The New Zeniths.
To talk of improvements in the Zenith is to talk of painting the lily. But such a talented designer as Mr. F. W. Barnes is not the sort of man to deny that what he has introduced cannot be brought still nearer perfection. For 1912 he has started an innovation quite as important as the introduction of the Gradua gear, but of a much more simple nature. We all know what a tedious matter it is to remove a back wheel from a motor bicycle, and no one apparently has been more alive to the fact than Mr. Barnes, as he has made the Zenith rear wheel detachable in about thirty seconds. This is considerably quicker than the smartest amateur motor car driver can remove a detachable wheel on a car, as, in addition to getting out a special spanner, a mallet, and a jack, he has to raise the wheel off the ground to detach it, while the Zenith stand comes into action in two seconds.
Were there room to carry one conveniently, a spare wheel complete could be carried and utilised in the 1912 Zenith. The improvement is simplicity itself. Two fork ends are screwed into the sliding plungers in the chain stays, and adjacent to the near side one the brake carrier is fixed, the end of which also shaped like a fork end. To detach the wheel it is only necessary to slack both the spindle nuts, drop away the brake carrier, hold it to one side, twist the wheel to clear it, and the rider is free to mend a puncture or change a cover. Barnes will be probably wheel changing against time at the coming Show.
The slots through which the plungers slide are now underneath the chain stays, so that any dirt which may adhere when wet, falls away when dry. The 1912 Zenith frame has its top tube slightly dropped at the rear, and has a horizontal seat-pillar, but should the purchaser be a tall man provision is made for a vertical seat-pillar. The spacious luggage carrier is bent over and fastened to the rear guard, and above where it joints the latter a number-plate is fixed at the bottom of which a red reflector is fitted as a standard. The position and design of the brake pedal have been improved, so that the pedal may be operated by the toe if the rider's foot is on the rear footrest, or by his heel if his foot is on the front rest. The rear footrests are now made easily detachable, so that they may be removed to be straightened if bent by a fall. The engine is now built into the diamond portion of the frame, and the back forks and chain stays are bolted on separately. The silencer of the single is now made so that it can be easily detached for cleaning, and the two ends are rigidly bolted to the engine cradle. Other improvements are a cover to the gear-operating chain between the sprockets, and a new method of lubricating the expanding pulley by injecting grease through the hollow engine-shaft by means of an injector supplied with every machine. The faces of the pulley flanges are ground to the correct angle after hardening.
The models shown will be the 3½ h.p. single-cylinder and the 6 and 8 h.p. twins with and without sidecar attachments.
1911 Olympia Show - The Motor Cycle November 9th, 1911. Page 1178
ZENITH-GRADUA, No. 19.
Latest model 3½ h.p. Zenith-Gradua, the improvements in which are enumerated in the reading matter.
Zenith Motors, Ltd., Weybridge. - The chief feature of the 1912 Zenith is the new system of attaching the back wheel, which allows the latter to be removed instantly. The details of this interesting system appeared in The Motor Cycle issued on November 9th. Though the improvement is seemingly a very small one, it is none the less of great importance, and we may mention that models are shown on the stand which serve to show how quickly the rear wheel may be removed. The finish of these machines is of the best, and their many successes on the road are a proof of their excellence. The machines are particularly well equipped. A well-designed luggage carrier is fitted, terminating in a V, which carries the number plate and a reflex rear light. The top side of the gear operating chain is now provided with a guard. Spacious tool-bags which incorporate an inner tube case are supplied. Side wings are now fitted to the front mudguard, while the rear guard is enclosed on the off side, and is of ample dimensions. In all other respects this excellent machine remains unaltered.
Except for the fact that a 6 h.p. engine is fitted, the details of the twin model are the same as above. A working model of the Gradua gear is shown on the stand, and a large number of machines, some with sidecars.
1911 Olympia Show - The Motor Cycle November 23rd, 1911. Page 1257
