MOTOR AND CYCLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 November 1920, Page 9 (Supplement)

MOTOR AND CYCLE.

news and notes. • Oclobor 2lird i'Ml Again there is an outcry in respect to many motor cyclists making too trot 1 with their ex-haunt cutouts on'the road, ami it is justified. The ihuth riders who tear aloiijj- populous thoroughfares, with a roar like a machine-gun do more harm in a few minutes to motor-cycling than hundreds of reasonable riders can do good in I*2 months. No harm would result if the authorities barred the 'cut-out," it is unnecessary for elliciency, and harmful alike to the pastime and trade.

After a lengthy period of use, the water in the cooling system of a ear gets very rusty. A pound of ordinary washing soda dissolved in warm water, and the mixture poured into the radiator, will soon free the water channels of most of the rust. Run the car for a short distance, then let the rusty water run away from the emptying plug at bottom of radiator. It's a good idea to let fresh water run into the radiator by means of a hose, thus freeing the water system of all rust residue that the soda frees. Don't use too strong solution of soda, or leave it in the engine for too lengthy a period, otherwise you may destroy the inner rubber wall of the hose connections, and thus choke the flow of rater, bringing on heating troubles. The cheap bicycle very nearly killed the British cycle' industry, and although we may deplore the high prices now prevailing, they have had the effect of once again rehabilitating the industry in tli 'S country, says Cycling, the lev ling journal devoted to the wheel in Before the war, the manufacture of bicycles depended upon a continuity of production, and sales akin to a "boom" year to sli#w a satisfactory profit, now the Brit'-Mi bicycle is being turned out in almost record Lumbers, and has once again ta'r.en its place, as an industry of the first importance. It is well to bear in mind i.'nat its future depends upon certain profits. A pricecutting campaign, while it. stimulated sales for a time, proved a. disastrous policy to the indaslry ■;- a whole, and its repetition is wholly unnecessary. We do not suggest that no reduction in present-day prices is possible. With steady demand and supply, and the consequent cheapening in the cost of mauu-1 facture. or by a reduction in the cost of raw materials, coal and labour, pre-sent-day prices may, next year, or the year, after, cheapen slightly, but », sensational "cut" would only produce a speculative ( and doubtful period of prosperity, followed by a return to conditions which at one time threatened to extinguish the greater part of the cycle industry. Production of benzine in America has increased during the past six months by 13 per cent., but the consumption has advanced by .12 per cent. A continuation of the same rate of consumption will before this have reduced the American stocks of benzine to less than a month's production.

Report's of a coming slump in price of motor-cars in Amerca and England, will not be unwelcome news to many motorists in \ T ew Zealand, who have been waiting since IDI4 to secure a new car. During the war, cars were very scarce, owing to shipping difficulties, and practically only American vehicles were available. Since the armistice was signed, the price of motors has been such that many motorists are making the best of their old "buses," whilst potential motorists are holding oil' for a fall in prices. If prices are really to drop, then the reduction will have to start at the raw material, am! wages will have to come down. A glance at the appended average advance of present day cost over pre-war figures shows what the manufacturer is up "against":—Engineers' wages have increased 1.60 per cent,, body makers, 20(1; painters, 230; unskilled' labourers, 300; apprentices' wages, 240; timber, 220; aluminium, US; leather and trimming materials, '2so;' iron castings, .220, steel eastings, 14ft. stampings and pressings, 200; tyres, 70. Despite the heavy advances scheduled above, the average increase in the cost of cars produced by English makers, works out at a shade less than 00 per cent.

An American car owner claims to have found sonic advantage, notably in obtaining a reduction in fuel consumption, by the simple expedient of connecting a length of small bore copper tubing to the cup of the radiator and leading it into the induction pipe. He thereby, gets a small quantity of water vapour intermixed with the explosive charge passing into the cylinders.