Debenham Sisters
Betty and Nancy Debenham, with their dog, Poncho, were keen motorcyclists. Nancy won a Gold Medal at Brooklands in 1926.
The Debenham Sisters
Humber.
The Humber Company have produced an entirely new 3½ h.p. model for 1912 embodying many improvements and refinements. Following the practice of the lightweights, which have met with such success this year, the new 3½ h.p. has a désaxé crankshaft. The bore and stroke are 84x90 mm. The side by side valves are operated by adjustable tappets, having fibre insertions in the heads. This should go far towards deadening the valve chatter, which is still a defect in many modern motor cycles. A half compression device is now fitted, consisting of a double exhaust cam and operated by the exhaust lift lever. This is so arranged that a slight movement of the lever brings the half compression cam into action, while a greater movement raises the valve completely off its seating in the usual manner. Placed behind the engine and well protected from mud and dust is a Bosch magneto controlled from the left handle-bar. A large silencer with a simple roll over cut-out is fitted in front of the engine, and an exhaust pipe of ample dimensions is now fixed by an internal nut which adds to the neat appearance of the power unit.
Detail improvements consist of a dropped top frame tube, a front wheel stand, a rear mudguard hinged behind :he carrier and an improved stand. The spring forks are on the well-known Druid lines, and have scimitar blade side members. The petrol tank runs the full length of the top tube, and has a separate cylindrical oil tank let into it. This is a novel and praiseworthy device, as it makes for ease of construction and consequently absence of leaks. The front brake has a simple shoe adjustment, while the angle of the rear brake shoe, which is of the internal V-type, is also adjustable.
This model can be supplied either as a single gear mount (in which case pedals are fitted) or with an improved form of two-speed, in which several points are worthy of notice. The gear is still manufactured under Roc licence. This year there will be three planetary pinions instead of two. The high gear will be operated by an expanding cast iron liner, while the low has a contracting Raybestos lined band. The gear is fitted with ample thrust rings and bearings, and is so constructed as to be and mud-proof, while having a neat and light appearance.
The whole rear wheel may be easily removed by detaching the gear rods and removing three nuts. The two-speed model is fitted with footboards, below which runs a counter-shaft carrying a simple acting cam which prevents the possibility of engaging both gears at once. Neither the 2 h.p. nor 2¾ h.p. model has been altered to any great extent, but the company will list a very neat open frame model fitted with the standard 2 h.p. engine.
1911 Olympia Show - The Motor Cycle October 5th, 1911. Page 1043
HUMBER, No. 40.
Humber, Ltd.. Coventry and London. – The 3½ h.p. Humber engine has been re-designed for 1912 and now carries the magneto in a more convenient position behind the engine; the armature is driven by a train of gears. The frame has a dropped top tube, special type Druid forks and front wheel stand, and is fitted with rubber-covered footrests, from which the gear pedals are operated. The rearward portion of the back mudguard is hinged to facilitate tyre repairs, and the front guard is formed with side flaps extending slightly forward of the forks. The main portion of the petrol tank is formed from one piece of metal, and has a cylindrical oil tank let into it. The valves are operated by adjustable tappets. A half-compression device for easy starting is operated by a lever on the' left handle-bar. This machine can be supplied with fixed gear and pedals or a; free engine. Further descriptions of this model have appeared in our recent issues.
The engine of the 2¾ h.p. model is identical with the winner of this year's Junior Tourist Trophy Race. It will be remembered that the cylinders are off-set, and this feature applies to all Humber models. The position of mudguards, forks, frame, tank and magneto is similar to the 3½ h.p. model but on a lighter scale. A single silencer is fitted to the front of the engine and has a foot-operated cut-out on the left-hand side. This model can be supplied with free engine. Armstrong three-speed, or fixed gear. Pedals or double footrests can be fitted to any of these types at option.
The 2 h.p. single-cylinder lightweight remains exactly the same as before. A 2 h.p. lady's model is also shown, but this has only undergone slight alteration since it was last described in our pages.
The Humber Co. are exhibiting a railway inspection trolley fitted with a 2 h.p.. engine and driven direct by a single chain. We hear this is for a special Argentine order: The company are also showing the actual mount on which P. J. Evans won the Junior Tourist Trophy Race and on which Sam Wright recently broke, the Twin-cylinder Lightweight Hour Record.
1911 Olympia Show - The Motor Cycle November 23rd, 1911.
