MOTOR – CYCLING

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18642, 20 December 1928, Page 4

MOTOR - CYCLING

Bv

“ MAGETO.”

Machines for 1929. In an advanced write-up on new Ariel machines some details were incorrect. The following is a corrected summary of the 1929 models of this popular make:—ss7 c.c. side-valve sports, Sturmey'-Archer gear box; 557 c.c. de luxe, Burman gear box; 497 c.c. o.h.v. 2-port sports; 497 c.c. de luxe, 250 c.c. side-valve, and 250 c.c. 2-port o.h.v, x The Rex-Acme range includes a 250 c.c. two-stroke and a high compression sports model fitted with a 350 c.c. unit. The introduction of the two-stroke is a new departure for this firm. The machine has the appearance of a fullsized motor-cycle, and it is suitable for light side-car work, yet it weighs under 2001 b. An interesting part of RexAcme construction is the re-introduc-tion of the Rex “ Speed-king.” The name was associated in the good old day's with an attractive belt-driven sports model of the year 1909. The modern version is a smart dirt-track model. The mount has a sturdy 350 c.c. o.h.v. Blackburne engine. The point of resemblance lies in the frame. The back stays and frame tubes form a straight line from head lug to backspindle. A new Yilliers engined light-weight replaces the Pullman model in the Francis-Barnett range. Following the dictates of fashion the manufacturers have adooted saddle-tanks. The. col-j ouring is now black and orange. The new 247 c.c. Francis-Barnett has a frame identical in construction with that previously* emploved for the Pullman. The engine and gear box are separately' mounted, but the cylinder is inclined forward. Jockey oul lev adjustment is provided for the rear chain. The Villiers engine used ,has twin exhaust ports, twin flywheels and an aluminum head. Other details include a spring-up rear stand, front stand, steering damper, direct lighting:. gear control beside the tank, and knee grips. Twist-grip controls can l>e supplied as an extra on any model. x x New Registrations.

x x Notes. The Christchurch Motor. Club will hold a fiftv-mile beach race next year. This club will also stage the only- flying mile to be held this season. Riders in the twenty-four hours’ reliabilitv trial will be compelled to use metal number plates on their machines instead of the cloth number on the rider’s back. The hill-climb on Saturday was not held, owing to the course ilot being in a fit condition for motor-cycles. It is not a generally known fact that the

decision to postpone the events was arrived at by the club concerned early m the week. It was announced in these notes that the hill-climb was to be held, but this was due to the fact that no information was received to the contrary'. The club should certainly have informed the newspapers of the postponement and so have prevented' the large crowd from journeying out to Halswell. If the officials of the club could have seen the number of intending spectators they would have been flattered that so many considered it worth while to witness a hill-climb so far out of town. The Pioneer Club will hold another race meeting on February 23. Eight races have been arranged for and £IOO will be allotted in prize money. It is also proposed to hold a 500 c.c. provincial championship. X X X A twenty-four hours reliability trial will be held by the Pioneer Club on January' 25 and 26. The course will be to Dunedin and back. The Canterbury' clubs will hold a rally at Seaview, Ashburton, on Sunday, January' 20. The clubs to take part will be the Christchurch Motor, Pioneer. South Canterbury, Waimate and Ashburton Clubs. X X X As a result of a decision of the Pioneer Club, riders on. the track will be required to wear distinctively- coloured jerseys. The club is to provide the jerseys. Another improvement at the track will be as a result board for the benefit of spectators. Scratchings will also be posted up. This will fill a longfelt want. The impromptu run arranged by the Pioneer Club skipper. T. R. M’Cleary, last Sunday' proved very successful. The route taken was via Glentui,'Ashley. and Waimakariri Gorges. These events are inc reasing in popularity, and it is likelv that the enterprising skipper will organise > r et more of them. X' X X Mr 0. Bell, principal of the Bell Motor aiid Cycle Company, is now in Australia, and will arrive in Wellington on January 1. He will be back in Christchurch on January 3. Mr Bell has completed a very comprehensive world tour, and was present at the last Olympia show. lie will be Welcomed back by the local motor-cycling enthusiasts. X X X The new A.J.S. models are on show at Messrs Bell and Co., the agents. The manufacturers have revolutionised in appearance the old mount. Improvements comprise dry sump lubrication, speedometer inset in petrol, tank, driven from gear-box; separate oil tank, new fork construction and larger brakes. The o.h.v. model, while incorporating all. the previously mentioned improvements, has totally enclosed push rods, lubrication being applied through a grease nipple on the outside. The tappets are very accessible for adjustment, The petrol tank has distinctive colouring, and is of the approved saddle tank type. The mounts have a fine appearance, and should provide a very' comfortable means of travel. Other new two-port and camshaft models will be on show within a few days. X X X It is reported that J. R. Arnott, who won the light-weight championship, has intentions of securing a two-port Ilar-ley-Davidson for dirt track racing locally'.

Two positions were left open when Sir Joseph Ward made the first announcement of his Cabinet, those of Minister in Charge of Tourist and Health Resorts and Commissioner of State Forests. Sir Joseph Ward states that the latter department will be placed under the control of the Hon W. B. Taverner, the Minister of Railways. and that the Tourist portfolio will be allocated in a few days.

This week’s report from Lake Coleridge states that the level of the lake is 1671.20 feet, a fall of .10ft as compared with last week, and that the average flow from the Harper River is 143 qusecs, against 414 cusecs in the previous week. The maximum load at the power house 19,600 kilowatts, recorded at 11.30 a.m. on Wednesday, and at the substation 14.020 kilowatts, recorded at 11.30 am. on Friday.

The following are the motor-cycle gistrations for the Dominion for month of November: — rethe Ilarlev-Davidson 77 B.S.A 74 A.J.S 67 Triumph 44 Douglas 3G Indian 32 Ariel 26 Raleigh 17 Royal Enfield 14 P. and M 9 Norton 9 Francis-Barnett S New Hudson 7 Rex Acme G Matchless 4 New Imperial 4 Velocette 4 463 The Christchurch registrations November were as follows: — for A. IS Ilarley-Davidson IS B. 13 Ariel 5 Triumph 4 Indian 3 Douglas 2 Francis-Barnett 2 Norton 2 Raleigh : 2 Levis' 1 New Hudson 1 72