HIGHROAD AND BY-ROAD

Waikato Times, Volume 95, Issue 14949, 20 May 1922, Page 15 (Supplement)

HIGHROAD AND BY-ROAD

(By “Crank,")

Motor Cycle Frames.

After a run of some 20 years the supremacy of the diamond tubulai frame for motor cycles shows signs of being seriously challenged. When motor cycles were first designed the diamond frame which has proved such a long-standing success in the bicycle was adopted by makers of motor cycles to a more or less degree, and has been retained ever since. Recent developments point to a departure in design,, and frames of various shapes are being incorporated in many of the leading British machines. The advantages claimed are—increased lateral rigidity, greater stability and freedom from side slip, better protection of rider from wind, water, and mud. In the stability of a machine weight distribution is an important item, and the more the weight is centred between the axles the better. 'Another important gain obtainable from some of the uew types of motor cycle frames is the getting of the weight lower to the ground without encroaching too much on the necessary clearance. A glance at many of the motor cycles now on our roads disgloses the fact that the petrol tanks,’ luggage and tool bags, etc., are carried in a high position, all tending to make the machines top heavy, which all affects the stability of the machine. The tendency in design now is to bring all the weight as near the ground as possible, with increased room and comfort for rider, a movement that will greatly add to the popularity of tillbranch of motoring.

Motor Cycle Notes.

When replacing piston rings care must be taken that the slots are not in line, as the gas can thus escape between the piston and the oylinder wall.

Paul Andenson recently gave a speed demonstration on Roosevelt road, Chicago, attaining the startling boad’speed of 9S miles per hour. Conditions were somewhat adverse, and Anderson is confident of. reaching the 100-mile, mark at the next attempt. In order to obtain maximum * mileage from a belt it should not be cut in order to shorten more often than necessary. Fitting belt clips which protect the ends' 1 of the belt from wear cuts the breakages or “pull-outs' 1 down to a minimum.

The makers of a new single sleeve valve engine, nominally rated at 3 h.p., claim that owing to its high volunnietric efficiency and the low frictional losses in the moving parts, the actual brake horse power which can be obtained for long periods is very much higher thaij -this. The power curve rises steadily to over 4000 r.p.m. when 7 h.p. is developed. Motor-cyclists with considerable mileage to their credit often lose power in a mysterious manner, even after an overhaul. Neglect to clean the muffler, especially when of poor design, is often the cause.

Too much importance cannot be attached to drivers giving their signals well in advance of their contemplated action. The giving of a signal and putting it into operation immediately after is one cause of a great number of accidents. A rider can generally be judged by his manner of starting and stopping. Very seldom will a good man subject his machine to strain caused by jerking in the clutch and jumping away from a standing start with a whirl a*vl roar, o? dashing up to his '^'ination cramming on all brakes and skidding to a sudden stop. Tills class of riding is generally associated with the young blood or open cut-out fiend who only succeeds in annoying people with his noise, although probably Blinking of the splendid display he is making.

Sparks

A kind of stethoscope, intended to be used for locating elusive knocks which are heard from time to time in motor engines, has found its way on tile English accessories lists. It is called the “knock-teclor.” It is planned in London to do away with ail railways above ground, and the roadbeds are to be converted into highways or speedways for motor traffic. Of the 40,191 cases tried by the Traffic Court in New York during 1921, 1020 chauffeurs w-erc sent, to gaol on straight sentences and 1830 drivers went to gaol in default of payment of fines. Since the Court was opened in June, 191C 4 the fines collected have totalled £270,000. An extension crank recently brought out gives six inches additional leverage, which is a decided advantage in cranking certain automobiles and tractors. The extension handle or crank is not permanently attached, but slips on readily over the crank attached, and locks by a curved lip which extends backwards. A simple and convenient means of keeping the springs of the motor-car lubricated is to fasten to the end cf each spring an attachment consisting of a wooliy substance (thoroughly saturated with oil) set upon a hingelike base. The working of (he leaves releases the oil, and there is practically a constant flow as a result, from this efficient little worker. The Government’s main roads policy was mentioned incidentally at, the unemployment interview, when main roads which the local bodies could not construe}, or maintain were referred to as suitable works for the absorption of labour. “Until the county councils change their minds,” remarked Mr Massey, “that main roads policy is not going to be agreed to so far as I am able to judge.”