May 2012 Rat Tales

MAY 2012
Official Newsletter of the Cascade Moto Classics, Inc. R.A.T. Pack
Page 2
www.rat-pack.com
T. R . A . P. R E P O R T
“Would you
like to get
closer to
motorcycle
racing?
How about
volunteering
for the
Oregon
Motorcycle
Road Racing
Association?“
It’s a great time to be a
Triumph motorcycle owner!
Triumph’s recent boost in
advertising is drawing a
lot of attention in the motorcycle community and
Jason DiSalvo’s second
place finish at the 2012
Daytona 200 race on his
Triumph Daytona 675
speaks well of the bikes
performance and reliability. It was one of the most
exciting motorcycle races I
have ever watched. One
more lap might have been
enough for him to win. I
can’t wait for more close
racing this season. Cascade Moto, Inc. set a record for sales in March with
28 new bikes delivered to
happy owners. Those figures put our favorite shop
as the #4 Triumph dealership in the nation. Way to
go team!
With the weather beginning to turn, it’s time to get
out there and ride. We
have often mentioned
ways to improve your skills
by taking classes, watching
videos, reading books and
articles. One thing that we
fail to mention is just getting out there and riding.
Give your bike a “preflight” inspection, grab
your gear and hop on
your Triumph. Remember
what you’ve learned.
Watch your mirrors, don’t
tense up, and look where
you want to go. Time riding will clear your head,
improve your mood, and
increase your confidence
level making you a better
rider. If you would like to
have a little coaching, contact me and I can connect
you with a more experience RAT Pack member
who can mentor you.
Alone or with a group of
friends, get out and ride ride and enjoy. Spring
has sprung!
Deirdre and I attended the
Mods and Rockers event in
March. It started on a Friday night and there were
as many Mods as there
were Rockers. I arrived
after work on Friday to
check out the cool scooters
and café motorcycles. Triumph ruled the roost with
the numbers! Tom Tegner’s
Triumph Thruxton took
third place in the bike
show. By Saturday the
Rockers outnumbered the
Mods. We met at the East
End Bar on Grand and
waited for the 5PM ride
start. We rode along as
far as we could but had to
peel off because I had a
bass playing gig in Parkrose that evening. As soon
as that was finished, Deirdre and I rode our bikes
back to SeeSee’s motorcycle coffee shop on NE
Sandy for an art show.
The real art was parked
on the street all around the
block – motorcycle eye
candy! The weather continued to be great and we
rode back to Club 21 for
more rock ‘n’ roll and to
hang out with great
friends.
On the weekend of May
20-21st Oregon Vintage
Motorcyclists will be holding their annual Ride, Motorcycle Show and Swap
Meet in Corvallis. TRAP
TWO is planning on riding
down on Sunday. See the
ad inside for all the details.
One last item…would you
like to get closer to motorcycle racing? I mean really close. How about volunteering for the Oregon
Motorcycle Road Racing
Association? They need
corner works at their
events all the time. Get
there early, pay your admission and meet at the
race tower. They will reimburse you for your admission fee and feed you
lunch in return for helping
them out! If you would like
more information, please
contact me or local racers
and be an OMRRA volunteer corner worker!
Bye for now and Be Safe!
Marty
www.cascademoto.com
Page 3
INSIDE THIS
ISSUE
Cover Page
SATURDAY SALE
EVENT!
Page 2
Packleaders TRAP
Report
Page 3
ALL Ladies Ride
to OVM Meet
Page 4
On The Road
Again
Page 5
Moto Book Review
INSERT
Chehalis ride
pictures
O R E G O N V I N TA G E M O T O RC YC L E M E E T
Every year like clock work the Oregon Vintage Motorcyclists are preparing for their 32nd Annual
Vintage Motorcycle Ride, Show & Swap Meet. People from all over the region bring their bikes to
put on display. There are also a number of vendors that bring a wide variety of parts to sell at
the swap meet. You can find anything from service manuals, exhausts, to random bells and whistles.
