THE MOTOR WORLD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20709, 6 May 1929, Page 4

THE MOTOR WORLD.

By ACCELERATOR.

nt«m* ol news—short descriptions, of tours, the state o! tho road* Mo. t comment, or inquiries will be welcomed by “ Accelerator. 'J

SOUTHLAND MOTOR CYCLE CLUB. June 3. —Reliability trial. FRONT TYRE WEAR. To equalise the uneven wear on front tyres caused by the dishing of the front wheels, it is desirable that every two or three thousand miles the tyres , should be reversed, so that the worn part comes om the inside. With some types of wheel, the wheel itself can be reversed on the hub, but with others, especially those of the wire or disc pattern, this is not possible, so that it is necessary to remove the tyre and reverse it on the rim. ALUMINIUM RUNNING BOARDS. Many modern cars are fitted with stippled or fluted running boards. The best way to clean these is as follows: Procure a wire brush such as is used for cleaning woollen scarves and suede gloves. Dip the brush in kerosene and scrub the aluminium thoroughly. A fair amount of elbow-grease will be required if the aluminium is at all stained or dull, but the improved appearance of the car as a whole is well worth the trouble involved. LONDON-KARACHI NON-STOP .. FLIGHT. Cabled advise has been received by the Shell Company of New Zealand, Ltd., that the British Air Ministry authorises the statement that the spirit used in this British flight of 4130 miles nonstop was supplied by Shell. The previous best British non-stop flight of 3419 was accomplished by Lieutenant Carr, but the Italian airmen, Ferrain and del Prete, still hold the non-stop record, having covered 4466 miles from Rome to Brazil—when Shell spirit was also used. CARE AND MAINTENANCE. The purpose of an overhaul is to prolong the life of a machine. Fashions change quickly in the world of enthusiasts, and, since the enthuiasts of motor cycledom are many, the impression has sprung up that the useful life of a motor cycle is a short one. That is not true. The keen clubman may well rejoice in his new model every season, but the economically inclined rider can be certain of many years of satisfactory service from a single machine, granted only that it is given reasonable attention from time to time, including a major overhaul once a year or so. HOW THE BRAKES SHOULD WORK. To have a motor vehicle under proper control a motorist should regulate his speed so as to bo able to pull up within the distance which he sees clear. The following table shows the approximate distance in which a . ear should stop on the level under average road conditions, if the brakes are in proper order. On a falling gradient, or on a slippery or greasy road, a greater distance is natually required. Speed, Ord, p.W. m.p.h. brakes. brakes. 10 9 feet 6 feet 16 20 feet 13 feet 20 35 feet 23 feet The distance required to pull up increases very rapidly as the speed increases. It vanes roughly with the square of the speed, so that at 20 miles an hour you require, four times the pulling-up distance to 10 miles an hour, and at 40 miles an hour 16 times the distances. CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS, Of .a total of 20,622 motor crashes recorded in the State of California, U.S.A. during 1928, more than half—lo,so9 occurred at street and road intersections, and 