Some Advance Particulars of a Machine to embody Aero Engine Practice
IF any confirmation were required of the recent articles in The Motor Cycle wherein we referred to the way in which war-time developments in aeroplane engine, design might have a bearing upon the future design of motor cycle engines, we cite a recent conversation we had with Mr. T. Silver, of the Quadrant Co. The Quadrant firm is one of several motor cycle manufacturers who have been engaged for some time past on aircraft engine parts, and will, it is hoped, be able to give motor cyclists the benefit of these experiences hereafter.
Like other motor cycle firms, the company is wholly employed on Government work, but intend as soon as pre-war operations are resumed, to introduce a new engine, the point of which will be the embodying of experience gained in the manufacture of aeroplane engine parts. This applies more particularly to the design of the cylinder and piston. These components will be extremely light; the cylinder walls, for instance, will in parts not exceed 2 mm. in thickness. Experiments have been made with an aluminium alloy piston provided with bushings for the gudgeon pin, also with the top webbed, but it is not yet settled whether this will be standardised.
A New Pattern Gear Box.
Exhaust and inlet valves will be constructed of special nickel steel combining extreme lightness and long wearing qualities. Of other details, a new design of three-speed countershaft gear box of the Quadrant Co.'s own manufacture will be introduced for this model, and the experience gained with the patent vaporiser recently described has led the firm to standardise it and to be prepared to fit it to all models. The usual size of jet used on the Quadrant single-cylinder is a No. 40, but it has been found that, in conjunction with the vaporiser, a No. 29 jet passes quite sufficient fuel, with the result that 25% greater distance can be covered on the same quantity of petrol and without any loss of power.
Although the firm expect to produce this machine at a price to meet the demand for a low-priced reliable mount, it is advisable to point out to our readers that it will be useless for them to write to the company at present for either prices or particulars. The above is merely an outline of an enterprising post-war policy.
The Motor Cycle, November 9th, 1916.
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