Life In America
Its 1966 –average family income is $7,400. per year. You’re listening to the Beach Boys singing, Good Vibrations, or the Monkees, I’m A Believer. There are now over 250,000 American soldiers in Vietnam and bombing of Haiphong and Hanoi has been ordered. At the movies you’ll see Steve McQueen in the Sand Pebbles. An average new car costs $2,650. Gas is up a penny to $.31 per gallon. In the classifieds of Cycle World, you can buy a fully restored 1940 Indian four cylinder for $850.00.
| Number One Motorcycle Trend For 1966: |
| Motocross is a new word to most American motorcyclists, but more coverage of the sport is seen as the year progresses. A European style motocross event is held in Dayton, OH. There’s a small trickle of new motocross motorcycles being imported. |
European Brands
Triumph T120R Bonneville. Velocette Thruxton 500. Greeves 250 Trail, 250 Challenger. Gilera 98 Town and Country. BSA Victor Special 441, Spitfire MkII. Bultaco Matador250, 100 Lobito, TSS Road Racers 125 and 250. Garelli Rex 50. . CZ 250 Motocross. Derbi Gran Sport 74. Montesa 250 Lacross Special, Impala Sport 250. Moto-Guzzi Six Days Replica 125. Husqvarna 250 Motocross. White Tornado 250 Scrambler. DOT 250 Scrambler. Zundapp 100 Six Days Replica, ISDT 50 and 100cc Scrambler. BMW R69S. Matchless G85GS Scrambler. Sprite Monza Trials 250 and Scrambler 250.
Asian Brands
Kawasaki 85 J1-TR, 175 F1-TR, W1 650 – biggest displacement imported from Japan, 250 Samurai. Bridgestone Dual Twin 175 –first production bike with rotary valve, 90 Mountaineer, 90 Scrambler. 90 Sport. Yamaha YL-1 – 97cc twin, YM-1 305 Cross Country. Marusho 500 Magnum. Suzuki K11 Challenger, 120 Magnum. Honda CM-91, CL160 Scrambler. Hodaka ACE90. Omega Lightning Super Sport.
American Brands
Harley-Davidson Sprint CRS 250 Scrambler, M-50 Sport, Sprint CR-TT.
Racing
Bart Markel is Grand National Champ
Hailwood switches from MV to Honda.
Daytona AMA race. 250 Armature/Expert race, 8 of top 10 finishers are mounted on Yamaha TD1-Bs. Race won by Robert Winters. 200 Mile Expert race won by Buddy Elmore on a Triumph.
There is European motocross coverage in just about every issue.
Bonneville unlimited motorcycle record is shattered by Bob Leppan’s twin Triumph engine Gyronaut X1 streamliner, 245.667 mph. Bert Munro persists and sets an official two-way record of 168.066 mph.
Other Issues
Massachusetts in its ongoing war with motorcycles has a bill in its legislature to ban motorcycles from the state and Nantucket Island.
Rumors: Honda to build 650cc four-cylinder, DOHC motorcycle.
Lightweight motorcycle sales are up 80%, large displacement bikes up 40%.
Automatic two-stroke lube systems appear on virtually all Japanese brands, though not all models.
A survey of police departments around the US indicate that noise is the biggest problem with motorcycles….hmmmm, nothing changes.
In ’66 I bought a new Suzuki T-20 – X-6 Hustler, and it completely redefined my take on where the Japanese were going! This little two-stroke 250cc twin would flat outrun single carb British 650s – and had six gears and oil injection. Also had actual brakes and lighting, and handled! This bike has been largely overlooked by the motorcycle pundits over the years, but in ’66 and ’67 (In ’68 it was replaced with a redesigned model, and Suzuki released the T-500.) it was Suzuki’s flagship. I would love to find one to restore. Who knew?
Seeking to learn whereabouts of a very dear friend who I have lost contact with. George Montgomery, I believe he came in 3rd. on a Triumph in the 1966 Daytona 200 mi. expert race. He and his wife Pat were very good friends. Anyone knowing George or Pat’s whereabouts please contact me at e-mail (above) or 631-539-4049. Thanks, Bruce Brennan, ex pro racer.
Is this the George Montgomery you are referring to?
http://www.georgesspeedshop.com/Ohio_George/Start_OGM.html
Hey were you a detective in Manhattan?
I passed your info to the real George M.
Yes. I know where George is. I just bought a 1970 Triumph from him. You can contact me at jeremy@ussewer.com
The Yamaha TD1-B that won the 250 Amateur/Expert race at Daytona in 1966 was sponsored by Competition Accessories, then a small shop Xenia, Ohio.