THE MERRY LITTLE MOTOR.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 24, Issue 18, 7 March 1913, Page 7

THE MERRY LITTLE MOTOR.

ECONOMICAL J'OYS OP THE MODERN RUNABOUT. Ffve thousand miles in a year, on a neat, motor-driven vehicle, for an expenditure of £lO 55.~0r at the rate of only a halfpenny a mile. This represents the ! cheapest form of motoring. For a sum of between £4O and £SO one can’purchase the "light-weight” motor-bicycle with which this is possible. The machine will have an engine developing about 2J horse-power. It wfll also be fitted with a two or three speed gear, enabling the rider to “climb” any hill.

The running cost of a halfpenny a mile includes only the [rider’s expenditure on petrol and oil, but an allowance for the necessary renewal of tyres? and the replacement of small working parts. The economical ‘‘Tight-weight” does Hot develop sufficient power to carry a passenger. If the motor-cyclist desires company on h'is trips awheel—as he generally does as soon as he has tasted the joys of the pastime—he must be prepared to buy a machine of at least 3| horse-power, and invest also in a side-car.

POWER SPELLS SPEED. His expenditure upon motor-cycle and passenger attachment will be anything from £65 to £BO. It is a question of the power of the engine, and general equipment. One can buy a. twin-cylinder machine giving as much as 8 horse-power, but 3| horse-power is generally ample for the purpose. What more power spells is greater speed. Having bought his 3J horse-power motor-bicycle and side-car, the rider can tour with a passenger for a distance, say, 5,000. miles a' year, for an expenditure _ of approximately £2O. This works out at the rate of just about a penny a mile. It -is double the cost of operating a ‘Tight-weight; ” but one must remember that the horse-power of the machine is appreciably more, and that two people are being propelled instead of one.

Early objections to the motorbicycle . cam ino longer be made against it—that is, not with accuracy. You need not, for instance, run along the road with the modern machine to make it start.. You are provided - with a neat handle, , or lever, and you start your engine like that of a car, taking your seat comfortably.

There is no longer any chance of a machine coming to an inglorious halt half-way up some long hill. Geared like a motor-car, the modem motorbicycle will ascend’ alb hills, and will “purr” along when on the level and on its top gear in a way that is a delight to its rider. The latest-type machines are silent in operation, also. v Side-cars, for the use of passengers, have been wonderfully improved, it should also be noted. In the first instance they were very flimsy constructions of basket-work, , with springs which were nob carefully studied. Now, however, the latesttype side-cars are snug, coach-built affairs, with high sides to protect their occupants from the rush of a!ir, and. with such a luxury even as wind-screens.

MOTORS IN MINIATURE. Having emerged recently from a crude and experimental stage, a new type of small, economically run motor-vehicle is now leaping into a remarkable popularity. This is the “runabout.” ’The term comes from America; it signifies a miniature motor-car.' These little vehicles are, indeed, most ingeniously-designed replicas of large and expensive machines. But, instead of costing hundreds of pounds, they may be bought for as low a price as £9O. , Some of them run on three wheels, others on four. They steer like big cars, and are controlled in the same way. They have gearing which. enables them to ascend steep hills at a very fair speed. Accommodation is provided in them for two, people. The I seats are snug and comfortable. There is no jolting or vibration. The latest type “ runabouts” have a neat, attractive appearance: and the engines which propel them—develop, as a rule, from 6 to 10-horse-power. . |

It costs no more than lid. a mile to operate one of these "baby” motor-cars.- J “ Answers.”