A NEW THREE-WHEELER
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of large capacity
The Latest Tempo has a Water-cooled Engine, is Robustly Constructed and Will Carry a 15-cwt. Pay-load
BY reason of the fact that standing charges are often of more consequence to the tradesman than are running costs, the three-wheeled vehicle offers special advantages for a retail distribution system. In the case of the new Tempo (TIO type) the annual tax is only £4, whilst comprehensive insurance can be arranged for from £7 to £7 15s., according to the district in question ; these figures apply to many three-wheelers, but the fact that the new model carries 15 cwt. of pay-lead helps to reduce the cost per ton-mile.
The concern handling the new machine is Tempo Auto Delivery Vans (England), Ltd., 203, High Street, Uxbridge, Middlesex, which has, of course, established the Tempo in this country and is now open to appoint agents throughout the British Isles.
There is a range of bodies to suit every trade, even a fire pump and a refuse collector being offered. The open-bodied type retails at £124, complete with hood, screen and electriclighting set.
This machine is in no sense a development of the motorcycle ; for example, the frame longitudinals are 41 ins, deep and 111 in. across the flanges of the channels. The frame tapers from the rear of the body to the front axle. The last-named forms the front cross-member of the frame because the front wheels are independently sprung. Each of the stub axles is free to turn around the telescopic cylinders containing the adjustable coil springs which form the suspension media ; a pneumatic action of the cylinders provides the damping. The stub-axle arms are connected to lateral drag links, which, in turn, are coupled to .a horizontal shaft that is chain driven by the vertically placed steering wheel. A similar form of enclosed coil spring is used for the rear suspension ; in this case the pivoted, channel-section forks are shackled to the telescopic cylinders which lie below the gearbox. The offside member of the rear forks can be detached after removal of three nuts, the wheel-spindle nut and four wheelretaining nuts. This allows the wheel to be changed with the minimum of labour and without upsetting the adjustment of the secondary chain or brakes.
Turning now to the power unit, this is of the single-cylindered type operating on the two-stroke cycle. It is carried horizontally in the frame and employs petroil lubrication. The bore is 85 mm. and the stroke 74 mm. (349 c.c.). On the off side is the flywheel magneto, whilst the primary chain is on the near
side. Above the crankcase is a separate dynamo, driven by belt from the roller-bearing crankshaft. T h e throttle and ignition controls are interconnected; one pedal operates them both, whilst the clutch and service brake are likewise operated by pedal, thus leaving both hands free for steering.
In the driven sprocket on the gearbox is the fiveplate, cork-insert type clutch. There are three forward speeds and a reverse. The fuel-consumption rate is claimed to be about 45 m.p.g.
In order to cope with large loads 28-in. by 4.4-in. tyres have been standardized. The brake pedal expands shoes in the drums of all three wheels, whilst the ratchet-held hand lever affects only the rear-wheel parking brake. The engine cover conceals the tanks.
With the exception of the floor, all body parts are in steel; the finish is in cellulose, colour being to choice. The following are the dimensions of the machine with an open body :—Overall width, 5 ft.; overall length, 11 ft. 7 ins. ; height, 4 ft. 3 ins. (plus 2 ft. fer windscreen) ; inside width of body, 3 ft.; body length, 5 ft. 2 ins.; depth, 1 ft. 3 ins.