3229 of these happened because one of the drivers sought to cross without having the right of way. . I f°, reckless driving 2879 were attributed; speeding accounted for 2246 and side of the Toad for 2030 others Cutting in" caused 1364 crashes and in 1252 cases the car ii road ; Mechanical defects were blamed for only 922, and "that tired feeling resulted in 208 mishaps. At railway crossings 368 accidents occurred while 432 cars were piled up nf tran l s ‘ W f fc roads wcre the cause tally 2 of' 74° d dnlnl:en drivers amassed a COLLISIONS; A DRAMA IN THREE ACTS. when'll 50U watched a motorist when ho sees that a crash is inevitable’ aste an exchange'. Everyone acts in a cutterent manner. For instance, the grey-haired gentleman, just before he piles into the back of the car ahead which stopped suddenly without warning. He pops back tn as bot L fe ? fc push both pedals to the floor. Hands grip the wheel imbecile t ” \ cracky!—the confounded Bn mn( P E yc s stare. Face sets, Bump! Radiator spouts. Fenders fold. Argument. Curtain. Let s watch a middle-aged woman. She sits straight back with a proud and naughty mem as she drives along There m an obvious effort to appear at ease! (Shes really nervous.) Suddenly a car swings the corner close ahead! A crash S ce S a T + D r *• bot]i S f, Q, be h ! t9 , the clutch; misses the brake. She gets the accelerator. Wildly she swings the wheel. The motor roars The qnr coasts oyer the kerb—runs down the sidewalk, swings back for the street, trnnt'uf l P °.iS klndly engages the right and M l w T,ey embrace (the wheel and pole). Woman faints. Curtain Here , comes an athletic youth in a sporty roadster, several miles the wrong side of the speed limit. The car ahead stops. Another coming from the opposite direction blocks the narrow, ditchbordered road. He yanks the emergency. Eyes alert narrow. "Hot dawg! here wf , R ! g lt np t 0 crash with hand on wheel he watches for a possible escape. A sorry looking bumper. “Hmm -doesnt seem to bo much other damage If Id only been able to stop a couple c ) feet quicker. . . " Curtain. 127 M.P.H. 23 YEARS AGO. Five successful attempts to exceed 200 m.p.h during the last two years and two rata 1 1 tics on Daytona Beach throw recollections back 23 years to the remarkable performances of F, A. Marriott, who covered a flying mile in 1906 at 127 m.p.h. Marriott drove a Stanley steam car rated at 30 horse-power, and in attempting to improve on his record in 1007, at Daytona he crashed and had a miraculous escape' After Marriott’s attempts the firing mile was practically left to petrol-driven cars. In earlier record breaking steam and electric vehicles had been conspicuous. The steam car driven by Marriott was a cigar-shaped vehicle with rather large and frail-looking wire wheels. It did not give the impression of great stability, and its tyres looked too flimsy to furnish either a good driving grip or safe steering. Not content with his record of 127 m.p.h. or 28 l-ssec for the mile, Marriott appeared before a large gathering at Daytona in January, 1907. The Florida Times-Union of January 26, 1007, describes the crash at two miles a minute as follows:—"The car .writhed and twisted as though it knew and felt the pains of its approaching destruction, and then, with a fiendish shrieking from the exhaust pipe, tamed turtle. Over and

