MOTOR-CYCLING

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 88, 5 July 1927, Page 13

MOTOR-CYCLING

NEWS AND NOTES The Auckland agency for Ariel motor-cycles has been secured by Messrs. Carter Bros. The new Ariel differs greatly from the old models, which were well known here a few years ago. The frame is of Duplex cradle design with a saddle tank, the gearbox also being cradle mounted. An O.H.V. engine of the two-port type, manufactured in the Ariel works, is fitted to the h.p. sports model. The machine itself is completely finished in the usual serviceable black enamel. SPORTS MOTOR-CYCLE CLUB The Sports Motor-Cycle Club has resolved to fix events, to be regarded as permanent fixtures, in order to arrive at a definite programme for the year’s work. One important event is scheduled for each month, leaving free week-ends during the month to organise minor runs, etc. The following is the programme submitted:— July.—Members’ Annual Bath at Helensville. August.—22s Miles Reliability Trial. September.—Gymkhana and Football. October.—Hill-climb (Club). November.—Murawai, Speed Tests. December.—Club Picnic. January.—Muriwai, Speed Championships. February.—Hill-climb Championships. March. —“Sports’ Scramble.” April.—“Smoko” and Social. May.—President’s Reliability Trial. June.—Annual Meeting; Election of Officers. The challenge issued by H. Ratcliffe’s motor-cycle football team to R. Bull’s team, holders of the Artillery Cup, was to have been played off at Mangere Speedway ground during the week-end, but owing to the sloppy state of the paddock it was agreed to postpone the match until the ground was in more suitable condition.

The Auto Club of North East Bohemia in Czechoslovakia has originated a new wrinkle in sport which makes our hare and hound chase rather mild in comparison. The sport is called a balloon race. Twenty automobiles and several motor-cycles recently took part in such a race, which was scheduled over deep forests and numerous hills. All partakers were instructed to follow th balloon as best they could and those reaching the balloon within one half hour after its landing were eligible for prizes. Only four autos reached the balloon and two motor-cycles— Indians. The American machines reach to all corners of the world.

The Triumph Motor-cycle Co. are offering a prize of £IOO and a royalty to the successful designer of an efficient silencer which can be fitted to the Model P. Triumph. This offer is open to all interested.

The trend of modern motor-cycle design is toward efficient silencing of machines. Many manufacturers are now making a special feature of muffler design, some of which have a volume of from five to six times engine capacity.

In the London metropolitan area during 1926 nearly 10,000 motor-cyclists and motorists were prosecuted for using insufficiently silenced vehicles. The Otago Motor Club (cycle section) recently held a novel run. This was a motor paper chase. About 100 cyclists participated, and followed the paper trail for some 50 miles. The event was in no way a speed contest, but merely a social outing.

Although for many years motorcycling has been considered purely a man’s affair, nowadays the fair sex is being well represented on the saddle, according to reports from England, the true home of the motor-cycle. Every English motor-cycle trial has women entrants, and recently in a coast-to-coast trial Miss Edith Foley, on her Triumph, won the Harvey Kelly trophy for the best solo performance of any entrant in the trial, and for her meritorious ride was awarded in addition the Alan Douglas trophy. PILLION-RIDING An article in the “Manchester Despatch” on pillion riding states: “There are no avoidable pillion accidents due to causes for which pillion riding, as such, is responsible. Negligence, foorhardiness, bad road conditions are common to all forms of road transport. Let us regain a sense of proportion and remember how few there are in view of the fact that there are probably nearly 10,000 pillion riders in Great Britain every fine week-end. “The suppression of pillion riding would be an undemocratic act distinctly inimical to men and women whose incomes do not enable them to buy motor-cycles for their sole use.” At the last meeting of the Thames Borough Council a petition signed by 33 motor-cyclists was presented requesting amendment of the by-laws to permit pillion-riding. The proposal has been referred to a committee to re-draft traffic by-laws. WELL-KNOWN ACCESSORIES Motor-cycle enthusiasts will be interested to know that Major Seagrave’s 1,000 h.p. Sunbeam which developed the phenomenal speed of over 200 m.p.h. at Daytona Beach was equipped with the following components of which we are familiar, as similar fittings are common practice in modern motor-cycle design. The tyres were of Dunlop wired-on type, Dunlop well-based spoked wheels, Hartford shock absorbers, Coventry driving chains, Wellwtorthv piston rings, 8.T.11. magnetos, K.L.G. sparking plugs, B.P. motor spirit. Wakefield castrol oil, Terry aero-valve springs, and R. and M. ball-bearings. The massive frame was constructed of Vickers steel and the total cost of the Sunbeam was over £ 1,000. Whoever believes motor-cycling is injurious to the kidneys has been misled. Dr. William Brady, noted physician, only recently asserted that “motor-cycling was not injurious to the kidneys.” ANALYSIS OF BREAKDOWNS Some valuable statistics in regard to motor-cycle breakdowns have been issued by the motor-cycle department of the R*A.C. “Get You Home” service, kept of the reasons why members have found it necessary to avail themselves of the R.A.C. “Get You Hame" service, and the data obtained in 1926 has been collected and analysed The chief source of trouble was igni - tion systems and 16.7 per cent, of the total service was rendered necessary by failures in regard to electrical equipment. Accidents ac 1 for 12.5 per cent., although in the case of cars for the same period it was 14.1. It would seem that cars are not nearly so easily disabled by minor accidents as motor-cycles. . .. Breakdowns are summarised by the following percentages: — _ l-nition, 16.7; earburetion, cylinders and pistons, 10.4: lubrication. 4.0; valves, 78- chains, 5.0; gear box, 13 d; irame.s, ~wheels, 6.8; accidents, 12.0. QUAINT INSTRUCTIONS When a passenger^&£ the foot heaves

in sight, tootle horn; trumpet at him, melodiously at first, but if he still obstacles your passage, tootle him with vigour, and express by word of mouth the warning, “Hi! Hi!”

This is one of the amusing “Suggestions of the Road” posted up in a Tokio police station for the benefit of foreigners. Another is “Give big space festive dog that shall sport in the roadway,” in order that “entanglements of the dog with the wheel spokes shall be avoided.” Riders are told to "Beware the wandering horse, that he shall not take fright as you pass him by; do not explode an exhaust blow at him. Go soothingly by.” “Press the brakes of the foot as you roll around the corner to save collapse and tie-up" is the final warning.