THE MOTOR WORLD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18553, 10 November 1923, Page 10 (Supplement)

THE MOTOR WORLD

BALLOON TYRES.

"'■-{■ MAIN ROADS. \^K : Whangarei to Darg*yitt«. }

Motorists who have been using the Wheki Valley Road, between • Whangarei and Dargaviile, report that the going is fairly good, and that when the" metal bocomes set, the run between* ■. WbangaJsi and the western town should be done comfortably in two hours. ' A - ;<. v "'-> The Mam&ku Hill. KP. |P The dry weather of v the past week, which obviously marks the beginning of summer, has put the Wads throughout the Waikato in good order- for motoring, even such routes as the Mamaku Hill Road, which has been virtually closed for months past owing to the very wet weather, being now again \ broad highways. . P; Paeroa to Te Aroha. <\ The shocking state : of the main road between Paeroa and Te Aroha was commented on at the lastV^meeting of a the Ohinemuri County Council. ; One of •• the members of the council stated, thfel on Labour Day, no fewer than ] seven motorcars had their springs -broken tii&ile crossing the bad portion of the roaa. at ;Waitoki. It was decided, to prpbeed|with the formation and metalling of that portion of the road immediately. ' -" Work at Kanglrini. £' The recent spell of fine' weather has helped on the progress of the work on the Rangiriri deviation. Photographs to hand show that at the Mercer end of the deviation huge piles of metal are being dumped from the barges after being brought up the river from the * quarry. Last week, the approach to the hills from the Mercer side was being rolled and metalled. Good progress was also being made with operations near Meremere. Tayherenifcau to Greyfc&wnSf l

The road from Tauherenikau" to Greytown was described at a meeting* of stewards of the Wairarapa Racing Club as being the worst road in thei* Wairarapa. The road was stated to be getting almost impassable. One member said he was not going to Masterton again by the road. Apart from the rough ride and the damage caused to cars, the road was dangerous. He compared the .road r with the roads in Hawke's Bay, which were! in splendid condition through the use of the grader. *V" "' '-> . £ The Wainui Road. The attention of the Opotiki County Council has been drawn to an agreement signed in 1914 by representatives of the Whakatane and Opotiki County Councils. This agreement provided for the construction and maintenance of a road between the Matakeripn and the Miaiaetotara bridges. It was stated that the Opotiki portion of the road had been formed and gravelled, and was now in good order, but the Whakatane end, beyond the Wainui Bridge, was an impassable •■bog-*- The; council resolved to write to the Whakatane Council, drawing attention- to 'the existing state of affairs, and requesting; that the Whakatane end be put in good order according lo the terms of '"'. the agreement. '■?£/. -•'

' iir MOTAS.

■ '''Mir . ..■ ■-. *,•_-,■ J*.-. :- ■' ~ - (Specially tfeeSM<2E> ffltatm).

