More KR200 problems

[Bob Purton]

If anyone plans fitting the new MOC club rear wheel or Panzer wheel as it has become known, I thought I would share my experience with you. I fitted mine this Saturday. What I expected to be a ten minute job ended up taking all afternoon! Its been a few years now since I restored my car and I had forgotten about all the other parts I got from the club that didn't quite fit, don't get me wrong, its all good stuff on the whole and a much wider spread of parts are available compared with other clubs but be prepared to have to fiddle and fetter. Also it has to be said that the service is not as slick as when Helga Bonner run partsmart with German precision and efficiency although I do appreciate the efforts of the club officials in keeping our cars on the road. The first problem I encountered was being sent two wheel halves of the same side, both halves had a valve hole on them, I waited months for a replacement that never arrived so I ended up welding the valve hole up on one of the halves. After a repaint due to the welding I fitted a new Vredestien 8 ply tyre, the ones I have been promoting and selling on ebay. At last I was ready to fit the blessed thing! Or so I thought! Because the new wheels come up about half an inch wider than the originals I had been warned that it was a squeeze getting the wheel and tyre in as the silencer gets in the way so I was prepared for that but what I was not prepared for was the fact that the centre hole was not big enough and wouldn't fit over the hub centre. After half a dozen times of taking it off, turning out a few thou, refitting, ect I finally got it on although by now the spray paint finish was wrecked and had to be blown over a third time. Was it worth it? Well its a safety issue so yes, the reason for the club producing the new rear wheels was because the fifty year old originals are now starting to crack with metal fatigue. The really noticeable benefit of the exercise however was getting on the Vredestien 8 ply tyre, Oh boy does it make a difference!! The old feel of having to 'ride' the rear of the car and compensate for its wallowing about was gone, the forward stability is improved beyond recognition! If anyone wants one of these tyres I have a few left from a batch I got from Holland but be quick. The purpose behind this story? Do all your machining and fettering of this wheel before you paint it and fit a tyre. A message to the MOC, A great product but just a little note to buyers to say that it may not fit first time would saved a great deal of time and trouble!

[Dan Rodd]

Its a common problem with reproduction parts,you get it a lot with classic bike bits.On the one hand we should be thankful there are any at all for us to have,but on the other the quality control can be shocking.Often for an often needed part someone will step in and get a decent batch made up,they might cost a bit more but they will be right!

When you use a classic bike as your main mode of transport it can be important to have the right bits,when you need them.I usually have to plan ahead with the Ariel,there is a fantastic big company that does Ariel spares,and they remanufacture a lot as well as supply spares.There is virtually nothing i cant get for it off the shelf.They do however take about a week to send an order out,but i know they are busy.Sometimes though ive rung up to check and they hadnt actually processed the order

For something as critical as a rear wheel though i thought it would take but a moment to run a vernier through the centre of the original and get the right diameter though.

[Bob Purton]

Well thats what I thought Dan but I guess the hub centre diameters could vary over the years of procuction and they may have made the holes to fit the smallests ones. Just a note to explain that there may be a variation would have saved so much trouble. My Morini sailed through the MOT last week so I'm thumping around the country lanes like yourself Dan, enjoying some sunshine whilst it lasts!

[P50]

This is why I would never ever consider restoring an EvilBay basket case KR.  Trying to get everything right and functioning with a mixture of repro and orig parts is a massive headache.

No, just keeping my junk roadfit takes up enough time. Always something to fettle and fix. 

However no matter how bad the bits may be at least there are parts available. For that we should be thankful.  My KR is 99.9% FMR.  What a blessing that turned out to be!!  For sale when I'm dead!!  Driving today was fun. But Mr Public can be tiresome..

Onwards and upwards!   

[Bob Purton]

Are you driving on a new rear wheel Perry or still risking it on an original? To be honest i think an old one is fine for average journeys, all the failures I have heard about have happened on a long haul, I plan to be doing a fare bit of that so I thought I had better play safe. What rear tyre are you running on? If you want to sample one of mine as a fellow rumster you can have one at cost!

[P50]

I gave my KR a right once over last week.  My front sus has settled just a little so I have very slight neg camber.  I was told by the club boys to leave it as I'll get decent handling (which I do) nice turn in etc. 

Trouble is the inside of the tyres wear just a little more than the outside. They're Michelin C's and good. So I turned them round L to R and put a really good C on the back.  So all my rims were down to their halves. They looked alright so back on they went.  The rear looked fine too but for good measure I swapped it with the N/S front. All told it drives sooper dooper! 
No panzer wheel or Vredestein required just yet.  Although would be nice if Michelin started doing the 8" C again. Bastards! 

Big job after this season is I think poxy crank seal on box side. I think it's burning ST90 slowly but surely. And points seal's just started to weep too.  So come autumn I'll split the case, regasket/seal and attend to anything else I may find. Although save oil issue the engine's a cracker! 

Rebuilding a KR for leisure?  I'd prefer to knaw off my own hand!!   

[Bob Purton]

I know what you mean, they are a particularly ackward car to restore, after my first I vowed never to do another. Mine was a complete and original car but rotted out so had to weld in new floor and lower tub sides. Basicly you have to build the whole car up and drill all the trim and hinge holes, fit  the trim ect then dismantle it all agian before painting. Then start all over building it up to final finish. Mine took me years! I have a good engine except for a slow oil leak. We never did go out for a drive together, do you fancy taking yours to Battlesbridge next sunday? We can give each others car the once over! I will be there anyway.

[P50]

As long as the weather's sound then yep I'll drive over to Battlesbridge. I had it penned in anyway.

Not a bad generic type show. Bit of jumble etc.
What time do you intend to go etc? Maybe I come to yours first?! Are you Hornchurch? Strength in numbers etc etc...

[Bob Purton]

That would be fun. I have not thought about times yet but we will speak nearer the day. I dont think I have your email but mine is on my profile so if we dont run into each other on the forum you can drop me a line. Lets hope the fine weather holds.

[Dan Rodd]

ive only ever had the chance to do it once,but driving in convoys,even if just 2 cars,is great fun!

Heres a pic of me last year sat in my old 1970 Regal 21/E,at the back of a line of around 15 Reliants,heading the pack was a 1949 girder fork van and Elvis Paynes 3 wheelers.com Regal van

[Bob Purton]

 It certainly is! I remember my first convoy, 1995 i think, Hengrave hall East Anglia rally, I was in my Nobel and I smiled for a week afterwards. Rod Emerson had someone in the back of his Mk1 scootacar filming it over his shoulder and when Rod took a corner a little fast the camera went all over the place and anyone watching the video would have concluded they had rolled it into the ditch, hilarious! Show us a picture of the girder fork van then Dan, we already know what a Robin looks like!

[Dan Rodd]

in flight pic inside my regal,going round the mini island you should be able to see the girder forker

[Bob Purton]

Oh yes, didnt the motorcycle makers James build a simular van?

[Dan Rodd]

They did indeed,there were several makes at the time,Raleigh-then Reliant,James,AJ Stevens(AJS Motorcycles)