MOTOR NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 December 1920, Page 3

MOTOR NOTES.

It is reported from London that a new process for the extraction of commercial alcoholic which, though still in the experimental stage, is said to lie capable of producing a satisfactory motor spirit. The work has been carried on in England, where alcohol and derivatives have been recovered from coke oven gas by a sulfuric acid contact process. An average yield of 1.6 gallons of alcohol per ton of coal carbonded is reported and it is calculated that if all of the coke oven gas from the coal reduced - to coke in - England during 1918 had been subjected to this process, more than 23 million gallons would have been recovered. ~ - *

The efficiency of high class English small powered motor cycle engine is remarkable. Some few years back 80 miles an hour was deemed a performance of merit for a 60-80 h.p. car on a racing track. To-day a 2 ij h.p. “A.J.S” motor cycle (cubic capacity, 350 c.c.) has proved itself capable of negotiating a flying kilometre at the rate of slightly over 80 miles an hour cm Brooklands track. - This is a marvellous achievement for such a small engine. Five miles at the rate of 69.8 m.p.h. have also been credited to the same make of machine.

Great claims are made in England for the Coulson system of springing on motor cycles of that name. The attachment consists of two very flexible leaf springs which are affixed—one along each chain stay—the driving wheel axle being supported at the far end. Rigidity is obtained by a pivoted link which steadies ail'd prevents any loss of lateral stability. The efficiency of this springing is such that in demonstration (on the road), tests have shown that when the machine ridden without a tyre on the back wheel, taiat the vibration is no more than is encountered on many pneumatic tyred rigid framed machines. A scientific “hump recorder” attached to the machine endorsed the statements of riders who tested the non-tyred Coulson machine. Furthermore, the spokes in the driving wheel showed not the slightest signs of slackness after the road tests.