THE MOTORIST

Northern Advocate, 15 August 1931, Page 15

THE MOTORIST

MOTOR-CYCLING,

IX CASE OF ACCIDENT,

It is proverbial that accidents will happen. The careful rider may certainly avoid the type of disaster often referred to as a “first-class crash,” but anyone may become involved at any r,ate in a minor spill, if only through the fault of somebody else.

The motor-cyclist should keep in mind, when an accident happens involving anyone else, that, however,

trifling it may seem at the time, it may result in legal proceedings. A person who is knocked down may feel nothing but a scratch or a few bruises and may even think little of the matter,' but the scratch may manifest itself later, leading to doctors’ bills and

other expenses, and a claim for damages iMy eventually be launched. It is, therefore, of the utmost importance' to get the names and addresses of witnesses, and this should be done even though it may be thought that their, evidence will may be favourable for the information may bo of service to the solicitors if a case has to be fought. The insurance company which has accepted nomination for the thirdparty risk, should also be notified without delay. Again, on no account should any admission be fliacte tending to show that an accident was due to one’s own fault, even though one l realises it only too well. Such an admission will impair the efficacy of the insurance policy.

In the event of being (piesliohed by a police dr traffic official the first thing to do is to find out'exactly what he really wants to say. Cases ofteri beetir of motor-cyclists being stopped by a traffic inspector and blurting out, /‘Oh, I was only doing 30,” when all that the officer intended to do' whs to wdfii then! of something of that soft. It does no good to display ft guilty conscience. It is generally imprudent to make afiy adiriissions, either expfessly or by silence, in face of a direct accusation which calls for some reply. But, subject to putting forward due ’e own explanation, it is wise to say as little as possible, whatever is said should be said -with tact, good teriiper and eorirtesy. The police ate bhtitled to be treated frith polite- j he si

It is important to remember that iri any accident involving irijufy “to ally person” it is the duty - of the driver to refidef assistance and immediately report the accident to the police. It is quite unnecessary and probably entirely undesirable to report to the police if there is no irijury to a person,

The proper time to add writer to a battery is just before the car is to be run, not after putting it in the

No neect to worry now jnilueuza and colds are prevalent. “NAZOL” will protect you before and relieve you after. ®

THE DELIVERY VAN,

A LIGHTER BODY,

Apart from the primary factor that reduction in the weight of a body increases the pay-load capacity, lowering body weights has become a matter of importance in Great Britain owing to the strict limitation of axle weights imposed by the Road Traffic Act,

Various methods have been devised and adopted in the attainment of weight reduction. An example is a van recently supplied to a London printing firm. The body—l 4 feet long, 7 feet 3 inches wide, and 6 feet 3 inches high —complete with cab and all fittings, weighs only 32cwt —a saving of approximately locwt iii comparison with a similar type of body built of w r ood. This weight reduction has been achieved by using duralumin framing and aluminium panelling.

Duralumin has been used for the eight bearers supporting the body upon the chassis, fof the floor, the door find corner pillars, the side uprights and roof framing, the waist rail,, and the tubular struts ascending ffoni the Uprights to the roof 'frhmiftg, Duralumin hatiilg a iehsilo Strength greater than that of mild steel the whole framework is thus strong enough for all purposes, yet light in weight and sufficiently flexible to follow the chassis over rough roads without racking or distortion.

The floor and tailboard are panelled with, duralumin chequer plates, and the outside panelling is formed from four sheets of aluminium. Between these and the pillars, strips of compressed felt ate fitted to prevent drririiihhifl.

As the goods to be carried are books and magazines, which are easily damaged, ah interior free froth projections lihS been provided, hiid this is lifted throughout with plywood.

Access to the body can be gained by means of a sliding door opening into the driver’s cab, immediately behind the nearside seat, which is of the tilting pritterri. This dhbr is particularly useful when deliveries of small parcels have to be made. .

The sphee between the body and cab is sealed ririd mhde ■weathertight by a fitment of heavy rubberised ean-

IMBROVUD Wlf*Eß.

An improvement in the control of suction-type screen wipers other than the kind iri which the trip valve is locked by a lever, can be iriride by cutting the rubber tube and interposing a small trip, which should be fixed in a convenient position on or tinder the faciaboard within reach of tile driver. This arrangement is particularly useful in showery weather, as the wiper can bo started or stopped instantly without the need for adjustment of the valve to obtain the correct speed, the screw valve being, of course, left open.

OIL BURNER,

IXT E RIGSTIX G FKEX CM I E X GIXE

In Franco just as keen an interest ■is being shown in the heavy oil-burn-ing engine of the compression ignition type as in the other great motoring countries, and an aviation type, the Jalbert, has just been put into production for the national air service. It is a six-cylinder which is stated to develop ISO h.p. at 1930 revolutions a minute.

This - ”engine, instead of the usual pump and injector for the fuel oil, employs a carburettor which feeds a small cylinder mounted in the head of each working cylinder. The supplementary cylinder is fitted with a piston connected to an overhead crankshaft by means of a connecting rod, and running at half engine speed. An automatic valve with a. very small lift provides the necessary connection I between the fuel cylinder and the working cylinders, the compression in fhe former being higher than in the main cylinder. A special carburettor of a simplified type is used, the oil being broken up by being made to pass between a diaphragm and a flat polished surface, in the carburettor. The lift of the connecting valve between the fuel chamber and the explosion chamber is very minute, and the closing is so rapid and the. mixture so rich that all possibility of preignitioh hi the fuel chamber, it is claimed, is eliminated.

