MOTORS & MOTORING

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3093, 25 May 1917, Page 9

MOTORS & MOTORING

$ _ JBt Clutoh.] An Aero-Motor. The first attempt to construct an aero-niotor-car, capablo of travelling by air or road, lias been made in America by Glen. 11. dirties, one of the leading aviators in tlio United States. A decado hence no doubt motorists will be able to do tlieir ■Jα miles an hour along the road and tlicn at 1 will, by outspreading of folded planes, taking to the air, with the same case and speed as the large biplanes now doing such great service at tlio front. The auto-plane designed by C'urtiss is a modified triplane, the two upper planes being 40£ feet long and the bottom' One 23-1-3 feet. Built into this in an aluminium limousine body (with celluloid windows), mounted on four pneumatic tired wheels. The front wheels move in unison with tho aerial rudder, and are manipulated in the conventional motor-car manner. The power unit is under a bonnet, similar to a car, and comprises a 100-h.p. eight-cylinder engine, which transmits its power by chain drivo to a four-bladed propeller, attached to the Tear of tho body. Despite its apparent bullriness, the Cnrtiss' auto-plane is believed to be practical for the purpose intended. It has a fuel capacity of 30 gallons, giving a range of- three hours' high-speed travelling. The machine is sprung on concealed rubber shock absorbers, which add tn the rnnninsr qualities on land, and in alichtin"\ The machine, which is d»signed to sell at X'2floo, -was recently exhibited in TCpiv Tori;, and attracted much attention. Lipht Motor Cycles. There appears to bo little doubt that after the war English motor cycle manufacturers will give more attention to the construction and marketing of really light-weight machines. Opinions appear to vary in reference to what the minimum weight and power of a reaTly reliable motor cycle can be brought down to, bearing in mind the stresses and work it will have to perform. Tho use

of the term "minimum" in such a connection may b© said to be of a very clastic nature, because it is possible to conceive a very lightly-built "pedal ,, cycle with a motor attachment of. ae low ns half a horse-power, but, although this might serve to propel the machine under circumstances that were wholly favourable, it would have little or no practical value under everyday conditions and requirements. The minimum power and weight would appear to us to be a 1-h.p. rating arid an "all-on" weight of from 601b. to 701b. The danger wliich the manufacturer of such a motor cycle has to moot is the temptation to overload the eugine by acquiescing in the de,mand for (larger and heavier tires, spring forks, gear cases, and other fittings, all of which add to the load to be propelled by the diminutive engine, and models that set out in tho first instance- to meet the wants of those requiring a motor cycle which can be handled with almost as much ease as a pedal cycle, and the cost of running which is negligible; have eventually developed into something totally different, finally appearing in the guise of a 'night-weight.- I '.weighing anyrliinET from 1201b. to 1501b., and belonging to another category altogether. Tho ultra light or miniature motor cycle must avoid all unnecessary weight in its construction, the keynote of the design being strength, -with 'lightness, stout but medium-size tires, a sufficiently low gear to permit of tho maintenance of engine speed without having recourse. to sear changing mechanism, clutches or the like, and there must, of course, be simplicity of detail, with nvoidanoe of all unnecessary fittings and the use'of "full-size" I motor cycle accessories, and sn on. Those whom, after experience with a motorcycletfo. feel the want of something more powerful for longer journeys under trv-, ing conditions, must make up their minds to purchase a machine belonging to another class altogether, and not attempt t" cajole the manufacurer into a policy of departing from his present standards. Here and There. Gasoline arid kerosene .tractors employed in farming operations in the United States total 31,371, acording to the Department of Agriculture. Illinois loads with 3202. Kansas is second with 2267, and Texas third'with 2230.

English motor and cycle traders subscribed .£3,170,102 to the recent British War Loan. ' ■

The Dunlop Rubber Company state that it is surprising tho number of cars that come under their observation that havo wheels, mostly the front, out of alignment. Motorists 'do not attach sufficient importance to the absolute necessity of correct alignment—tho slightest deviation means absolute destruction in the case of front tires. Then undue, or rapid wear, is appearent on tread of tires, owners should straightaway have their cars "lined up" to see if wheels aro running true. It takes little time, and may bo tho means of -saving many valuable covers. A loose , spring clip is quito sufficient to lead to the trouble, and is quickly remedied; or again an axle may bo bent, or steering connections worn. There is no defect in a car that costs tho owner so much as wheels running out of alignment, and it is a matter that all carists should guard against, by having their cars periodically tested for tin's serious defect. If a seat onshion is a very light fit in its well, and is reluctant to re.turn after the owner has visited his locker, the tip is to engage tho front edge against the sill first, when the rear edge will Boon thump down past the compressible unpholstery at the back. Ignorance of this simple fact has compelled many sad owners to roplace a burst seat cushion before selling a car. When brassworlc is painted (to avoid the trouble of releaving) tho paint is apt to poel off where it is exposed to heat, as, for instance, on tho radiator. It will be found that if. the brass ,bo nxst given a coat of shellac before applying the paint, tho latter will adhere in spite of the heat. '

Liglitinp-np time: 'J\>-day, 1.31 p.m. Noxt Friday, 4.30 p.m.

At this timo of the year, when slreolK a J e wet. .and roads slippery, the question of skiddinsr in oao that is very much to tho fore, and the cdvent of an absolutely non-skid tiro would be -welcomed by motorwts. This, it is claimed, is now coming on the Njw Zealand market in the Vacuum Cup, striking: testimony to the efficacy of which is given by a party of motorists who camo into Wellington Tin. tho HRahaiiranca Gorgo durinjr the recent wet weather. Despite the slippery state of tho road and tho sharp corners, the Gor&o was negotiated at a jjood speed and without the semblance of skiddinc A recent test was made on a taxi limousine on a wet payed road, a corner .br'ng negotiated at 25 miles per hour. The Vacuum Cup Tiro is now on salo in Wellington.

Auto-wlieels are now being used for the purpose of propelling Alaskan sledpres, and aTo rapidly supplanting the docs previously used for this purpose. Every dog lias his day, rune the old saw, and apparently the dogs of Alaska have had theirs. The new trails in Alaska become pacfted as hard as a paved road, and provide- good traction for tho auto-wheels. The plan is to attach two at the rear of the sledso which propel the outfit at a paco far in excess of anything yet accomplished by tho doi teams.