Central California Classic Cycle Club
6375 N Sharon, Fresno Ca 93710
President and Newsletter Editor - Bob Miller gjm14@fresno.com
phone (559) 447-0795

March 2005

C's February ride to the Pinnacles
By Bob Miller
On Sunday February 27th the C's gang left from the Chevron station at Herndon and Blackstone. The weather was overcast but no rain was falling. At the same time Ken Davis was ready to blast off from Merced where it was sprinkling.  We would rendezvous  in Mendota. the gang from Fresno went west on highway 180 through Kerman where we picked up Joe Perry. By Kerman the clouds had dissipated and the sun was shining. it stayed out until we almost got to the Pinnacles.
*Our first major stop was at Panoche Inn.  A  one room do it all Bar / movie rental place. This place is just about as far away as you can get form civilization and only be an hour from Fresno. From Panoche we wandered along curving back roads that follow streams that were flowing. We even had to ford small streams a few times on our way to Paicines and a short gas stop then on to the Pinnacles.
* At the Pinnacles we ate out bag lunches. and went to the visitors center. Only a few went inside the center while the rest watched and made, Helpful? comments while I (Bob Miller) adjusted my chain on my 1970 Honda 750. those old Hondas were famous for sending the chain through the cases if the chain wasn't maintained. I know because the bike I was riding had replacement cases on it! No one seemed like they were interested in hiking around and by that time it was 2pm.
*From the Pinnacles Joe Perry left to visit a friend and Will Pucket and Dave Smith on their dual sport bikes decided to take the alternate dirt road home. Dave called me as soon as he got home about an hour and a half after I got home. They had a great time but had to cross over fourty streams, some approaching the size of a river! Neither fell down crossing H2O but could feel the water tugging at their wheels.
*the rest of us went on a beautiful back road to Coalinga. We went through several small valleys each with their own little stream all of the hillsides were lush and green. The road dumps out of the hills near Coalinga and the oil fields with pumps slowly sucking out the liquid gold and sending it through a maze of pipes. After gassing up we blasted back to Fresno. The closer we got the faster we went. Probably not to smart but by then the sun was starting to set and I think everyone was ready to be home.
* Although the weather was iffy at times not a drop fell the whole ride. How great is that! I loved it so much I definitely want to do it again next year around the same time of year when the streams are running and it's not hot yet. I hope you can make then too.
 
C's Blossom Trail Ride Sunday March 13
One of the valley's best features is when the fruit trees are in bloom.(unless you get hayfeaver from it.) Every spring vast orchards explode into purple and pinks, whites and peach colored blossoms. The blossom trail is unique to the valley and shouldn't be missed. This year C's is emphasize OLD BIKES! We won't be going up the hill this year we will stay down where it's flat. So bring your vintage riding iron. If your mighty steed isn't so mighty this is the ride to bring it on. Flat land and no where to be with no schedule to keep make it ideal for those bikes that aren't destined to get the owner speeding tickets. If you bring a bike that is "high velocity challenged" I'm sure there will someone else who thinks it cruises at just the right speed. We will have a map so if you lag behind to stop and smell the blossoms (and tighten up that vibrating exhaust pipe) you will know where the speeding hoard will stop. Ride will depart from the Chevron station at the corner of Kings Canyon and Clovis avenues at 9 am.

C's Swap meet at Mathews Harley Davidson Saturday April 2nd.
Terry Kaluza Has set up a C's swap meet at Mathews H.D. We have had a swap meet there two or three times in the past. The best part? It's Free! Come on out at 8am when they open up and claim your spot. C's will have coffee in the morning and sell soft drinks and Hot dogs until we fold up. My guess is that will be around 2pm. Even though it is at the H.D. store you can bring all kinds of bikes and parts. Got Yamaha stuff bring it out! got an old BSA laying around your garage Bring it out. You can afford to it's Free! We will have an ad in the Bee bike classified.Paid for by the money we make on drinks and food. Mark your calendar Saturday April 2

C's classified ads
   Terry Kaluza has a 6 foot tall 5x 8 enclosed trailer. It was made in 1980 by Fruehauf ( I probably spelled it wrong.) It is a single axle and can hold a single big bike at an angle even if it's over 8 feet long. Terry wants $800 and it's probably worth more than that. call him at 440-9861

   Donn Donnelly wrote and had two bikes for sale but the Triumph he had got stolen. Be on the look out for a Triumph Cub. He still has a 1969 Suzuki TC120 for sale for $350. call him at 683-4497.

      Scott Chapman has some goodies for sale. A 1972 Honda SL125 $200. Two Kawasaki KD125"s 1975 or 76 with extras $150 each. 1975 Hodaka 125 with extras $150. Preston Petty front finders and misc other brands for dirt bikes$15 each. LBZ dirt riding pants size 35 $60. Sell or trade for Trials bikes or parts. Call Scott at (559) 435-3387.

