MOTOR-CYCLING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19061, 4 July 1925, Page 12 (Supplement)

MOTOR-CYCLING.

H. Le Vack, with a 346, c.c. Coventry Eagle machine and side-car, has lowered the world's, side-car -.ecord in the 350 c.c. class, covering the kilometer at a mean speed of 78.68 m.p.h. , The first appearance of tho uew h.p. A.J.S. in the sonior T.T. races must havo been a very convincing display. It completed the course without any signs of mechanical trouble, finishing in second place. A machine of similar type is expected in New Zealand for next summer's racing, A little-known fact is that 1000 motorcycles are to»be found in. China (probably mostly owned bv Europeans). Hrib- : sh Honduras and French Guiana hold tho /ecord for tho smallest recorded numo?r of motor-cycjcs (five each), and Paraguay corr.c» next wth only eight. For three years in succession tho New Hudson entry in the 1000-mile Stock Machine Trial has obtained 100 per cent, efficiency. In each case three machines entered, and in each case three machines finished without loss of points and won gold medals, and twice they won tho teams prize. An A.J.S. side-car will accompany two Guy-Roadless semi-creeper track light lorries to be used by the Michael Terry Northern Australian Expedition. Led by Mr. Terry, tho party, numbering six, proposes to travel lrom Port Darwin through much unknown country in tho north and north-west of Australia down to Perth.

Every member of the executive staff of the Indian Motor-cycle Co., U.S.A., will shortly be mounted on an Indian Prince, using it for pleasure as well as business. Although production was averaging 80 machines per day in April it would be June before the staff could bo supplied on account of back orders having to be fulfilled.

Tho year 1907 is famous as being the vear of the first' International Tourist Trophy Race. No more striking commentary upon the improvement of the motor-cyclo exists than the fact that since 1907 the average speed of the winner of the senior race has increased from 38 to 69 m.p.h. in spite of an increase in the length and difficulty of the course.

The world's road out-c.nd-home bicycle competition record for 50 miles, held by R. Ford (Victoria), who covered tho distance in 2 hours 7 minutes 32 seconds in October 1923, had a close call recently. An English cyclist, F. W. Southall, starting from scratch in a 50 "miles handicap race, put up the fast time of 2 hours 8 minutes, or only 28 seconds outside Ford's record.

AttiMTo Cavalleri, riding a Rudge Whitworth. won the Fourth Italian Circuit by covering 2702 kilometres at an average speed of 52.257 kilometres per hour, the race being run in four stages between April 21-24. He also won first place in his class (500e.c.) and finished over 5 4 l hours ahead of the next British motorcycle. His victory is all the more reinarkabe by reason of the fact that he entered an ordinary 4.99 h.p. RudgeWhitworth as a private owner, and did not receive any assistance from tho manufacturers or their agents.

The British manufacturer intends to maintain the supremacy of the British motor-cycle as the cheapest and speediest form of mechanical transport the world has ever known. It replaces tho railway both from the point of view of time occupied by the journey and the cost, as a means of travel for commercial traveller or manufacturer's representative in his journeymgs from store to i.tore and from town to town, as an aid to the professional man in keeping his appointments, as. a help to the tradesman in economical distribution of his goods to customers, and as a source of pleasure to the tourist.

Tho motor-cycle and side-car is capable of speedily and cheaply delivering loads up to four or five cwt. at a cost which (even after taking into account the comparatively low purchase price of certain four-wheeled motor vehicles) will not only directly saye money because of its low upkeep and operating costs, but also by reason of ease of control, and the small garage and parking facilities required will save the tradesman and his customers both time and money. The smaller the size of the goods to be delivered, or the greater the necessity for speed, the more it is desirable to use the commercial sidecar to save time and money. You do not use a steam hammer to crack a nut. Why maintain the standing charges of four wheels when three wheels will servo you better.

In view of the usefulness of tho speedometer the question arises in one's mind us to whether the present day " speedo " is as truthful as it might be. Given a measured course of a few miles and a test of a dozen instruments it is doubtful if two or more would register exactly alike. Ask any careful motorist if his " speedo " is correct, when the necessity arises to measure off a certain course, and it is surprising the different replies that are forthcoming. " Out five per cent.," or even up to 10 per cent, is quite a common aiiswer. Few are optimistic enough to say that their registrations are " dead true." The worst of such inaccuracies is that they are cumulative. An error of 5 per cent, does not seem much in a short run, but when tho speedometer shows a reading of many thousands of miles it means a big difference in tho totals.

As far as it is possible to deduce from the judge's report of the A.C.U. 1000 mile stock machine trial, real progress has been made apparent in the design of pres-ent-day standard motor-cvcles. The report, issued by Dr. A. M. 'Low, spares no point of design, common to (lie generality of competing machines, which tlie trial brought out in an unfavourable light. But under-lying the written word there is discernible a tacit admission that standard machines have improved in the past year on nearly all the points criticised. Mechanical silence, cleanliness and adequate lubrication of valve gear are points which the report stresses as still needing considerable attention. On the credit side, the decrease in exhaust noise, easier starting and improvement in braking are favourably commented upon. Under minor headings tho improvement in accessoiies, increased reliability of sparking plugs, mora robust frame and cycle parts, and enhanced comfort are commended; but leakage of oil and grease, neglect in excluding dust and rnud from working parts and in straining tho air which enters tho carburetter, are criticised. f T.T, RESULTS. The (iOOc.c. Douglas established a wonderful performance in the side-ear T.T. race. L. Parker, a former amateur rider, won on an average speed of 55 m.p.h., and actually c ompleted a lap at 57 m.p.h. which is only 12 m.p.h. slower than tho solo record. Norton machines secured second and third places. In tho junior race F. Dixon, on a 2f h.p. Douglas, established a new standing start lap record at over 65 m.p.h. Particulars of the senior winner of tho H.R.D. machine are now available, and are of interest, as this is quite a new make. The specifications are 490 c.c. J.A.P., 85.5 x 85 o.h.v. engine, mechanical lubrication and Burman 3Speed gears, the standard model being sold with a guaranteo of 90 m.p.h.