Cyling & Motor Notes

Otago Witness, Issue 3426, 11 November 1919, Page 50

Cyling & Motor Notes

BY DEMON

To try to overcome the joy-riding evil and 'the driving of oars by intoxicated persons or those addicted to the use of cotios severe penalties are imposed under the revised motor vehicle laws of California. A prison sentence of not less than one year or more than five must be imposed upon the joy-rider. There is no alternative of a fine. In case of violation of the section relating to liquor and drugs, a fine of from £IOO up to £IOOO may be imposed, or, in lieu thereof, imprisonment for not less than, six months, nor more than one I'-U- A visit was paid recently to the Wolscley Works at Birmingham by the Brazilian commercial delegation, who are visiting England with a view to facilitating' commercial relatons between the Brazilian Republic and the British Empire. A tour was made through the Wolseley factory—the car construction works, the cartridge shop, the Timken bearing department. Much interest was evinced in the various processes of the Wolseley car. The party was £treatly impressed by the up-to-date methods and organisation obtaining in the big factory, and were loud in their admiration. _ i annoying; but if it will not_ stop it is exceedingly dangerous. A train moves over a given track according to schedule, but a motox, with decidedly more power and speed in proportion than the locomotive, travels not over a specified track but on a roadway, without limit, and its course at all times is an uncertainty. And this motor car is frequently in the hands of a novice. The whole question of feecurity centres upon one point—that of brakes. Before the war magneto design became more or less standardised, as a result probably of the industry being in the hands of a German monopoly. Its reliability was taken for granted, the possibility of improvement attracting little attention in the motor press. Yet we all know that magnetos are subject to _ failures, the most common being a sticking contact-breaker; while other troubles, although rare, are not unknown. During the war the British magneto industry was developed, and it is now in such a position that the English motor industry is rendered entirely independent of outside sources of supply. Today, free of 'Government control, the industry is beginning to show that the magneto is capable of further improvement, and motorists in this _ country can now secure first-class English-made magnetos that have no equal for efficiency. From a motoring standpoint California, with its 4500 miles of concrete roads, must be an ideal country to reside in. From San Francisco to Los Angeles, a distance of 441 miles, there is a perfect concrete road. How many years will pass . before we have such highways in this country? A South African motor cyclist recently irode from Durban to I/adysmith—a distance of 306 miles—in less than nine hours, giving an avsragte of 33 miles per hour. This fine performance was registered in an endurance run. TRANSMISSION. It is strange that less attention is paid to the transmission than to any other part

of a motor cycle. Yet the efficiency of the drive greatly affects the _ speed of the machine, especially when it is by chain, when the efficiency—which can be as high as 98 per cent.—speedily falls off unless regular attention is paid to it. _ This is especially so with the old cham-driven machines, on which often no provision has been made for protecting the transmission from mud and grit, the result being that the' chains need cleaning at least evei-y 1000 miles. If this is not done, the drive becomes r.-oisy and the rollers get worn away by the grit that is attracted by the lubricant. There is no necessity to remove the chains

to clean and grease them. An old workshop dodge is to start the engine up and to hold a scrubbing brush that has been well soaked in paraffin longways against the chain. When the- latter is quite clean, hold a stick of graphite against it. The chains from the countershaft to the rear wheels can easily be treated by jacking up the back axle. Every now and then, however, the chains should be removed for a thorough cleaning, one of the reasons being that grit collects between the sprocket teeth, preventing the chain from seating properly. Tho chain oan easily be taken off by taking out the split pin and unscrewing the rivet of the detachable fastener. The chain

should now be placed in an oil tin, paraffin poured in, and the cai> screwed on, when the tin should be well shaken. This process will work the links about, and it is surprising- how much dirt will be extracted. It should, however, receive another washing in paraffin before it is soaked in either graph'te lubricant (made specially for the purpose) or a bath of tallow and graphite. Both these lubricants need to bo made fluid, with a gentle heat. If the chain is bathed in tallow and graphite, it should be hung up and the tallow wiped off while warm. Difficulty may he found in replacing the chain to get the ends to meet, but this will be overcome if the chain is lined up on the largest sprocket, when it will bo found that the ends will meet without the operator having to resort to any of the usual "persuasion." Nothing is so good for chains as flake graphite, for it is a dry lubricant, and remains on the surface of the pins or centres on which the rollers run.Ordinary oil is not so good for chains, as the dust off the road works into the pins and sets up excessive wear.

