Hello all, apologies first, I'm posting this on a few lists just in case it
saves someone else from a brown trouser moment - or even worse!
My '67 Midget is used on AutoSolos and Sprints so is often driven hard.
Fortunately it wasn't in competition when the throttle stuck open last
Saturday. I pulled over as soon as possible, popped the bonnet and saw just
what I expected to see - two return springs and not three. I was a little
surprised having replaced all three springs less than a thousand miles ago,
but heck, these things happen.
I re-set the throttle on the front carb and drove CAREFULLY home using the
lightest throttle possible. Even so, after just the mile or two to home idle
was up at to around 3k. I've plenty of spares lying around especially just
now as the "white" one ('72 RWA) is undergoing a minor rebuild so I set
about replacing the missing spring. Then the fun started.
I fit the springs to the throttle linkage first and then stretch them down
to the heat shield using thin nose pliers but no matter how careful I was
the spring kept dropping off. Eventually I convinced myself that I wasn't
having serious senior moments and took a closer look at the throttle lever
and got a nasty surprise, the spring had worn right through the lever. I've
attached a photo so you can see what had happened.
Things went from bad to worse.
I've three full sets of carbs and a number of spare bits but every single
throttle lever is showing signs of similar wear albeit that only one had
worn through completely. With my son and son-in-law scheduled to compete in
Abingdon CarNival Sprint on 11 June I thought it best to buy new levers.
I could not believe it when neither MGOC or Moss had stocks of levers.
"We've never been asked for them" they told me. Are mine the only ones to
ever wear?
Even SU Carbs website parts list doesn't list them but I'm pleased to say
that a telephone call to SU Carbs meant that I now have the last two
throttle levers for the rear carb that they had in stock. No need to panic I
understand that they will be making more soon and have five front carb
levers still in stock.
I'm sure that some of you will be saying "silly idiot, everyone knows that
they should check throttle lever wear to avoid a brown trouser moment". But,
if my experience prevents just one such moment - or even worse - for someone
out there I really don't mind if I've given everyone else a laugh!
Bill Mexson
07961 817610
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