Motor-Cycling

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7134, 4 February 1930, Page 10

Motor-Cycling

It is doubtful whether there, will be anything; outstanding in the way of new designs exhibited at the forthcoming. Olympia Motor Cycle Show, according to - an' English motoring journal, although it is indicated that British machines for 1930 will be brighter and more • attractive than ever, and that chromium plating will almost entirely replace the ordinary nickelplating, which has never been very satisfactory. There has recently been a tendency to dispense with plated parts, but with the introduction of chromium plating it is likely that there will he a return to plated handlebars, spokes, rims, control levers, and .possibly tanks while there is no doubt that there will be some all-plated machines. There is a frequent tendency now to introduce entirely new frame designs, and more than one maker will display frames differing considerably from stereotyped diamond pattern. The object of the new frame designs will be to give a still lower riding position and greater stability on the road. Another feature which will be welcomed will be the standardised control positions, most British manufacturers having adopted the standard positions recommended. Better silencing arrangements and larger silencers, though of a neater-pattern, will bo found on many machines and it seems that the really silent motor-cycle is in sight. Still more attention perhaps has been paid to the question of lubrication. Automatic lubrication ■of the engine is almost general now, but in addition provision is being made for lubricating the transmission chains, and in some cases for lubricating the valve stems. At one time it was considered a luxury to have a speedometer on the handlebars, but on many of the new machines there will be found regular instrument panels mounted on top of tho tank or on -the handlebars, with speedometer driven from the gear-box, ammeter and lighting switch. In some cases the panel will be illuminated by indirect lights. Generally, motor-cycle manufacturers have improved their machines very considerably as the result of experience gained in trials and on the road last year, and while prices will probably remain constant, better value will be offered.

Inclined engines are to be a fashion for 1930. Every week more and more firms are added to the list of those who favour canting the engine forward so that the cylinder is parallel to the front down tube. There is plenty of reason behind the new fashion, although, like every other feature of design, it is a compromise.

Unquestionably, an inclined engine greatly improves the appearance of a

motor-cycle, and' it makes for accessibility. The increased head-room simplifies the tusk of maintenance, because the cylinder head can be. removed more easily for decarbonisation. Moreover, there is added space for rocker geaT in the case of an overhead-valve engine, and straight tank rails and symmetrical tanks can be used. These are all good points, but on one score some riders may need , conviction, and that is whether the weight distribution is as satisfactory as in the case of a ver-tical-engined machine.