MOTOR CYCLE RELIABILITY TRIAL.

One hundred and forty-six motor cyclists recently took pa.rt in a London-Edinburgh reliability trial, and 110 of them won gold medals. As a large number of English and American makes were represented, the success of the respective makes of machines is interesting and instructive:— - Machine. Number Gold

OTAGO MOTOR CLUB. OUTING FOR SOLDIERS. A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION. Favoured with ideal weather, the Otago Motor Club’s opening run of the 1919-1920 season, which was held on Saturday afternoon, proved highly successful. It was the wish of club members that the opening day should be used to give an outing to all soldiers in hospital who were able to make the trip, and this idea was carried out. Between 40 and 50 cars assembled at the Dunedin Hospital, and were quickly filled, under the supervision of the club’s secretary (Mr P. H. Power). The cars moved off at 2 o’clock, the leading car, occupied by the president, carrying a neatly-designed banner inscribed with the words, “Otago Motor Club.” The procession of cars through tho town made an

imposing spectacle, passers-by stopping to give the soldiers a wave of' the hand or i cheer. The people of Mosgiel had sent in word that they would be pleased to entertain the members of the party, and this invitation was readily accepted. The Moegiel Recreation Ground was reached about &30 p.m., and rousing oheers wero given by a iarj|e assembly as the soldiers reached! their destination. The grounds were decorated wth banners and bunting, and plenty of seating accommodation was provided for the visitors. Afternoon tea and an abundance of eatables were at once handed round to soldiers and to tho club members and their friends.

A short programmo of sporting events was gone through, the motor car musical chair item causing a* deal of amusement. The first event was won by Mies Olive Allan, who had a hard fight, and won by a "neck." The second musical chair item was competed for by drivers of cars, the place of honour falling to the lot of Mr H. Halliday. Mr W. Allan (Mayor of Mosgiel) briefly addressed the soldiers. Ho spoke of the pleasure it gave the Taieri folk to be able to give them such a welcome break from the routine of hospital life. He was glad to see that they had enjoyed the outing, and /he assured them tha.t in tho near future the people of Mosgiel hoped to have the opportunity of again entertaining them. Mr Allan, addressing the members of the Otago Motor Club, said that their patriotio work was a credit to the dominion, and because of what they had done to brighten tho lives of wounded soldiers the club was held in high esteem by the public. Cheers for the soldiers and the club members wero then heartily given. Mr A. E. Ansell, on behalf of the soldiers and members of the Otago Motor Club, returned thanks to the ladies of the Taieri district who had banded together and so generously entertained them. The Mosgiel Brass Band, which was in tendance, gave several enjoyable items. The whole function was a decided success, the Taieri arrangements being carried out by Mesdames Allan, Johnston, Muirhead. Lusk, and Miss Allan. A good supply or eatables sent back to Dunedin by the motor cars for distribution at the various hospitals. As the soldiers left for home they were given another round of enthusiastic cheers.

Entered. Medals. Allon ..4 3 A.J.S ..8 6 Ariel ..4 4 B.S.A ..4 3 Dlackburno 4 4 . Clyno 4 3 Douglas .. 18 15 Enfield ..5 4 Harley-Davidson. ..4 4 Henderson 1 ' 1 Humber ..4 4 Indian ..3 2 J ainos ..4 3 Matchless ‘6 4 Nox-ton ..7 3 H-udgs ..2 1 Sunbeam ..12 9 Triumph 8 8 Zenith .. .. ..9 7