Jim Camack is continuing to clean out his enventory of bikes so he can afford a new bike (and there not cheep) Start your collection today CHEEP! Call Jim at 1-805 -528-3019
71Suzuki 500cc Titian Plus parts $750
71 Suzuki TS90cc$120
69Kawa 120cc TR Roadrunner$110
70 Kawasaki f5 350CC $1800
67 Honda CB160 "nice" $1700
71 Kawasaki H1 original $4500
69 Honda CB350 original  $800
72 Honda CB750 Original $3200
76 Kawasaki LTD900 Very Nice $5400
78 KZ1000 A-2 one of a kind $3750
71 Yamaha R5 Very Clean $2000
78 Yamaha RD400 Spec 2 equiped $2300
*

*Two Wheels Through Terror*
A report by Dave Gearhart
     In our newsletter we've covered a few of the good motorcycle travel books of the past including Ted Simon's "Jupiters Travels". "Two Wheels Through Terror" is by Glen Heggstad, a California martial arts instructor who attempted a ride to the tip of South America and back. Riding a Kawi KLR 650 he had adventures all of the way through Mexico and Central America. He seems to love to talk to people and every tiny village is an adventure for him. He writes a bit about his bike and biking but mostly about meeting people and about the dangers he faced hourly. One wonders why he began such a trip if the dangers and hardships were as great as he claims!
     In Columbia he was captured by the ELN, supposedly the deadliest rebel group in Columbia. In graphic and sometimes tedious detail he recounts his grueling marches, lack of food, torture and interrogation by the rebels. Finally near death many weeks later, he is of little value to the rebels and is involved in a prisoner swap and is turned over to the Red Cross. The FBI shows up with a plane to take him home but he refuses, he wants his motorcycle back to continue his trip. They point out he is sick, has no money and no motorcycle and no passport.
     So you need to read this book to find out how he did finish his trip! Go to his website at strikingviking.net to get all the facts, to order the book, and to follow his current round the world ride!
     I had the opportunity to talk to Glen right after his trip about two years ago, and before the book came out. I was at a Blues Festival when I saw a KLR with panniers pull into the motorcycle-only parking area. I left the music to go out to the parking lot to talk to the rider who told me a fascinating tale about his capture by rebels and his subsequent trip to Tierra del Fuego. It was Glen Heggstad and his tale seemed to be almost unbelievable.
     Then last spring I was at a biker bar and restaurant in Palm Springs, California. There were bikes on display and memorabilia on the walls. One display was newspapers about a Palm Springs resident who was just back after a ride to South America and capture by Columbian Rebels. It was of course Glen Heggstad. So when the book came out I was interested in getting the whole story. You'll get the whole story and more when you read this book!! Published by Whitehorse Press, you can order it on their website or on Glen's.
     If you are interested in reading this book let Bob know. It was one of the gifts in the white elephant exchange. I read it and thought it was an interesting read.
 
MY FIRST SPORTSMAN EXPERT RACE
BY DAN  ROUIT
IT WAS IN CHOWCILLA, I THINK IN THE SUMMER OF 1972. 1 WAS 14 OR 15 YEARS OLD. I WAS RIDING A STOCK FRAMED TRIUMPH 65O. THROUGH OUT 1970 & 1971 1 WAS RIDING A 250 BULTACO PURSANG THAT TOD SLOAN # 265Z HAD RIDDEN FOR WILSON'S TRIUMPH OF FRESNO IN HIS PRO NOVICE YEAR. {MIKE MIDDLETON RODE THE SISTER BIKE TO THIS ONE }.  AT CHOWCILLA AS A JUNIOR I WAS PRETTY MUCH UNBEATABLE, SO WHEN I HAD EARNED MY 84 POINTS & 6 MAIN EVENT WINS {thats what you had to have to transfer from junior to expert } I WENT TO THEN DISTRICT 35 REFEREE HARVEY BAKER & TOLD HIM I WANTED TO MOVE UP. I THOUGHT THE BEST TRACK TO HAVE MY FIRST EXPERT RACE WOULD BE CHOWCILLA.
      THE TRACK WAS AT THE FAIRGROUNDS, IT WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A RODEO ARENA. THE TRACK WAS A CUSHION TRACK KINDA SHAPED LIKE A PAIR OF GOGGLES. I FELT REALLY GOOD IN PRACTICE, LIKE IT WAS NO BIG DEAL. WE LINED UP FOR THE HEAT RACE, I STARTED TO GET REAL NERVOUS & FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON I GOT A PERFECT START. I LED AROUND THE FIRST TURN,THEN THE RIGHT HANDER THE BIG LEFT HAND SWEEPER . I WAS ALREADY PRETTY TIRED. I WAS THINKING I GOT THIS IN THE BAG. (first place here I come.} BUT,WHEN WE CAME ONTO THE FRONT STRAIGHTAWAY CARROLL JACKSON, BUD WALL, BOB YOUNG, RAY COMER AND I DON'T KNOW WHO ELSE WENT BY ME LIKE I WAS'NT EVEN MOVING, THEY BURIED ME WITH THEIR ROOSTER TAILS {my neck & bare knuckles got blasted real good } THEN THEY WERE GONE.
     BOY, I LEARNED THAT I HAD ALOT TO LEARN IF I WAS GOING TO MAKE IT IN THE EXPERT CLASS. THE NEXT FEW SEASONS I GOT BETTER & I EVEN WON A FEW BUT, I PRETTY MUCH WAS IN THERE TO ROUND OUT THE FIELD. I WENT PRO IN 1974 & 75 RIDING THE TRACKMASTER FRAMED YAMAHA TD3 250cc TWIN THAT FRESNO'S DON ROBERTS HAD GOT HIS PRO NOVICE POINTS ON. I EARNED A FEW NOVICE POINTS AT TULARE & SAN JOSE HALF MILES. AFTER 1975 THE AMA OUTLAWED THE TWINS SO, YOU COULD ONLY RIDE SINGLE CYLINDER 250'S.
     I WENT BACK TO SPORTSMAN RACING ON MY TRACKMASTER TRIUMPH {my parents bought the bike from ray evans & his dad.} I RACED UP TIL OCTOBER 1978  WHEN I HAD MY ACCIDENT {it was'nt motorcycle related. }THE TRACKMASTER TRIUMPH IS ON DISPLAY IN THE MUSEUM. WELL THAT'S  IT. I HOPE I DIDN'T BORE YOU TOO MUCH. THANKS.

