CYCLING & MOTOR NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13859, 23 March 1907, Page 7

CYCLING & MOTOR NOTES.

Br Demon - . Dear Demon,—l havo a 2| horsepower motor cycle, with high tension magneto. The fault with it is that if I retard moro than a couple of notches it won't go at all. I have always to start with it as far advanced as I can got it, and lea-vo it so all tho time. As you will sec by the above, I am unable to climb very big hills through inability to retard the spark. What is the cauf.e of it, and eon Id it be fixed up? In what way will the working of a motor l>e affected when tho contacts 111 a magneto become a bit worn? Thanking you in anticipation,—l am, etc., Gocfiu;s. ""Your magneto is evidently timed a little late. You could with advantage try timing magneto a little (but very little) earlier, It is customary with magneto ignition to have the spark nearly fully advanced when starting. When, tho contacts of make and break of a magneto become a bit worn, the quality of tho sparkwill not he so good, and if very bad may cause misspring. Trim the faces of the points evenly if sufficient platinum left; if not, procuro new point/-:. The Invercargili Axemen's Carnival people, who annually make provision for cycle races uu their programme, have decided not to hold a sporie meeting at Easter 'his year. Cycle races, however, are on tho Clyde nports programme, tho iroldtields town also holding its nicotine at Easter, For t.ho road raco promoted by the Tuapcka Cycle Depot a large number of Diincdin riders have entered, and these, with the Lawrence men, should make up a good fiel<J and provide an interesting race. _ The distance of the course is about 21- miles. — Tho Christchurch Cycling and Motor Club have decided this year not to hold their usual Good Friday meeting. The Timaru Borough Council propose to purchase a motor car for the use of the Fire Brigade at a cost of about £600, but before doing so they intend to ask the fire insurance companies for .a contribution of £75,. as the new vehicle would materially lesson fire risks.

. 1 notice by Home files that there is a one-legged English cyclist out with a. challenge to rucc any other one-legged rider for the championship of England. The aspirant for fame is named Joseph lteid. but as lie asserts that ho has traversed tho mile in Irniii 39scc, and can do limn 40scc easily, I opine he is wasting his time in wanting to tako on one-legged cyclists, as ho should bo ablo to easily defeat r.ny prrecnt-day champion who is blessed with two legs. — The opening dale for tho world's championship is Juno 30, tho I'aro des 11 inces track at Paris being the convincing ground. Lawson and UacFa-rland are likely to take part in the meeting. Whilo Mairiott, was making a third attempt to break tho milo record at the recent motor car races on the Florida Bcaoh, his steam car struck an inequality on the track, and was hurled into tho air and shattered to fragments, Marriott being seriously injured. The car was running at the rate of nearly 125 miles an hour. It leaped into tho air, ami, coming down rebounded and turned over several times.' i lie boiler rolled a great, distance along the bcach, and Harriott's unconscious form slid several yards. He subsequently recovorcd consciousness. One of his eyes was put out, and ho also sustained a broken rib. This unfortunate accident ended a disappointing meet, which in tho way cf racing produced only minor records and ordinary • performances. -—Lose berg, the New South Wales rider, recently disqualified in connection with tho Clippsland Racing ■ Carnival, has signified his intention of appealing; especially against ihc referee's recommendation to the L.V.W. Council for a life disqualincatioji.