There is a new star in the automotive firmament. The balloon tyre has been produced. . -"■'-.,'.- ~ K. Every component and accessory of that most wonderful friend of man, the motor vehicle, is the subject of constant research, hut - probably no other icontribnttary _ manufacture has received 'so much attention as the pneumatic tyre or intended , substitute;;, KX;i%*%m^^i,. •:-*=«.. ;-4s■*■. This newcomer, however, gives one | furiously to think. Can it be that we J have been relying too much on such i perishable commodities as ~ cotton ? wi4 rubber when that ever renewable cushioning medium, fresh air, haft x hgTO l available ( j for service by the mere provision of a j suitable retainer for it '! H seems, so, and, j i-eeent tests ;, of wiustiaHy tyres operated at ail pressures low as to be undreamt of-fiUhefto go to ; ,provt» tttv point. - ''**' ,^'-^:^*^^'^^■V-'■'', -'-;"-J" ' These new tyres iStfeady- been exhaust tested ,r and are, now marketed by Continental, and American manufacturers; all of, whom claim certain definite advantages- with. few, . if any, . relative disadvantage^-for." them. z *" .' ; Briefly sun)r-je.d points /jh. hi. favour are: riore " comfortable : riding, better road grip.- J^^^ke}ihootlf,of blow- \ outs and almost tar elimination of air baks. . ,i.. 4 j.. ,-,-.• '.'S^^^a^iiri^^ That this ■; type' of .tyre provides more , comfort is at' once apparent because, for example,-"it substitutes an air container of'l3smm. (say 5 J inches) diameter working at an inflation pressure of 18 to 20!bs. to the 'Square, ; ii'.ch\ for V" ■ much " more rigidly constructed casing of 90mm. (say 54 inches) carryirig^'a pressure of 60 to 651b. Just as the air pressure has been reduced the cubic capacity has been increased in ratio to the load to be carried, and the resultant air cushion has in audition to insulating ' the* car-body and its living freight: from: road shocks provided an added, safeguard \ for the vital parts of the chassis—one American automobilo manufacturer claims that this development will " practicably put an end to ratt)es and squeaks" and if his contention is correct, as seems highly probable, very many Auckland motorists will bless the ' day "that witnesued production of balloon .tyres.'';' . From the "jjiafe.ty .•First''..,, standpoint, much may be advanced in favour of the new pneumatics 'because ' ; the ? greater tread area presented to the road surf will not, only minimise skidding hut will give greater breaking efficiency and so render driving over even * the - worst of our, clay tracks comparatively stale. The added advantage of. peine able to float (I 1 use the word thoughtfully) over soft mud holes and deeply rutted roads will be patent to every motorist. ' But more to" be desired than any of the foregoine sifts of comfort and safety is the possibility of immunity from temper-stealing 'bloW<-outS' "and patie:nce» trying air lealcs-Mri-* this particular ' the balloon tyre bids fair to represent a saviour of the motoring soul. It is claimed that the larger air container in soito of its thinner ejircas?. can absorb the impacts of road with less strain than the heavier casting of higher; {iressure, and if the for«!|f Of impact is essened, elastic cover construction substituted for rigid st-en us\% audi greater area presented to obstruction's the risk of fabric fracture.) must be considerably, reduced, if not entirely •^eliminated. ; Similarly lower air pressure relieves; «'the tyre valves and possibility of leaks at this, point, or on account of a porous tube, is' relatively more remote. Only one areument against the newcomer suggested .itself to my mind, and that is added :i . load on? the > steering pear by reason -'of the greater" road strip, *»ut this objection is met bv both EngmL * an *u American writers with the statement that it is only neces*ary>tb lighten operation of the steering by 'easing gear SSsfc ° r -« introducing ball-thrusts fi uJd%;°te r &Se-? 6 not ° riginalljr Md a very potent Fds-e, JTffia s*£"%* ft Mr. S - . F. who, writing rcV ea n ? ng, ', sh authority, the g^S^i?. ( the f E<Htor o1 petrol consume™ £*£ , regard to ' shock. The ntileaj* ii". "*? a great ; about .25 per'cent" ffiltflp V *<*™ normal cord tyres. " rse than *rth This is'a- seVioss comJrfi,. i- '■■-■ . f which I incline «SgK»SS and <»■» ;■: against the universal ■: adow;^ 1 ' i ,°P"ate or to the French ££?*£ f >«°on >|sat: any rate ;m their hS2h? > ? *'™< ' really a question of hovSJ !t « comfort,- and it mjy b«,that tL ._,er will be found ir. .. ultimate gSn the rr TLi x u h] T ST* PS?*rff' balloon tyre and

MOTOR NOTES.

%t. -fifty an hour --;-"' ; ".* •*' ' He ' gave her a hug, Not far from the spot ..Where two graves have been dug.

