MOTOR AND CYCLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 July 1921, Page 9

MOTOR AND CYCLE.

NEW MOTOR CYCLE. A motor-cycle constructed somewhat on motor-car lines is shortly to be placed on the English market. It is to be .known as the “NeT-a-car** and is being I manufactured by the Sheffield Simplex I people—well-known English motor car (makers. The “Ner-a-car” is intended to (form a handy and convenient means of ! transport a for riders of either sex, and an important claim made on behalf of it is that it is very stable, and will not skid. Certainly the extremely low saddle position, and the fact that practically *he entire weight of the machine is within a foot of the ground, amply bears out this claim. This machine is absolutely unorthodox and differs considerably from the conventional type of motoribieycle. Of the usual tubular frame there is no trace; the “chassis” as one is forced to call it, is made entirely from sheet steel pressings. The principal members of the chassis run from front to rear of the machine, and are formed of deep channel section. They are braced together with substantial transverse members, and, where necessary, riveting is employed, as in motorcar chassis construction. There is no steering head in the generally accepted sense of the term, for the front wheel is supported on a front axle which w sprung from the main frame by short coil springs, and the motion of the handlebars is transmitted through a steering swivel and a drag kink. The front wheel may be said to make its directional movement actually between what would normally be the forks. The engine is a 2J h.p. single-cylinder twostroke, of the usual three-port type, with an integrally east transfer port. It has a bore of 2 3 /g inches, and a stroke of inches, its cubical capacity being 211 c.c. A light cast iron piston is I used. The power unit is set transversely across the frame, and can be removed bodily by taking oft’ four nuts only and without disturbing the transmission. The magneto is contained in the fly wheel, and has an external contact breaker which is readily accessible. An excellent feature is that there is no loose internal wiring in the magneto. In addition to providing the high-ten-sion current for the ignition, the magneto supplies light for the head and tail tamps. Probably the most notable feature of the whole machine, however, is found in the first step of the transmission, for this is by friction, a system which has proved itself highly satisfactory on certain types of light cars. Naturally its adoption would enable the provision of an unlimited number of ge-np ratios without the. necessity for gearwheels or gearing <jt any sort; actually, the Ner-a-car has five separate speeds which are controlled by a long vertical lever working in a five notched quadrant, and placed on the right-hand side of the machine. The final drive is by chain to back wheel. The rear wheel is carried on an axle between the tail ends of the frame side members. Although rot of the “quickly detachable” type, the wheel assembly is so arranged that, a cover or tube may be replaced with the back wheel in position. To effect this, it is only necessary to unscrew one nut and to remove a tubular distance piece, when a sufficient gap is made between the wheel and the frame side member to permit of the type being slipped through. Other interesting points in the construction of tjiis smart little machine are found in the ingenious method of encasing the whole of the mechanism (with the exception of the upper part of the cylinder) by means of neat sheet metal covers which should completely protect the rider. Two brakes are, of course, provided; "one of them is formed by an external baud conrracting on the friction drive cross shaft, whilst the other operates inside the rear wheel chain sprocket, and is controlled from a pedal on the near sidd footboard. Both front and rear wheels are capable of being jacked up; the front stand is tucked neatly away beneath the engine. The cylindrical fuel tank is placed just under the saddle, and is very strongly made. The method of suspending the saddle on a leaf spring, in addition to the usual coil spring, should ensure a very comfortable seating position. The lighting equipment is very complete, for besides the electric head and tail lamps already referred to, auxiliary acetylene tamps, with separate generators are included. As thta little outfit is to be sold for £65 in England it should find a ready sale for those satisfied with medium pace and comfort. It should not be long before this machine finds its way into this country.