Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader - January 2009 - (Page 139)

ABOUT OUR WRITERS MADMAN SOMER HOOKER Madman Somer Hooker Trains His Radar on Vintage Motorcycles By Mike Brown During the Vietnam War Somer Hooker spent considerable time flying 50 feet off the ocean trying to detect enemy submarines further out to sea and gun runners close to the coast. As a Navy radar and electronic equipment specialist, he would operate a Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD) that reacted to changes in natural magnetic waves. A large metallic object like a submarine would cause such a shift. When this occurred, Somer’s job was to call out “madman, madman” to the aircrew to alert them of his find. Even when he wasn’t flying, Somer said he’d sometimes get concerned looks from civilians as he ate hot English mustard while also devouring English motorcycle magazines as he waited for his plane to refuel in Hong Kong. It wasn’t the magazines that aroused suspicions. Somer attributed the stares to the huge survival knife he had to carry as part of his flight gear. Of course, if you knew Somer questions about his sanity wouldn’t arise, except maybe as it relates to motorcycles. Somer has more than one bike, a Vincent Black Shadow that still holds a Daytona track record from the early 60’s and a 1940 Indian Inline-4 still in original paint for two examples. Somer also finds time to write for Walneck’s Classic Cycle Trader and has contributed his motorcycle expertise in print to other magazines. You have to be a little crazy to become involved in motorcycle journalism, so perhaps the jury is still out. However, when it comes to classic motorcycles, Somer’s crazy like a fox, an acknowledged and much sought out expert on many makes of vintage cycles and scholar of WALNECKS.COM the highest order when it comes to Vincents where Somer’s word is often the ultimate word. In the Beginning “I was always an avid reader,” Somer said. “I would take motorcycle magazines up with me and read every one I could get my hands on.” Somer had lots of time to read while flying in the Navy as his missions typically involved an 18-hour day. The first three hours were dedicated to pre-flight and equipment checks, the last three for post flight checks and debriefing, with the remaining 12 hours in the air, four to the patrol destination, four on patrol, and four flying back to base. The long flights back and forth were filled with 60s and 70s American standards like Cycle, Cycle World, Cycle Guide, Motorcyclist, Cycle Illustrated and even Easyriders, but he did have to keep an eye on his radar gear too. A critical part of his job was to spot bad weather well in advance. “P-3s were known to have their wings shear off in bad weather,” Somer said, clearly explaining why his weather radar vigilance was highly valued. Today Somer sets his radar on vintage bike values as a broker, appraiser and Vincent parts dealer. Somer downplays his considerable skills by saying he’s just a person who “smiles and dials” and also used this analogy: “It’s like performing marriage ceremonies. I just get people together.” Of course this togetherness is based on deep trust from both buyer and seller, something Somer built up over many years in the motorcycle world where he has made extensive contacts worldwide. As for motorcycles, he estimated he’s had 120 Vincents alone pass through his life. “Some of them just hung around” he added. Somer got his first bike while still in the Navy, a 1970 Matchless G15 CSR. The bike featured a powerful 750 Atlas engine, not the sort of cycle one usually starts out on. “I picked it up and rode it home,” Somer said, marveling at his good fortune to make it home in one piece. “All I knew was how to operate the rear brake,” he recalled. | January 2009 139 I WALNECK’S CLASSIC CYCLE TRADER® http://www.WALNECKS.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader - January 2009

Classic Cycle - January 2009 Contents American The Buzz with Buzz Walneck 1970 Harley Davidson FXS - Low Rider Motorcycle Tips with Mike Brown 1970 Harley Davidson Super Glide Cal Rayborn’s 1973 HD SRTT 1978 Harley Davidson XR 750 Bench Racing with Mark Zimmerman Events Listings & Advertisements British Chain Anyone? Barber Vintage Review Biker of the Month Parts, Accessories, Want Ads The Art of Dismantling Why Do We Do It, and When? Buffing Metal Old Blue, Deja Blue and the California Hot Rod A Fat Daddy I Call Friend 7th Annual Concours European Teacher Knows Best … Mike Brown The Midnight Whizzer … Mark Zimmerman Madman … Somer Hooker Buzz Japanese Motorbikes & Scooters Memorbilia Antique Cycle Clubs Competition How to Place a Word Ad How to Place a Photo Ad Area Code Directory How to Subscribe Let Us Help with Your Event

Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader - January 2009

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.