One of the large Hudson , cars used on the New Plymouth-Opunake daily service run ■»*«»> destroyed by fire recently. The driver noticed flame* coming" through the footboards and immediately pulled to the side of. the, road. '*, Efforts to suppress the flame© -were ;in vain. .: j >

To 'deal with & large number of motorists who, it is alleged, habitually , exceed the speed limit, . Leicester Watch Committee have . introduced a plain clothes policeman mounted on a motorcycle, who will have a kind of roving commission fo detect such speed enthusiast*. 'V .

Petrol imports into England during the isrht months ended August 31 have totalled 236,904,672 gallons, valued at £12,253,799, as compared with 229,019,088 gallons, Valued at , £15,476,229, for the corresponding portion of last year, and 375,003,413 gallons, valued at £18,457,276, the year'before. .-'"

Fears are entertained for the safety of Telford's famous suspension bridge across the Menai Straits. It is nearly a century since 'this work of the famous road engineer was erected, and it is stated that the heavy motor coach and lorry traffic of the present day is more than the bridge can safely bear.

The sport touring • car and roadster seem, as popular as ever, but experts predict that they will be discontinued as standard cars in favour of more conservative types. The reason for this is that the re-sale, or second-hand value, of a sport car is considerably less than that of a regular car or roadster.

The pill in the Matamata Riding of the Matamata County en the proposal to raise £30,000 for installing and bitumen-surfac-ing on the main roads in the riding takes place on Wednesday next. It .seems likely that the loan will be authorised, and the first work is to be the bitumensurfacing of roads already metalled, and over which the metal for lengths beyond will have to be carted.

A successful week-end run to Pahiatua was .conducted by the Palmerston North Motor Club. At Pahiatua, members of the Wairarapa Motor-cycle Club joined the Palmerston North contingent, and the day- was spent in picnic fashion at t.3« local Domain. There was only one fall of any consequence during the novelty sports programme, a side-car' passenger being temporarily incapacitated though not seriously injured.-- *•

; A great deal of improvement has been •made: this year • in' the 'matter- of colour schemes. ■ /In. former .years- American cars were almost universally -garbed in funeral black" or shades so,sombre as to approximate black. The sudden popularity of the Rpcrt roadster and touring car brought about a tremendous change in this direction, and to-day cars of even-the enclosed variety are considerably 'livelier in their colours than' they were previously. - •

• The- slopping of 'a car' with four-wheel brakes can be accomplished so suddenly • that- it is likely to ' bring on rear end collisions on the part of cars which are not able to stop so quickly, due to their not being equipped with brakes on all four wheels. But all this matter will be worked out in the due course of time, and it really appears as if four-wheel brakes will become standard equipment on the majority, if not all, of American -.are.

The details of the imports of motor I vehicles into Auckland and New ZealarA ! for nine months ended September 30 last i as, shown in the return compiled for the I Herald by the Comptroller of Customs 1 [ and/"published last week, is strikingly j illustrative of the enormous growth of the } motor trade in the North. It may be a j •matter"'for' regret that these details are not given in 'the monthly Abstract, the j Government official statistical organ, but . it only contains the totals for ■ New Zealand; and ■in any case the publication w«k " only available in Auckland on Wednesday fast, four days after the table given in last Saturday's issue, .v.- . 4 t .;. •> .. - ~ . _~( . . .. i- ■ ■ v. : ';.'vA WEEK-END RUN. ~ ] ■ i The Moumoukai Valley is somewhat remote, but those who care for exploring these" ' but of i the way places will be well 1 rewarded .by a trip to this picturesque valley. The Mangatawhii , stream flows through it and the scenery from the summit of the road is well worth the trip over. The valley lies off the main HunuaPaparimn Road. Proceed through the Hunua Gorge and at 4 2-5 miles past the Hunua post office turn sharp to the left — there are two bridges at this point— on for half a mile and take the first turn to the rightthe other road leads to a quarry— up the big hill, the summit of which is 2 3-5 ~ miles from the turn oh from the main road. The run down the valley is I*3-5 miles and this is .the narrowest part of the road. Care must N be exercised and I advise using the second gear at some points. Though narrow in places the road is reasonably good for ■motoring over during the summer and in dry weather, but on no account should it be attempted if rain is about. The distance from Auckland is about 40 miles, via Mangere, and there is a metalled road to the turn off, leaving only 4.1-5 miles ; of road without a metalled surface.

