Motor Bicycles ad Bicycles.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 22 April 1915, Page 3

Motor Bicycles ad Bicycles.

These days nearly overy-one possesses one or the other of the above machines and most of those who no not possess either intend to own one as soon as circumstances will permit, while at the same preventing them from owning a motor car. The advent of the two stroke motor bicycle has largely increased during tho last three or four years, the numbers who own motor bicycles in England. The two stroke machine is light, simple, cheap, and afoove all—dependable. It is cheap and dependable because of its lightness and simplicity and not as some suppose, because of inferior material, faulty construction, or indifferent workmanship. It has no valves or timing gear to get out of order. Having few working parts than the ordinary motor engine, it has not so much friction to overcome and though the number of explosions are just double, it does not use any more benzine. It is interesting to see how the engine, consisting of a cylinder, crank case, crank axle, flywheel, connecting rod, gudgeon pin, piston rings and bearings, accomplishes its work. The crank chamber acts as a receiver and store of the explosive gas from the carburettor. When the piston is at the top of the cylinder, the explosive gas is compressed and the sparking plug ready to fire. The piston is then forced down by the explosion and turns the engine crank axle half round. As the piston descends the exhaust and iidet ports, one on each of the cylinder are uncovered. Tho exhaust opens- first and the exhaust gases escape. Almost at the same moment as the exhaust port opens the inlet port is uncovered, and partly by the suction of the descending piston and partly by the piston descending into the crank chamber, the explosive gas stored there rushes up into the cylinder. In its return movement the piston sucks into the crank case more explosive gas for the second charge, closes the. ports and compresses the charge in the cylinder.

That iB all there is about it and accounts for the price of £52- 10s for which the "James" two-speed 2J h. p. two-stroke British made motor bicycle is sold. The rider has perfect control over the machine which has a speed of 5 to 50 miles per hour.

Mr A. W. Smith, of "The Byko." is agent in this district for t"hie machine and also for the 3J h. p. twin cylinder "James" and the larger 44 h. p. machine for side-car. This last machine won the 5 lap side-car race at the Napier motor cycle sports on Easter Monday.

Another two stroke motor bicycle for which Mr Smith is the agent is the 21 h.p. 'Governor,' a machine fitted with a Villiers two-stroke engine and sold at the remarkably low price of £42.

In addition to being agent for the above machines Mr Smith is agent for some of the beat makes oF ordinary bicycles and does repair work of all kinds. He served his time as motor engineer at one of the largest motor cycle works in England, and later was managing a large branch establishment. The experience gained in these years is now at the disposal of owners of motor bicycles and bicycles in this district and they can depend on having their repairs done cheaply, promptly and efficiently. With the approach of tho shooting season sportsmen should bear in mind that Mr Smith also is prepared to repair shot guns and rifles of all makes.