After 26 years, she moves under her own power!!!! Brakes are poor.

[Bumpa]

Today, for the first time in 26 years the 1850HL moved under her own power. Just down the cul-de-sac and back, but it was quite a moment for me after two years of recommissioning. Naturally, not everything is fine. The SU carbs still leave a bit to be desired. Once the engine is hot they are fine, but it is a bit of a struggle to keep the thing going while on the choke. It seems to need a lot more enrichment than I would expect in the current warm weather.

And the brakes feel pathetic. The pedal doesn't pump up so I don't think there is air in the system, but the pedal travel is long. I suspect that is due to the absolutely crappy rear adjuster arrangement. Whoever designed that should have been stood up against a wall and shot. I don't suppose there's any way to convert it to manual adjustment? Is there any way to wind up the adjusters with the drum on? The lever that is supposed to do it simply skips over the teeth and makes no effort to turn the toothed wheel. Everything is nice and free with new slaves that will slide on the backplates, but the adjustment just plain doesn't work.

Still, I feel I'm getting there at last.

Mike

[dollyman]

Hi Mike,
Adjust the self adjusters by hand without the drum on, bit at a time till it feels as though it is binding slightly. Press the pedal with the drum on after every adjustment. Also disconnect handbrake cables from cyl's before doing. Result..... perfect pedal Self adjusters never work Pain the bum doing it this way, but it does work.

Tony.

[GTS290N]

Thanks for the pics, looks good. Would be nice to meet up when she's on the road, but your car might not want to be seen next to mine!

[Bumpa]

Thanks for the pics, looks good. Would be nice to meet up when she's on the road, but your car might not want to be seen next to mine!

Where are you? Anywhere near Troon?

Mike

[GTS290N]

Edinburgh. Near depends on perspective!

[Bumpa]

Edinburgh. Near depends on perspective!

My older son and his family live in Edinburgh so we are over fairly often. I'll let you know when we come over in the Dolly, but it won't be for a couple of months at the minimum.