. lv... (Photo: Gary Whyta)

"Darryl Werner did fairly well eon.lderlng the odd•. (Photo:Oary Whyte).

PAGE 32 MOTO X & BIKE NEWS S.A. VOL 2 NO.9 JAN/FEB 79









When the project team of the Honda able power plant produces a thunder- NEW OWNER FOR
RANDBURG.
CB900Fset down to work, it set out to aus 95ps at 9 000 rpm (DIN output at
HONDA in Randburg gets a new
develop the lightest and fastest super crankshaft) with a maximum torque of owner, CLIVE MciLRATH. Clive who
has been at Midmacor, the franchise
bike in its class. As a starting point the 7.9 kg - m.measuersat 8000 rpm. The holders for Honda products for close
on 8 years, has taken over Maben
Honda factory RCB, rode a similar all new CB900F boasts of an accelera- Honda, the Honda agents in Randburg.

machine to three consecutive winning tion time of 11.75 sec. in the standing Clive who has vast experience in both
motorcycles and Honda Industrial I
sweeps of the European endurance 400m and a top speed of 215 km jh
products should be able to sort out any I
championships. rating comparable only to those of the
problems that the customers should :
CBX, and far exceeding those of other have. He has also done a tremendous I

The project team's task was extremely manufacturers. For the CB900F, amout of Enduro and offraad riding

difficult to say the least, horsepower Honda adopted the 4 into 2 exhaust both social and competitive and is a
top trails rider and used to ride in the
greater that 90ps with a body weight system with the exhaust pipes tucked Honda Trails Team.
The new dealershipwill now be known
of only 230kg and an incredible bank snuggly under the enyine as in the RCB as HONDA HOME RANDBURG.
angle of better than400.
racers. Clive has made some Wfmportant
changes and improvements to the
The basic solution was a power-pack- The CB900F shareswith the CBX such Honda dealershipin the way of service,
workshop, and I think anybody
ed 4 cylinder DOHC engine utilizing unique Honda innovations and
wanting a tremendous deal with
four valves per cylinder in order to comstar wheels, non-slip tubeless
personalized service should call on
improve breathing efficiency at high tyres, quick stopping triple disc brake

rpm, plus an oil cooler. Its long system and 6-way adjustable FVQ

stroke(B x S 64.5 x 69mm) design was dampers on the rear shocks. With its

necessaryin order to reduce the overall superbly streamlined European sports

engine width and permit an amazing design, the Honda CB9QOFis sure to

bank angle of 43 . satisfy even the most demanding of

veteran motorcycle enthusiasts.

:c;ee;d;i~ng;;e;axl~~p1~e~c~tat~~th;io~~iSn~;sf~o, ~~r~m~;~id~~~-~~~~~~~~~ HONDA HOME in Randburg.

oo

o
o
o

o

PAGE38 MOTO X & BIKE NEWS S.A. VOl2 NO.9 JAN/FEB 79

ooo

o
oo

o

MOTO X & BIKE NEWS S.A. VOL2 NO.9 JAN/FEB 79 PAGE 39



------0,/.1) WHAT$lfISNAMé IN FIAJE aïJ'r.I!I., YAMAHA

S1YLê/(RI07D: ""'~ $MI'lHJ •LINEX

MOTORS

63 Hans Strydom AYe.
Cnr. Central Rd.
Linden Ext.
46-7075
46-4767

YOUR YAMAHA DEALER
INTHENORTH

See Danny Mulder for the best
Yamaha deal, and get a free T-
shirt with every bike purchased.

_.1-~

.~ .',. , .,.

~~ 8e'IMi '1NI! FIIlST 6Ot.)TH AF~ICAN ~ 10 HAvE MOTO X & BIKE NEWS SA VOl2 NO.9 JAN/FEB 79 PAGE4'

7H£ E(J~O~,,*N S",RT "An: A6 ~~ HEIf'E.

