MOTOR AND CYCLE.
A new world's 24- hours motor-cycle record was recently established in America by the American rider, E. G. Baker, who, IS-months back put up several fine performances on the Victorian roads, notably 1027 miles in the day. The new figures recorded by Baker were accomplished on the Cincinnati speedway. In the full day 138 C h'i miles were ridden, the average speed being 57% miles pel hour. With time lost in stoppages deducted the average speed was 61 4-5 m.p.h. The first thousand miles were negotiated in 17 hours 2<U minutes, some 3.} hours better than the previous best. Intermediate distances were 500 miles in 8 houra 38 minutes and 702 miles in' 12 hours. Baker's great ride was timed by officials of the American governing body and the ride was accomplished on a two-mile wooden, racing track at Sharonvillo near Cincinatti. A stock powerplus Indian was used for the ride. The world's motor car record for 24 hours is ISiIO miles, also put up in America.
An American manufacturer has marketed an extra light weight motor cycle that promises well. It is known as the Evans Power Cycle, weighs only 651bs and Sells at £-20. This machine is. equipped with a little high speed two-' oycle motor—air cooled—the whole out-. fit weighing only 191bs. The cycle itself is of special construction to Tilthstand the harder work incidental to power propelled machines. The whole control is by Bowden wire, which re* tards or advances speed, etc. The drive is by means of a half-inch V belt to a driving rim on the back 'wheel. The engine, which is of outside tlv wheel type, is mounted in the diamond of the j bicycle frame. Although the machine is properly equipped to ensure the rider's comfort it weighs ready for .filling up only fiolbs, yet is capable of travelling 25 miles an hour on a consumption of one gallon of petrol per 100 miles and 400 miles to the quart of lubricating oil. The machine is complete with pedals, chain, etc., so that the rider can assist up stiff hills if he desires or in case of motor trouble can slip off belt and pedal home.
It is authoritatively stated that-con-sequent upon America coming into the war that no more than 15 per cent, of the motor vehicle industry of the United States will keep on with its regular work, and that most other industries jvill bo affected in about the sama proportion.
'French motorists who use their car 3 for private purposes are now limited to two gallons of petrol a day. This is a. more generous allowance than Er/glish motorists receive.
As showing -what the automobile has done for. American roads, there are now in that country over SOOO miles of cement surfaced roads, varying in width from 9 feet up to 18 feet wide. The principal advantages which concrete pavements .possess may he briefly stated as follows; As far as can be judged, they are durable under ordinary suburban and rural traffic conditions". While it is true that there are no very old concrete pavements in existence, the present condition of many of those which have undergone several years' service Would seem to warrant the above statement. They present a smooth eve'n surface, which offers very.little resistance to traffic. In the past the surface of concrete pavements iiave sometimes been roughened to insure a good foothold for horses. This practice ha 3 now ibeen abandoned, except on very steep grades, because it tends greatly to accelerate deterioration of the pavement and because the smooth surface has been found to afford a fairly satisfactory foothold under all ordinary conditions. They produce practically no dust and may be easily cleaned. They can be maintained at comparatively small cost until renewals beome necessary. They may be made to serve as an excellent base ,for some other type of surface when resurfacing 'becomes desirable. They present a pleasing appearance. The*principal disadvantages are: They are somewhat noisy under horse traffic. There* is no method of constructing necessary joints in the pavements which will entirely prevent excessive 'wear in their vicinity. Furthermore, joints do not altogether eliminate' cracking and whenever a crack develops it must be given frequent attention in order to prevent rapid deterioration of the pavement. They cannot be as readily and effectively repaired as many other types of pavements. From an Australian point of view it is interesting and instructive to note the advantages and disadvantages set forth by American experts as regards the cement road.
It is so unpleasant to crawl under a car to place a jack in position when a tyre change has to he made, and so difficult to And a. proper lodging place for the jack on the under gear, that it has been suggested that a. stand similar in operation to those used on motor-cycles be fitted as part of the standard equipment of a car. With Buch a stand the car could he jacked up by its own power, and much trouble and annoyance avoided. It would seem that such a stand would be rather heavy and cumbersome, bait possibly some genius could overcome these objections.
Speaking at a luncheon given in New York in his honor, Lord Northcliffe said: The war, which has proved the efficiency of motor transport to an almost incredible degree, will make a tremendous drain on' the motor industry of your country. The great bulk of the output will have to bo concentrated on motor trucks. The automobile factories- will inevitably be commandeered for the aeroplane construction generally. In the aeroplane lies the great hope of an Allied victory. The war has taught that the aeroplane engine of the spring may be almost useless for actual fighting next autumn, bo rapidly are developments produced by the fierce competition of war. When America has got her full stride iii the war, as surely ?ihe will get it, it will be found that there will be a' tremendous demand for chaffeurs. England to-day has nearly ICO.OOO motor trucks in France, and is constantly sending more. Every one of these trucks jmust be manned by skilled drivers. If skilled chauffeurs can be sent to operate your trucks it will be possible to release an equal number of men for the fighting line. '
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Taranaki Daily News, 5 November 1917, Page 7
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1,052MOTOR AND CYCLE. Taranaki Daily News, 5 November 1917, Page 7
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