At the present time tho motor car is going through the usual rough handling that all innovations have to face, but- tho motor car _ and_ its future have such enormous possibilities that all .narrow-minded objection must bo overcome or set aside to make way for one of tho greatest cvolitUCIIS that tho world has faced. Last year £38,000,000 worth of care were manufactured and sold in the leading centres of tho world. What the output will be in 1917 would be a rash guess, but a-safer prediction can ho made, and that is that 1 tho automobile will have taken its proper place in working out the world's destiny, and all potty objections will have been swept aside in 10 years' lime, •—A Stamford Hill doctor siariod to drive from London to Cambridge in ■ his 12-16 horse-power Brasicr car last month, having with him two ladies and his chaffeur. .lust this side of .Saffron Walden one of the ladies complained -of an annoying bumping of the off-side hind wheel, ihc owner suspected a puncture, hurriedly got down and ran his eye over all four tyres to find a strangely hard lump, and it was decided to deflate this tyre-one of a pair of five months' old Duniops. When the cover was half off, a lOin long steel tyro lever was found lying between tho tube and cover. How long it had lain there nobody could say, and the chaffour said ho had never hp,d occasion to remove the two new tubes jind covers since May last, when they were* fitted at a garage in Carlisle. The owner states that neither tube nor cover was injured in any way. Barney Oldficld has forwarded a letter asking what hopes of success there arc of his getting somo inducement to come to Australia, for record-breaking purposes. Oldficld is regarded in America as one of tho world's most daring motorists. —~What is tho test way to clean tho bearings of a machine without taking them to pieces? asks a correspondent. The usual plan is to flush them with kerosene and. then lubricate them copiously with good oil. It is just as well to slacken each tearing so as io allow the dirt the more readily to work out. When tho kerosene is used, tho machine should ho laid 011 its side so as to allow it to drain out. It is wonderful what a difference in the running of a good machine clean and well lubricated bearings make. Pedal bearings arc seldom properly seen to.

, A curious decision has been recently given by a county court judge in the Midlands in an action brought by a cyclist against tho owner of a fowl, Which flow against, his steering wheel, floored him, and smashed his machine (says C. li. Larrcttc, in Athletic News). His Honor nonsuited tho unfortunate wheelman 011 the ground that lie had not shown that that particular rooster was in the habit of knocking_ cyclists over. I presume tho learned judge Irased what cortainly looks like an illogical ruling on tho same rule which exonerates tho owner of a savage dog who has bitten anj;ono w-hen bis victims cannot show that it'was not the Tyke's first offence.

Extraordinary success attended the recent automobile show which was held at Madison square Gardens (U.S.A.), ami one result will bo tho invasion of the French and English markets by American manufacturers in the near future. To give an idea of the importance of the industry there, statistics for last year show that in autos the capital invested was £14.000,000, and the output for the year cxeccded that amount by 0110 million; there were 30,000 care manufactured and 1422 (value £1,100.000) imported. A feature of the show was tlio reduction in the prices of cars generally, and the popularity of tho new models of the "runaliout" stvlo. As the result of over a year's experiments and exhaustive tests.' tho Dunlop Tyro Company has now brought out a steel-studded tvro. The grooved rubber tyro is well known, but the steel-studded form has now been produced in consequence of demands. The steel studs, instead of being rivitcd to a strip of leather vulcanised 011 to the tyre, are built into the fabric, and form a part of the tyro itself, lletal-trcadcd tvrcs do not wear so long as those made of all rubber, owing to the peculiarly severe strains put upon the casing, but the freedom from side slip and loss liability to puncture aro distinct points in their favour.

Mr Hugh J). M'lntosh. general secretary of the League of Now South Wales Wheelmen ami president ot tho I'edcral Council, states tlmt ho lias received a letter from Major Taylor in reference to visit, to Australia next season. Tho popular coloured sprinter is anxious to know whether ho can make satisfactory arrangements, as lie would like to visit Australia again. The league secretary lias replied stating the prospects for next season's racing, and entering into negotiations with the famous negro for his appearance at a series of night meetings under tho league about- January ami March next, so that if, is probable that Major Taylor will bo seen in Australia again next year. demonstrating the fact that "loafing" tactics in cycle races are not peculiar to path-racing in the colonics— an illustration ( of which tactics wo had at the recent Dnnedin Cycling Club's sports— the following, from London Sportsman, should prove interesting:—"Thy question of loafing in cycle racing lias at times been tho subject ot tierce debate. One great- argument urged in favour of it is that- it is appreciated in Fiance, where bicycle racing is practically tho national sport, and that British cyclists will in time learn to value the liner tactics of race riding. The opposition aver that the JSritish temperament will nevw allow that slago to be reached, Both sides, however,