~ SEQ¢AC£: 8!iE}./f' OOPeNH6IM4RJ

GIKY /JUlI:HeR Afa:JVEi) 011 HIS ;flY! fl). THIS 1.117Z.E AlACHINé IS THE c)V£y

FlIJ.J.Y 7RKKEb *80. IN 711E A4/A./I-XCLAS6.1AS weLL.. AS I3£INá THe OM-'I

,,+t14/1 R/J)êR 70 ATTEN/) é1ARY BAIl.éYS SCIfOa. o= ,..,~s (~70:8.~N~

, .:.<H/C •

4AJdf1ll!!R Or'JN£ MAAI'! RICJIJ!/ë'S Whf) &laPPEt> 7.JfE~ 41At:N/~S /,1) 7N€ ~NNY VAAli::JER lWeRl(£ IIV f!11.JG

bl/) B4/LW 8tGCoqS AlEN ~ ~.vL>5rAAll>. ~ Oc.E"R J~S .:!U.4{p.

(P1,07rJ: t}/9Ii!Y 4fiY16) ~: ~AItV~ oSffl7iV).

PAGE42 MOTOX ft BIKE NEWS S.A. VOl2 NO.9 JAN/FEB 79

II 1c=J1 ICJc=J

The internationally famous American The last time John Swinney of and-a-penny high, the trophy was just
moto-X star, Rex Staten arrived in Boksburg won a motor sport trophy it another to add to his growing
South Africa on November 29 to pre- was slmost bigger than he was. collection. "Infact it's got to the stage
pare for the new Springbok Moto-X where he is now beating me," said his
Series. John tottered off clutching his dad, Russell, a project engineer. It's all
Staten rode a BP Racing Yamaha enormous silver cup for winning the rather degradingl
YZ400F in the three rounds, starting 80cc section in a Sports Car Club
with the Toyota International at observed foot-ups' trials at the Syringa Little John is a Standard Two pupil at
Syringa Motor Cycle Park, near Johan- Motor Cycle Park, near Johannesburg. the Parkdene Primary School in
nesburg on December 2. He was also And for a 10-year-old, just two-bricks- Boksburg and when he got his Yamaha
showing his spectacular talent at Cape
Town's Killarney track on December 9
and at Hammarsdale, near Durban,
on December 17.
The 23 year old American is regarded
as one of the most spectacular inter-
national stars in the rapidly growing
sport of moto-x. This year, racing for
Yamaha America, he finished first in
both the 250 cc and 500cc classes of
the Californian Golden State series and
second overall to his team-mate, Bob
Hannah in the international Trans
American series.
'We were delighted that Rex was able
to accept our invitation to perform in
South Africa and felt sure that he put
on a show that delighted every moto-X
fan: said Mr Bruce Johnstone of
Yamaha.

MOTO X & BIKE NEWS S,A. VOL2 NO, 9 JAN/FEB 79 PAOE 43

TY80 trials bike 18 months ago he don't I have a .qó, Dad?'" usually manages a good third or
couldn't even put his feet on the From his first trials event more
fourth."
ground. than a year ago John Swinney hasn't There's another little Swinney .vaiting
"1 grew up with motor bikes," said his looked back. He now has a trophy in the wings. Younger brother, Tony,
Dad. IHadn't done much riding for cupboard to display his cups. aged six, is now pestering his Dad to
about 14 years and then a year or two He has won dozens of tee-shirts, cash buy him a Yamaha foot-ups bike as he
ago I decided to buy a bike just to play vouchers and other awards. is convinced he can give John a run for
with in the veld. I got the Yamaha for And he is an enthusiastic member of hismoney
Father Russel is resigned to it all
John so that he could join me. the Sports Car Club. "1 guess he will have to take over
"Then one day we decided to watch a "He often rides in Transvaal Trials Club John's machine," he said. "And then
there will be two of my boys who will
Sports Car Club observed trials events," said Russell. "There he has be able to show me how it's done!"
meeting at Halfway House. to compete against grown-ups in the
"John turned to me and asked'Why street scrambler class. And yet he

The new Yamaha XS 11 00 has won its able in this country. the various motor cycle manufacturers
spurs in South African motor racing The organizers of motor sport recently a chance of showing just hQWtast their
and is convincingly proving that it is introduced a new Superbike Challenge top-of-the-line models really are.
the fastest of all the 'superbikes' avail- championship with the idea of allowing Since the announcement of the
Yamaha XS Eleven and competitive
machines from the Honda, Kawasaki
and Suzuki stables, thousands of
motor cycling enthusiasts have been

debating about which of the bikes
is the real 'King of the Road'.

