F.N. Motor Cycles.

Progress, Volume I, Issue 5, 1 March 1906, Page 112

F.N. Motor Cycles.

The Fabrique Nationale people, Liege, Belgium, are well-known makers of motor cycles. They do not make these motors for racing purposes, but aim at producing only machines for touring purposes. The latest model for 1906 is a four-cylinder motor, for which they claim many advantages over the single-cylinder motors. Heretofore, the four-cylin-ders have only been used m the construction of motor cars ; but anyone who has had experience in using them will at once recognise their advantages. The analysis of its working shows that one-half revolution of the motor corresponds with one stroke of one of the four cylinders. Therefore, the explosion, instead of being used once for two revolutions

as m the mono-cylinder motor of the same power, is divided into four equal parts. This ensures a much more continuous and regular transmission of the power given out by the motor ; furthermore, the use of the four-cylmder motor allows an almost perfect balance to be attained between the various working parts. This is impossible with any number of cylinders less than four, and for this reason alone the four-cylinder motor has great advantages, greatly minimising the vibration and eliminating the strain on the frame of the machine. The transmission of this new four-cylinder machine is on the bevel-gear system. The whole arrangement is protected by a dustproof case filled with grease to ensure efficient lubrication of the various parts. The use of this mode of transmission necessitates a great regularity of movement, and this is one reason why the four-cylmder motor has been adopted. To avoid the shocks due to the explosions in the motor being transmitted to the bevelled gears, an elastic coupling contained within the fly wheel is interposed between them. The four-cylinder machine is fitted with a magnetic ignition, and a pair of elastic front forks. This fork embodies a combination of steel springs and some rubber plugs; it has for its object the avoiding of jerks. This useful effect is only produced in the plane of the steering of the machine, and in no way affects the steering. The fork is noiseless in its action, and the way in which it conduces to steady running of the motor is very remarkable. I ' The machine is also fitted with an automatic carburetter, so that the gas is automatically made with the right amount of air and naphtha. Lubrication of the motor is worked by one pump from the front of the machine. There is perfect safety in descending steep hills, for the machine is provided with two very powerful bra"kes (band and rim). An illustration of this machine will be found on page 1 1 8.

There is ample room for improvement in the brakes usually employed on road vehicles, Some of the patterns now m use were probably familiar to prehistoric man. So, at least, thinks Mr. P. B. Curtain, of 60 Queen-street, Melbourne, who is interested m an automatic brake, principally for heavy vehicles, that promises to be widely used. When a vehicle to which the device is attached is descending a gradient, or when the speed of the horse or horses is reduced, the brake acts automatically, by means of the pressure on the breeching in a one-horse vehicle, and the backward pull on the collars when two horses are used. If desired, the brake can also be worked by a foot or hand lever, and can be locked on or off when necessary.