C's dualsport ride
    C's dual sport ride will be April 24 This will be a true dualsport ride. we will ride up behind pine flat lake fron Fresno that tale off the road at Trimmer Springs and wander around on the roads between Pine Flat, Shaver Lake and Dinkey Creek. Hope fully the snow and most of the muck will be gone by then. We will start from the Chevron station at Clovis and Kings Canyon at 9am.
Calendar for 2005
March 13 C's blossom trail ride. easy ride for bikes of all size and age. We won't ride up 180 towards the mountains so slow, low powered bikes can keep up! We will have lunch somewhere out on the trail. Ride your Vintage Bike! Ride starts from the Chevron gas station Clovis and Kings Canyon. at 9am.
April 2 Saturday C's Swap Meet at Mathew's Harley Davidson Starts at 8am. Hot dogs and soft drinks for sale. No charge to sell or buy!
April 9th Saturday The all British Clubman's show in San Jose. Brit bike fans shouldn't miss this event. Best on the west coast for limy bikes.
April 17 Automotive Swap Meet at the Save Mart Center formally at Cherry Auction Usually a few bikes in the crowd. 5 bucks to get in Gates open at 5am for sellers and 6am for buyers.
April 24 C's dual sport ride in the Sierras.  starts from Chevron gas station at Clovis and Kings Canyon 9am.
April 29- May 1Corsa Motoclassica 2005 at Willow Springs Raceway. This year laverda's will be out in force.
May 1st Joe Perry family ride and picnic at Kerckhoff Lake. A fun ride up in the hills where good food awaits riders. This ride raises money for a scholarship at Sierra High-school, and last year it only costs 10 bucks.
May 14-15 Frazier Park Fretival of vintage motorcycles. for more info 661-245-4903
May 15  tentatively Concourse De Elegance at Fresno State. Join the car crowd for the classiest event in the valley. in the past it was the same weekend as Hanford and now it's not!
May 20 -22 The Big Weekend starting with a ride down from Sumner's to  Don Harrell's open house on Friday. Hanford show and swap-meet on Saturday and on Sunday Pancho's ride in the morning to Dan Rouit's open house.
June 17-18 Rumble to the Summit.
June AMCA meet in Dixon. Something is happening. Old bikes ain't so old anymore? Bikes must    be 35 years old to be in the show. That makes 1970 as the cutoff year. Soon many of the          Japanese bikes I own will be eligible to enter.
July 4 Hollister. From the form C's sent out to members Several people are interested in going      as a group to Hollister. The fourth is on a Monday this year. If going overnight Reservations          should be made asap. Come to the February meeting for details.
July 8-10 Laguna Seca raceway Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix The Red Bull U.S. will have the eyes of the world focused on the Monterey Peninsula when the MotoGP World Championship returns to the USA and Laguna Seca for the first time since 1994.  as well as the Superstars of Super Karts  including Wayne Rainey and Eddie Lawson.
 

Best Motorcycle roads in California
Here is a link to the best motorcycle roads in California.  Go to www.Pashnit.com
There is also a list of California cycle clubs on this site at http://www.pashnit.com/more/clublinks.htm