Care of the “Mount”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 836, 3 December 1929, Page 7

Care of the “Mount”

An Idle Hour on the Motor Cycle

WHILE there are a goodly number of' motor-cyclists who burn their benzine in "hot stuff'’ two port models and who. in order to keep their “irons” in perfect shape, must use a well-equipped workshop, there are a host of riders, with less expensive mounts, who. of necessity, do the greater part of their running repairs at lioine in order to keep expenses down. This is the first of two articles to explain to this array of amateur ‘‘road burners’’ just how. by using the occasional idle hour, they can keep their machines in consistently good shape.

la no otlier place, perhaps, is that ancient axiom, “a stitch in time saves nine,’’ so practically adaptable as in the upkeep and care of a motor-cycle. Those riders who cultivate the knack —which incidentally soon becomes a habit—of making adjustments at the inception of trouble, are those who are seldom seen tinkering by the wayside. Their buses, like the babbling brook, seem to go on for ever and ever and are always full of pep. Haphazard riders are prone to ascribe this condition of affairs to iuck, but iet me disabuse their minds forthwith—these results are solely due to attention to detail and to service at the opportune moment. In the series of articles just completed in this column the novice motor-cyclist has been told how to conduct a simple engine overhaul, and now we will see just where his efforts and his spare time can be directed with best effect. CONCERNING CLEARANCE After the overhaul and with the engine run a hundred miles or so, the valve clearances will need a final adjustment. N.ewiy ground valves have an awkward habit of “bedding in” so that there is always a possibility of clearance becoming so small that the valves are held off their seatings. This will not only lower the efficiency of the motor and make it difficult to start, but will also burn the faces in short order. Obtain, if possible, the maker’s directions as to suitable clearances. Do the adjustment with a feeler gauge, and don’t use visiting cards or cigarette papers; further, pay special attention to whether the operation has to be carried out with the engine hot or cold. SEE TO THE PIPES In an old machine all metal, particularly the pipe lines that are continually subject to vibration, begins to crystallise, so it is a good plan to dismantle the fuel and oil pipes and anneal them. To do this heat them over a gas fire until red hot, and then immediately plunge into cold water. This will restore the copper to its original pliable condition with short molecular arrangement, and will effectively remove any chance of fracture when in use. While these pipes are off carefully blow them through, and at the same

Lt nit t'A.tuiiue anu clean ait utters ill the line. As the police are prone to view noisy motor-cycles with disfavour perhaps an hour spent on the exhaust system would be well worth while. Motor-cyclists should bear in mind that noise does not, in these modern times, signify speed, and the habit too often practised of ripping out baffle plates or drilling holes in muffler assembly serves no useful purpose, but rather brings odium upon motorcyclists as a body. There is no reason, however, why the muffler should not be dismantled frequently, thoroughly freed from carbon, and so allow the exhaust gases ail easy egress.

HIGHER SPEEDS

MORE POWERFUL ENGINES Everyone knows that ears are being driven farther and faster today than ever before. Right throughout the country asphalt, bituminous and concrete roads are being built, and to take advantage of these improving conditions, cars are now made capable of attaining higher speeds and of quicker acceleration. This is due to changes in engine and chassis design, higher compressions, balloon tyres, improved steering gears and many other improvements that have made high-speed driving pleasant and safe. But the much greater expenditure of engine power, the greater piston travel in a given length of time, and higher operating temperatures brought about by these changes impose a tremendous additional burden on the oil in the crankcase. And it was to meet these conditions of modem motors and motoring that the Vacuum Oil Company Pty.. Ltd., after months of research and exhaustive tests, produced its New Mobiloil. This “World’s Quality Oil” not only adequately meets the demands of modern motors, hut also provides a necessary margin of safety.