MOTOR CYCLE OF THE FUTURE.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 September 1924, Page 3

MOTOR CYCLE OF THE FUTURE.

LHOR.SK I'llU ill. LONDON. .Inly 13. A motor-cycle engine mill dimensions ni ■() IC. or Lh.p. cud a f-olrol miisiliuj.l1<111 ol 2iit) miles In ihe gallon is i iiiisiilci c l uit hill the regions of possibility by expel ts who followed the remarkable achievements of the baby machines in last week’s Tourist Trophy r.-n-es in the Use of Man. In discussing the results, ITnfcssni Low. the motoring scientist, who jildg- - 4• | tlu* various t*vi*nts, .sum :

Within a lew years we shall have an engine ol .Lh.p., which will not by anv means be a toy but a- piactii.il and economical unit i apable of the work which the huger engines of today until •lake.

For side-car work 1 1 visibly an engine of |-h.p., will be sufficient. During last week’s races the ultra-light-weight machines of 1 j-li.p. showed that they Were quite powerful enough to propel a light side-car.

One of the must important, lessons ol the races was the remarkable manner in witch the various metals used in llie machines stood up tu the work. H was almost uncanny and a triumph lor the metallurgists. It is this advance in the science of metallurgy that convinics me ol the ! o-sibility of <lovcl:i| ing all engine the dimensions of which might to-day api car ludicrous. Hi spite ol this very wonderful performances the engines in the T.T. races by no means represent the maximum of possible efficiency. I NCR FA SKI) ROWER.

At high engine speeds the present system by which the petrol mixture is f.uekeT into the < nmhiistion chamber is faulty. An insufficient explosive mixture passes through the valves of a four-stroke engine <>r the ports of n two-stroke engine when the engine i= ‘•revving’’ nt speed. We know that by .super-charging (forcing extra mixture into the combustion chamber by means ol a pump) the liawer of a small engine can be increased to a remarkable degree. Hitherto. however, wo were uncertain if t|ic metals used in a motor cycle ontrine would stand tlie* oxtra strain iniposed by super-charging. Now I think it is safe to predict with the lessons of the T.T. before us that super-charging is a practical proposition. CTIKAI’KII -)IOT<)R-CYCLING. The evolution i f still smaller engines means, of course, cheaper motor-cycling all round. Professor Low’s remarks on the wotido:s of modern metallurgy, as illustrated in the T.T. races, may be better understood when the strains on various parts of the racing motor-cycle are considered. Some of the engines actually worked ct A. 003 revolutions to the minute.

A “Daily .Mail" correspondent says he carried out a three months’ trial of the Drilastie waterproof motor-cycle saddle. Its chief feature is the material of which it is made. The. saddle 1 found gave comfortable riding tinder all conditions. It is flexible and at the same time stable over “pot holes.”

Rain—appears to have no bad effects at all on the material. A big advantage is that a saddle can be procured to suit the particular weight of any rider.