Yamaha decided to enter an XS Eleven
in the Super bike Challenge to be
ridden by the 1972 production bike
champion and 1978 350cc racing
champion, Mike Crawford (29) of
Johannesburg.
In its first race, at the Aida Scribante
circuit, Port Elizabeth on September 2,
the big Yamaha set the fastest time in
practise and won both heats by a total
of five seconds.
The next round was in Rhodesia on
September 24. Yamaha did not
contest this race.
In Pietermaritzburg on September 30
the XS 1100 was the clear winner of
the Superbike Challenge by 13
seconds.
At Kyalami on Kruger Day, the fourth
round, the Yamaha again set the
fastest training time but a peculiar
'accident' forced it out of the race.
'Someone must have leant on the bike
in the pits and broken the top section
of the mudguard,' said Mike Crawford.
I didn't notice it until, on the second
lap, I was forced to stop because of the
mudguard, was catching against the
wheel.'
There are a total of 14 Rounds in the
new Challenge and Crawford is more
than confident that the big Yamaha

will acquit itself well.
'It seems to stop better, and I find that,
because of this I can go into the
corners a little faster,' he said; 'and
then from fourth gear onwards it.
seems to have the legs on the

opposition,'
Mike's highest recorded speed on the
Yamaha was at Kyalami, during the
training session, when a fraction more
than 220km/h was showing on the
speedometer. Was he hervous7
'No - it doesn't worry me,' he said.
'It's hard to accept this but the bike
feels fairly safe at that speedl'
FLASH:

Cape Town 28/10/78. XS1100 wins
again. Mike Crawford won both heats
and overall first place in
SA National Superbike Challenge at
Killarney on Saturday 28th October.

