These were prosperous years for the British motor-cycle industry, a flourishing proprietary-engine business (led by J.A.P. and Villiers) allowing smaller firms like Coventry-Eagle to concentrate on frame design with their 1926 J.A.P. engined 200 c.c. B33. In the early 1920s belt drive was still in evidence on light weights as typifued by the 1921 2 1/2 h.p. Wooler also used belt drive, though this one has a foot-operated infinitely-variable gear. Chains and multi-speeds, however, featured on even the little 1925 “round tank” 2 1/4 h.p. B.S.A., long the transport of G.P.O. messenger boys.Unit construction of engine and gearbox was gaining hold, on Royal Enfild’s 1919 inline four cylinder prototype, retrieved for exhibition from a forgotten storeroom after 35 years. Sunbeam’s 1925 Light Solo had proper chain cases, and superior finish which justified a price of $88 for a touring 500.
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Posts Tagged ‘machine’
Motorcycles 1919-1926
Friday, August 7th, 2009Honda VTX 1800 – Part 3
Thursday, July 23rd, 2009Continued From Honda VTX 1800 – Part 2
Perhaps the most confidence-inspiring thing about the VTX is the brakes. While featuring a linked setup, these aren’t considered Honda’s trademark LBS stoppers as used on the CBR1100XX or GL1800 Gold Wing. Rather, the brakes are linked only rear caliper distributes braking force, through a proportioning control valve, to the center pistons of the tree-piston front calipers. A cruiser is the right application for this technology, and the bike stops in an impressive 45.6 feet from 30 mph, and 173.8 from 60 using the rear pedal alone, all while resisting premature lockup.
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Honda VTX 1800 – Part 2
Tuesday, July 21st, 2009Continued From Honda VTX 1800
This is, however, a remarkably vibration free motorcycle for being what it is, which is essentially a pair of cylinders with some ancillary equipment attached. These pounding power pulses are attenuated with several vibration and damping schemes. The 52 degree vee and 72 degree dual offset crank pins work with each other to take care of the primary vibes. However, this offset-pin crank introduces a rocking couple – a sort of paddling motion – so this is canceled by use of a gear-driven balance shaft rear of the cranck, which in turn drives the primary gear. (more…)
Private Cars Pioneers To 1901
Wednesday, June 24th, 2009Before the car, long road journeys were not lightly undertaken, though the Travelling Chariot commissioned in 1825 by J. D Taylor of Southgate was used for annual trips to Rome. The true pioneers of the automobile were happy if it worked at all: horse-carriage practice is visible in the early Germain designs of Benz (1899 3 h.p.) and Daimler (1898 4 h.p.), with solid-tyred artillery wheels of unequal diameter, primitive steering, candle lamps, and spoon brakes. Engines (and their slip-prone belt transmissions) are tucked away apologetically at the rear, though the Benz, with its electric ignition, offered a reliable 14 m.p.h. on the level, inspiring such early British esperiments as J. H.
Knight’s 1895 single-cylinder machine. Knight motored about Farnham in it, being fined for not having an attendant walking in front. After 1896 the British speed limit was 12 m.p.h., and serious manufacture was under way. Herbert Austin’s 1899 3 1/2 h.p. Wolseley would go through the country’s first big rally, the 1,000 Miles’ Trial of 1900, without mechanical stoppage. (more…)