This is multi faceted.
To the discerning motorcyclist , the Japanese fours were a poor imitation of a 50s Gilera or the MV Augusta .
A Ducati before 1981 was a entusiasts machine , renowned for its raceingg capability , lack of spares , poor
electrics , indiferant finish (paint / chrome) unavaliablity of dealers and serviceing, as was the Laverda , but
to a lesser degree.
The Japanese Two strokes made touring a improbability due to consumption and range .
Weight wise yamaha XS 550 & 750s along with the Suzuki waterbottle , were gross. excaberateing their
indiferant road holding .
Jap stuff had availability , price and ' cleanliness ' in their favour . Along with a roumered reliability .
However under demandintg use any machine is demanding of maintanance , though their multis were perhaps
more lowly stress4ed in production tune . Noteable Ea sucedeing version of type generally got slower & heavier.
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The enviroment in 1970 or 1975 , was that any working english speaking man had been substatialy affected
by the recent unplesantness involving a certain corporal hitler , if not tojo & hiis cronies. Japanese products
were thought of dispargeingly as cheap disposable inferior copies .
Datsun built to Morris design , Jap licenced DC3s , H.D.s , BSAs etc etc.
Their motorcycles were notorious for inadequate shock absorbers and poor springing .
Replacement of rear shocks being mandatory for hi speed use.
There competition sucesses relied on the best riders avaiable, on their production machines generally nutters
,Grame Crosby being a fine examble . WFO & fight it all the way . . . . .
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The Vincent was still renowned , as was the Square Four . ( Turners Ariel , not the Jap 2 stroke copy )
Scotts and Rudges were held in high esteme . The Manx was just another raceing bike. Albeit a
standard Grand Priox bike in the Absence of Gilerra . Though Husquavarna , BMW , and others
had in the past two decades shared predomanance if not in road raceing , in moto cross.
Which brings us to B.S.A.
Two Decades previously " The Worlds most popular motorcycle " . More B.S.A.s made then than any other type.
and most of them were still going.
Triumph " The Worlds Best Motorcycle " doubt it ? try takeing one on . Particularly recogniseing that Tarmac / hardtop was not as common as today.
NORTON , " The Worlds best Roadholder . unchallanged . However , they could go BANG
Trying to stay with Meredins best.
However , with the Commando , that all pretty much ended.
You no longer needed to build a Triton if you wanted the best of both worlds.
or for the more fundamental , a NORVIN .
Bear in mind TYRE DEVOPELOPMENT had just started provideing resonable grip leant over on road tyres .Later Michilen Pz2s and Pirelli Phantoms took this
perhaps another step , AFTER the advent of ' Slick ' G.P. & F 750 raceing tyres .Dunlop K-70s and Perrili Licqurishes still rulled on the DIRT .
If you find this hard to belive, Find a honda on the Original CHENG SHINs ( Nylon) and go for a spin , in the wet. one will gain a whole new appreciation
of the term.Their stability under duress ( the Jappers ) wasnt greatly in excess of the tyres , As Supplied ex Showroom .
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The uncertainty hadnt become concrete due to sabotage by unionists and pollies till 75 .
The Japanese hadnt atained pre-eminance in anything but the Junior Classes .
77 Gary Scott used his Triumph Twin to win ASCOTT for the fifth year running.
And Jorgenson and Aldana came in ahead of all the Jappers in another T.T.
H.D.s & Yams were blowing left right and centre at that pace, but H.D. still had weight of No's,
and Springsteen was getting into his stride .
Generally manufacturers support for british machines had just started drying up .
Fastest bike n the World ? say 130 mph, Rocket III , Z1 , or P.R. Commando .
Though one had done 160 on methanol in N.Z. ,
last years raceing bikes were available for $ 600 ,a 750 S S Ducati and a 5 speed P.R. Commando.
Two honda boys( Yam RD 350 riders gottem ) but that was as they appreciated decent engineering
Couldnt afford to race such , and above average ability & commitment necessary to do compete sucessfully
with the Japanese sponsorship coming through.
The general state of the brain cells precuded the Challange or Rotary being a sucess at that time .
Everybody was probly spending to much time at the pub .