Featured Marque: ROYAL ENFIELD - 11:00am to 4:00pm on Sunday May 20th
*Admission: $5.00 Free to OVM Members and children under 12
*Parking - Concessions - Over 100 Antique, Classic and Special Interest Motorcycles and Scooters
on display
*Bikes & Scooters at least 20 years old
*People’s Choice Awards
*Overnight Camping Available
BENTON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, CORVALLIS, OREGON
Swap Meet Space Available : No charge for members
More info www.oregonvintage.org ovm@efn.org
Yreka Ride Info
Page 7
Giggle Factor
Back Page
Calendar of Events
Page 4
www.rat-pack.com
O N T H E ROA D A G A I N
“I rode it at a
number of TT and
To All The Bikes I’ve Loved Before…
rode it at a number
My apologies to Willie Nelson for altering
the lyrics. I was talking to a guy down at
CMC. His Triumph was in for service but he
had other bikes to ride. “Really?” I asked.
Then he proceeded to name off a half dozen that he said were in his garage.
“Impressive” I said. “That’s nothing” he replied, “Counting dirt bikes I’ve probably
owned two dozen bikes at one time or another.” It got me to thinking about the bikes I
have owned. Not so many apparently. Still,
it took a little bit of thinking time to put together this list.
of TT and half mile
1966 Bultaco El Tigre
half mile tracks and
did ride it in the
desert a couple of
times. The highlight
of the Beezer’s
racing career was
riding the
Sacramento Mile.I
tracks and did ride it
in the desert a
couple of times. The
highlight of the
Beezer’s racing
career was riding the
Sacramento Mile.”
This little gem was a 200cc two-stroke that I
bought from my brother. Completely street
legal. Premix required. I rode this on the
street for a few months but low-sided in
gravel at the edge of the road (target fixation) on Skyline Drive near Page Mill Road in
Palo Alto. Based on my obvious skills I removed the lights and fenders and started
racing dirt track. It was sorely uncompetitive.
Still, I had fun. The highlight of the El Tigre’s
racing career was a Novice TT race at the
Salinas Fairgrounds. In my heat race was a
young teenager named Ricky Graham. He
went on to become AMA Grand National
Champion three times. I continued to fall
down.
1970 Bultaco Sherpa S
Another 200cc smoker. This, however, was a
“made to race” bike. The engine size seems
small but, in those days, the biggest bike
that you could race on the dirt was 750cc.
On quarter-mile ovals and TT tracks 200cc
gave you plenty of power. I did pretty well
on this bike. If you raced a full season you
could count on some get-offs almost every
weekend but usually nothing serious. That
said, I managed to crash hard at Hayward
by Will Ammutt
Speedway, knocking some teeth out. Target
fixation. I bought a Bell Star after this incident. I think that qualifies as shutting the
barn door after the horse got out.
1972 Yamaha R5C
This wonderful little 350cc twin is one bike I
wish I could have back. It was quick and handled very well. It also had oil injection, a
luxury to me at the time. I had this bike for a
couple of years and it never gave me any
trouble.
I can’t say I returned the favor. Coming home
from my graveyard shift job at about 2AM
in the rain, I hit a deep puddle on Highway
280 in San Jose and the bike began hydroplaning at 65 MPH. I ended up doing a
lowside in the middle lane, my Yamaha
keeping pace with me on its side in the fast
lane. Fortunately for both of us there was
little to no traffic. A van driver stopped to
make sure I was all right. I was unhurt and,
other than losing a turn signal, so was the
Yamaha.
Uncertain vintage Trackmaster BSA
This was a pure race bike. The motor was
from a 650cc twin street BSA. The crank had
been modified so that the motor now displaced 750cc and put out about 75 horsepower. The frame was made by Trackmaster
and the whole shebang weight in at slightly
over 300 pounds. I rode it at a number of TT
and half mile tracks and did ride it in the
desert a couple of times. The highlight of the
Beezer’s racing career was riding the Sacramento Mile. Unfortunately the lowlight of the
Beezer’s racing career was riding the Sacramento Mile. The engine grenaded on the last
lap of the main event. I sold it that day.