agree that crawling is appreciated, or at least tolerated, on the other sid-o ot tho Channel. But it seems that both parties aro wrong, so far at all events as handicap races are concerned, for in order to put a stop to loafing what is termed a new system of handicapping has been given a trial in Paris. The 'new system' was nothing loss familiar than that of time stnrie. Thus the limit men were at. scratch, and tho back-markers owed so many seconds. In tho preliminary heats the system apparently worked very well, for tho competitors seem to have gone all out from tho momont that they v.'cro despatched. In the final, however, tho majority of competitors resumed their old tactics, with the result that tho first man to go, who rodo lmrd from start, to finish, won very easily. A peculiar feature of the raco Wits that the handicaps were rearranged before the final heat was dccidc<l." —~Considerable excitement was created, in French cycling circlcs by Hie unaccountable suicide on l<'ri<lay, January 25. of the famous road and track rider, Hone Pottier, who was found hanging in his workshop. The evening before ho had been making arrangements for tho summer season with lijs manager, and Wore leaving home for his workshop on tho fatal morning he, as usual, discussed with his wife the menu for tho day's dinner. Absolutely no reason can be assigned for tho tragic ulfair. Polticr, who was only" 27 years of age, started racing in 1900, and in that year won ,i 150-kiiometro road raco, as well ag several minor amateur events. In ISO 3 he mado his mark by carrying off tho amateur raco from Bordeaux to Paris, beating Leon Meredith and others in a 50kilomctrc race, and set up a one-hour unpaced record. He then turned professional, and after several successes of various orders of merit finished, in 1905, second in bath tho Paris-Roubaix and Bordeaux-Paris races, and on tho track set up, tho humanpaced hour record of 30 miles 776 yds. In 1905 ho carried off the Tour do France, the 24-hour Hoi d'Or ltace, (ho Paris Grand Prix, and many other events, and during his last two seasons ho defeated, at ono time or other, every opponent of note, including the famous Bobby Walt-hour. A very unassuming man, Pottier was greatly esteemed by all wheelmen, a large number of whom attended his funeral.

THE FAILINGS OF THE CHEAP BICYCLE. One of the most common, failings of the "cheap and nasty" bicycle (says Cycle) is I hat- its framo is not trued with 'perfect accuracy, and, consequently, its wheels are out of track. How often ono overtakes a l'ider oil the toad, who, viewed from the rear, presents an object lesson in alignment—or lack of it. The back wheel, in-sk-ad of following with mechanical precision in the track of the stecrer, ploughs a lonely furrow for itself, tho consccpienco being that tho machine runs sluggishly, steers badly, and skids at the very sight of grease. It cannot bo too strongly impressed Upon every cyclist that perfect alignment in his machine is an absolute necessity. Not only must tho two wheels run in a single track, but the drive from the large sprocket to .the rear chain riiiff must a'fio bo dead straight. It would, of course, be fatal to use a back wheel which had a chain line even one-sixteenth of an inch larger or smaller than the chain line of the bracket. The centring of the back wheel in the chain stays should also bo dono with the greatest possible accuracy, a proceeding whicli is not always easy if the rim happens to ho slightly out of truth. The average cyclist is not a mechanical genius, and I have heard of a rider who, finding his rear tyre scraping on the chain stay owing to the rim having deviated from the straight and narrow path of truth, carefully filed a. part of tho steel tubing away to allow tho wheel sufficient clearance. This is doubtless an extreme case of mechanical verdancy, hut in a less degree the same lack of elementary knowldfje is frequently displayed, and in nothing more often than in tho riding of machines which are out of alignment. A simple test of concentricity can be made by riding a macliinc for u short distance "hands off." If it runs steadily mid in an approximately straight, line with the rider sitting perfectly upright in his saddle, it is "tracking" properly; but if it exhibits a tendency to veer to ono side, and the rider lias to give his body a list io port or starboard, as the case may be, to preserve the equilibrium of the machine, then it. is certain that something ij wrong with the alignment. And until this is corrected the maehiuo will never run satisfactorily.

