BRITISH MOTOR-CYCLE SHOW.

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 26, 31 January 1924, Page 15

BRITISH MOTOR-CYCLE SHOW.

The Cycle and Motor-cycle Show, held at Olympia, London, at the end of last year, was a remarkable display of the world's products. The British machines were, naturally, in a vast majority, but there was a, better representation of foreign machines than in previous years. America was represented by three of the biggest machines in the show, two" of them being big twins and the other a four-cylinder.

The French industry showed some very interesting and well-designed motorcyclettes, which were mainly attractive by reason of their neat design and the provision which had been made for the protection of the rider from bad weather;

A very characteristic machine was the new chain driven F.N., with very sturdily constructed engine ' and gear box in one unit.

The main feature of the show was in regard to prices, which were unprecederitedly low. Not even in the pre-war years were machines offered at such low figures as those which delighted the visitors to Olympia. It was apparent, too, that these prices were rendered possible without the production of less efficient machines. The British manufacturers have not sacrificed material or workmanship to prices, but have cut their profits to the very lowest minimum. As to mechanical tendencies, it may be said that the many, types and designs proved that no particular design has commended itself to the manufacturers as representing the real path to finality. Overhead valves have undoubtedly made headway in connection with sports models, and there is a commendable attempt to enclose the mechanism and thereby render the engine better looking, more cleanly, -and quieter. On normal touring mounts the side by side valve engine remains predominant. The development of the high efficiency-small capacity engine continues. It is no longer employed merely as the power unit in a lightweight machine, but is.regarded, and undoubtedly is, adequate for all touring purposes. There were many machines at Qlympia with full equipment, strongly built, and weighing almost as much as the big machines, with 250 c.c. engines. In most cases, they were installed with all chain drive and three-speed gear bos. There were plenty of very fine examples of the bigv twin produced by British, American, and Belgian manufacturers,/ but it is probably the fact that the medium powered machine will be accepted as adequate for general touring purposes. Business was remarkably good. Tho exhibitors found that the home demand exceeded their most optimistic anticipations. A'gents placed orders with more readiness than since the boom period of 1919, and a great deal of business was done with foreign buyers. The Continent 18 a better customer than at any time since tho war, and even Japan, crippled by the earthquake, is buying. It is necessary that big trado should bo done, for .oth'erwise the low prices could not be maintained. The producers have budgeted on qu'mitity production, and only by working to capacity can costs be kepi low enough to warrant present charges.