CYCLING AND MOTORING

Horowhenua Chronicle, 9 August 1916, Page 3

CYCLING AND MOTORING

Jj'rom tne Uuiilop iitiObci wumpuny ol AUst. aiasia, Limited, lor tile week •3th August, 191(5. '* A speed of 07 miles an hour, tlio Highest ever touched m Australia, J 5 vvuj» aUa'.ncd by the Victorian motor I ; c.icK 1 crack, -i. iiooth, last ivui'K. '.Lliis remarkable speed was imiiliuaiiicd i'or a mi>j which ivas eoveied m 37 3-5 socj oinis from « flying »Uirt. I'll is rate i,i travu.ling is oven- raster than that established in .booth's recent lialf liiilo record when lie touched SJo miles ail ' hour. The five miles recoi'd was also tuekled and a further reduction miade, I lie ligures being iJmins. 2o 3-osecs. 1 Whilst the records are the fastest yet credited to a motor cyclist on the road in any part of the world, it is doubtful if the ruling 'authorities m Europe or America will officially recognise same, as the rides wore accomplished, in one direction only, and with the assistance ■ of any wind that wms blowing. The natural sequence to one of these at- > tempts, if they are still to lie continued will bo that some one will get hurt or killed. A pace of nearly 100 mile* ail hour on the ro'ad will take its toll sooner or later. Tlie utility of these extraordinary speed recordis is open to question. A straight-out endurance test, under severe conditions, undoubtedly proves the quality of both machine and rider, to : .i gredtor degree than mere speed effort* on a smooth stretch of road; records that :n-i< -only ■limited hv the power and size of the engine, .and the pluck of the m'nn on top. No one appreciates what straightout. long distance tests have accomplished for the motor 'and motor cycle more than the writer, but abnormally high speeds over short distances on the road, have little via I lie from a mechanical utility point of view, and none from a sporting standpoint. The time for a h'n.lr Has come, and wisdom will he shown if the controlling club 'that times these records vetoes any J further Attempts under its auspices. Though possessing some features of design which render them superior to last season's models certain of the 'DIG motor-cycles, which have been modified in some respects, still rotawi. says the Motor Cycle Trader (TCngla.vO unsatisfactory silencing arrangement ; indeed, in more than one case the renn silencing enn only he used in a comparative sense and with very little meaning at tfiat. Tt alwn-s «ip,is strange that one firm should he rb'e to' perform satisfactory results and a'lothei not m such an import nt r. Titter as that of the -silencing ol the engine and from tests made it has not always proved that the no'<'• >r etigii.e is tlio, mure powerful bv anv means. 'The principle of the "free eriianst" is 1 right enough in its wnv and we know of course that back pressure on the piston is a thing to be avoided «i-s much as possible. There arc <,t Invalid equally weighty con si ler.itions. however, to ho observed. a::d c.voeiience shows that freedom of < scope for the burnt charge can be secure.i whilst at the same time the-f .s •„ substantial reduction in the of noise created. Retardation of the gai-e- as they puss from > exlis»«.~t port to tlie atmosphere unit be revised on a system which battles, !>«t does not seriously impede, progs tss, and by moans which ineak up t!' a t i'oic. witm ut greatly reducing tin; velocity of the discharge, tlie action desired being based on the ••extractor'' principle and causing the gjisos lo be impelled towaids the exit and drawn ratiier tlian pushed out. ol tlio silencer. It is a very unpleasant experience to / have to drive out a, noisy motor bicycle lor \iny distance, especially a. slug"*.' oyliudier one. 1 lie slratp .dotor.atuig s.uad emitted becomes more and more objectionable as the ride proceeds and Lo some, indeed me majority of, riders it lias, u anything, a more tiring ellect than that produced .jy viOialiuii itself. A quiet machine is pleasant to use and it the quietness id obtained by tlie proper methods Lucre need be uo iear whatever oi il, consequences wtiere working etiicleuey is concerned. Commencing with i:u: knowledge that ail ausolutely ireo exhaust such at; wotild bo obtained by leaving the silencer off altogether is not only objectionable on the score of noise but actually impaiis rather than assists the efficiency of the onguio, we can work down by degrees to a stage representing the point at which the best average results ai'e secured. This point may be reached by various methods and at the same time add if anything to the development of power. This is a. matter winch interests the majority of those engaged in the motor cycle industry and equally those who (as users of motor-cycles) feel the. want i of some better arrangements than those already employed in so many eases. A most interesting and instructive illustrated 32-page booklet dealing with all matters pertaining to m-otor-cycl tyres, lies just been issued, by the Dunlop Rubber Company. Motor cyclists can obtain a copy for 'fhe asking from their agent, or direct from