The San Francisco call., 1909-10-17
MOTORCYCLE MAKES
RAPID TRAVEL EASY
Little Power Machine Superior
to Bicycle and Almost
Equals Automobile

Motorcycle construction, like that of
the automobile, has gradually developed
the machine from an instrument OF
pleasure into one of utility. This little
power machine has placed within the
reach of many a means of rapid tran
sit far superior to the bicycle and
equal almost TO the automobile.
From a crude application of power
TO the bicycle the motorcycle has been
improved until it is capable of both
speed and endurance. in many cases
SURPRISING the automobile as means
of rapid transit to isolated places where
the absence of roads makes the larger
vehicle impracticable.
When the motorcycle developed a
speed Of 90 miles an hour it met popu-
lar favor with those who had been
accustomed to pedal their way over
the cities and country roads on bicycles.
While frame construction embodied
heavier material than that of the bi-
cycle, there were few departures from
that design. When speed limits began
70 exceed q mile a minute. and high
power. engines became the order of the
rigidity of construction and the elimi-
nation OF vibration
high POWER MACHINES
These high power machines range
ali the way from the single roadster
TO the four cylinder racer and roadster,
while utilitarian principles are en-
bodied in the horsepower delivery
machines and two passenger motor
cycles. These little buzz wagons are
capable of carrying a load of 500
pounds and prove indispensable to
small establishments where quick de-
livery is desired. In fact, many stores
that had maintained at least one horse
and wagon abandoned the old system.
hnding that the same work could be
performed by a machine costing less
than half that Of a horse and wagon
and operated at an expense effecting a
still greater measure OF economy.
Thus developed from means of rec
reation, the motorcycle has become one
of the accepted necessities Of business.
SPEED AND ENDURANCE
In rural districts the motorcycle will
have maintained its prestige long IN
advance of the automobile. Rural
store keepers who had never delivered
q pound of merchandise TO their Gus
toners now find the motorcycle indis-
pensable. In the fertile valleys of the
PaCidc coast the UloboLIs NAC lS AoSN -
placing the utility horse on the ranch.
Instead Of hitching a horse for the
trip to town, ranchers use high power
motorcycle which also serves as a
quick means Of travel TO the various
portions of the farm
II might be said that the limit has
been reached in point Of. frame con-
etruction. For a while attention was
directed to ligbtness, but it has been
found that more material is necessary
20 sustain the throb Of the high power
engines and what has been lost IN
weight has been more than made up IN
speed and endurance. Some of these
1tttle machines are now constructed
with a guaranteed life Of $4,000 miles.
or a total of four years.
IMPROVEMENT IN MACHINES
Like the automobiles, the motorcycle
is given some essential improvement
esch wear. Among the latest changes
IS the elimination of the second
Wprocket and chain. It is said that this
removes SO per cent of the friction and
adds materially to the simplicity OF
mechanism.
In the high power machines no"
being turned out the two passenger ma
chine is proving a popular means oil
recreation. while available for the same
service as a single seat machine and
retaining its speed and simplicity oi
constructor. The three wheel com
panfon machine will afford the same
pleasure as obtains with the average
runabout automobile
This year will see the advent of the
two cvlinder. six and seven horsepower
machine in the single, tandem seat and
oompanion carrier. as we'll as in deliv-
ery machines. Any further departure
from this model must Of necessity in
ciude the features of the old quad bi-
cycle or encroach too near upon the
automobile.
on the coast more than 1900 motor
cycles have been sold this year and
nearly every city boasts a well organ
ized motorcycle club.
GOOD ROADS HELP TRADE
AS a means of recreation, nothing
save touring car can equal a motor
cycle. Riders gain the same measure
of sport both in racing and road tours
Following closely upon the heels OF
the autoists the motorcycle club has
contributed its measure Of assistance in
securing the roads that are making
California famous the world over as q
motoring paradise.
Motorcycle dealers look for heavy
business during the winter. owing L
the general prosperity and the gradua
extension of road building throughout
the coast counties.
While the motorcycle comes within 4
number of the laws governing automo.
biles and has its full quota of speed
maniacs. il escapes many of the re-
strictions placed upon the auto But
despite the fact that many riders break
every law on the rural statute book
they either are enabled to duck int
the chaparrel and escape, or the rura
constable encourages more speed witt
the hope that the offender viii hit 3
,fr-a IL