1973 Bultaco Pursang 250cc
This is the second bike I bought from my
brother. It was a wonderful
www.cascademoto.com
MOTO BOOK REVIEW
Page 5
by Francis Cleveland
Top Dead Center
The Best of Kevin Cameron from Cycle World Magazine
Kevin Cameron has been writing for Cycle World magazine as the technical editor since
1973. This book is a small sample of his monthly column and featured articles. He has been
called the finest technical writer the internal combustion engine has ever known! Cameron
can take a seemingly boring concept like fluid dynamics and draw you in with his beautiful
descriptions that help you understand and leave you wanting more. His curiosity seems to
drive his work and thankfully he shares it with us in this great collection.
This
book dissects topics from life in the racing paddock, to the Genius of John Britten and to
early motorcycle chassis development. It’s not all rocket science and calculus, some stories
are are insightful bits on family life or friendships . It’s as if he has a need to share
knowledge and show you just how fascinating things can be. I recommend this book to anyone who has ever asked the
questions how or why when it comes to the wonderful world of motorcycles. Be forewarned this is not light reading; however it still receives a best possible and best ever 7 out of 7 gears rating!
O N T H E ROA D A G A I N
CONTINUED
bike and I was fairly competitive with it in both flat track and motocross. Unfortunately it was on this bike that I paid my
second trip to a hospital. While riding on a downhill trail I elected to pass a friend. We approached a road cut that ran
horizontal to our trail and I lofted the front end as we crossed the road side by side. Big surprise to me was that there
was a basketball sized rock in the trail that just happened to be where my front wheel came down. I went over the bars
and ended up with a broken collarbone. Loved the bike though. I still had it when we moved to Oregon and rode it in the
Trask. I sold it in 2004 to buy my first Triumph.
1974 Kawasaki 900 Z1
I sold the Yamaha in early 1978 and bought this bike. It was very fast in a straight line but as heavy as the Titanic. Compared to the Yamaha it didn’t handle well either. I got rid of it within six months, afraid that I might find an iceberg. That
was a highlight.
1966 Triumph 650 Street Tracker
I saw this bike at the All British Field Meet in 2004. It was for sale and it stirred something deep in the reptilian part of
my brain. Much to my wife’s consternation, I bought it. Highlight of my ownership of this bike was the wonderful sound it
made. Lowlight was the fact that the sound it often didn’t make. It was a bike that required a lot of mechanical skill and
care. I have none. I sold it to a friend who, oddly enough, remained my friend in spite of it all.
This brings us to the present. I bought the Big Twin in 2006. It is a wonderful motorcycle. It retains all of the features of the
bikes of my youth (wire wheels, wide bars, upright seating) and the key elements of the bikes of today (dependability,
electric start, working lights, and disc brakes). I may not have owned as many motorcycles as my friend but I loved them
all. Well, except for the Z1 maybe.
www.rat-pack.com
Page 6
J U LY 2 7 - 2 9 2 0 1 2
PAC K W O O D, WA S H I N G T O N
Come ride the twisty roads around Mt. St. Helens,
M t . R a i n e r, M t . A d a m s
R e s e r v e a r o o m a t PA C K W O O D I N N . c o m
360-494-5500
-
Dave Langley
Rooms $69 single - $79 double
Includes continental br eakfast & pool!
BBQ Saturday - $12/person
RSVP with Liz or Janice 503-574-3353
Space Limited; Reserve room by JUNE 30
NEW LADIES
New Mens
T-SHIRTS
T-Shirts
Va r i e t y o f c o l o r s
$25.99
$25.99
Great color selection
S po r t s Wa tc h
$129.99
Limited Time
O N LY
$99.00
www.cascademoto.com
Page 7
Hwy 53, also known as Necanicum Hwy, is a great motorcycling road. If you find yourself on Hwy 26 near the
coast and want to increase the “giggle factor” you must
take this detour! Near the beginning of the route, there is
a sign warning of curves for the next 19 miles. That's
something every motorcyclist likes to see and for most of
the ride it's very accurate. It is full of tight curves and a
little elevation change that make your heart race. You will
drop down to a flat by the fish hatchery. Just when you
think it is over you are right back into a short section of
twisties to finish you off!