» MURIWAI BADE MEETING. The sports committee of the A.A.A. is now busily at work on the preparations for the motor-car race meeting to be held a? Muriwai next February. The programme has already been announced .in the HunALO. The* two principal events are the New Zealand Motor Cup of 50 miles, and the Light Car Cup over tho same distance, though with two; more turns. A ladies' race is a new event on the programme. The exact date of the meeting will be reported on at. the next meeting of the sports committee..'"Special committees have been set up for the management of the meeting and the following officials have been appointed Hancricapper and inspector. Mr. F. J. Cullen ; starter, Mr. J. rA. Gillett; judge, Mr. G. Henning; parking steward, Mr. P. R. Skeates ; despatch stewards, Messrs. G. G. Campbell; R. E. Champtaloup and J. Roberts; executive committee: Messrs. J. A. Gillettj, G. Kenning and H. C. Jones. The committee decided at the last meeting to ask the Motutara Domain Board for permission to use the grounds on the day of the proposed meeting, the board to be subsidised . on the same basis as that of last year. A suggestion was made at the meeting that winners of both cups should be presented at the conclusion of the meeting with unsuitable ribbon band.

CONTROL OF THE GREAT SOUTH ROAD.

No less than three local bodies are concerned in the upkeep of the Great South Road from Glasgow Road Co St. Ann's Bridge, af Wcstfkld. From Glasgow Boad to Dickson's Corner at Penrose, a distance of 62 chains, the Ellerslie Town Board has control white from the latter point io Church Boad—sß chains—the responsibility lies with the Mount Wellington Board. From Church Road fo St. Ann's Bridge— chains—is under the fare of the One Tree Hill Board. Sural v these local bodies can get together and put the road into a reasonable state of repair. Standing as it doe« at the rate of AnHdJ>r.d. the | present condition of the G~<»t f-'o-th Boad I iv« S" 8 r : fl r ti ? on th » administral^^^ii^ 100 ? 1 bodies concerned. * Motor TradeltemTpage 12. '"

MOTOR - CYCLING.

Official statistics show '% that the total number of motor-cycles in Trance in 1922 was 51,264 as against 42,864 in 1921.

Owen Shapespeare's new racing Harley Davidson is expected to arrive this week and should be in commission for Avon dale. •' ' : '■'-

C. G. Pirilin, the famous Doug]"* exponent, has been ill with appendicitis but is now reported to be recovering satis factorily.

Eiders who intend competing at Avondale are reminded that crash helmets must be worn/Entries close on Wednes day November 14.

Le Vack (350 c.c J.A.P.) covered a flykilometre at the speed of 93.99 m.p.h. during a record attempt in Paris. Dixon on a Harley Davidson (7Ji.p.) recorded 107 m.p.h.

Results of the Amateur Isle of Man T.T. races should be to hand very shortly. It will be interesting to compare the performances of private riders with those of trade-backed men.

British machines distinguished themselves in the Swiss hill climb at Lyon-Saint-Cergue, Royal Enficlds were first and second in the 250 c.c. class, while the A.J.S. won both the private owners'and experts' divisions of the 350 c.c. class.

The 500 c.c. class in Italy's most important track race on the Monza course was won by a Peugeot at an averae v.l 75 m.p.h. for the 243 miles. A Norton was second. An A..T.S. won the 350 c.c. class after a hard struggle with an F.N. within one minute of the finish.