I A TERRIBLE RIDE. ■ It was recently reported that F. Birtlos had been forced back into civilised territory and had abandoned his attempt to erois the Great Victorian Desert, which stretches for 700 miles from Laverton (W.A.j to Alice Springs. Writing to a friend in Perth Bivtles gives a. few particulars of the difficulties ho had to face, and he appears to have been extremely fortunate in aijain making settled country. Tho following extract from Birtles's letter conveys an idea of what he had to go through. Ho writes: "I have made my second attempt to cross tho desert, and have failed. On this occasion I got out 120 miles into the desert, which is in a terrible condition, owing io the last two dry seasons. On Sunday (February 10) Ijwas forced back, and had to retreat for lack of water. Tho following day I had nothing to drink. I was in a horrible condition, logs cut, and swollen, and a bad bead, some insect bad bitten me while sleeping. Add to this that I had to push my bike nearly all the way, sometimes in sand nearly up to hubs of the wheels. You will readily understand my plight when I tell .you that, the temptation to leave my machine and take my clothcs off was well nigh unconquerable, but I know that I would ho finished if I did so. During the 240 miles I travelled in the desert country I only found water twice. In one instance the rocknole was full of dead rabbits, and a viler mess I havo never seen. Even the dingoes, were lying dead round empty holes. On my retreat from the desert I had a terrible time. Luckily I happened to know of a soak some 60 miles away, and about 40 miles out of Kurnalpi, and to this I managed to struggle. On the way to the soak I began to get so bad that I could continually see water alongside of me, whilst every time I took a rest I saw a dingo slinking around in tho scrub. He followed mo for 60 miles to the soak. Here I get a couple of quarts of water and waited a day; then I got two more, which carried mo back to Kurnalpi. You can imagine what I had to go through when I mention tho fact, that tho temperature at Kurnalpi when I got back was IlOdog. in the shade. This will give you an idea of what it was like pushing a cycle and lugRage, weighing (lose 011 1201b, through the desert. Fortunately neither bike nor tyres have given tho slightest trouble, despite tho fact that I have covered close on 500 miles of trackless eonntry, and, in all 1314- miles since leaving Perth, I have come to the conclusion that it is absolutely impossible to negotiate the desert in its present state, so intend crossing to Adelnide, Melbourne, and Sydney, via the coastal route." THE FIEND—THE VICTIM. "What! Never teen in a motor before 1" exclaimed Urn astounded molorfiond. Burke. " Why, where Oh, but I forgot, you'd been buried amongst sheep for so long, Well, I'm glad to introduce you to tho finest sport, on earth." "Give mo a. good horse," said Willis. "You can't beat the sensation of galloping over tho plains 011 top of a piece of live mechanism."

"I-Iorsel" snorted Burke, scornfully. I'd just, as soon ride in a. perambulator. Wait- till to-night, old man. and then if you don't- agree wiili mo that a horse's proper sphere is tho Zco—well, I'll. eat one for dinner." Burlw donned his rubber coat and goggles, and got up beside his driver. Willis declined goggles as he stepped in behind, and tho big car, obedient to a touch, glided into motion. It was early morning, and the streets almost empty, and as tho buildings slipped by the novice began to feel exhilarated. I-Ie leaned over to Burke: "This is line, old man." "Gets on nty nerves, this cmvling." was the impatient response. "Wait- till wo git-away from these infernal slrcet-s." Willis sat back, enjoying tho swift motion. He could not- realise a- much greater ]xiee; but, when the city was a hazy smudge behind them, there came enlightenment. His lierves were in fair order, and the spurt that brought them to the foot-, of the hills made them tingle not unpleasantly. "My word, she is a flyer," he said, enthusiastically. Burke laughed shortly. His expression was that of a man who was impatiently bca-ring some tiresome preliminaries. " Wait until we get fo the top of this infernal range, old chap, ilien you'll 6eo what she can do." _ " I'm quite satisfied," Willis said, laughin£i\\ When at length the road commenced to dip, Burke .s impatient gloom vanished. " Now you'll see something" ho called over liis shoulder. Willis certainly did; but ho >aw it all so suddenly, in a succession of lightning blobs and streaks, that- his brain could not register any definite impressions. He grasped his seat firmly with both hands, and wished he had been a better man. "Whcil lie looked ahead the narrow, white ribbon over which they were skimming Hew at him like a tongue of an angrv serpent. A dark mass whirled by on either side like a wall, and for a tirao lie closed

