S2S APRIL 28 til, ig2i._ Model Two feelings uppermost in our mind when taking over the 1921 Royal Enfield sidecar outfit for a test run were curiosity regarding the new Vickers- made engine and a little uncertainty as to the pos- sible difficulty of manipulating a lever-controlled selective two-speed gear after a long sequence of machines with 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 engine of a lorry, each moment apparently coming to a standstill and t he n carrying over dead-centre in a way W'hich mystified all who watched it. In the case of a two-speeded side- 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 manipula- tion as one of the handle- bar variety. In tight corners iodeed a very complete range of responsiveness to the throttle is essential, for all driving is done on that control, and the method of driving on the gears must be largely forgotten. A 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 .Malvern and back; in all, probably 150 miles ^ B2S SPECIFICATION. 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). THE 8 h.p. ROYAL ENFIELD TWO- SPEED SIDECAR, WITH THE NEW VICKERS BUILT ENGINE. 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 small degree even on a 4}^ to I top gear, and, as the engine is almost com- pletely silenced at the exhaust and has only slight tappet noise, it gives a decided impression of 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 its 9 to i low As most modern .three-speed sidecar outfits are geared about 14 or 15 to I on bottom, some littlt- doubt was entertained as to the possibility of a succes.-- ful climb, and. perhaps, in consequence of this pessi- mistic outlook, a failure was registered less than half way up, before the 1 in 2.9 crest was reached. Running backwards on such a hiil is 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 a n a tt em pt was made on the grass track to the summit of the AVorcestershire Beacon. Despite a violent head-wind, this climb was accom- plished with the greatest ease, and, although the wind was too high to permit of staiiding upright on the