MOTOR AND CYCLE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8737, 20 May 1914, Page 11

MOTOR AND CYCLE

After a lapse of nearly fourteen years an attempt is to bo made to reduce Arthur MacDonald’s great transcontinental cycle rido from Port Darwin to Adelaide (2066 miles) in 23 days 15 hours 30 minutes. The fact that this record has stood since September, 1893, is sufficient evidence that it is something out of tho ordinary. The aspirants for tho record are G. F. Reichert bach and J. A. Fahey, two Victorian cyclists, and they will probably leave Adelaide this week on their long and strenuous rido northwards. Their mounts will be “Dunlop” shod “Turner” machines, fitted -with variable speed gears. Both the above men are strong, sturdy riders, who have done considerable long-distance cycling in divers parts of the Continent. They recognise that they are u.p against a very stiff proposition, in attempting to reduce MacDonald’s record, as the last-named, being a telegraph operator stationed on tho northern sections of the overland telegraph line, had every opportunity of studying the tracks, weather and wind conditions en route. MacDonald in his great feat rode for some .eleven hours daily, his average pace being about eight miles an hour. His shortest day’s mileage was 40 miles, and his longest 187 males, the latter being his last day’s run into Adelaide. Out of tho twenty-eight days ho spent on the road, MacDonald spoiled, all told, two days; he rode a “Swift” cycle shod with “Danlops,” and fitted with 63iuch cranks, and 59 gear in the early stages, and 66 gear after passing Charlotte Waters. Arrangements have been made for the receipt of progress wires from Messrs Roichenbach and Fahey, and particulars of their ride will bo published in. 1 the columns from time to time. Their undertaking will be watched with interest by cyclists throughout Australasia. Few motorists in this part of the world hove any idea of the great strides made in the use of electric motor vehicles in America. According to statistics which have but recently became available, there are approximately 37,000 electric vehicles in use in tho United States. Of this number, about 25,000 are passenger cars, the remainder being commercial vehicles. The city of Chicago holds the record with 2850 vehicles. New York is next with 2000, and Cleveland third with 1800.

By way of eliminating waste of time and the groat amount of labour involved in grinding poppet valves to a proper seat, an American company recently has adopted the somewhat novel esjpedtent of peonang them to their seats. For the purpose a special type of hard valve is used. It is first accurately reamed, as is the seat, after which it is struck a number of rapid fairly light blows with a compressed air hammer. The resultant seat is said to afford a better fit than that obtained by grinding, and to resist leaks and corrosion longer, and the whole operation can be completed in from twenty to thirty seconds—a material saving of time over even the best of previous methods. There is one great advantage in self-starters for motor-cars which is seldom emphasised, and that is the encouragement which they afford to touring motorists to pull up at frequent intervale to dwell on a tit-bit of scenery. Under ordinary circumstances the tourist is slow to stop, for ho does not like to leave his engine running, and is still more averse to dismounting to thus causing irconvenience to himself and the front seat passenger. For this reason he is inclined to keep going, ( when from a touring point of view besought to cal a halt. If a self-starter is fitted however 3 there is oo snch infliienc© at work, because he can stop his engine and restart it without getting out of the car. It is a very distinct and decided advantage.