Motorcycles

The 5 h.p. solo and 6 h.p. side-car records are held by Belgian motorcycles, the remainder of the records standing to the credit of Great Britain.

BIBLiocRAPHy.–Shepherd,

Motor Cycle Overhauling (1920) ; Wyatt, Motor Cycling (1925) ; Brown, The Complete Motor Cyclist (1925) ; Two-Stroke Motor Cycles (1925) ; Motor Cycles and How to Manage Them (1925) ; Tracing Motor Cycle Troubles (1926); Hints and Tips for Motor Cyclists (1927) ; The Petrol Engine (1927); Motor Cycling Manual (1927) ; Harwood, Speed and How to Obtain It (1927). (G. S. D.) The modern American motorcycle is constructed according to the service for which it is intended. The light type consists usually of a single cylinder, four-cycle engine with a chain trans mission and weighs from 225 to 275 pounds. This motorcycle, intended for solo use only, is a very economical means of trans portation. The motors are usually of 21 cu.in. capacity and will develop from 8 to 12 h.p., according to type ; they operate reg ularly on a gasolene consumption of one gallon per 8o to Ioo m. and up to a speed of 55 m. per hour. There has also been de veloped a medium-weight type for solo use. This has either chain or gear and chain transmission. The motor of the two cylinder type is from 37 to 45 cu.in. and will develop as high as 16 horse-power. This motorcycle will run at speeds up to 7o m. an hour and has a gasolene consumption of one gallon per 6o to 8o miles. The heavy type of motorcycle is used in police and commercial work, for pleasure, both solo and with side-car, and has also found a useful place in the army.

For police work the motorcycle becomes indispensable. The enormous increase of the use of the motor car, greatly encouraged by improved roads, has diversified police use in many ways. In many States police bodies have been organized and equipped with motorcycles as a ready means of performing their duties. Their work consists of the regular police work and the prevention of reckless and careless driving. In the city, the motorcycle police officer, in addition to enforcing the driving and traffic laws, is able to respond with great quickness to emergency calls. The

motorcycle as a necessity to the mounted officer is universally recognized and provides a mount which has capabilities beyond any other that is available for enforcing speed laws and regulation of traffic.

In the army, the motorcycle has proved its worth as a means of rapid communication in rough country and for its ability to thread its way through congested traffic such as occurs when large bodies of men and supplies are moved from place to place. Many thousands of motorcycles were used in the World War. When the army organization tables were recast some time after the war, motorcycles were provided for various units. The motor cycle is still being used for pleasure, but not to the extent that it formerly was. Its appeal lies to the young man between 18 and 25 and forms a rapid means of transportation and exhilarat ing sport. The motorcycle production in the United States reached its peak in 1913, and in that year a total of 70,000 motor cycles were made. For three years up to 1928 total annual pro duction was 45,00o. Production for 1933 and 1934 were 7,377 and 11,098 respectively; for 1936, 17,380. There are three companies manufacturing motorcycles in the United States. (W. S. H.) Motorcycle Racing in the United States.—The first real fast time established in the United States was made by the late Albert Champion, who covered a mile on a track in 1 min. 1 of sec. in 1902. Oscar Hedstrom, designer of a motorcycle and bicycle bearing his name, rode a mile on the Florida sands on an Indian machine he designed, in 1 min. 31 sec.

Real competition came after the formation in 1903 of the Federation of American Motorcyclists, an association organized for the purpose of furthering the interests of the motorcyclists and the control of motorcycle competition. Almost at once race meets were promoted throughout the country with the then well known Jake DeRosier, Walter Goerke, Frank Hart John U. Constant, Ben Swenson, Glen H. Curtiss, J. I. Brandenburg, Stanley Kellogg and many others.