762 



Popular Science Monthly 



A Small Single-Cylinder 

 Homemade Automobile 



MINIATURE machines built like or to 

 represent larger types are not rarities, 

 by any means ; but the one illustrated 

 does a double duty 

 in carrying the 

 owner wher- 

 e V e r 



6 ft. long and 15 in. between the inside 

 surfaces of the side pieces. The wheels 

 were those used on a No. 3 auto-coaster. 

 The drive is obtained by a belt from the 

 engine pulley to one of the rear wheels. 

 With this method of control it is pos- 

 sible to have various speeds without 

 a troublesome lot of gears. This 

 arrangement consists of an idler 

 pulley operated with a ratchet 

 lever and quadrant. The en- 

 gine can be run free, and 

 the tighter the idler is 

 drawn the more speed is 

 attained, up to the limit 

 of the engine speed. 



The front axle is 

 made on the fifth wheel 

 principle and is turned 

 with a rope on the end 

 of the steering-wheel 



Ready for the start 

 in his travels about 

 the city and country 



With every 

 car owner 

 sometroubles 

 will arise and 

 it becomes 

 necessary to 

 make adjust- 

 m e n t s or 

 clean the 

 spark plugs 

 before mak- 

 ing a long 

 run in the 

 country or in 

 keeping the 

 machine in 

 good repair 



I by Press 111. Serv, 



he wants to travel. Its owner, a boy 

 of 15 years, built the entire machine save 

 the engine, which is one of the single cylin- 

 der motorcycle type. However, many 

 manufacturers of ordinary automobiles do 

 the same, all power plants being purchased 

 from manufacturers in that special line. 



The engine is the kind used to attach to 

 a bicycle, two horsepower, geared two to 

 one. The main frame is built of hardwood, 



shaft. While it is not necessary to follow 

 out the exact dimensions and style of this 

 car, it furnishes the idea, and enough de- 

 tails are given so that a clever amateur can 

 construct a similar car that will produce as 

 good results. Such a little car can be 

 made to more closely represent a large car 

 if sheet metal is used instead of wood for 

 the hood. The sides can also be made up 

 of sheet metal and a rear covering put on 