his eyes behind liie goggles he had donned at the start of trouble. A menacing grunt from the horn roused him to look ahead again. Some distance in front lie made out a waggon and team; then almost instantaneously they were right, upon it. He closed his eyes, and involuntarily hunched his shoulders for tiie sickening impact. If it had not been for his firm hold of the seat, lie would have been flurisr across the body of the car; but there was only a. wrench of his arms and a miracle. There was certainly not room to pass on that narrow white ribbon, and so lie know they must, have flown over the obstruction. When ho opened one eye he dimly realised that (ho dark wall on his right suddenly broke into a few white dots, and then closed' again upon his path of purgatory. 13urke leaned over and yelled, "Appleville! Pretty little place, eh'r" Willis made no response. Burke's words beat on his brain, like an idiotic formula, a thousand limes lo (lie minute, before he realised that the white dots comprised a village, now spun away to the oilier side of the whirling globe. This was his last conscious impression. Tlio earth si ill whizzed-benoath in its sickening, mad onrush ; but lie ceased to foel or think. The wall broke and re-formed on either side spasmodically; a phantom horn grunted at intervals from a thousand miles' distance; but Willis ceased lo exist, except as a. helpless, inanimate part of tho projectile that spun down the tunnel.

Another miracle had happened. Someone distinctly said, "Come and have a drink." Willis opened his eyes. There was no wall; no dizzily, spinning thread of white, hut a beautiful, solid, stationary building with names of beautiful, usual drinks written on it, and his friend Burke beaming an invitation. 110 threw aside his joggles unil stepped out on to the glorious, solid earth. Ho fell, thai ho would like to lie down and embrMo it; hut he followed Burke into the bar, listening in a dazed manner to bin enthusiastic comments on the run. Run! When he'd had three stiff brandies Willis revived sufficiently to register a solemn vow that he would never step into tho infernal machine again, and his brain worked feverishly to devise a plan ot escape. "Eact is, old man," said Burke, confidentially, "my driver's a speed-mad-man, I was lucky to drop on to him— suits 1110 down to the ground. Now, I must give the ear a look over. Come and see tho works." "No, thanks," said Willis, with seeming carelessness; "machinery doesn't interest me. I'll have a, look round tho town while you fix her up." He could barely control his legs to refrain from running away from the madman. 110 thought of hiding until Burke had gone, hot he feared that his friend would not leave until he had ransaclccd the small Jo«ti. Just as he had hit upon a reasonable excuse for remaining, lie heard three sharp grunts from the horn, which ho interpreted as a recall signal. Burke was impatient. "Come on, old. chap; we don't want to bo anchored all day in this hole." Willis mado a, praiseworthy effort to look sorry. "I've just hit upon an old friend; haven't seen him for 20 years. He's an invalid, and he made mo promise to stay with him for a time," " "Good!" said Burke, joyously. "I'll take him for a run with us. I didn't mean to return by the same road; but I don't mind doing a bit. for a sick man who's a friend of vours." / Willis shuddered. "He—he's bed-ridden. In fact, I don't think he'll live long,", he jidded, with fearful solemnity. Burke was unsuspicious. He could not imagine anyone try to avoid a trip in his beloved pet. "I am sorry I must leave you, then, old cha.p," ho said; "hut- I'll nick vou up in say four hours. Wo'll bo back in the city in time for a late dinner. It won't be horse, eli!" He laughed uproariously, and Willis managed a sickly grin. Almost, before the red monster was round the corner, he rushed into tho hotel to enquire about the coach scrvicc, and shouted, like a king of old: "A horse! A horse!" "Impy Q.," in the Gadfly.