oyer it rolled. Those nearest heard the hiss of steam as the heated boiler touched the cool surf. Those further away saw the great volumes of steam forming into monster white clouds. The bonnet was hurled 10 feet to 15 feet into the air. Splintered wood strewed the beach. The boiler hurled itself free, rolled on its side toward the ocean, blew out the fuse > Plug, and lay there breathing volumes of heated clouds.” Earlier in the day on which Marriott crashed a 20 h.p. steam car had covered the mile in 35sec, while a 30 h.p. tourer took 42 4-ssec, a world's record for stock cars. The following table shows some interesting speeds:— Year. Car. M.P.H. 1898 — Jeantaud (Electric) .. 39.2 1899 Jenatzy (Electric) .. 65.8 1902 Serpollet (Steam) 15.0 1903 Gobron-Brillie ~ ~ 84.7 1904 Gobron-Brillie .. ~ 94.7 1904 Mercedes .. .. ~ 97.2 1905 Darracq 109.6 1906 Stanley (Steam) 127.0 1909—Benz • 125.0 1920—Duesenberg 156.0’ 1924—Wisconsin 162.01926 Thofnas Spec. .. .. 170.6 1927 Napier-Camphell .. .. 174.2 1927 — Sunbeam 203.7 1928 — Napier-Bluebird .. .. 206.9 1928 Triplex Spec 207.5 1929 Irving-Napier .. 231.3 1929—Napier-Arrol 218.0 / MOTOR CYCLE NOTES. it is estimated that the number of motor cycles produced in France last year was approximately 109,000. At the beginning of 1929 there were 18,902 motor cycles registered in Berlin. The number of motor-assisted bicycles was 10,611. It is reported that the English A.C.U. has renewed for a further three years the arrangement with the Manx authorities under which the T.T. races are held in the Isle of Man. ¥ « * Cabled advice has been received by the Shell Company of New Zealand, Ltd., of a motor cycling endurance feat which is without parallel. Bidden in relays by sis British motor cyclists a 350 c.c. Dunelt. using Shell covered 40,235.5 kilometres in 554 hours 8 minutes (an average speed of 72.606 kilometres an hour) between March 8 and 31, at the Montihery track, near Paris, This represents about four years mileage to the average motorist or motor cyclist—all covered in 24 .days, during which period the engine was not decarbonised. ¥■ ¥ ¥ The purpose of an overhaul to is prolong the life of a machine. Fashions change quickly in the world, of enthusiasts, and, since the enthusiasts of motor cycledom are many, the impression has sprung up that the useful life of . motor cycle is a short one. That is not true. The keen clubman may well rejoice in bis new model every season, but the economically inclined rider can be certain of many years of satisfactory service from a single machine, granted only that it is given reasonable attention from time to time, including a major overhaul once a year or so. <¥¥ ¥ 1 When Gus Clifton, one of the most popular riders in the motor cjrele game, went over to New Zealand to race, his many friends and admirers expected him to do big things (says the Sydney Guardian). At the first meeting he fell off, and at the second meeting he repeated the performance twice. In disgust his friends in the workshop of Williams, Ltd., sent him the following cable; “ Suggest glue on saddle and trousers.” And the reply came back, " Glue excellent idea. Won Gold- Helmet at Christchurch on Saturday.” , ¥ ¥ ¥ a Wet weather brings .other difficulties to the motor cyclist. If a machine is left in the rain for any length of time, water is liable to find its way into the magneto or carburettor, " and will prevent easy starting. Flooding should remove water from the carburettor, and if this does not have the desired effect, the jet may be removed and cleared. Water in the magneto is a more formidable trouble, but may be overcome by removing he cover and drying tne points with -a pocket handkerchief. Magneto connections may be rendered water-tight by covering them with putty or plasticine. SPARKS. , At a recent dinner given to a number of well-known American motor manufacturers, the president called upon a certain maker whose cars were reputed to be capable of fabulous speeds. “Mr Blank/” he said, "I have pleasure in presenting to you a gold medal cast especially in recognition of your invention of the' world's most wonderful speedometer.” • • a Music in the motorist’s ear—the soft, rhythmic hum of the smooth running engine powered by Big Tree.—Advt. ¥ ¥ * Benzol will withstand a higher compression than any other known fuel, but the use of benzol has a disadvantage— its effect on spark plugs. Therefore, benzol 18 . ÜBUa «y mixed with petrol. Engines which have very high compressions, round about 5.8; one and more, are. usually fuelled by a petrol-benzol mixture as the ordinary commercial petrol cannot stand up to such a compression. That is why the Australian Air Force is now using Plume with an admixture of 25 per cent, benzol for very high compression engines (engines which have compressions round about 6.1), • * * Everywhere in town; miles out on lonelv roads Big Tree Pumps deliver bigger and smoother mileage to discriminating motor--ISIS Q. V t # ¥ ¥ ¥ A recent reliability trial held bv the Swedish Automobile Club resembled a polar expedition. A snowstorm rendered the event a huge success from an endurance point of view. On some of the cars the running boards and mudguards were raised and special chains for both front and back wheels were the regular thing A few cars were ingeniously equipped with a tube arrangement for blowing hot air from the radiator on the windscreen to prevent the accumulation of ice. Windlasses, spades, and stout ropes were normal equipment. * * * On cold mornings Big Tree Motor Oil Moms instantly and troelv—perfect lubrication the moment you stop on the starter.—Advt. ¥ ¥ * A 30,000 mile tour of the United Slates was commenced by a fleet of 15 new cars at the end of January, the object being to furnish data for the tyre manufacture organising the trip. Each car was of adifferent make, fours, sixes, and eights’ ranging from 500 to 5000 dollars being represented. Each day the fleet maintained a uniform speed such as would suit the fast tourist, and air pressures, tread wear, and wheel alignment were checked at frequent intervals. The scheme was estimated to cost £40,000, but it is considered that the observations of the experts will be well worth the sum to tyre research specialists. • • • If you haven't tried Big Tree Motor , prim yet there s a new delight in driving ahead of you.—-Advt. 6