The 1922 Olympia Show.
Zenith (Stand 21.)
Chain-driven Twins and Singles.
8 H.P. MODEL.
85.5x85 mm. (976 c.c.); V twin cyl. four-stroke; side valves; drip feed lubrication; Amac carburetter; chain-driven mag.; 3-sp. gear; clutch and kick-starter; Chain drive; 28x3in. tyres. Price, £125.
Zenith Motors, Ltd., Hampton Court.
In the latest edition of the 976 c.c. Zenith the lessons of many years of catering for the soloist who favours big twins, plus those of 100 m.p.h. records on the track, have been cleverly blended to produce one of the most attractive solo machines in the exhibition. In brief, now that chain drive has almost entirely ousted the belt from public favour, the Zenith Company has more than moved with the times.
The frame is very neat and promises considerable rigidity, while the saddle height is low. The footrests are sensibly placed and are of the flat type as used by Le Vack on Brooklands.
The price quoted is for a model with the super-sports J.A.P. engine; £10 less is charged for the standard power unit.
An extremely racy mottled aluminium sidecar with a streamlined chassis is shown attached to this model.
3½ H.P. MODEL.
68x68 mm. (494 c.c.); flat twin. cyl. four-stroke; overhead valves; mechanical lubrication, Claudel-Hobson carburetter; gear-driven mag.; 3-sp. gear; clutch and kick-starter; chain drive; 26x2½in. tyres. Price, £106.
Little change has been made to the Bradshaw model, which was the first make to which this type of oil-cooled engine was fitted, and which is still the only one to use the flat twin version. The rocker gear, however, is now enclosed and wick-lubricated.
Since the centre of gravity of the machine is comparatively low down, this model possesses several advantages as a solo mount, but it has been proved in several important trials that it is capable of hauling a sidecar anywhere with reason.
2¾ H.P. Model.
70x90 mm. (346 c.c); single cyl. four-stroke; side valves; drip feed lubrication; Amac carburetter; chain-driven mag.; 3-sp. gear; clutch and kick-starter; chain drive; 26x2½in. tyres. Price, £69 15s.
The 345 c.c. Zenith is not in any way a startling design for the most part it embodies standard proprietary units but it is thoroughly pleasing in appearance, particularly in its sports form, and well finished in detail. Another exhibit with a 293 c.c. J.A.P. engine is materially the same; it is priced at £65. Only one. Gradua-geared (variable pulley) model is shown; it has a 654 c.c. J.A.P. engine, and a clutch and kick-starter.
Olympia Show 1922
The Motor Cycle, November 30th, 1922. Page 840
