Page:Motors and motor-driving (1902).djvu/350

313 will conduce to the pleasure of early experiences, which otherwise may be more varied than delightful. Even then he will have much to learn before he can qualify for a police certificate as to his ability to attain a speed above the legal limit. Diplomas for obstruction can be more easily obtained in public thoroughfares, hence the advisability of early runs being taken in secluded districts.

Before setting out, the cycle should be carefully examined and the engine tried. It is necessary, too, to be assured that the tool-bag contains the requisite equipment of tools and spare parts. We can remember on one occasion a friend of ours had glanced over the mechanism of his cycle, and had made sure that everything was satisfactory. Removing the interrupter ' he retired to clean his hands after the operation. Returning to his bicycle, he exerted himself on the pedals, but no explosion occurred. Dismounting he again overhauled the machine, spent ten minutes or so in investigation, and was ultimately warned by a constable for creating an obstruction in the roadway. He tried everything except, let us hope, profanity, and was preparing to seek friendly aid, when, casually putting his hand in his pocket, he discovered the interrupter plug, and his troubles were quickly over. Many of the so-called failures of motor cycles are due to equally trivial causes.

There is nothing consistent about our English climate—except its variability; and the motor cycle must rise superior to changeable climatic conditions. During cold weather those riders whose machines are fitted with surface carburetters have often been troubled with regard to the 'mixture,' and even in the summer-time, when riding over very bumpy roads, the petrol in the carburetter will be thrown about, giving off more vapour than is required, and affecting the running of the motor. The only way to overcome this difficulty is by continually controlling the air inlet. A number of riders of the 1901 Werner got over the difficulty in winter by warming the carburetter by means of a branch from the exhaust-box, a flexible tube being used. It is not, however, an easy matter on this machine, the motor being on the head stem of the bicycle, and moving