PUNCTURES.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19150, 5 November 1927, Page 6

PUNCTURES.

NECESSARY PREPARATIONS. Only those of us who have been in close touch with the motor-cycle movement since the day of its infancy can fully appreciate the untiring efforts of the tyre manufacturer to give us a dependable article, and his thoroughness in eliminating the many faults which have evidenced themselves since. The result arrived at is a matter for congratulation, and such is the unfailing service given by the present-day tyre that eonie riders are inclined to overlook the fact that punctures are j cot yet entirely things of the past. - I

Few things can be more exasperating than to find oneself stranded with * puncture miles from the nearest garage, with the knowledge that a moment's forethought would have saved time, breath and a superfluity of bad language. Thus it behoves every motor-cyclist to ensure .that his repair outfit is ready for any emergency

which may arise, and that he himself is fully conversant with the "whys" and "wherefores" of puncture repairing.

First let us have an idea of what a good outfit should comprise. In an article on the subject, "Motor-Cycle" gives the essentials as a tube.of really good solution, patches, French chalk, a length of valve rubber, some, abrasive material for cleaning the tube, and, if Schrader valves arc employed, a box of "insides.*' Of course, although not recognised as a part of the "outfit," tyre levers must be carried, and these should be really substantial in all their dimensions, so that the most refractory cover can" be. mastered. Chemically prepared patches, with a protector on the "business side," have come to be regarded as the only thing, and the old plain type are to all intents and purposes obsolete. Full advantage should be taken of the wide selection of sizes and shapes which axe obtainable in these patches. The removal of an obstinate valve is greatly facilitated by holding a lighted match below the valve body so that the flame is distributed over and around the valve. , For this purpose the inclusion of a few non-safety matches in the outfit is well worth while.

There are very few riders who look upon a really bad burst or split inner tube as a repairable job, less still as

one which, if tackled properly, will be, to all intents and purposes, as strong as before. Even so, wonderful results have been recorded by the use of the patent strip patches, marketed in a variety of lengths. Of course, for the mnn who habitually indulges in very high speed, and to whom the danger of a burst is a real one, a new tube will perhaps be advisable. These strips are fixed in exactly the same way as an ordinary patch and possess the same high degree of tenacity. In the case of a split outer cover tube, a satisfactory repair may be effected by inserting a thick canvas gaiter inside it. When using these, however, it must be remembered that, unless prevented from doing so, the gaiter will, in course of time, creep, thus exposing the inner tube. This difficulty is obviated in a variety of ways. One type has small metal spikes .attached to it, which, when forced into the outer cover, defies any tendency to move. In another instance, the face of the gaiter is specially treated so that, when moistened with petrol, a* highly adhesive surface is produced, and by this means is effectively united to the cover.

Although the old hand will be well acquainted with the wiles of the puncture demon, perhaps these few tips may well save his less experienced brethren not a few long faces, words, and walks.