Mighty minis
I’m an avid reader of Motorcycle Classics, and I much enjoyed reading, “1970 Honda CT70 Trail 70: The Mightiest of the Minis?”
That was great to see us little riders and our Mini Mighty Mites receiving some ink on the best times of our lives.
That time period from age 10 to age 12 when I rode a 1973 Kawasaki KV75 was truly “The Great Old Days” of my life.
I can recall when I hung my first wheelie; I would use this uphill ridge to provide momentum, and then up in the air I went. The weight and configuration of the engine and frame required that I had to keep the front wheel very high in order to “travel” on the wheelie.
The Kawasaki KV75 had a top speed of 40mph; the bike was a two-stroke with mechanical oil injection and a three-speed with an automatic clutch. In addition, the bike was somewhat heavy for the size and CC 79 specs, yet all the parts were heavy-duty, so even my full-grown parents could take a ride.
–Rocco LeFre, Scottsdale, Arizona
Continuous improvement
Spot on article. The same architecture for the OHV Big Twin Harleys spanned 4 series from 1936 through 1999. Sportster from 1957 through 2022. There will always be a strong aftermarket for Harleys because of this.
–John Tramburg, Venice, Florida
Form and function
Loved the May/June issue more than usual. The excellent stories on the Honda S90 and Nighthawk hit home. My first bike was a new 1966 S90. About a year later, on a wet road, a guy pulled out in front of me, and I flew over the trunk as the front forks bent backwards. I was getting into enduro racing and trials back in New Jersey, so stripped down the S90 and used the insurance money to buy a pair of Ceriani forks. I had a 1969 CB750 during college, a 1998 Nighthawk for commuting to work, and currently a 2003 Nighthawk with a Rifle fairing. As a former industrial designer, in my honest opinion, the Nighthawk is the best of the UJM reflecting a perfect blend of form and function. Note to Dain: lose the ugly black mufflers. Stock is beautiful.
–Steve Anthes, Malo, Washington
Stock is usually beautiful and Industrial Design is largely unknown as a professional pursuit. I took what I learned in school and worked in museum exhibition design, but ID is everywhere. Magazine story? — Ed.
