1963 Pointer Comet & Super Lassie - 2-Page Vintage Motorcycle Article

Description

1963 Pointer Comet & Super Lassie - 2-Page Vintage Motorcycle Article
Original, vintage motorcycle article
Page Size: Approx. 8" x 11" (21 cm x 28 cm) each page
Condition: Good
Two examples of what may soon become one of the
most popular lines of Japanese-built motorcycles are
the subject of this month’s road impression; the 155cc
Pointer Comet and the 90cc Super Lassie. Both are full
fledged motorcycles and both are heavily sprinkled with
interesting features.
Among those found on both machines, and several
others in the Pointer line, are: electric starting, three-
speed rotary gearbox in the Super Lassie, four-speed in
the Comet; leading link front suspension; swinging arm
rear suspension; electric turn signals built in; full electrical
and lighting equipment, and rear view mirrors. Though
none of the items on the list can be categorized as revo-
lutionary, they are, nonetheless, excellent reasons for rid-
ing and owning one.
The larger sized Comet (about 5 inches longer than
the Lassie), is powered by a 155cc, single-cylinder, two-
stroke engine, rated at 11 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. A
four-speed gearbox is used, employing the popular Japan-
ese “rotary” system, as do the other members of the
Pointer group. This means simply that the selection of
gears is handled by a revolving mechanism that continues
to select a gear as the lever is repeatedly pressed down,
or; the next gear in line is chosen at every movement of
the arm, ie; 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, neutral, 1st, 2nd, etc.
The Comet bears a handsome black finish with a taste-
ful amount of chrome-plated components, most of the
essential elements being of contemporary Japanese con-
struction using pressed metal and bolted together. Total
weight is only 264 pounds and its light weight in combi-
nation with a respectable horsepower rating gives it a
claimed top speed of almost 70 mph. Though we do not
ordinarily make top speed or performance checks on our
road impression machines, we did take the 155cc Comet
out to our top speed strip and turned a highly respectable
68.9 mph, nothing to complain about.
Turning to the neat little 90cc Super Lassie we find a
horse of a different color. Here is a highly spirited little
two-stroke tiddler with performance we couldn’t quite be-
lieve until we tried it. Top speed reached was 60.1 mph,
over the speed claimed for it, and acceleration takes sec-
ond choice to very few machines in its general category.
The Super Lassie is a single-cylinder, two-stroke rated at
7 hp @ 6,000 rpm, weighs about 175 pounds and is fin-
ished in a handsome two-tone paint job.
Of pressed metal construction also, but with fibreglass
in places like both fenders, we particularly liked the “all-
in-one” appearance of the bike. Detail finishing is also
quite good and electric starting and turn signals are stan-
dard equipment. Both Pointers use the Neidhalt leading
arm front suspension system; a qifte smooth and comfort-
able ride are traits of this methc.. and all of the Pointers
we have ridden, including the Sen: or model that Airheart
Engineering used as a test bed for their hydraulic disc
brake experiments (CYCLE WORLD January 1962 and
May 1962 issues), were exceptionally comfortable and
good handling machines.
We would like to have seen a four-speed gearbox on
the Lassie in place of the three-speed unit; we will add
though, that the ratios are very well selected.
Both fuel consumption figures, 176 miles per gallon
on the Super Lassie and 136 on the Comet, are of the
type that make filling station attendants somewhat ill.
We did not have the opportunity to verify either figure,
but both seem quite appropriate for the two machines.
We doubt seriously if mileage enters very strongly into
the decision of which motorcycle to buy and, as a rule,
pay little attention to claims of makers or distributors.
Evaluating the two Pointers was not a difficult task at
all; both have much to offer and the decision as to which
machine best suits one’s needs lies with their desires for
performance and the capacity of their buying power.
Pointers are distributed in the East by Pointer Sales of
America in Cleveland, Ohio. Prices are 7.32 for the
Comet and 2.08 for the Super Lassie. In the West
they are distributed by Jays Cycles Inc., in El Paso,
Texas, who prices the Super Lassie at 7.00 and
8.26 for the Comet.
Both firms are seeking dealers. We found little to
deter prospective dealers, or buyers, from an interesting
and extremely satisfying pair of motorcycles.
12065-6304-08