S2S

APRIL

28 til, ig2i._

Model
THE 8

ROYAL ENFIELD TWOSPEED SIDECAR, WITH THE NEW VICKERS BUILT

h.p.

ENGINE.

Two
made
sible

feelings uppermost in our mind when taking over the 1921 Royal Enfield sidecar outfit for a test run were curiosity regarding the new Vickersengine and a little uncertainty as to the posdifficulty

selective

of

of two-speed machines with

manipulating

a a

lever-controlled

"gear"

after

long

sequence

handle- bar

clutch

levers

and

three ratios.

A remarkable point noticed about the machine when delivered was the wonderfully slow running of the engine, for it would tick over as slowly as will the
each moment apparently coming to a standstill and then carrying over dead-centre in a way W'hich mystified all who watched it. In the case of a two-speeded sideengine of a lorry,
car outfit, it is essential that the engine should have ample power, and, at the same time, be capable of pulling very slowly, since the clutch is not capable of the same delicate manipulation as one of the handletight corners
essential,

running, during which no adjustments or diffic^ilties were encountered. Owing to'the total weight of the outfit being low when compared withl^the engine capacity, there is a delightful feeling of liveliness about the iiiachiiie when driving on top gear; ordinary undulating main roads are flattened out to no small degree even on a com4}^ to I top gear, and, as the engine is almost pletely silenced at the exhaust and has only slight decided impression of a gives it tappet noise,
effortles-sness.

While at Malvern it was decided that the Old ^Vysh(. road should be attempted in order to form an idea of the climbing powers of the
machine on
gear.
its

9 to

low

SPECIFICATION.

As

most
sidecar

modern
outfits

.three-speed
to

ENGINE: V twin, Vickers-Enfield, S5x S5mm.= 965 c.c. LUBRICATION: Mechanical. CARBURETTER: Amac. TRANSMISSION: I xichains. MAGNETO : Lucas. GEARS: Enfield two-speed, selective. TYRES: 700 y. SO mm. WEIGHT: 280 lb. (solo). SIDECAR: Royal Enfield PRICE: 160 (sidecar).

are geared about

14 or 15

I on bottom, some littltdoubt was entertained as to

the possibility of a succes.-ful climb, and. perhaps, in

consequence of
mistic

this

pessi-

bar controlled variety. In iodeed a very complete range of responsiveness

for all

failure outlook, a was registered less than half way up, before the 1 in 2.9

to

the

throttle

is

"driving"
of

is

and the method

largely forgotten.

driving "

done on that control, on the gears " must be

Flexible Engine.

Let it be said, then, that the Enfield outfit is equipped with an engine which gives smooth running at all speeds up to 40 m.p.h. (beyond that we did not go), dead slow pulling, a tick-over when idle, and very easy starting. Our test "run included several " abQut town " journeys in the Midlands and one trip to

was reached. Running backwards on such a hiil no joke, especially when the sidecar passenger is i^iot used to " happenings on freak gradients. However, the dummv belt-drum brake on the front wheel pro\'ed particularly effective, enabling the machine to be held while the driver dismounted. Turning round, it was, decided to give the hill best and try something a little easier, so the new road to the Wyche Cutting was taken and then an attempt was made on the grass track to the summit of the AVorcestershire Beacon. Despite a violent head-wind, this climb was accomcrest
is
''

.Malvern
B2S

and

back;

in

all,

probably

150

miles
^

was

plished with the greatest ease, and, although the wind too high to permit of staiiding upright on the

.^PRIL
Road
circle

2Sth,

ig21.

529
Tests of

New Models.
was not altered (for no instructions were provided) Special praise must be given to the sidecar. Exceedmgly well sprung, it has ample room for the average passenger, and the luggage accommodation is excel!

steps of the
corners.

memorial at the summit, the eighty mile of prospect was enjoyed from ^ariotIS sheltered
it

Descending again, eave the vicinity without having a second shot at the

was considered impossible

to

lent.

The

placing of the tools

iii-

a drawer in the sidecar dash is also an excellent idea.

.

Old Wyche," especially

after

the per-

formance
L'eacon,

on
so

t h e another

Regarding the machine itself, the s a m e remarks on

comfort cannot be applied to the part i c u 1 a r one we sampled. Despite 700 X 80 mm. tyres,
it

attempt was made, and, changing down

early, a successful

perfectly

was made

the

a s

cent
dif-

ference in the two climbs being, in all

probability,
entirely
a question of driver's morale. Being un(Jer the eye of the law, a n d the machine being equipped with tlie huge trade number plates (we felt hke a tester on a sur-

ride,

was bumpy to and something

in

the nature of a spring seat pillar

would
spring

have
forks

been

welcomed;

the
also

appeared to work with extreme reluctance, though poss

i

further
the
initial

milling would have

reptitious

joy-ride),

eased
stiffness
springs.
Tlie Enfield, alter making the ascent of Worcester Beacon.- The sidecar is of goodly proportions, but not unduly heavy, and the springing, too, Is excellent.

no delay was made to admire the scene of our triumph, and a luick run down
'

of

the

Speaking
controls

of the generally

to

\\'orcester

and so home

to

Coventry

was made.

,,

,,

01

,, the handle-bars
,

Petrol

and

Oil

Consumption.

Many machines as delixered siiow shocking petrol consumption, but the Enfield did 50 to 55 m.p.o-. throughout; being a new engine, liowever, the cnl
set

onsumption was high, for the mechanical pump was by the makers to ,i,d\-e a sliiiiitlv smokv exh.iust and

being concealed bar clutch being fitted. The hand starter is easv to operate once the knack is jtcquired, but a certain amount of strength is needed. Mudguarding is-.esiiecially good, and, despite the fact hat large tyres are reputed to be mudslingers, the^ cleanliness of the outfit was satisfactory.

theclean appearance worthy of comment, the cables within the bars and no handle.

is

One

of the chief characteristics of the

new 8

h.p. sidecar

Is the sweet running of the engine. without any symptoms of overheating.

A high

average speed can be maintained