MOTOR-CYCLING.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18242, 28 November 1924, Page 6

MOTOR-CYCLING.

NOTES.. .'Tho first mc tor-cycle ' fitted with balloon tyres to be IKr.ded in New Zealand is ail Indian Chief, twik.li has !>een received by tie local agents. CaU'oon.s for heavy-weight motor-cycles have been carefully tested by this American lirm of 'cycle makers which now places full confidence in them. The local ageuts have also tested the machine 'fitted with the big tyres, and they find that, confidence is not misplaced. The machine' jufet to hand has already been run 1000 miles at varying :• needs, over roads specially selected for their roughness, and it has been found that- there is a bit; increase in comfort, road-grip and safetv. Cornering at Inch speeds has failed to make the rear wheel side slip and .skidding ha.s failed to produce a "creep'-' in the tyre. The tyres are mounted 011 a -Oiii wheel, as compared with the fcTmer standard 23in wheel, and the pressure of 15Ii> for tho front tyre and 201b for the rear tyre is recommended. It seema almost certain that a, new era, in motorcycling; history., is opening, and that motor-cyclists will sc-.jn be experiencing the !-enoatk and singing the praises of balloons in the same manner as the motor-oar fraternity to-day. .

The Ash burton Motor-Cycling Club is to be congratulated upon the fine entertainment it. provided for both motor-cyclists and . spectator* at last Saturday's rodc<v. The. variety ,of thrills ]»rovided by the riders was a revelation and the efficiency of the organisation and the enthusiasm displayed bv memliers made the sports novel and interesting. Members bad practised assiduously for the various events, which included ' hockey and football . matches, see-saw .riding, surf board riding, and others. • Tho competitors- proved themselves adepts in trick-riding, and the whole of the programme was carried through without a hitch of .-my kind. The Christchurch Pioneer Club could, take, a leaf out of tho bock of the country club with advantage to itself, for a rodeo would arouse a great deal of interest- amongst riders -and members'of tho public, and, moreover, it would be a simpler matter to obtain' tho necessary grounds for such a meeting.than it is at present to secure a, racing track". It is to bo hoped that the" management" committee of the ciub nil! be able io include ;l rodeo in this sea sou's programme.

The local agents for the Douglas have received the felk.wiug cabled advice:— "Vic..Anstice, riding 600 Model Douglas a.nd sidecar, broke following records in GOOe.c. class:—'British julo. at 61.(55 m.p.h. ; British mile at ©7.06 m.p.h. : "World's kilo at 59.28 m.p.h.; World's mile at 60.36 m.p.h. All ' standing starts. .

It is interesting to note that thero is an increasing - disposition amongst manufacturers of heavy-weight motorcycles towards tho abolition of the> cup and cone type, of ball bearings, as used in bicycle wheel construction, in favour of''ft' heavier' type of tearing.. Whilst, the cup and cone bearing "is suitable for light-weight machines, they do not give complete satisfaction in the wheels of heavy machines, particularly 'on those used for sidecar work. Heavier self-contained' bearings, either of the annular Mil bearing or taper roller bearing type, are now finding greater favour, which means a considerable increase in the life of the bearings,, besides the. necessity of less Sequent need-of-adjustment..

A striking feature of motor-cycle construction • during ■ the < past year or two has been the wonderful strides m.-ide in improving the efficiency of tho single cylinder machine. lordly a motor journal comes from Europe that does .not bring particulars of further fine performances and successes oil both roaa and track, a.nd the past racing season has proved a veritable triumph for single cylinder machines. The latent notable achievement was in the Irish Grand- Prix Motor Race decided over a 20} miles circuit, the total distance being 205 miles. The winner, J. Craig, rode a Norton (490 c.c.) and put up what is probably the fastest long distance road ride in compctitiqn in the world by: negotiating the distance in oh lm 162-os, equal to,an average speed of just under 63 miles per hour.

Melbourne should scon be the scene of some particularly fast .motor-cycle racing, as the new track at the Ama-. teur .Sports Ground is now completed. The circuit is one-third of a.mile, and so steeply bailked that one could hardly crawl up it. Trial runs recently -by motor-cj-cles ,-a.nd' light' cars: demon-; strated'that speeds of from 70 to miles an hour-may be' looked ifor when the circuit is' at its best. The ;track is also to be used fo't cycle'racing: during the present season.-. New Australian-re-cords, should soon bo credited' to this speedway. •