MOTOR AND CYCLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 August 1921, Page 11

MOTOR AND CYCLE.

NEWS AND NOTES.

MOTOR BRAKING.

An interesting and instructive test of the comparative effectiveness of the 4 wheel and 2 wheel systems of motor car braking was recently carried out in France. The car used was a powerful 8 cylinder “Darracq” the total weight being 43 cwt. of which 2204 lbs was carried by the front axle, and 2028 on the back. The machine was equipped with brakes 6n all four wheels, the bands being 2 inches wide lined with “Perodo,” and applied simultaneously by means of the brake pedal. A wet day was intentionally chosen for the first trial on a deserted stretch of macadam highway. At 30 m.p.h. the “Darracq” was pulled up in feet, at 40 m.p.h. in 98 feet 4 inches, at 50 m.p.h. in 147 feet, and 60 m.p.h. it took 239% feet before the car came to a dead stop. A few days later the test was repeated over the same road in a perfectly dry condition, the results were: At 30 m.p.h., the car stopped in 54| feet, at 50 m.p.h. 137| feet, and 60 m.p.h. 229$ feet. Surprising little difference considering the different road conditions.

With the front two brakes slackened off so as to be ineffective, it took the car 123 feet to stop when travelling 30 m.p.h., it took 342| feet, 144 feet more, at 50 m.p.h. 319%, feet, a difference of IS2| feet, whilst at 60 m.p.h. the car came to rest at 430 feet, as against 246 feet with four brakes. The test was carried out by travelling to the required speed, when an official dropped a heavy bag of sand overboard, giving the signal to the driver to stop at the same time, and the distance was then measured to the centre of the standing car. The figures obtained were conclusive proof of the superiority of the four wheel braking system, a feature however, that is not revealed by the figures is the feeling of greater security with brakes on all wheels, which has to be experienced to be realised. As previously mentioned in these notes, all the contestants in the recent . French Grand Prix Race used cars braked on all wheels. UTILITY MOTOR CYCLE. The cheap utility motor cycle machine, which for the sake of clarity of expression is often referred to as the “Ford of motor cycles,” is a long time making its appearance. What is wanted is a motor cycle which will be to the cycle what a Ford car is to the horse and trap. First the price wants to be in the region of £5O and the weight about 1100 lbs. A simple cylinder developing about 3 h.p. fitted with two speeds is all that is wanted by the average man who desires a machine for utility purposes and week end runs. In the early days of motor cycling a first class machine was obtainable from between £5O and £6O, and wonderfully efficient outfits they were. The 'craze and demand for big powered twins has to an extent pushed the single cylindered machine into the background, but there’s little doubt that in time the pendulum will swing in the other direction, and the efficient lightweight “single” again come into its own.