MOTOR-CYCLING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20426, 30 November 1929, Page 14 (Supplement)

MOTOR-CYCLING.

TREND OF DESIGN.

It is doubtful whether there will be anything outstanding in the way of new designs exhibited at. the forthcoming Olvmpia 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 be a return to plated handlebars, spokes, rims, control levers, and possibly tanks, while there is no doubt that there will be some allplated machines. There' is a frequent tendency now to introduce entirely new frame designs, and more than one maker will display frames differing considerably from the 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 be found on many machines, and it seems thai; the really silent motor-cycle is in sight. Still mcro 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 the 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 this year, and while prices will probably remain constant, better value will be offered.

OREWA RAOES

The North Shore Motor-cycle Club, will conduct a scries of bench races at Orewa to-morrow. A very attractive programme has been provided, and some of the best riders of the Auckland Sports Club will compete. City riders will cross the harbour by the 8.30 a.m. ferry.

INCLINED ENGINES.

Inclined engines are to be a fashion for 1930. Every week more and piore firms .are added to the list of those who favour canting the engine forward so that the cyHrrdet- 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 task of maintenance, because the cylinder head can be removed' more easily for decarbonisation. Moreover, there is added space for rocker gear 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 vertical-engined machine.

SENIOR AMATEUR T.T.

The recent Amateur Tourist Trophy race was remarkable from many points of view. Its aspect changed from lap to lap and right up to the finishing post it was difficult to point to the winning man. The number of retirements was astonishing, mechanical trouble and crashes eliminating rider after rider until exactly twothirds of the entire entry was put but of the race. A dense fog enveloped the island concealing points where it vitally necessary to have good visibility and adding to the hazard with which human ingenuity was powerless to deal. The loading men in each circuit were lap 1, D. Ferranti (Norton), lap 2, W. Meageen (Rex Acme), lap 3, W. Meageen (Rex Acme), lap 4, H. Bacon (Sunbeam), lap 5, H. Bacon (Sunbeam), • lap 6, .J. Potts (Grindley Peerless J.A.P.h Potts, the winner, was thus the only rider leading at the end of a lap to finish the race and the second man two laps before the finish did not even appear to have a possibility. The final lesults were

J. Potts (498 Grindlay Peerless J.A.P.) ;• 66.26 m.p.h. . . 1 E. Lea (490 Norton) 64.02 m.p.h. . . 2 H. Levings (348 Velocette) 61.74 m.p.h 3 J. Sugg (490 Norton)*6o.46 m.p.h. . . 4

NOTES.

When a motor-cyclist was summoned for noise at Grantham. England, the police stated in evidence that his silencer was " patched on one side with an old salmon tin " The defendant (whose name was Money) was fined ss.

A British motor-cycle—a 497 c.c. o.h.v. Ariel —has again broken the non-stop engine record, this time out iri Australia under official observation. ' A mileage of 6612 was covered until an over-zealous policeman stopped the engine, but after five seconds I he machine went on to cover a further 3978 miles.