VTR / Triumphest

[TR4]

I heard Charles Runyan from The Roadster Factory is driving his TR3 across the country to attend. Say Hi for me if you get the chance to talk with him.

Phil

 

[DNK]

Did he fix his fuel pump?

 

[SCguy]

Tom,

Are you going during the week?

 

[TR4]

Did he fix his fuel pump?

This is a clip from the most recent newsletter from Charles Runyan

Dear TRF Customer...



September will be a busy month, as I still plan to drive to the
VTR/Triumphest Convention in San Luis Obispo at the end of the month. I hope to write my
e-mail newsletters as I travel, but everything else will need to be lined
up in advance. Actually, I will be gone only one weekend, as I plan to
leave on Sunday, September 27th, arrive at the show on Wednesday, the 30th
and start home again on Monday, October 5th or even Sunday evening. That
will put me back in Armagh, Pennsylvania on Thursday, October 8th. I am
anxious to see if this old man and his 49-year-old car can do this again.
When I get back, I will tell you if I think I can do it yet again at some
future date! .

Your friend,
Charles A. Runyan
The Roadster Factory
September 3, 2009

 

[tdskip]

Tom,

Are you going during the week?

I'm going to try to, depending upon work.

 

[Bob_Muzio]

I'll be at the Vintage Triumph Register National Convention combined with Triuumphest 2009 as the Co Chairperson of the event for the Southern California Triumph Association. Additionally the Triumph Register of Southern California is very involved.
As of today we have over 190 registrants, sponsors, vendors, and a whole lot of fun planned for everyone.

 

[tdskip]

Bob - there is a ton of work that has to go into this sort of event. Thanks for effort.

 

[StagByTriumph]

I'll be at the Vintage Triumph Register National Convention combined with Triuumphest 2009 as the Co Chairperson of the event for the Southern California Triumph Association. Additionally the Triumph Register of Southern California is very involved.
As of today we have over 190 registrants, sponsors, vendors, and a whole lot of fun planned for everyone.

I would hope you would be there Bob, or a group of people would be hunting you down with sharp implements!

Add John & Liz to the list of course, and Susan and I as last minute procrastinators, and figure there will be walk-ins as usual with many more last minute registrants in the next 3 weeks. If you have 190 now, I fully expect you will easily break 300 - the booked rooms prove that out.

Cheers!

 

[KVH]

This sounds like fun, but:

a) I'm 500 miles from San Luis O, and have never driven my TR4A on the Interstates;

b) In fact, I've never been very comfortable driving over 55 MPH, and usually keep my speed to under 55 MPH. I know that sounds a bit crazy. However, I've got a standard 4 speed, not an overdrive, and the RPMs do get up there;

c) I've got chrome wire wheels that look great, but aren't quite the best for long distance driving, and the wheel balancing seems to be an issue. My last balance was great, but after 4000 miles I get some very real shimmy again at 53 MPH. I'm told the wires are sometimes just plainly difficult to balance.

I do need new tires, and I've been thinking of getting Minilite knockoffs, but quite frankly, if the drive needs to be on Interstates at 75 MPH, I just don't know that I could do that (to me or the car).

Are most folks trailoring? Going fast? Finding back roads? What about Minilite knockoffs? Will they improve my balancing problem?

Looks like fun to be there, and I could use the excuse to get away!

 

[TR3driver]

So, 500 miles on secondary roads, average maybe 40 mph, you can be there in a bit over 12 hours.

Wire wheels should hold their balance just as well as a steel wheel; but they do require some extra care and knowledge to balance properly. First thing I would check is loose spokes and wheels that don't run true. Jack up the corner and spin the wheel to see if they run true. Tap each spoke with something metallic (eg a wrench) and see if they all sound the same. Then I'd probably invest in a fresh balance for a 1000 mile trip.

But the Minilites will be a lot less hassle; and the old tires just might be the problem. It's not unusual these days for the belts inside the tire to fail before the tread wears out and vibration at speed is one of the symptoms. In fact, if your tires are over 10 years old, I would suggest new ones whether or not you change wheels. Old tires have a disconcerting habit of flying apart at speed.

 

[GilsTR]

The adventure of driving should be something very special!
Sounds like you are on track getting the wheels and tires
up to speeed prior to departure! BUT...if it can not be
pulled together...then trailer. You will be glad you did
when you pull in to a group of 300+ Triumphs!
Gil

 

[mallard]

You can rent a uhaul trailer for $55.00 per day. If you you have a tow vehicle reserve for one day, drop off in CA, and then pick up for the return trip. Two days rental, but do make your reservations in advance.

