LATEST IDEAS IN MOTORCYCLE CARRIER&
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Outstanding Exhibits at the Recent Show at Olympia. The Need for Greater Attention to Traders' Requirements.
MHE number of manufacturers -1-ew
ing motorcycles fitted vrith trade bodies at the annual Motorcycle and Cycle Show held at Olympia last week was not so large az one might have expected. Sixteen makers in all had on view examples of the chassis of their ordinary sidecar outfit, but fitted in most cases only with a plain box with' lift-up lid. In some eases, however, bodies were shown which are designed for the special requirements of various trades. Amongst these can be mentioned those for carrying milk churns, farm produce, first-aid fire equipment, ice-cream plant and a soda-fountain bar.
The convertible body which can be easily changed from a trader's box to a pleasure body should appeal strongly to the smaller trader of limited means who, after a week's business, likes to seek a little relaxation on the road with his family. This class of body appeals te us as a very practical idea, as the pleasure run indulged in occasionally by the owner would prevent the machine falling into the neglected state one sometimes observes with such vehicles used for trade purposes only:
Amongst the convertible bodies, the example exhibited by Dorway Sidecars, Ltd., of Birmingham, appealed to us as a sound and simple device in which a single-seater, a two-seater, or a sporting body, can replace the trade outfit, the conversion taking only a few seconds to perform. Another very practical interchangeable outfit -was well to the fore on the stand of the Watsonian Folding Sidecar Co., of Birmingham. In this model it is claimed that the change-over from one use to the other can be effected by one man.
Messrs. Graham Sidecars, of Kingston-on-Thames, exhibited an all-metal trader's body fitted to their well-known and immensely strong sidecar frame. fa this body the centre of gravity is brought lower than usual, thus giving greater stability when bulky loads have to be carried. This outfit is also easily convertible for pleasure uses.
Those who are specially interested in the delivery of milk were particularly attracted by the bodies designed expressly for this purpose and which were shown by the Watsonian Folding Sidecar Co., Ltd. The Enfield Cycle Co., Ltd., of Redditch, S. A Newman, Ltd., and Dunford and Elliott, Ltd., of Birmingham.
• All thoseconcerns making trade bodies are willing to meet the requirements of any trader whose loads may be of a special nature and who requires e body designed to meet his particular needs.
The eirell-known models of the F.N. and Henderson motorcycles, each of which is propelled by a four-cylinder engine, were shown, and ttese can, of course, be employed for traders' purposes.
The fire-sectinguishing outfit shown an the stand of Dunford and Elliott, Ltd., was particularly interesting. It has been
said by a great authority on fire-fighting that " a pail of water will put out almost any fire if it-can be used soon enough." The little outfit exhibited by this company is arranged to be ready to dash off at a moment's notice, and, providing the outbreak has been discovered before it has got too firm a hold, it should extinguish any ordinary fire. The outfit is provided with a tank holding 25 gallons of chemical fluid, a hose 25 ft. long, and will throw a jet of 50 ft. It has two Sprayfoams, each holding three gallons, and two portable holddes filled with chemical, each of which has a capacity of three gallons. There is a platform for another man, as well as the driver, to be accommodated behind the tanks. A folding ladder is also provided.
The Mellen tricycle which was shown by P. and H. Melen, Ltd., of Birmingz ham,. differs from the sidecars in that the box is disposed ditextly 'in front of the driver. It has the driving wheel centrally situated behind the ,:river, and steers by means of the two front wheels, which are situated on each tide of the box. The frame is composed of light angle steel, instead of tubing. This construction allows the frame to be taken to pieces in the event of an accident, so that any part may be renewed or straightened with ease. Two brakes are provided, both acting on the rear wheel. We cannet help thinking that this model would be improved by having one of the brakes fitted ee the front
wheels, as this would afford a better means of pulling up sharply on greasy roads. Apart frcm this criticism, the model is a very serviceable one, and should find much favour with traders generally.
Considering the large field that the transport of light loads offers for the motorcycle trade, we are somewhat disappointed to find that more attzmtion had not been given to a machine desigued especially for traders' use. With the exception of the Melen tricycle, most of the models which were to be seen were little more t1.-E7.1 vehicles designed primarily for pleasure use, in which the passenger-carrying body had been 'replaced by a trader's box of one form or another.
The British motorcycle is a marvel of efficiency for the purpose fcr which it has been designed, namely, as a speedy means of carrying passengers for pleasure purposes, but it is not C.2 signed, in our opinion, for the steady and strenuous work that a trader's vehicle is called upon to perform. Pleasure riding does
not call for a very great mileage during' the year, since it is not generally indulged in during wet weather.
The conditions under which aramercial vehicles have to work have been found very different from those surrounding the use of private cars, and for this reason many departures from touring ear practice have had to be made in the design of lorries. We shall expect to see certain similar departures made in the design of the trader's motorcycle outfit from pleas are-cycle construction. Among such departures we would suggest that more attention be givesi to the better protection of many of the working parts from road grit and mud. Further, better means might be provided for carrying a spare wheel or for Carding withotyre troubles.
In the early days of the motor lorry, it was considered unnecessary, to afford protection for the driver from rain and wind. It was thought that, as he was not on pleasure bent, he would not mind driving all day in the rain and getting wet. A good mackintosh coat was deemed to be all that he required, but it has been clearly proved that the better the means of protecting the driver, the better the results which art obtained from the use of motor vehicles. We feel sure that the provision of adequate means of protection for drivers of motorcycles will cm_ eventually. We are aware that certain difficulties will have to be overcome before this can be accomplished, but these should be capable of being surmounted by designers.
. Another point which we consider worthy of considerationis the construction of -frames for •the carrying• of light goods. The tubular frame, with all fittings and connections brazed up,. was the class of construction most suited to the push-cycle on .account of its lightness. Such frames are, however, hardly suited to the rough usage •4::: everyday goods delivery. When accidents occur, or when any part requires renewal, a frame built more on car lines will be found to lend itself to more efficient and expeditious treatment.