MOTOR-CYCLING

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18772, 30 May 1929, Page 3

MOTOR-CYCLING

By

“Magneto”

A Hurly-Burly. The Scott Scramble, held by the Pioneer Club recently, was a success from every point of view and as a result it has been decided to hold another similar event on Saturday week. For that occasion it has been dubbed a “ Hurly-Burly,” and promises to be quite as successful as its predecessor. Messrs Payne and Butcher will be the marshals and will lead the competitors to the scene of action (I almost said slaughter). Though some of the competitors may be pained when they see the course they will not be butchered by rough going. The conditions will be framed by Messrs R. H. Parker, T. R. M’Cleary and C. Hayward. It is not intended to make the test so hard as the previous event, and the route will be on the flat. Competitors are asked to meet at the Northcote tram terminus at 2.15 p.m. The following officials : have been appointed to conduct the competition:—Starter, Mr R. H. Parker; timekeepers, Messrs R. H. Parker, G. Henderson; course stewards, Messrs C. Gordon, W. K. Mulholland, H. K. Payne and M. Hockley; judge, Mr R H. Parker; post mortem steward, Mr W. F. Marsh. Dirt Track Notes. On Saturday next dirt track racing will be held at English Park during the half-time interval at the Soccer match The heats will be run off prior to the match, and the final will be contested during the interval. Nine riders will be competing, sufficient to make three heats. Some of Canterbury's best will be there. A notable absentee is E. Marsh. W. Thomas has purchased the Triumph Special for dirt-track purposes. He has been practising on it with fair success. Thomas will ride on Saturday. R. Lovegrove has his E. W. Douglas right now, despite a bend in the frame sustained at practice. He also will be out on Saturday. J. Carter at present is without a “ special,” but it is likely that he will turn out on his trusty old Triumph on Saturday. S. Russell has been very busy with

his Norton Special. He has constructed a special frame, and if the completed ensemble is any thing like Max Graham’s hybrid he should salute the judge next week-end. N. R. Gray will compete, probably on an A.J.S. N. Neill has Thomas’s 1.0. M. Douglas going well. This young rider will turn out at the park. A. Brown, who has been working hard on an 0.8. Douglas, has it right now and will make his debut on Saturday. A newcomer will be seen next Saturday in the person of J. Craig, who is reported to be riding the IlarleyDavidson J. Carter rode during the opening meetings. This, I believe, is E. Burmeister’s old machine. E. Pyke, who has not yet made much show .t cinder shifting, will be a competitor at the races on Saturday He is still mounted on his Norton. L. Poore was practising last week end, and it looks as if another speed merchant has been discovered. lie made a great impression and consider it was his first outing, his broad siding was A.l. He was riding the 2? h.p. Triumph Special. Dick Shaw is returning to his old love, the S. and K. Special, which has gained fame in the hands of S. Russell After relinquishing it some months ago Shaw has not had much to do with racing of any description, and now he intends tp race the old Squeak on the dirt track. The World’s Fastest City. The motor traffic on Chicago’s (U .S.A.) Lake Shore Drive—one of that city s principal thoroughfares—is the fastest of any large city in the world. On that street, either at the morning or even rush hour, there are eight to twelve lines of traffic travelling at not less than 45 m.p.h. This re markable speed of Chicago traffic is due to several things. First, a verv effective system of traffic lights coupled with a large force of efficient and ultra-rapid motor-cycle police. The gredt north-to-south arteries of trafiv are wide and in many cases are sub divided into two or more separate parallel streets with overhead intersec tions. Excellent driving is distinctly the rule. To make a left or right turn, a driver must edge into the proper line sometimes as many as ten blocks away, before reaching his proposed turning. On the other hand, the traffic in the city of New York is relatively slow. A Smart B.S.A. It is a hard job to say which is the best 1929 sports machine, but the light model 3i h.p. B.S.A. must be near the top. From a riding point of view the machine has few equals, and although the writer has ridden faster mounts, 1

the B.S.A. has ample “sting” for all ordinary purposes. A high compression job, the machine is not very docile in top, but it must not be condemned for that.

