MOTORING

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144714, 24 June 1915, Page 8

MOTORING

(By “Daimler.”)

THE HORIZONTALLY OPPOSED GIN i£. When the horizontally opposed twincylinder typo of motor cycle engine mado its debut in tbo moderji form, tiiero were many who criticised its design and foreshadowed its speedy demise, The critics, as events have proved, wore entirely wrong in their predictions, and at* tho present time machines equipped with engines built on the horizontally opposed principle aro among the most clhcient and popular on the road, it is no secret mat the near future Ims in store some interesting developments based .on this typo of construction. One of t)io chief advantages of the horizontal twin is tho entire absence of engine vibration. This is noticeable at all speeds, and it adds very greatly to the comfort of tho rider. It is also‘good for the structural portions oi the maihino itself, lor engine vibration, where it exists, is communicated to the frame and other parts, and lias a marked effect upon their condition alter a period of service. The phenomenal ease of starting which characterises the engine, duo to its even firing and perfect balancing, is a point tho importance of which cannot bo well over-rated, and to many it represents the principal (harm of the typo and the one which acts as the decisive Jactor in the choice <T the machine. Those who have never tried a horizontally opposed twin probably do not realise its advantages as fully as it deserves, although from observations of the doings of others they can hardly fail to recognise the possibilities of tho type. An impression existed at ono time that it was diificult, if not impossible, to build a motor cycle of this chss with its engine so arranged that tilc cylinders can bo removed without taking the engine as a whole out of the frame. This drawback, for so it is undoubtedly regarded by the majority, is by no means a necessary or indispensable feature, of the construction. It can bo avoided without unduly lengthening the wheel base, and as now designed machines of the horizontallyengined pattern are free altogether from any need for dismounting the engine when desiring to take down tho cylinders. Successful efforts have at the same time boon made to render it a quite simple tusk to remove tho engine from the frame en bloc when such a step is required. This class of machine to which we arc referring is perhaps the most steady of anv on grevsy road surfaces. r i his is partly due to* tho even running of the engine and partly to the excellent possibilities which exist in respect of weight distribution. Altogether there should be a promising future for tho horizontally opposed machine, not only in its four-stroke form, but as a twostroko as well.

According to official figures from New York, there arc about 180,000 motor cyclists in tho United _ States. California tops the list with 24,/09 and New York City comes second with 24.000 machines, 'An effort is to ho made to have the world's cycling championships decided in America this year. The 1915 meeting was allotted to England, but owing to the war there is no_ chance of the classic events being decided in London this year; consequently the American cycling authorities have approached the International Cyclists 1 Union with a view of haring "the venue changed to New York. It is anticipated that tho request will be granted, as tho International Union will be anxious to keep the series of classic championships intact. . K G. Baker, tho American motor cvclist, who holds tho transcontinental record from San Francisco to New York—-3754 miles in 11 days 12 hours 10 minufes—has announced his intention of endeavouring to capture tho car record for tho same trip, which stands to the credit of L. L. AVhitrmm, at 10 davs 15 hours 13 minutes. The i’ioneer Motor Cycling and Sports Cinh, Christchurch', has uccided to circularise all tho motor cycling clubs in New Zealand with a view to forming a governing body or a union. The objects' of the union woidd bo tho control’ and tho allotment ot Gie New Zealand championships, the framing of standard rules to govern track and beach racing, to create a uniform rule regarding the definition of <k trado } and “private owner,” to define an "amateur motor cvclist,” to endorse disqualifications, and other matters appertaining to the welfare of the sport. As matters stand at present, each chibs runs its own races under its own rules, which may bo in conflict witli tho rules of other clubs. In tho matter of disqualifications no authorised body lias control over them, nor would any penalty bo operative outside the jurisdiction of tho club imposing tho disqualification. _ During the past season tho riders who have met with tho most success aro Messrs. G. B. Brown and A, AVoodman, the last-mentioned holding tho speed record on the New Brighton beach (says tho Christchurch Sun). Messrs. F. V. Thomas, G. Moffatt, and it. Loughton have shown rtuich promise in tho past, and it is only to lie hoped that they will renew tlieir efforts in tho coining season.