The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-11-29
The Latest Invention Which Does Away
With the Necessity of PedaIlng.
THE PRINCIPLE OF The GAS ENGINE
Is Applied Through tho Peculiar
Composition orthe Explosive Used
is Kept Secret by tho Inventor
The Motor Appears 70 BE the Rest
ns Yet Devised by Investigators.
New York Herald.)

"A successful bicycle motor has at last
been invented. Ever since bicycling be-
came n popular craze inventors have
been racking their brains and making
experiments in vain endeavors to devise
some power which should propel the BIZ
cycle and allow the rider Ito do nothing
more labociouS than guide the machine.
The inventor of this equipment has
worked on an entirely new principle. He
has finally arrived at Il result which will
be the salvation of many frail women.
who must, If they ride ut all, pedal their
own wheel. and by so doing take TOO
violent exercise and injurc rather than
bcnef. themselves
With the motor bicycle, however, they
can simply mount their wheels, set the
motor in motion BY the simple turning
of small stop-cock. and, with feet on
the foot rests. wheel away over hill and
dale. n far as and as furious as they
choose.
In some respects this motor bicycle is
the most unique looking arrangement
designated by tue name of bicycle.
There arc two 'cu stomaiy wheels, a
frame, the familiar curved handle bar.
the pedals, chaip and sprocket wheel
and saddle. There, however. the rcsem-
bancc ceases. asd the rest of the ma
chine Is a novelty the rubber tires be-
ing twice the siSc of the ordinary pneu-
! matte tires. The pedals are for use in
case the motor refuses To work or the
rider wishes 10 pedal his machine in the
ordinary manner.
The framework OF the machine does
not, however. end with the customary
diamond shaped frame. Instead there
Is an additional bar running from the
saddle post inward. Just behind the rear
wheel. where il connects with another
bar running from the axle of the second
wheel, forming q tr!angulac-shapcd cx-
| tension 10 ths framework of the ma
chine. This d@teDsion serves the double
purpose of supporting the motor and it's
| machinery, and of making connection
with the front portion Of the machine.
where are located the valves which gov
crn the motion.
Just behind and under the saddle. and
attached 10 the bar, which is practically
an extension of the backbone of the
machine. is Il small cylinder or can. The
framework of the machine is hollow and
the cylinder beneath the seat contains: a
combustiblc fluid that flows INFO the
motor, cXplodcs under the action of the
air and drives the machine. This hollow
tubing serves aS an exhaust pipe for the
motor, the vents being two small holes
in the ends of the hollow handle bar and
two similar holes near The foot rests on
the fork handle of The machine.
The motor itself is a small unobtru-
sive looking arrange cement, set just be-
hind the rear wheel nf the machine. EN-
tending beyond the motor is small cy-
Under from which extends n driving
rod Very smila" To those in use on en-
gincs. The driving rod connects The rear
wheel. and a small cog wheel ana ratche:
holds it in place when the bicycle /, be-
ing driven by artificial power.
When The rider wishes to rest. and
at the same time continue riding. or
where there is a hill which he does not
feel like p"da.l.nS mp. ii is simple mat
ter % close the ratchet. which faStcnS,th he
driving 'od 10 the rear wheel. The cX-
plOsive nuid carried in the tank beneath
The saddle is turned into the pipe lead
ing TO the motor by means of a small
s;opcock placed in the pipe within easy
reach OF n person sitting on The saddle.
When the rider wishes to run the ma
chine with foo: power q simple turn Of
the Stopcock in the feed pipe stops the
flow Of the fluid into The ma:Or. and the
machine gradually comes 10 stop. The
ratchet is then opened. the driving rcd
detached and the rider can pedal until
again ready To set the motor in opera
ton.
The speed Of this curious motor bicycle
is regulated entirely by the flow of fluid
from the supply cylinder of the motor.
This flow can lie lesscned or incrca scd by
means If The stopcock before referred
20. Just wha, kind of motor is used o.
what the ma tuie Of the explosive MUD i.
the inventor does not make public. but
from recent experiments the practiCI-
hil;y Of this new motor cycle has been
demonstrated.
Used FOR PACKING.