[Spridgets] Almost a brown trouser moment.

[Linda Grunthaner]

Bill if you post photos on a photo site we can see them. We can't see them
if you upload to the list.
Lin

On Fri, May 27, 2011 at 8:00 PM, Bill Mexson <billmex at msn.com> wrote:

> 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
>
> [demime 1.01d removed an attachment of type image/jpeg which had a name of
> Throttle Lever1.JPG]
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