The first test was over “Magneto’s” boulder path. This is a stern test and. only applied ‘tc? the better representatives of the motor-cycle world. The machine went through it like a thoroughbred. Second gear had to be employed, but notwithstanding “Magneto” was very pleased with the Way the machine navigated the “rough stuff.”

The next test was over a choice potholey stretch at speed. Then it was that the mount proved its worth. It is safe to say that the springing system employed on B.S.A.’s is pretty good. Not a jar, not a wobble. The hills were next attacked. Dyer’s Pass is an easy meal for 33 h.p. machines, I know, but what impressed was the fact that after having to slow down on the first bend- for a car, the mount pulled away without much trouble. So good, in fact, that the ignition was not retarded. The “get ting back in top” test was next tried, and again this machine came through with flying colours. The B.S.A. is a pleasure to ride and a worthy representative of the fine 1929 models.

A Belgian Machine. In response to an invitation, the writer inspected a recent importation from Belgium. The machine, a Gillet, has very pleasing lines, and has many features not usual in English mounts. The machine is of 3£ h.p., and has a substantial-looking O.H.V. engine unit. The crankcase and gearbox are of the monobloc variety, a distinct departure from English practice. The front chain has been eliminated, the drive being taken by gears. The whirring of these gears can be plainly heard when the engine is running. The overhead valve gear is orthodox enough, and has the push-rods running in oil. Another inter esting idea is in the braking system. The front and rear brakes are operated by a single foot pedal, but separate control is provided for the front brake by a hand-lever The machine has a blue saddle tank, and a separate container is provided for the oil. Dry sump lubrication is used, and an extra large flow is noticeable. This is probably due to the extra oiling necessitated by the monobloc system. The owner and im

porter of the machine is Mr A. Gaf fany, of Gloucester Street, who is entirely satisfied with his uncommon mount. He does not intend to ride on the beach and hill climbs, but it is possible that he may join up with a club and take on reliability events, etc. Notes. Motor-cyclists are reminded that the present is joining-up time for the clubs From now on to the end of the club year (on June 30) an active member ship campaign will be prosecuted. The many benefits which accrue to club members need not be enumerated, and it is sufficient to say that the small sum demanded as a fee is easily regained by these same privileges. There is another aspect of the club movement, however, which is worth consideration, and that is the fact that a body of sufficient numbers is needed to watch over the interests of motor cyclists generally. A case in point was when a deputation of local motorcyclists interviewe4 the City Council over the pillion question. The success of that deputation was largely the re suit of the efforts of our local clubs in calling a meeting of all motor cyclists and putting the case forward on a very firm basis. All motor-cyclists share the benefit of the amended regu lation, and they must not forget that the clubs were largely responsible for the amendment. The local motor-cycling trade has suffered a very great loss in the death of Mr F. N. Adams, who, as the senior member of Adams, Ltd., has been identified with the growth of the automobile industry in New Zealand. It is men like the late Mr Adams that the motor industry can ill afford to lose. Men who have, by their ability, placed the motor-car and the motor-cycle in the place they hold in the community. At the opening meeting of the

B.M.C.R.C. at Brooklands, in March, Victor Ilorsman won the three-lap passenger handicap up to 1000 c.t., , at 84.84 miles per hour, riding a Triumph combination. Despite active competition, the British motor-cycle continues to succeed in Eurbpean competitions. At the Teolo Hill Climb, promoted by the Padova (Italy) Motor Club, Antonio Marin, riding a 498 c.c. Triumph, won the event, and the title from Sergio Gloria. In the 500 c.c. category Antonio Marin was first, Coin Guido (Triumph) was second in 3min Ssec, and Pellegrini, also riding a Triumph, finished third.