The French Government, ordered a number of these engines for the air service after satisfactory results were obtained in experimental tests.

Gorman Junker heavy oil engines for aviation purposes are also reported to have given highly satisfactory results in tests. At an elevation of 20,000 feet they are said to have developed 7-0 h.p., although the engine weighed only 18001 b. This would give a ratio of one h.p. to every 2tlb in weight. These results follow on the successful adaptation of the compression ignition principle to aerial work by the Packard Company in the United States, and the announcement by the British Rolls Boyce Company that it also has a particularly efficient aviation engine of this type, which, however, is on the secret list of the British air authorities. It seems probable that the near future will witness a big development du this type of engine for all purposes. Its acceptance as the type of engine for aeroplane use will increase l the safety factor through the use of heavy fuel Oil with its far smaller risk of lire, in addition to the greater mileage fd the gallon obtainable.

CARRY A FIRST-AID OUTFIT.

No car is properly equipped which does not contain a first-aid outfit. Everyone realises nowadays the importance of the surgical, cleanliness and the dangers of treating lightly even trivial injuries.

The time has gone by when cobwebs, tobacco leaves, and the like were applied to and here are suggested the necessary substitutes. First of all, you must have a tin box with a well-fitting lid. Always keep in it a pair of ,scissors and a pair of splinter forceps, and you will never have to look for them when the lime comes.

Two ounces of boric, lint and some oiled silk or paper are needed for fomentations, and a tin of boraeie acid for burns. And very necessary is a small bottle of iodine, three 2in bandages, an ounce of white lint, a small packet of cotton wool, and a yard of Mn sticking plaster. No motorist should undertake a tour or oven a run into town without being so equipped.

MAGNETO OIL,

A magneto requires only two or three drops of oil every 100 miles. Over-lubrication w T ill lead to ignition troubles. If the instrument has been unduly over-oiled it will probably save time and money if it is dismantled and thoroughly cleaned. It is not wise for the average owner-driver to attempt tliis work, but an alternative method which he can adopt with safety is to clean carefully with a camel-hair brush and petrol. After using petrol the magneto should be carefully dried with a piece of soft cloth (which will not leave fluff or fibres on the working parts), and then left to stand for some time before using the ear.

DETACHABLE WHEELS.

Wheels of the detachable type should be removed at regular periods and lubricated at the points where they come into contact with the hub and locking device.

Detachable wheels are of three general types: — (1) Artillery, (2) Wire, (3) Disc. What is said above in regard to tightening up and lubrication applies to all types of wheels which are fitted with stud attachments.

Many of the wire, disc, and artillery wheels are attached to the hubs by means of patent locking caps or rings, it is wise to observe the maker’s instructions. It is essential that they be kept tight, and all metal surfaces brought into contact be kept clean and well lubricated.

LIKES THE RUN.

AND THE PEOPLE, TOO,

That the run to Australia and Now Zealand is the best in the world, and that the people are the best to meet from either a business or a social point of view, is the opinion of Captain P. A. Jorgensen, master of the Atlantic Union Oil Company’s tanker Brunswick, which left Wellington re* cently for Melbourne and Sydney. The Brunswick, which was the first electrically-propelled tanker to ' be built, has been coming regularly to New Zealand for three years now, and Captain Jorgensen has just resumed command after being absent for fourteen months superintending the eon* sttuction of two tankers at Greenock,. Scotland. When this taek was completed, Captain Jorgensen had the. choice of taking command of any of the twenty-three sea-going tankers belonging to the Atlantic Oil Company, but, as he remarked to a reporter, he preferred to come back to his old ship because he liked her, and because he liked the run and the people. The two tankers, the construction of which was supervised by Captain .Jorgensen, are the- Pafmiaii and the Winkler, the Parmian being a sistership to the Brunswick. Both are elec-trically-propelled, arid Captain .1 orgenseu holds that tankers of this type arc, a decided success. The Winkler can carry thirty different, kinds of lubricating oil without mixing them, and the Earmian is designed for the carriage of crude oil. During Captain Jorgensen’s absence, Captain Borin an n, previously first mate, wae in command. completing his holiday in Norway. Captain Bormann will take command of the Parmian. The Brunswick arrived in Auckland from Los Angeles.

RADIATIONS.

.Never turn the front wheels by forcing the steering (wheel round When ■the car is at rest, as this stresses the mechanism severely, and may even result in a bent link or cross tie rod. Yet you see it done every day.

A motor car salesman who sold 527 cars in one year Ms been discovered. He is R. W. Wilson, of Baltimore, Marylake, U.S.A., who during 1930 sold 353 new Chevrolets and 17-1 used cars.

The New Zealand cricketers are being provided with do luxe road transport, Armstrong-Siddcley oars having been placed at their service. The cars are supplied with a small New Zealand ensign. Across the fadiator there :’.s a fern leaf badge in silver.

Always keep the nuts of the chassis parts ench as wings and running boards well tightened, tor the majority of the squeaks and rattles which sometimes develop in a car after it has covered several thousand miles are due to nuts and bolls’working loose. Much can bo done to prevent this by giving each nut, washer, and the exposed part of the threads a coat of shellac varnish after lighting.

Wee that all nuts and bw.s about the chassis are tight. I - - many eases

serious breakages and ..‘xpeneive retail- bills have been .raced to loose bolts.

The Main highways Board has derided to entourage local bodies to paint a white centre line on blacksurfaced roads ah far as possible, and has offered to pay two-thirds of the cost.

Mr L. D. Pickles, travelling repre sentative, has enrolled IHS new mem I'crs on the West Coast for the Can terburv Automobile Association.