THE WORLD'S ADVANCE 



105 



waterproofing compound over which the 

 finishing paint may be applied. 



The smaller pulleys serving as brake 

 drums may be made up in the same way, 

 but their rims should be lined with steel 

 ribbon, as the. friction of the cable would 

 soon cut the groove too deep. These 

 pulleys are to be fastened to the hubs of 

 the wheels. A secure method to accom- 

 plish this is to let the sprockets into de- 

 pressions cut in the pulleys, thus forming 

 an effective key. 



The belting may be heavy, round 

 leather, or it may be standard motor- 

 cycle belting which has a V-section to 

 fit the groove in the pulley. 



The ratios of the various pulleys as 

 shown in the drawings will make for 

 good hill-climbing qualities rather than 

 speed, and in view of the absence of 

 springs, it is quite likely that the ability 

 to pull under all conditions will prove 

 more desirable than would the greater 

 speed to be obtained through a smaller 

 reduction. 



Between the rear axle and the belt 

 idler will be seen the reserve gasoline 

 tank, the function of which is to carry a 

 greater supply of fuel than the main run- 

 ning tank shown on the dash is cap- 

 able of holding. The system of piping 

 and distribution is so clearly shown that 

 it needs no further description. The 

 details of the mounting are given in Fig. 



The fitting up of the dash with the 

 control devices, such as the switches for 

 ignition, fuel and oil handles, is best left 

 to the individual builder. A suggestion 

 for the spark advance and throttle levers 

 is given in the side elevation, Plate III. 

 This arrangement is exceedingly simple 

 and it is probably as satisfactory as any 

 within our reach. The termination of 

 the two rods is not shown, as the car- 

 buretor and distributor are seldom in the 

 same place on any two makes of engines. 



The hood and body of the car are of 

 heavy sheet iron. Plates I and II show 

 the general appearance of the construc- 

 tion. The patterns for the metal should 

 be laid off on heavy paper and cut to 

 shape. In order that the accuracy of the 

 patterns may be tested, they should be 

 bent up and placed on the chassis. The 

 edge of the metal forming the body 



should be turned over heavy steel wire 

 in order that it may be stiffened and fin- 

 ished. 



The hood should be quickly removable 

 as a whole in order that access may be 

 had to the engine. A simple hook fasten- 

 ing will suggest itself to the builder. If 

 difficulty is experienced in keeping the 

 engine sufficiently cool, a second opening 

 may be made in the top of the hood near 

 the dash and fitted with wire netting, as 

 is the front. 



The upholstering of the seat is a mat- 

 ter for the builder to decide. A covering 

 of pantasote over a spring seat of the 

 usual type will provide a cushion of good 

 appearance and comfortable riding qual- 

 ities. 



In closing, a few suggestions regard- 

 ing changes in the design may not be in- 

 appropriate. The length of the steering 

 rod, for instance, should be determined 

 by the build of the driver; the distance 

 from the foot board to the rear of the 

 seat is another consideration; the elim- 

 ination of the hood and body would im- 

 prove the riding qualities of the car by 

 providing a longer spring in the struts; 

 variable speed could be secured through 

 the addition of a friction disc drive an 

 appliance not difficult of construction. 

 These and a dozen and one other im- 

 provements or alterations will suggest 

 themselves to the prospective builder 

 who applies himself seriously to his task. 



As a last word to those who have fol- 

 lowed this necessarily brief description 

 to the final paragraph, let the author sug- 

 gest that standard parts can be obtained 

 in great variety and builders are by all 

 means advised to purchase such parts 

 rather than try to improvise them if a 

 car of durable qualities, capable of long 

 and practical service, is desired. At the 

 best, the car described is scarcely more 

 than a makeshift vehicle intended to fur- 

 nish amusement in much the same man- 

 ner as would a bob sled or an ice boat. 

 If, in presenting this design, the author 

 has done nothing more than to offer 

 some suggestions which may prove of as- 

 sistance to the amateur mechanic who 

 has aspirations toward the building of a 

 real cycle car or light automobile, he shall 

 feel that his efforts have certainly not 

 been in vain. 



