Cushman Eagle

CUSHMAN EAGLE

Cycle World Scooter Test

ONE DISTINCTION, among many our test scooter this month has, can be said for only one other scooter; it is American made.

First impressions of the Silver Eagle are a trifle misleading. The seating position, spread and feel of the handlebars, soft spring seat and folding footboards all feel peculiarly similar to a quite large machine any motorcycle enthusiast can tell you a great deal about. But that is where the comparison ends; though the often soft and spongy ride imparts the sense of being seated on the aforementioned 74 cubic inch machine, the 10-inch diameter wheels will quickly bring things back into their proper perspective with the first corner that comes up.

None of this is meant as criticism of the Silver Eagle; in reality we intend it favorably. That a machine as small can impart the secure feeling of its much larger brother is indeed a compliment. It is a little bit more amazing when it is seen that the rear wheel is rigidly fixed to the frame, an archaic practice at best but one of both expedience and economy.

The Silver Eagle abounds with interest ing features, beginning with the hand some and costly die-cast aluminum engine. Outboard Marine Corporation, the parent company of which Cushman is a subsidi ary, using their vast experience gained in the manufacturing of some of America's best .outboard boat engines, has apparently applied some of this invaluable know ledge to the Eagle's power plant. Rated at 9 hp, the OMC four-cycle, singlecylinder, overhead valve, fan - cooled engine develops its power at only 4,000 rpm and its 15 foot pounds of torque at an even more amazing 2,500 rpm.

Devotees of serious engine design will find delight in the specifications of a 3.50 inch bore and a 2.25 inch stroke, laying farther aside the old wives' tale that a low torque engine need be of long stroke design. Considering the 21.65 cubic inch disniacement, its torque peak at a minus cule 2,500 rpm is an interesting revelation. Almost entirely die cast, the cylinder bar rel and head are cast as one and are bolted to the die-cast crankcase; cam ground pistons are also employed and OMC's engineers make a rightfully proud claim that heat expansion is as equal as it can be in an air-cooled engine.

Electric starting is an option, and our test machine came to life at the slightest touch each time we tried it. The 12-volt starter motor is a Bendix unit. A new clutch is used with powdered metal weights and of aluminum construction. The sliding gear type transmission has two speeds and is used in conjunction with the centrifugal clutch, giving a semi automatic drive. Though we would like to have had at least one more speed in the drive system, and a hand operated clutch with a foot shift instead of the foot-actuated clutch and hand shift lever, both of which went out with high button shoes, we found it an easy system to master.

Telescopic forks are employed that are controlled by air and coiled springs, and though on the soft side, they offer a stable ride and quite a bit of comfort. One department in which the Eagle can stand up to many is that of brakes. Both wheels have 6-inch diameter drums with 1 1/16" wide shoes and heavy duty lin ing; they should be able to take an enormous amount of abuse before losing much of their stopping power.

Standard equipment amounts to full lighting equipment, effective muffler and a rear-mounted luggage rack. It is in the optional extra department that the new owner can change his machine into a somewhat dazzling display; the list in cludes a selection of several windshields, several mirrors, chrome plated front bumper, speedometer, white sidewalls (urp!), chrome sidestand, fibreglass sad dlebags, chrome seat rail, chrome gas tank band, pillion seat and foot pegs and a chrome battery cover. Who could ask for anything more?

Dimensions are; 54 inch wheelbase, 73" overall length, 33" width (across handlebars~), 39" overall height, and 272 pounds weight. Top speed is around 60 mph. and it gets there quickly enough to satisfy all but the most demanding scooter enthusiasts. .