keith417

Thank you, Tim. All avenues appreciated. It's Ruby's Big Six-0 on 1st March so we're giving her a make-over this year. However, sadly due to family matters it is unlikely that we'll be doing the RBRR. If not, Chris & I would still want to come to Knebworth with Ruby to see you all off.

Well done. A good job.

Thanks Clive for the response. V helpful.

We also bought ours in the week of our Ruby WA. Ours is red and white! Photo taken last Friday (10th Feb) - Drive Your Triumph Day. Cross Keys Swing Bridge in S Lincs. in background

I am wanting to re-carpet our Triumph Herald (Ruby) and at the same time do some soundproofing. In particular I want to get moulded carpets as the carpet I put in previously came in flat sections and the area around the gearbox has never looked very neat (lots of folds etc). The only supplier of such seems to be Newton Commercial. Has anyone had experience if their moulded carpets, or can anyone suggest any other supplier? Also any suggestions for what kind of soundproofing to use at 1. the bulkhead, 2. around the gearbox & transmission tunnel and 3. over the floor areas?

Thank you Rob and Rosbif. Great detail. Much appreciated. It sounds straightforward. I may have more questions when I get round to doing it, which may be a day or so yet.

My 1963 Triumph Herald 1200 saloon's radiator coolant needs replacing and the radiator needs a good flush, probably a lot of crud in it. Haynes manual talks about 'leaving a hose running in the radiator cap orifice for ten to fifteen minutes'. Presumably this is using normal tap water, but elsewhere I read tap water should not be used under any circumstances. Also some refer to using a Speed Flush or cleanser. What should I use? When it comes to refilling the system, what is best to use. Haynes says 'rainwater'. I've got plenty of that in butts. What about anti-freeze? I've read some anti-freezes are only for modern cars. What would be best for my old 'gal'? Any tips on emptying existing coolant as well would be helpful. Any help, advice etc. appreciated.

Thanks for all the comments so far. Much appreciated. It doesn't seem as though this is a major problem for anyone. I'm still in two minds about whether to use stabiliser or not. So far this year it's been running smoothly. However, worth bearing in mind if issues do occur.

Chatting with a friend last week who owns motorbikes and variety of petrol driven garden equipment and he mentioned the use of a fuel stabiliser in all his machines to avoid clogging-up during long period of non-use (e.g. over winter). In fact, anything over a month of non-use. Talked about other folks he knew that had had to have major repair work done on engines, especially carburettor, when stabiliser additive not used. Has anyone experience of this, particularly now we are having to use Super unleaded? Recently had problems with start up and tick over and cleaned out carburettor in my Triumph Herald but this started almost immediately after I'd filled up with petrol and suspected dirt from the petrol station's tanks. But perhaps not. My friend has recommended System Guard by Motorex or Sta-Bil from Gold Eagle Co. USA. Any other recommendations or comments on these ones appreciated.

Does anyone know of there are any spaces for showing a car on our Club Triumph Stand at NEC in November?

Thank you everyone for your helpful comments. It's reassuring, though rather scary, that I'm not the only one who has experienced this. It sounds as though none of you had accidents when your brakes failed, and I'm pleased to hear that. I don't recall ever having this issue before either when I owned Heralds in 70's or since owning Ruby. A good overhaul and replacing MC and the fluid sounds in order. Not sure how old the fluid is. I'll check with the guy that does the servicing as to whether he has replaced it any time. If not then it'll be some years old.

Last October, Christine and I decided to do a mini RBRR in Ruby, our 1963 Herald 1200 Saloon, over a distance of some 225 miles. During one section about half way round we got held up in a long queue of traffic edging forward very slowly for a considerable period of time - stop/start, you now the kind of thing. Following that Christine (who was driving at the time) said the brakes didn't feel "quite right". Then as we approached a T-junction to a major A-road we had complete brake failure. Christine had the presence of mind to use the handbrake and we slewed across to the centre of the road, where there happened to be a filter lane, where we stopped. Thankfully there was no traffic coming from the right just as we slid across, nor did we travel across into the traffic travelling in the other direction. We managed to get the car off the road and my first thought was to look in the brake reservoir, but this was full. (I checked the other one too just to make sure I wasn't looking at the clutch fluid!! My mind was a bit frazzled at the time!) So I was perplexed. We got Ruby home and put her in the garage and there she has stayed all over the winter and spring. I've now checked again and the reservoir is definitely full. I checked the brakes and they seemed fine so I took her out for a careful road test (there's little traffic where we live) and the brakes functioned perfectly well. (Just to say, she fired up first time of asking having been sat idle for 7 months.) So... Question: What might have happened on that day last October? What should I be looking for by way of necessary repairs? Any thoughts, advice, help appreciated.

Hi Rob, Have had family with us all weekend, so haven't checked out Forum. Excuse my ignorance - "I'll PM you re:sale" PM?  

Hi Rob, Yes, a bit different but it looks like the fixing holes are in about the same position. As far as I recall the size of the doors on the Herald and the Vitesse are the same. Although it still functions OK the passenger door mechanism is also worn (only know this as I used that to see what the other one should be like and how it worked). So a pair would be very acceptable. Are you willing to sell? If so, how much? Happy to pay for postage, though I notice you are also in Cambridge group so we may not be too far from each other. I actually live in S Lincs but very close to the border.

Hi Rob, Thank for replying and for being willing to check our your spares. I've been doing a bit more tinkering and have managed to get the cylinder to stay in the elongated holes in the panels on either side but the central rod is clearly well worn so it may only be a temporary solution. At least I am able to open the door from the inside for the time being! Would still consider having a spare to hand in case it goes again.