[TR] Choke cable

[John Macartney]

Pete Bieling wrote:
> My question concerns the choke cable. After you pull the cable out
> is it supposed to slowly return to the off position or stay where you
> put it.

Pete,
The answer to your question is like so many others associated with Triumphs - and this is, "it 
depends."
My own view is that as far back as the TR3 the choke cable was of the RGHI (requires gentle human 
intervention) type. However, history has proved conclusively that RGHI chokes soon reverted to 
SBASAYPIO condition (shoot back as soon as you pull it out) - especially if the choke pull-off 
springs were too strong.
Of course, in the decades that have passed since your car's build, it may have been modified by a PO 
to the more 'respected' specification of PATTL (pull and twist to lock) PATTL chokes were endemic to 
the British motor industry in the 60's and 70's and for the most part soon became FJOW (failure just 
outside warranty) by which time there was little to choose between RGHI and SBASAYPIO types.
If you are a purist and strive for *originality* an RGHI pattern is the one to go for but I would 
recommend you upgrade it by adding a CPOAPOS conversion (clothes peg on a piece of string) to give 
it the genuine 'period' look. Sure, it'll upset the Concours Judges, but in my experience on the UK 
side of the pond, they're mostly some damned obsessive that they judge all cars without paying any 
heed at all to the original manufacturer's TIACAWCDI (this is as cheap as we can do it) build 
policy.
So, the bottom line? I'd go for an RGHI choke and a CPOAPOS conversion - and leave it at that :)

Jonmac

PS The Triumph Trans-AmeriCa Stag will next year complete its marathon journey with a CPOAPOS choke 
set up. So much more in keeping with the car than furry dice swinging from the rear view mirror and 
nodding dogs in the back window.