The Otahuhu Motor-cycle Club's ract. meeting takes place on the Avonaax course to-day fortnight. Some good cash prizes are being offered, and although it is still in doubt whether Coleman will be riding, the balance of the riders who have intimated their intention to compete will provide plenty of thrills.

The Sports Motor : Cycle Club wil hold a hill climb to-day on the St. Helliers Bay course. In the three classes good entries have been received and some keen competition is expected. This is the same course on which H. S. Smith won the Championship of Auckland last season. The first climb will be made at 2.30 p.m.

-The Black Spur'in the Healsville. district, is' regarded by Victorian motorcyclists as the Mecca of achievement. To" climb this mountain with its narrow and treacherous path has always* been considered impossible for ,a " top ; gear perfoYmance.' •Last month, "however, the impassibility became an actuality when "an Indian. Super-Chief. and. Princess side-car 'attachment romped over. the summit in top gear in smin. 30sec. ■

A change in the attitude of thc'» purposeful , and trouble-free motor-cyclist toward his'less' fortunate brethren is no doubt , desirable. Quite recently a rider experienced {.rouble, by the roadside, and received vague 'lnatiiriea as to the health of the "bus." But to the despairing reply the only answer was the roar of a fast disappearing exhaust. In several cases passing riders were so engrossed with their fair side-car passenger that they even failed to observe< any signs of another in trouble.

RUNNING COSTS. The cost of motor-cycling is a matter upon which no two riders agree. One will insist upon calculating the cost per mile, the interest on his outlay, depreciation, insurance, garage charges, overhauls, and even clothing; another regards the purchase of a motor cycle in the same light as the purchase of, say, a piano; he has the money to spend/ and he means to get the most out of it v/,".- «

But whatever view is taken, every motorcyclist agrees that the running costs of a motor-cycle are exceedingly low, and that the total costs are well worth the money expended, and the pleasure the expenditure gives. ,■'

To-day the cost of petrol is 2» to 2s 8d per gallon, which means that for this small sun.- (plug a few pence for oil) the owner of a lightweight may travel perhaps 150 miles. Even with larger machines the economy is remarkable, and 50 miles to the gallon may safely we accepted as a true figure for fuel consumption of the largest aide-cat outfit' fully laden; some machines do much petter than this, but any, figure below 50 m.p.g. is a sign that something requires attention; The cost of a good oil—and a good 'oil is absolutely essential—-is in the neighbourhood of 2s 3d per quart, and as a quart will last at- least 200 miles in the largest machines it will be seen that the cost per mile is almost infinitesimal. - Let no, one hesitate to Mirehwse a motorcycle on account of funning expenses. Many people to-day spend at week-ends more in 'bus, train, or tram fares than would buy ail the fuel necessary to run a motor-cycle outfit for the whole family. It has been calculated by more than one side-car owner using his machine at week-ends that the money saved on a motor-cycling holiday (compared with a train journey and sia;ht seeing by motor char-a-banc) is sufficient to cover all charges for the rest of the year. The motor-cyeje is the most economical form of mechanical transport.

LOOKING AFTER THE GEARBOX. The gearbox, like the dutch, depends largely upon its design for durability. In some of the larger cars, 'built to a really high. standard, the gearbox, beyond occasional rinsing out and refilling with clean lubricant, requires absolutely no attention for the whole life of the car. On the other hand, whore the gear shafts are insufficiently rigid, or the width of the teeth too small, the gearbox is bound t# inquire attention after a few years' use. t '';';':••:'.'■■■' Every 5000 miles or so - the gearbox should be drained, thoroughly washed out with paraffin and refilled with 'he make and grade of oil recommended by the makers. The amount of oil is important. Filling the box to the top is wasteful, and, moreover, causes a loss of efficiency through the gear wheels having to churn up heavy oil besides transmitting ' the power of the engine. The heat generated by' such churning causes the oil to expand and it leaks out round the cover joints and from the bearings. • . ;*