MOTOR CYCLNG.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20112, 24 November 1928, Page 12 (Supplement)

MOTOR CYCLNG.

HAMILTON HILL CLIMB. CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT. Next week-end tho Hamilton Motor Cycle club will hold its annual hill climb. Tho tests, which take place at Tauwharo are always keenly contested and tho nature of the hill makes the riding of a very spectular naturo. A number of Auckland hill climbing experts and riders from other parts of tho Provinco will contest the championship event. THE SPORTS CLUB. Owini; to riders preparing for the Hamilton hill climb there is no fixture scheduled for the Sports Club this week. Members will journey to Hamilton next week in two parties, the first leaving the Harp of Erin ,at 1 p.m. Saturday and another assembling at tho samo place at 6 a.m. on Sunday TWO-STROKE DEVELOPMENT. In view of tho greatly increased power output of the modern two-stroke engine, when compared with engines of tlireo or four years ago, it is not surprising that a certain loss of flexibility at low revolutions should bo noticeable. It is asking rather impossible things of an engine, the power curve ot which may peal: at 6000 r.p.m., that it. should be capable of "ticking ovei " evenly and slowly when the throttlo is nearly shut. Two-stroki carburation at atmospheric pressuro is something of a problem even with a strictly " touring" engine, and those who expect a lively performance at one end of the speed range, and tractability in traffic at the other, with one and the same setting of jets and choke, are making, at tho present time, .at all events, rathe, impossible demands. It is not too much to hope for some improvement in this direction from tho employment of a supercharging device. It should thus be possible to arrange perfect carburation for low speeds while tho fuel is being fed at atmospheric pressuro (as at present) and to let tho supercharger assist in giving all the acceleration and speed required on the open road.

AFTER 27 YEARS' USE. A bicycle bought in 1901 is still in use on the rough roads in tlio Katikati district. When resident in tho Taranaki district 27 years ago eight bicycles were bought by eight friends and were used daily for several years. At tho end of that timo only ono remained road-worthy, this being of British manufacture. This cycle, a Budge-Whitworth, was later used in Wanganui and Auckland and for the last seven years has been constantly used in Katikati. Many of tho original fittings are still good and it was only recently that new rims were fitted, as it was 'found that supplies of the old type of tyre were not available and rims suitable' for modern tyres were necessary. The frame itself is in good order and from nil appearances is still capable of many years' work. MOTOR-CYCLES IN FRANCE. In France the motor-cycle movement is advancing with giant strides, while the national industry appears to be thoroughly wido awake to tho - possibilities. Just before the war there were fewer than 38,000 motor-cycles in Franco; during the great turmoil tho number dropped to below 9000 machines in use, although doubtless numbers were stored away. Even when peace came France possessed fewer than 29,0(50 motor-cycles, and it was not until about 1924 that the real growth began. 'Although the present number of rulers is small compared with thoso in England, thpre is no other country on the Continent with a larger quantity of motorcycles. At the present time the best seller is the 350 c.c. four-stroke, built on conventional lino 3. Overhead valve models appear to be enjoying greater popularity, than side valve types. The uso of ( the 500 c.c. model is growing, although it is still a long way behind the smaller engine. There is also ft fairly good market for tho 175 c.c. type, equally divided between two-strokes and four-strokes. Below this size of engino very little is being done; the 250 c.c. engine is not looked upon with much favour. NOTES. To put new life into a steering damper take out the friction inserts and rub them gently with sandpaper. Then dust with powdered resin and reassemble.

The Chief Constable of Swansea says he is not in favour of traps, and has no more use for "hedge-hogs" (his designation of Iho police who operate them) than he has for road hogs.

It is interesting to learn that are 648 motor-cycles in Shanghai and 518 in Hongkong. " Triumphs and Ilarleys head the list in both places, with the British machine predominating.

That his eyes were watering in consequenco of the wind, so making him think he was being waved on, was Ihe unsuccessful plea put forward by n. vves Hartlepool motor-cyclist for failing to stop when signalled to do so.