Your Traffic Officer
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Year Published: 1940s
Format: 16mm
Description: The Los Angeles Police Department presents "Your Traffic Officer," a late 1940s black-and-white training film that shows what it takes to be a motorcycle patrolman on the new freeways in post-World War II California. Six people lost their lives on a "modern highway" in the past year (probably the 110 Freeway) the narrator explains at the film commences. The efficient execution of traffic regulations is key to keeping the roads safe. A motorcycle officer zooms across the screen (mark 00:53) as the narrator explains how a well-trained officer can make the difficult job look easy, and are offered the position only after passing physical and educational requirements. Mark 01:45 takes the viewer to a training class as instructors are shown teaching "the safe way to ride." The training film offers detailed information on each part of the motorcycle, from carburetor to siren. Trainees are shown how to run the engine and operator the speedometer (mark 04:50), as well as how to operate the front and rear wheel brakes. Each element is put together starting at mark 05:30 as the training officer starts his engine, and then shown how they operate together on the road (mark 06:37). New recruits are encouraged to also learn from veterans as part of their on-the-job training (mark 07:45) "and learn your job by doing," we are told. The motorcycle shown at 1:29 appears to be a Harley 74 cubic inch panhead. This was the sport bike of its time as it featured overhead valves instead of a flathead. It was 1200 cc or 74 cubic inches with a 3 speed transmission. It had no rear suspension in those years unlike the Indian Chiefs. They had six volt systems unlike todays 12 volts. Supposedly they were not preferred by police as the indian motorcycle could be set up having the accelerator on the left, freeing up the gun hand. Their top speed was around 89 mph but could be modified to go faster later on, but on the roads of the day that was much faster than any car of the times could maintain. They ran a chain in both the primary and final drive and had an oil piston under the seat for comfort. Although the Knucklehead was one of Harley's crowning achievements, by the mid 1940's the Big-Twin was in need of an update. Harley engineers updated the Knuck's upper-end with aluminum heads which reduced operating temperatures, and added hydraulic valve lifters which reduced engine noise. The new heads were topped off by redesigned rocker covers which resembled upside-down roasting pans, prompting the nickname "Panhead." The V-twin engine displaced 73.73 cubic-inches (advertised as 74ci), which was derived from a 3.44" x 4" bore and stroke. With 7:1 compression ratio, 50 horsepower was produced at 4,800 rpm. The bottom end was basically unchanged, but the engine cases were modified for the new cylinders, and a new camshaft was designed for the new valve system.
Complete Record:
Transcription
[Music] [Applause] modern highways highspeed transportation that's the answer to our traffic problems or is it last year on this very roadway six persons lost their lives modern engineering is not enough the efficient enforcement of traffic regulations is important in any traffic program a well-trained experienced officer makes this job look easy but it's still dangerous work it requires a lot of hard training and Peak physical condition only men known to be qualified for it are assigned to this task officers for motorcycle enforcement work are carefully selected through a series of mental and physical tests physical condition is important prospective Riders are carefully trained and expected to maintain their condition while assigned to this type of work for your safety as as motor officers a knowledge of your equipment is necessary meet your new partner know it well your life may depend on it this is your motor training class get all you can out of it it's for your protection these instructors are chosen for their ability to teach you the safe way to ride before you are permitted to ride you must know your equipment this is a Harley-Davidson 74 cubicin in overhead valve motor on the left side is the choke lever the ignition coil the voltage regulator the spark plugs these parts will be further explained to you during your training period the gear shift lever with positions similar to those in your car this rocker type clutch is engaged when the forward pedal is pressed and disengage when the rear pedal is pressed the siren is operated by pressing this pedal forward and forcing the siren shaft against the rear tire important operating Parts located on the right side of the motor will include the distributor which is adjusted by the left handlebar grip turning left for retarding and to the right for advancement for the novice it is advisable to keep the spark adjustment about 1 half Advan this will prevent kicking of the starting pedal the carburetor air cleaner should be checked for sand and gripped frequent cleaning will ensure the efficient operation of your engine inside the air cleaner is the choke valve it is operated from the left side of the engine and has four positions this regulates the position of the valve and hence the amount of air flow other controls will be found on the top of the motor and are the central ignition lock and headlight switch it has four positions first to the left is parking lights on and ignition off first to the right is ignition on second position to the right is ignition on and Main lighting system on now we're back to neutral or switch off first to the left parking first right ignition second right ignition and lights and finally switch off the speedometer is controlled by this electric stop button this steering damper is for high speeds and rough roads the electrical switch on the left left handlebar controls the red light this hand operated lever actuates the front wheel brake which is operated independently of the rear wheel brake now we're ready for our first ride watch closely and see how it's done whoops hey I missed that come on back and let's see how it's done that's better kick starting lever down the depressed pedal is not dangerous as the ratchet type gears disengage but be careful to press the pedal all the way down as a kickback might injure your leg retract sideand and disengage the clutch shift lever to low gear Advance gas throttle slightly and engage the clutch by pressing forward and you're off let's see it once more switch on Kick pedal down clutch out in gear advance gas engage clutch and there you go on your solo hop let's see how these controls operate in actual writing throttle acceleration and deceleration slowing and controlling of speed with foot brake shifting gears for VAR speeds and pickup clutch in and out while shifting that's good you're on your own be careful and good luck a divisional order of the police department requires a speedometer calibration card for each motor used in enforcement work at least once every 90 days this scientific ific checkup May often be the deciding factor in the court presentation of your case tests are given to all officers to assure proper clocking methods and enforcement techniques as in all teaching experience is most valuable watch your fellow officers and learn your job by doing make safety your first rule always keep your motor under control and through better traffic enforcement we we can save lives [Music]
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