CYCLE AND MOTOR NOTES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 14, 29 December 1911, Page 2

CYCLE AND MOTOR NOTES.

A visitor .at the opening of the recently held Intenuitiounl Motor Show at the Olympia, London, writes that whilst the external appearance of most of the 11)12 model cars shown at the Exhibition differed little from those exhibited last year, there were many important changes apparent when a careful inspection was made of the engines and chassis. As regards frames little alteration has been made. Engine strokes still show a marked increase in length. The standard 15 h.p. engine for 1911 had an 8(1 m.m. bore and 120 m.m. stroke, in the 1912 models the boro remains the same, but the stroke has been lengthened in many instances to 180, 140, 150, 100, and in one case to 170 millimetres. These figures are not for racing monstrosities, but for ordinary touring models. What a difference from the equal boro and stroke practice of a few years back! Silent chains have been adopted by many makers, in fact nearly half of the cars shown at the Olympia had their timing gears, chain driven, and in one or two instances change speed gears also. The sleeve valve has gained a few adherents, but the majority of makers still pin their faith to the poppet design. Detachable wire wheels of the “Dunlop” and “Rudge-Whitwortli” type were shown on a big proportion of the English care exhibited, and it is very evident that the detachable wire wheel will yet be standard on all cars. Thermo-siphon cooling has become more popular with makers, many of whom are now adopting this system of engine cooling. Four speeds were fitted to most of the low-powered cars shown, whilst the “gate” type of change has now become very near universal. Detail improvements in lubricating systems, also in magnetos, and in spring suspension, were also in evidence. All told, the Olympia of 1911 was a magnificient exhibition of the world’s finest cars.

There are indications that sooner or later the antiquated method of starting up a motor-car will be abolished. Already two or three manufacturers actually embody self-start-ing mechanism in their engines, whilst self-starting devices are being put on the market independently. To start on the switch is a peculiarity which some engines possess to a greater or lesser degree, but this entails forethought beforehand and it is never very certain. By the possession of a device, which is certain the motorist would be relieved of considerable trouble, especially the owner-mechanic who tends his car personally and does not keep a chauffeur. But'to be marketable such a device must be simple, light and easily applied. We are inclined to think that once the actual benefits of self-starting become realise!, it will not bo long before every car possesses some means of achieving this object.’ It is simply a case of demand. If the purchaser insists on it, the makers will respond, and once such an equipment becomes standard, simplicity will be aimed at, and designers will set to. work to make selfstarting an easy matter. . Few cities in, , the world are more ready than Paris to take iup clever inventions. , . Their i latest. innovation is motor driven, sweepers. . , H. Long an English ! mothr cyclist, has ridden , (the I .stupendous distance or 40,037, nples ,around|England in ten mouths. This ride works',out at 1,000 miles a week, and demonstrates what a remarkable peice of mechanism the up-to-date motor cycle is; so great is the mileage recorded, by Long, that very few readers will grasp what such a record means. During the ride 445 gallons of petrol were consumed giving .‘in ,average, of, 90 .miles ,to the gallon,, 27 gallons of lubricating oil, whilst five hack qnd three front tyres and thirteen driving, worn hint. 'Marvellous d.urmg. tho..,whdq fide Long only had to repair ten punctures. v The. ; .undertaken with a view'to demonstrating what the present clay motor cycle is capable of withstanding,' and was properly authenticated.

A most interesting and artistic road racing souvenir ’will*'shortly be issued by the Dunlop Rubber Co. The souvenir will take the form of a folder (3Ginx6sin.) depicting the winners of all the big Australasian road races for 1911. Photos of the following riders will he given-P. O’Shea (N.Z )

Australasian Hoad Champion, 1911-12; J. Tebbs (Vic.) winner of the AVarr-nambool-Victoria Road Race; W. Rennie (Vic.), winner Goulburn-Sydney Road Race; G. AV. Prebble (N.Z.), winner Christchurch-Tiraaru Road Race; E. M. Gray (Victoria), winner Beverley-Perth Road Race; J. C. Keenan (Tasmania), winner

Launceston-Hobart Road Race; AV. Grigg (S.A.), winner Burra-North Adeliade Road Race, and AV. Holker(Qld) winner of Queensland 100 mile’s test race. The production will be an artistic one in three colours, and throughout the Commonwealth and New Zealand. The folder will be ready for distribution early in January, and will be obtainable gratis through cycle agents or direct from the Dunlop Rubber Co. Applications through the post must be accompanied by a penny stamp to cover postage. It is cabled from New York that A.

J. Clark, the Australasian Track Champion, has-with Fogler (U.S.A.) as a team mate-carried off another six Days’ Race in America. The distance covered by the winning team was 2,718 miles. Clark’s engagement in the event under notice accounts for the absence of his nomination from the list of starters in the Sydney 6 Day’s Race.