$5,995
865cc Parallel Twin 11,935 miles
Excellent Condition
12,000 mile service just completed
The Triumph America mixes classics British engineering with style
straight from the US highways, with wide bars, forward set pegs and
relaxed. Freedom and individuality define the essence of cruising and
the America encapsulates both.
$5,995
865cc Parallel Twin 6630 miles
Great Condition
Just Serviced
Includes tachometer kit, fork gaiters, and stem clock
3,695
904cc Big Bore Parallel Twin
48,860 miles
Caspian Blue, custom pin striping, powder coated motor, chrome engine covers, chrome passenger peg hangers, Specialty Spares exhaust kit, stock parts available.
Small dent on tank
PRE-OWNED TRIUMPHs AT CASCADE MOTO CLASSICS, INC.
See our website for all available motorcycles!
w w w. r a t - p a c k . c o m
H
NEW TRIUMP
Congratulations to those who bought new
Triumphs in April. Thank you for your business
and we look forward to seeing you at some of
our club events.
DAVID CLAY - SPEEDMASTER
DAVE ESQUIBEL - BONNEVILLE
PATRICK HEAGY - SCRAMBLER
JOHN FISHER - TOGER 800 XC
JACOB & JESS HAMBURG - THRUXTON
GARY MACK - TIGER 800 XC
DAIVID BIERMAN - THUNDERBIRD 1600
ALLAN HANSEN - SPEED TRIPLE
NIGEL DAHLVANG - SPRINT GT
TODD CRUZ - TIGER 800 XC
KEN HILDEBRAND - STREET TRIPLE
MICHAEL SMYTHE - THRUXTON
NW RAT LUNCH 2012
CHEHALIS, WASHINGTON
R.A.T CONTACT INFO
Cascade Moto Classics, Inc.
Kelly & Janice McCarthy
13705 SW Farmington Rd.
Beaverton, OR 97005
info@cascademoto.com
503-574-3353
PACKLEADERS
Soren Winslow
soren@rat-pack.com
Marty Johnson
marty@rat-pack.com
CLUB SITE
www.rat-pack.com
R.A.T. BREAKFAST
First Saturday of every
month - 9:00 am
ACROSS
DOWN
1. TYPE OF TWIN
ENGINE IN THE
BONNEVILLE LINE
2. NEW TIGER MODEL
6. MOTORCYCLE
TRIUMPH IS RACING
7. SATURDAY OF RAT
BREAKFAST
9. NUMBER OF YEARS
CMC IS CELEBRATING
BEING IN BUSINESS
3. LIZ’S FAVORITE
FOOD
4. CMC OWNER’S
LAST NAME
5. SERVICE MANAGER
8. TOWN THE SEASON OPENER IS IN
10. NUMBER OF
PHONE BOOTHS AT
MAY 5th
JUNE 2nd
JULY 7th
AUGUST 4th
SEPTEMBER 1st
OCTOBER 6th
NOVEMBER 3rd
DECEMBER 1st
Peppermill Restaurant
17455 SW Farmington
Rd.
Beaverton, OR
1. PARALLEL 2. EXPLORER 3. BACON 4.
MCCARTHY 5. BRANT 6. DAYTONA 7. FIRST
8. YREKA 9. TWENTY 10. TWO
MAY 5th
9:00 am
R.A.T. BREAKFAST
Peppermill Restaurant - All bikes are welcome
MAY 20th
T.R.A.P. TWO Ride to
Oregon Vintage Motorcyclists Swap Meet & Bike Show
Corvaillis see inside for details
JUNE 1-3
TRAP SEASON OPENER Yreka, Ca
See inside for details
JUNE 2nd
9:00 am
R.A.T. BREAKFAST
Peppermill Restaurant - All bikes are welcome
JULY 7th
9:00 am
R.A.T. BREAKFAST
Peppermill Restaurant - All bikes are welcome
JULY 14th
NOON
SUMMER OPEN HOUSE
Cascade Moto Classics, Inc.
JULY 27-29
T.R.A.P. VOLVANO RAID
Packwood, WA See Inside for details
Many more events! Go to www.rat-pack.com for details.