An Artillery Wheel for Motor Cycles, Easy to Clean and Light in Weight.
THERE is no doubt that the ordinary wire wheel is very troublesome to clean, for the spokes are numerous and it is difficult to get at the hub; many motor cyclists will, therefore, be glad to hear of a wheel which very closely approaches the wire wheel in the matter of weight, and possesses none of the disadvantages just mentioned. The Starley wheel which we illustrate is the invention of Mr. William Starley and is of very interesting construction. Ten lugs are riveted to the rim, the latter being made as usual; over these lugs are placed the spokes, which in the centre fit into malleable wedge-shaped pieces like the ends of the spokes of an artillery wheel.
For convenience of fitting, a certain amount of play is allowed between these pieces, and, when the spokes are in place, corrugated steel wedges are forced between these pieces from the inside, thus the whole is held firmly together. A groove is then turned in the centre and a liner inserted, which is spun into the groove. Next, a hub is put through the centre and bolted up with a flange on each side, the bolts going through alternate spokes. The spokes are formed from steel tube rolled to an oval section, but running to a point on each side. This gives great lateral stiffness, but at the same time the wheel has a certain amount of spring. The parts are all made of steel and polished before assembling, thus very little finishing off is needed, and, as no wood is used in the construction, the whole can be stove enamelled.
Wheels made in this way are absolutely true and very strong. The inside of the rim is unusually smooth owing to absence of spoke heads, the riveted lugs before mentioned lying flush with, the inside of the rim. The weight of the wheel is very little more than the ordinary type, being 9 lb. complete. The wheel is made by the Jointless Rim Co., Long Acre, Birmingham, and is at present being tried by certain well-known firms with a view to adoption in 1915.
The Future of the Artillery Wheel.
It will be exceedingly interesting to watch the development of what may be termed artillery wheels for motor cycles. Since the advent of steel wheels on the Clynos in the Scottish Trials there has been a considerable amount of spade work done in this direction.
There are also many possibilities about the disc wheel which was designed many years ago for use on pedal racing bicycles, one of the objects being the elimination of the air resistance of a large number of fast revolving spokes, the skin friction of the polished disc being almost negligible.
The Motor Cycle, September 3rd, 1914. p289.
