MOTOR AND CYCLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 December 1917, Page 2

MOTOR AND CYCLE.

NEWS AND NOTES* It must not by any means be supposed that the present period of inactivity so far as the output of English motorcycles for public demand is concerned is being allowed to pass without contributing something to the evolution of that class of machine. Indeed' we are in the position to affirm, says the Motor Export Trade (England) that claim has already been made that with the cessation of the war it will be found that, although actual production has been suspended, plans for improving motor-cycle design have been perfected by several well-known firms, and others of less prominence for the introduction of new models having certain distinctive features to distinguish them from their predecessors and carrying them one step forward on the path of evolution. We were recently privileged to examine drawings relating to a very,advanced type of motor-cycle which will be placed_on the market at the earliest possible moment, and we were glad to note that in this design everything possible had been done to improve the means of protection for the driver as well as adding to his comfort in other ways. A scientifically designed spring frame, horizontally opposed engine with original features, silencing .arrangements based on principles which ensure real quietness without hampering the engine by back pressure, and something quite Dew in the way of transmission, combine to make the machine noteworthy as an advance in a collective sense upon what has gone before. We believe, that in future there will do an insistent demand for more comfort and protection for the driver of side-car machines, and as the majority of such are seldom, if ever, detached and used for solo riding, there is no reason, as the design we have referred to shows, to hesitate over the introduction of features necessary to that end. It is not everyone Who stands out for greater protection from mud and wet, for many of the younger and more robust motor-cyclists prefer not to be hampered in any way by equipment provided for the purpose, but taero will be a large and growing section who do place importance on this aspect of motor-cy-cßng and they will spend their money on those machines which offer the maximum in the direction indicated. Therefore, such designs as the one we inspected will stand a better chance as a marketable commodity than others falling 6bort in the necessary means for protecting the owner in the use of his machine.

Some interesting particulars have been published in connection with the standardised motor truck which is to be made in large numbers in the United States for the American Army. The weights of the most important units are: Engine lOOOlbe, transimsßkm and clutch 3501b5, rear axle ISOOIbs, frame 750Ua. Tapered roller bearings are to be used, whilst -the worm drive has been adopted. The fuel system is unique—as the 20-gaJlos tank under the driver's seat has no connection with the carburetter. A tap is •fitted to this tank, from which petrol is run into a bucket, and in turn poured into a 16-gallon tank on the steal dashboard. The fuel is then graWty fed to the carburettor. The dimensions of the four-cylinder engine are 4%in bore, vith flin stroke. Cylinders are cast in pairs with detachable hea'ds. A separate drive is provided for, magneto, water pump, and timing mechanism. Steel wheels will be used if available in sufficient numbers. A marked decline is taking place- in the exports of motor tyres from the United States. Thus the shipments during the seven months ending with July last only reached a total of £1,587;a00, as compared with £2,1*9,690 iu,the>corjcesponding period of 1910.