1903 National Show Page 848

The Booth Motor Syndicate, Ltd.,

are showing on Stand 5 several specimens of their motor bicycles. These are fitted with 2¾ h.p. Minerva engines. The principal features of note are the large capacity of the petrol and oil tanks, which occupy the space between the upper and the lower horizontal tubes. The coil and accumulators are carried in separate cases beneath the lower of the two horizontal tubes, and in rear of the engine cylinder. The lady motor cyclist is catered for, and an example of a type of machine suitable for her is shown. This is fitted with a 2 h.p. Minerva engine. The petrol tank is placed between the bottom tube from the head to the bracket, and that running from the top of the head to the horizontal diagonal between the down and seat tubes. The accumulator and coil are both carried in a metal case located in the rear of the seat tube. Belt drive is employed, the belt being efficiently protected by a metal case. A 3½ h.p. engined bicycle is shown in the centre of the stand fitted with a forecarriage. (Stand 5.)

Booth of Putney

Trent and Co.

A well-designed 2¾ h.p. belt-driven motor bicycle is shown by Messrs. Trent and Co. on Stand 73.The machine is fitted with a vertical engine placed in a dropped loop frame. The particular feature about the machine is its long wheelbase. A fellow machine having a 3½ h.p. motor is also to be found on this stand. (Stand 73.)

A Two-speed Gear

is the principal feature to be found on the stands of the Whippet Motor and Cycle Co. (Nos. 63 and 64). A machine is shown fitted with an F.N. engine, the gear being enclosed in a case. On the same stand is shown a forecarriage with the gear exposed. It consists of a specially-constructed chain, which is provided with teeth engaging in corresponding recesses cut on the chain wheels. A sprocket on the back hub is provided with two different diameters of toothed wheels...

Continued: Whippet of Clapham Junction

The Starley Worm Drive.

Visitors to the show should make a point of inspecting the mechanism of the Starley worm gear-driven motor bicycle and two-speed gear. This has been so recently described in our pages that it is unnecessary to go into details here. For the purposes of exhibition there is a part section of the worm gear on the stand, by means of which the visitor can demonstrate to his own satisfaction the perfect working of this gear. A sample of the engine which is to be adopted on these machines in future is also to be seen, and this presents several novel features, the principal of which is the method of detaching both inlet and exhaust valves with their seats from the motor.

Continued: Starley of St John's Works, 1903

The Motor Cycle November 25th, 1903. p848