MOTOR-CYCLING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18349, 29 December 1927, Page 6

MOTOR-CYCLING.

When reviewing motor-cycling activities during 1927 in New Zealand we find that a great deal of progress has been made. It is true that practically the same events have been held this as well as in previous years, but improvement has been noticeable in the cultivation, by the clubs, of the social element by holding trials and social runs where riders can get to know each other. In this way they have made a real step on the road of progress. Genuine effort has been made to popularise the motor-cycle sport and many novel competitions have been introduced into gymkhanas, etc. What concerted action on the part of motor-cyclists can do was demonstrated \>y the success which attended the petition to the Christchurch City Council on behalf of pi lion riding. It will be remembered, also, that the clubs instituted membership campaigns early in the year, and in the case of one club a marked increase in membership has resulted. Night meetings will prove a feature of next year’s programmes after the successful pioneer work put in by the Christchurch Motor Club. The holding of motor-cycling events under electric light has proved so successful that the Christchurch Club intend holding a number of their items in this way next year. Another year has passed and still no satisfactory track has been found for motor-cycle racing. The race tracks around Christchurch are not too suitable for this sport, and as a conser quence the public has to journey to North Beach, where travelling facilities are not of the best, and where it is impossible to provide for the comfort of the spectator. It is to be hoped that in the coming year something will be done in this matter. Motor-cycle football has received a great deal of attention and matches have been contested by clubs, both here and in other parts of the Dominion. This sport is sure to find a place on the programmes of all clubs next year. „ Motor-cycle Design. In many ways the British motorcycle industry is far ahead of all rivals, and because of this there-is the somewhat natural tendency for manufacturers to rest on their laurels. Many years ago the single-cylinder car died an unregretted death; and even the twin-cvlinder four-wheeler is only made by very few firms. Yet the greatest rriotor-cvcle country in the- world still pins its'faith to the single-cylinder engine. Its disadvantages are self-evident to even the most unmechanical motorcvclist. The poor balance of its moving parts, its rough running at low speeds, its noisy exhaust are but a few of its undesirable characteristics. The fourcylinder engine is more complicated, in that there are many moving parts; but this does not appear to necessitate an appreciable increase in production costs, for the proprietary four-cylinder car engine compares very favourably in price with the motor-cycle unit. The balance of a “four," although not perfect, is immeasurably superior to that of a single or twin-cvlinder engine; its innate lack of exhaust noise, its smooth running, particularly at low speeds—all these traits should surely recommend it even to the most conservative.' Added to which, other things being equal, the power-output of a multi-cylinder engine is greater than that of either a single or a twincylinder. unit. This point has not yet been proved with motor-cycle engines, but is acknowledged as fact by car designers. * !•; k Motor-cycle Production. It has recently been estimated that the present world's motor-cycle requirements annually-are in the region of 250.000 machines, and an investigation has been made of the capacity of British factories to supply this number. The result indicates that equipment and organisation exists which can be expanded with ease to supply these requirements, provided arrangements could be made for an equality of distribution throughout the year. The estimated production of British motor-cycles to-day is in the region of 130,000, while the British Component Manufacturers export supplies to Continental manufacturers which represent nearly 30,000 additional machines. Of the balance of the world's requirements, about 42,000 machines are available from American sources, so that the expansion of production necessary would be relatively small.

British manufacturers, however, are resolute in their policy to maintain quality as well as competition in prices. Increase of production is an important but secondary consideration. In 1926 the total value of British cycle and.motor-cycle products amounted to £5,627,592. as compared with £6,329,770 in 1925. As the number of mortor-cycles exported was 48.391 in 1926 as compared with 46,642 in 1925 and the number of complete bicycles in 1926 was 280,051, as compared with 276.528 in 1925, the deci'ease* in total value of business is due to price reductions in the interests of the buving public.

Notes. Spencer Stratton, who returned to New Zealand recently and who competed in the races at Alexandra Park, Auckland, has again departed for Australia. Tt is reported that a race meeting will be held by the Christchurch Motor Club early- next year, in aid of the unemployed. A track is being sought and the project will he discussed at the next meeting of the club. si a The Gisborne Motor-cycle Club will bold a race meeting on January 2. The Opotiki Club is holding a meeting the previous week, and riders who intend competing can enter for both meetings. A large number of Auckland riders are competing. « « ss The municipal authorities of Brussels have refused permission to a company to run a fleet of sidecar taxis in that city. :: :: « The Auckland Sports Motor-cycle Club intend holding a championship meeting on Muriwai Beach on February 5. An excellent programme has been arranged. a si Among Ahe many new machines exhibited at the recent British Motorcycle Show, quite a few new and novel designs were featured. Among some of interest to local motor-cyclists are; The historical exhibit of motor-cycles; Triumphs with black and blue' tanks; New 174 c.c. Raleigh, with separate three-speed gearbox; a two-stroke B.S.A. of 174 c.c., with pin-jointed frame; Duplex steering on certain O.E.C. models; the German D.G.W. and the Belgian Gillet; the Francis Barnett twin two-stroke; a British fourcylinder machine—the Brough Superior. Graham Walker, who has many successes in road racing events to his credit in England, has joined the Rudge-Whitworth firm^ “The only way to silence a motorcycle engine," said a witness at a Midland police court,, “is to have a, larger 6ilencer on a subsidiary chassis on the back of the machine.” » K For the first time in the history of the British Motor-Cycle Show, four twin«cylinder two-strokes were exhibited. These were the Scott, FrancisW, and W. and D.G.W.