PAGE44 MOTO X & BIKE NEWS SA VOl2 NO.9 JAN/FEB 79







Hello there, Acknowledgement: "Keep on local South African vehicle). At the
In my first solo edltorial-! thought that I next control, we were 3mins behind,
would say something about social Trucking" is published by kind but 20kms later we overtook him on a
activities. Every mónlh the club has an section which is all huge, sharp, white
outing - September, the venue was permission of 'Autosport' and Paddy marble rocks. We were in the lead for
Oigens Farm, in August the venue was about 2 Y:z seconds and bang -we
keran's farm. Driver. stuffed a front tyre. So we- had to do a
Does anyone have any other ideas very quick, unrehearsed tyre change (if
concerning activities that might be KEEP ON you can reckon changing trruck tyres
considered? Ideas for places to go, quick-it took about 3mins). Back to
things to do, anything which would TRUCKIN-! third place we went.
add to the variety that the club can PART TWO
offer. If you have any ideas, please We had to park off this cattle track to
contact the Organising Secretary, Ivor So at 7.30 on Friday morning, May 12, let the other competitors through, and
Karan, and give him the good news. we all lined up. We were on 31 st and the country is covered in a bush
I would also like to make a plea on position at the start, although I ques- called Wag 'n Bietjie (pronounced Vuk
behalf of those of us who run 4x4's on tioned our qualifying rime, because on in Bikkie).
a shoestring - we have a free adverise- our stopwatch I figured we should Then, on to the fuel stop. Bobby was
ment service in this newsletter - please have been much higher up the grid. there refuelling , so we flashed by,
use it - if you have spares that you will Five minutes before the gun, I cleared back to second place. But we got lost
never use, perhaps you no longer have all the big rocks down the left-hand 200yds from the control, screwed up
the vehicle to go with them, please side of the road, way out onto the the sheet and lost 5 or 6mins.
drop me a line about them and maybe grass-we were going to have our own We went back to the control and asked
they can help someone who is off-the- track! Paddy was to drive the first directions (politely), and then
road get off-road again. 500kms non-stop; if we made it to the took off on a 20kms straight, 100kph
This month we have an account of night stop, I figured that then I would rough section. Then the engine
Robin Hoods trip through .the Kalahari. know how it all worked. stopped. Out we got, lifted the hood,
If anyone has done any similar trips - to The gas canister gun went off, and we and for no reason swaped the
Chobe, Lesotho, Rhodesia or any went straight form the right-hand side wires onto the other coil. The engine
where else, and has a good story and, of the road to the left, blocking
preferably but not essentially, some anyoune behind, slid 5%yds, and started after about 1 Y:z mins, but we
photographs, please let any Committee there-in the track I had cleared were third once more.
member or the Editor have full details earlier-was a buggy on its roof. Later we passed the buggy stopped,
or a complete article. Apparently this guy had jumped the and then Olthoff with his hood up, his
gun, and some one had pulled out and blowe r pipe having blown at the intake
The, Roof of Africa was sad, in hit him, rolling him over. I spoke to him manifold. We were first again!
that it was: the first Roof resulting in a after the event: he told me he was Out of the wilderness, we now came to
fatal accident. The 4x4 Club extends absolutely petrified, because he had this famous three-lane highway. It's
our sincere sympathy and condolences seen me clearing the roacks, and when dead straight for 100kms, and was
to the family of Dave Cullingworth who he found himself on his head he and was made with a compase and
was the victim of a collision with a remembered that a two ton Ford would dozer. We only used a portion of its
vehicle during practice. be usi ngthat lane .... We were, but length;
It must be remembered that the Roof managed to miss him and everyone
and the Transkalahari take place on else. Out of the wilderness, we now came
public roads, which are closed only for At the end of the 8kms road, we were to this famous three-lane highway. It's
the day(s) of the event. Since most of running about ninth, weaving from dead straight for 100kms, and was
the competitors are guests in the right to left and back again at 140kph made with a compass and 'dozer'. We
countries concerned, we must be in a total blackout caused by all the only used a portion of its length; it's
particularly sure that on use of the 100ft wide, with three deep sets of
roads is such that local residents are dust. At the frist of the big 'yumps' on tracks down it and 18ins deep (no cars
not inconvenienced, and that safety is the cattle track, we landed on the tail use this road, only four wheel-drive
not forgotten. of a buggy: nudge, nudge, eighth vehicles and cattle trucks). Less than
Congratulations to Elia Andrioletti, and place! A couple of miles further on one mile down it, at 140kph, the Ford
Dee Tarboton - these were both good, nudge, nudge, seventh place .... jumped the tracks and we cleared all
deserved wins. Maybe next year again, Paddy doesn't have a reputation quite three lanes, ending up in the
if Elia returns our bike men will be able like Parnelli Jones, but how can you boondocks. The engine stalled, and
to compete on more even terms. To argue with a two-ton truck? you k now what hot V8s are like to
Des - well done, and I hope that next After about 190kms we were second, start after flooding. Olthoff sped by,
year will be at least one sil')gle seater in flattening trees, and we had one big but we were soon in pursuit again.
front of you. moment when we failed to take a Another mile at 145kph, and what did
corner, went up an anthill, came down it do the same bloody thing, only this
This month:- sliding sideways, up another even time ten times more frightening,
Profile Unfortunately no profile this bigger hill-and by this time we were clearing all three lanes and ending up
all ready to roll. Paddy had both hands on top of a big tree cum bush - some
month due to unavoidable delays. on the roof and both of us were performance, the V8s! We backed out,
Robin Hoods' Kalahari Safari. hanging in the belts, but luckily the but talk about difficulties in the soft
Joining metals (3) steering decided to unwind the correct sand to get across into the correct lane
way (all eight turns of it); Paddy, again!
Social - September outing at Oigens driving in shorts, got two lovely wheel Then we switched on the extra 20-
Farm, Alberton. burns on his legs, very close to his gallon tank pump, and it didn't work -
privates .... and the gauge on the 50-gallon said
We set off again after Bobby Olthoff, empty. We only had Bkms of this road
who was in the lead from the pole in a to the finish, and this was also where
turbocharged Chevrolet Normad (a the Ford was going to kill everyone
dead. What happened? It suddenly
became the Total Economy Run. Mind
you, I was much happier at 90kph,
than 80kph,then 60kph. We passed

PAGE48 MOTO X & BIKE NEWS SA VOl2 NO.9 JAN/FEB 79
.. ,j1~-~:;


Click to View FlipBook Version