THE MOTOSACOCHE.

Progress, Volume I, Issue 5, 1 March 1906, Page 108

THE MOTOSACOCHE.

Motor cycles of to-day are considerably over weighted and over powered, and while manufactturers* have been making heavier cycles, with higher powered motors to drive them, Messrs. Dufaux & Co., of Geneva, have solved the problem from a totally different standpoint. Their Motosacoche is a complete motor attachment containing accumulators, coil, fuel, and oil tanks, etc., enclosed between two enamel plates or protectors, and having a total weight of 32lbs. The whole mechanism is built into a tubular steel frame similar in shape to the ordinary roadster cycle, and is capable of being attached to the latter by means of seven sets of wmged screws m the short space of

five minutes, and detached therefrom in sixty seconds. This tubular steel frame plays a most important part, as the manner in which it is attached to the bicycle makes the cycle frame considerably stronger. If a simple bow string is added to the front forks, a bicycle is stronger many times than if without the Motosacoche attachment. Another important part that this tubular frame plays is to absolutely absorb all vibration, because being practically suspended inside the cycle frame by the winged screws the shocks caused by the explosion never reach the frame of the cycle at all. The silencer is so effectual that by properly regulating the control levers almost silent running can be attained. In looking over the Motosacoche one is struck forcibly with the simplicity of the arrangement, nearly all wiring and connections being dispensed with, and the evidence of perfect workmanship displayed. Perhaps this is not so surprising when we" remember that the factory of Messrs. Dufaux & Co. is in Geneva, " where the watches come from." It seems hard to believe that a cycle with the Motosacoche attached, the total weight being about 601b5., can as satisfactorily do the work as the heavy motor cycle, weighing anything from 130 to iBolbs. or more, yet it appears quite possible after examining its record of performances, amongst which are to be found the following : — Great Endurance Race, Pans, 1903, of 620 miles, Ist and 2nd prizes ; Ist gold medal for regularity of speed ; Ist gold medal of the Automobile Club of France, beating 127 competitors from all countries ; Endurance Race, Milan to Nice, 1904, gold medal, diploma of honour, highest awards ; Road Race Trelex, St. Cergues, Ist and 2nd prize. Coming nearer home, the Motosacoche matched against all competitors, some on motors developing 3^ h.p., came Ist and 2nd in the Kemsley Cup, Sydney to Melbourne, a distance of 620 miles, portions of which contain the worst roads in the colonies. It is pleasant to note that the inventors are meeting with the success they deserve, as they have

received the largest motor order on record, viz. — 12,000 Motosacoch.es from the Automobile Club of France. We are indebted to Messrs. Herbert H. Smith for the accompanying illustrations.