MOTORS AND MOTORING

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 115, 1 February 1918, Page 9

MOTORS AND MOTORING

IBt CiiUTOH.I Motor-Cycle Tyres. With the heavier machines now in use, and with so many having sidecars attached, motor-cyclists are experiencing trouble and trials from their tyres. As with the cars in earlier years, many of the motor-cycles aro. rather under-tyred—that is, are fitted with pneumatics too small in section for the weight to be carried. lyre manufacturers, says an exchange, havo mot tho situation by making covers m what are termed "over biks, where a 3in. body will have a 23 m.. bead to fit on a 2Ji'n. rim, as an example.; Fitting theae over-size covers to the wheels doos not remove the necessity for adequate inflation under all conditions. On the big twin-cylinder 7-h.p. machine's mow in common use tho pressure •:■ :'iM 28 x 3in. tyres should be from 4Ulb. to 501b.—slightly more if a sidecar is fitted. In no circumstances should the pressure be allowed to decrease by 20 per cent., as an underinflated tyro is liable to a variety of troubles—bruises to the fabric, cutting of the side walls, loosening and creeping of the casing on the rim—reEulting in destruction of the cover from blow-outs,' or tearing out the valve from the inner tube. While proper inflation of tho tyros is the chief point, care in driving is also essential. Large obstructions and deep holes, on the roads are to be avoided, an also are embedded stones, which sometimes badly bruise tho cnver. Stretches of loops metal nnd all tram and railway lines should be rolled over at reduced pace and with the. clutch out. Sudden application of-tho clutdi or brakes causes excessive wear on the tyre treads, and may lead to other evils, such as creeping, and, of course, valve trouble. Stop at once if the tyre becomes deflated. i . . • Tho Radiator Outlet. All radiators, says a writer in_ the current issue ot "American Motorist," have an overflow arrangement to accommodate the natural expansion of tbe water upon being heated during the operation of the motor; frequently thoy are also equipped with blow-holes to allow the escape of steam. If, through the accumulation of sediment or dirt, these outlets become' clogged and don't fulfil their'functions, the result is that the internal pressure generated will follow tho line, of least resistance and force a leak at a point where the-' radiator is weakest Therefore, it is absolutely essential that these outlets bo open at all times. • Wind-Ehiold Rattles. On many makes of cars the windshield is held in place by steel" arms; whicli protrude through the cowl and tiTP. fastened on the under side by a bolt and lock nut. Sometimes these nuts work loose from the vibration present, with - tho result that the shield is allowed'to move slightly. The first evidence of this is seen in cracked finish in the vicinity pf tho wind-shield supports. In making the necessary periodic, inspection for loose nuts and bolts the wind-shield supports should not be forgotten. Here and There. Wooden wheels with loose spokes emit a squeaking sound which is intensely annoying. The noise_ will be more distinot when the car is being driven around a. corner. _ Sometimes this looseness may be obviated by replacing one or more spokes, or it may be cured by forcing small wooden wedges between the spokes and tho hub. A wheelwright cau do the job in a few minutes. The war is popularising tho bicycle in France. The number of motors in private uso has been' heavily reduced by Goyernement demands, and also by tho high price ruling for petrol—6s. per gallon. In these circumstances the masses have turned again to the economical bicycle. According to statistics furnished by the French Government, Paris had 200.035 bicycles registered in 1916, a big increase over the number registered in the previous year. The reports for-1917 will in all probability show that more people have taken to the bicycle. A pood bicycle can bo secured for £8 to £10, and the factories are filled with orr ders. Thousands of bicycles are also being used bv the French Army for the use of orderlies. Some car owners, says an American paper, are using ammonia solution to brighten up the hood when the latter has become dull. This is bad practice, though the immediate results seem to be good. Ammonia destroys ,the finish, and should not bo used; in fact, body makers and varnish concerns give strict instructions to keep the car away from stables and barns, so that the ammonia from the manure will not injure the body finish. Now that America is making huge preparation for her entry into the war, tho question of supplies of alloy steel for the- motor-car industry is. under review, for it is probable that supplies may have to be reduced, with a view of turning this necessary metal over to the munition factories. One firm alone uses 300,000 tons of alloy steel in its annual products, or about 301b. per car. Normally, the American motor industry requires about five tons of alloy- steel per 1000 cars. The three main parts of a car where this steel is practically indispensable aro the gear wheels, parts of the rear axle, and the balls for bearings. Many other parts are now made from ' alloy steel, but with the object of cutting down the use of this metal, the American manufacturers state that they can substitute some of the high-cnrbon steels without efficiency. Most of the biggest American makers are prepared toniake. efforts in this direction with a view of leaving the major portion of the supplies of alloy steer for munition purposes. Lighting-up time:—To-day, 7.13 p.m. Next Friday, 7.6 p.m. Petrol Savor.—T lie. Spoeillor. Vaporiser, which can be fitted to any motor-car or. motor-cycle, saving one-fourth to onetliird of petrol, can he purcli-vud from Robert Miller, Main Street, Greytown.— Advt. _______