MOTOR-CYCLING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21596, 14 September 1933, Page 14

MOTOR-CYCLING

OVER-HEATED ENGINES CAUSES AND PREVENTION As a general rule when the running temperature of a modern motor-cycle engine shows signs of becoming unduly high, the source of the trouble may be sought in details of adjustment and maintenance neglected by the owner. Excessive 'carbon deposit is one of the most frequent causes of over-heated engines, and it is very likely, therefore, that when an engine shows signs of hot running, all that it may require for a complete cure is a thorough decarbonising and the removal of accumulated masses of carbon and burned oil from the exhaust system. Badly-seating valves, due either to pitted faces or to permanent heat distortion, are a prolific source of an engine's hot running, particularly on long runs. So, also, are tappets which are allowed to remain out of correct adjustment. On tour the engine may tend to overheat if the spark is too far advanced or retarded, and the same result may be caused by the constant use of an incorrect mixture. Of course, a cylinder that has been allowed to become caked with clay or dirt cannot be expected to maintain a normal running temperature, as the presence of such a film would prevent the vital heat radiation and would insulate the cylinder from the cooling influence of the surrounding air. In this respect also it should be remembered that oil leakages or splashes on? the outside of the cylinder will eventually carbonise and so form a non-radiating film. Again, any factor which operates to prevent the free transmission of power from the engine to the road wheels of the machine will tend to create overheating in the engine. From an economic standpoint it is a wasteful proposition as regards petrol and oil consumption to continue, riding an unduly hot-running engine, and also such a unit is awkward to control and usually noisy in operation. If reasonably treated, modern motor-cycle engines should be immune from such complaints, and if ordinary remedies fail the owner would be well advised to determine whether his .own driving methods are, not at fault and probably the basic cause of his troubles. A.A. ACTIVITIES A further extension in patrol service is being inaugurated by the Automobile Association. Under a system of decentralisation, the association's territory is ' being divided into areas each with a patrol stationed at local headquarters, and operating throughout the district. ' The \ new areas are much smaller than the qjd patrol districts, and therefore the uniformed officers will be seen ftluch more frequently by members, and will have more time to cater for the requirements of motorists. Extra staff, has been appointed and an additional patrol is being stationed with headquarters at Rotorua. f ■ : , - In addition to the permanent patrols, the association is establishing a chain of voluntary patrols, who will be used on holidays and special occasions, and during extraordinary occurrences, such as floods, slips or other road blook&ges. For" the coming season there will be.available the first portion of the association's descriptive "routes" which are to replace the old type of touring itinerary. Work in connection with the preparation of these routes comprises many thousands of miles travelling, minute calculations and checkings and dozens of drawings. In addition, the starred classification of hotels will, be continued, and this system to a limited degree is to be introduced in connection with the 1934 motor-camp list.

CLEVER WARKIHO DEVICE « Lorry-drivers will no longer be able to trundle their heavy vehicles along in the centre of the road at night, blissfully unconscious of the motorist behind who wants to pass them, if the apparatus designed by Monsieur de Courdeval, joint director of the municipal police of Paris, is adopted. Th© , vital part.) of' the instrument consists of a photo-electric cell placed in a tube and fitted behind the vehicle. Directly the lights of a following car are picked up by the tube, an electric horn placed inside the cab is automatically sounded. NOTES The total production of private cars in Great Britain last year rose to 171,244, as compared with 158.997 in 1931. ./ . It is estimated that of the three and a-half million motor-trucks in the United States, one million are farmowned.

An anti-splash Regulation is being enforced in Sydney. The maximum penalty is £2O, and the victim may sue for damage done to clothing.

It is said that American motor manufacturers are alarmed at the success of British cars in Spain, and efforts are to be made to check the replacement of American cars by smaller and more economical British cars.

Twin-cylinder advantages with single-cylinder simplicity are claimed for a new British motor-cycle, a vertical twin-cylinder. The 650 c.c. engine develops very high power at low speeds, while the even torque of the power unit reduces tyro wear and to a large extent prevents skids.