 

[Bob_Muzio]

Yes Glenn, I'd be "marked man" if I didn't appear.
Let me clarify my statement. There are over 190 registrations which will easily exceed 300 participants.
See you in SLO!!!
Bob

 

[StagByTriumph]

... It's not unusual these days for the belts inside the tire to fail before the tread wears out and vibration at speed is one of the symptoms. In fact, if your tires are over 10 years old, I would suggest new ones whether or not you change wheels. Old tires have a disconcerting habit of flying apart at speed.

I must agree wholeheartedly with Randall here. I have seen far too much damage to LBC's from old tires.
Like Michelin Man says, "there is so much riding on your tires".

For example, if a tire flies apart, it could destroy your fender, cause damage to the vehicle next to you and/or cause you to wreck - which are more cost that a set of tires.

Even if you go get a standard new set of radial tires, you are 1000% better off than old rotted tires, and you might be surprised what you find floating around the inside of your tire between the tube and tire. Tireblack dust tends to accumulate and get pressed into sheets, shifting around the space between the tube and tire causing an out of balance.

So if you need tires because they are old, rotted, and do not put a lot of miles on them, go get a low cost set of radials and new tubes and drive with a bit more confidence.
After all, you have to blow out a Triumph engine of it loads up with carbon.

 

[StagByTriumph]

I wager a beer Bob, you will get at least 250 actual registrations by the end of the day 2 October 2009.
Bet?

 

[StagByTriumph]

Did he fix his fuel pump?

This is a clip from the most recent newsletter from Charles Runyan

Dear TRF Customer...

September will be a busy month, as I still plan to drive to the VTR/Triumphest Convention in San Luis Obispo ... I am anxious to see if this old man and his 49-year-old car can do this again.
When I get back, I will tell you if I think I can do it yet again at some future date! .

Your friend,
Charles A. Runyan
The Roadster Factory
September 3, 2009

Jeff "Cosmo" Cramer made it to Rapid City ND, had so many issues he turned around and drove all the way home.

It was a very noble attempt that probably could have easily continued with a bit more moral support, and he got a lot of touring done through Canada with the TTA Drive from Rochester NY, up through to Toronto, back down to Detroit and Illinois.

In ND it seems as though he was not prepared for three main failures, two that got resolved enough for him to continue, but I think the third, ended up being enough funds to complete the whole trip to Portland, down the coast to SLO, then make it back to NY.

There is a huge difference between driving your TR to the grocery store / 5-6 local rallies, and driving 8 - 10 hours a day for 5-6 thousand miles at highway speeds. You need to be prepared physically, mentally, technically, and financially.

So if you can spare the time , drive your TR regularly and know every nut, bolt and wire, and have the tools, cell phone, towing coverage and access to parts, why wouldn't you take the drive!
We ain't getting any YOUNGER!

 

[StagByTriumph]

Tom,

Are you going during the week?

I'm going to try to, depending upon work.

How about playing hooky on Wednesday, do the 'Gran Finale" Drive to SLO from Monterey, then go work on Thursday?

Make it a "take your boss on a Triumph ride Wednesday" thing.

BTW, John's Tech Session where we are reviewing the whole TTA drive is Friday the 2nd at 4:00-5:00

 

[GilsTR]

Can anyone give us a projected schedule for cars leaving
Montery area Wednesday heading to SLO and Triumphest.
Thinking of catching Hwy 1 South of the Golden Gate and
would be interested in connecting with a group heading South.
Driving a TR3B. Gil

 

[StagByTriumph]

Can anyone give us a projected schedule for cars leaving
Montery area Wednesday heading to SLO and Triumphest.
Thinking of catching Hwy 1 South of the Golden Gate and
would be interested in connecting with a group heading South.
Driving a TR3B. Gil

We will know more as TTSCC starts getting details together.

I noted that they have already uploaded pictures on Flickr last evening
Triumph TransAmerica Flickr Pool

to wet everyone's appetite for the Gran Finale.

My guess (and this is only a guess) is 9:00 am somewhere in Monterey to gather and depart about 9:30 am. Could be earlier if Breakfast with Macartney's is in order.

 

[Guest]

Jedi, balancing of wire wheels is also an issue in Texas. I am told that Discount Tire does them, that I am to ask them if they have a "Euro Machine" for doing the balancing. I have not tried them yet, as I am still trying to locate a new wheel so that I can have a spare tire.

Anyone have a 60-spoke 15" wheel, painted or chromed?

P.S. If you look on the map, Arizona <span style="font-weight: bold">IS</span> San Luis Obispo!! You can't get much closer than Arizona!