CYCLING AND MOTORING.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 May 1917, Page 6

CYCLING AND MOTORING.

NEWS AND NOTES. ' Several references have appeared in j the American and English motor journals respecting the use of graphite for lubrication of motors, more particularly for the engines of motor cycles: Two or three preparations, one of which is known as "Oildag," have been marketed, and is graphite minutely ground—deffloculated. One motor cyclist, using this form of lubricant, which practically is held in suspension in the oil proper, stated that it reduced his consumption of oil, caused the engine to smoke less, gave easier starting and sweeter running., Another form of the supplementary lubricant is called "Asuadag," which, as the term implies, is graphite suspended in water, and so used for the lubrication of the cylinders of steam engines; but the principle is the same, and the results, one may imagine, would he the same as wit lithe internal combustion engine using graphite with oil.

The original failures of the graphite used in this way was due to the material accumulating behind the piston rings, clogging their movement, and so scoring the cylinder. Ultimately a certain Dr. Acheron was able, by the process which he called deffloculation, to break up the 1 particles of graphite so small that they will pass through a sieve—could such a sieve be "constructed—with 40,000,0.00 meshes per square inch. So small are these pafticles that they cannot possibly be seen, not even in a ray of sunlight. Being so fine, these particles readily, enter into the pores of metal, evening up their surfaces, and forming a coating of lii{jh durability and exceptional lubricating properties. Graphite cannot emulsify, oxidise, or burn up. and, unlike oil, possesses little or no visiositv, neither is it affected by temperature. It would be interesting to learn the results of an extended trial of declocculated graphite on the cylinders of motor cycles, and it is understood these trials are already being made. But evidently we have in the preparation something that is going to make for the smoother running of our engines and for the decrease of wear in the cylinders, and perhaps for the lessening of that bugbear, carbonisation. The question is 'being asked at home if motor cycling is a sporting pastime as formerly. One writer says—of lingland, of course —that it almost seems as if motor cycling as a pastime were in the same danger as horse riding. Tin' conditions here, howeveiy. are scarcely parallel. The sport—i.e., compethv events—have, of course, "been almost entirely eliminated, except when organised for patriotic purposes, hut the pastime—outings and tours—is steadily 'being indulged ill in this country. The introduction of the side-car and its greatly increasing popularity, are brightening the interest in the pastime, and further, the combination machine in various forms is entering a serious utilitarian phase which has promise of great results. The modern machines, both solo and side-cars, are even being adopted by people who want a cheap and reliable communication, and have developed to so high a degree of efficiency that their users traverse the country from one end to the other without a thought of mishap or delay, except puncture, which cannot altogether be safeguarded against. Whether or not the side-ear type of machine will represent the best of its kind is yet a problem. So far nothing has appeared -to threaten its popularity.