From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Centralized lubrication systems, their market adoption, and benefits for steering.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\N\2October1925-December1925\ Scan76 | |
| Date | 12th June 1925 guessed | |
| contd :- -2- GENERAL ADOPTION. The first car to adopt a centralized lubrication system was the Cleveland. This was the Bowen system, not nearly as well designed as the Bijur. Last year Packard came out with the Bijur system. Now Marmon announce the Bowen. The others are following as quickly as possible since centralized lubrication sells a car to the lazy chauffeur and the woman-driver alike, and these two factors are the whole market. In this respect the Bijur system or its equivalent will shortly be considered in the same rank with a self-starter, that is as an essential accessory. CONVENIENCE. It means that a woman owner of a Packard can drive her car single handed from Boston to Los Angeles without any heavy or dirty work except in case of tire trouble, and she can always get help for that. I have driven my Packard 2500 miles and have kept it perfectly lubricated by the centralized system without any trouble or failure or having to take off my coat. BETTER LUBRICATION. Quite apart from the consideration of human idleness however the Bijur system by the simple pulling of a handle every morning or every 100 miles supplies an oil which is always fluid (Arctic oil can be used all the year round if desired) to every important bearing on the car. This lubricates perfectly our three 'difficult' places, namely - the steering pivots, rear spring shackle pivot, and rear spring pivot. If these are neglected they get very stiff and grunt; and can only be brought back by easing the weight off them. STEERING ON SILVER GHOST. With the Bijur system the steering in particular keeps in the most perfect condition. After about 100 miles continuous running, the steering noticeably begins to stiffen a little. It is then only necessary to pull the plunger and have it free again. Even with balloon tyres and our high-geared steering one can steer and park the car with the greatest ease by lubricating the pivots in this way. (OV) | ||