alsfarms

We may have a real problem if we had to rely on a city folks description and characterization of WW-1 Khaki green as defined by a "fresh cow pie". Modern city folk likely have never had the joy of a piping hot steaming cow pie on a cool morning, let alone study the dang thing for color!!! 🙂 🙂 I for one know exactly what that means as I grew up on a working dairy and beef cattle farm. Here is a test question for those WW-2 experts among us. What is, in your mind "S--- on a shingle"? With this question, not only can we equate cow pie to the green Khaki color, but with the above question, we can equate taste and smell to a product that we eat! Now back to Riker and military. Did any of the WW-1 Allied Navy equipment come adorned in Navy Blue, (similar to WW-2)? Or during WW-1 did our Navy's use Khaki green also? Andy, nice article on early color photography. Al

HMMMM, does anyone have pictures from the time that may show the subtle differences in Khaki paint used by Allied partners? I tend to note the during WW-2, Germany utilized a Military green that was darker than used, at least by the US and likely other Allied partners. Al

Here is a question for the readers here. Steve made me think on this question. Is the Khaki green used by all WW-1 Allied countries the same? Al

Chris, I agree with your opinion on paint. If the blue paint is even close to the original paint from many years ago, I would certainly have suggested just to tidy it and let it be as is. I can't tell from the picture if the blue paint is its self a recent repaint, then I suppose a repaint is simply a matter of preference of the current owner for display. For this Riker bus, I think the blue fit the rig better than red....but that is just my opinion. I would certainly like to see this bus up close and personal in either color but it is located a long ways from Utah! (Most anything is a long ways from Utah)! 🙂 Al

Thanks, I need a bit of a reminder that maybe I can finish collecting parts for the Riker if I can see a good one once in a while finished and running state. Al

Any pictures or video clips of a runnable Riker from a European country? Al

One kind enthusiast is going to share a photocopy of a 1917 "B' model FWD truck service manual. I am certainly hopeful that I will find the information that I need. If anyone else needs FWD information, maybe I will be able to help. Al

..........and I thought that the superstition of "three's" was only an American thing!!!! 🙂 I would sure like to stumble on a set of three Riker parts trucks! I hope that these very fascinating Renault trucks can find an owner to show some love and attention and bring them back from the current "Dormant" state of affairs. Al

I have tracked down a multi-disc clutch I have needed. This clutch assembly is from a 1918 or earlier vintage FWD, with a Wisconsin engine.. I am after a copy/print/picture of the clutch throw-out assembly and clutch brake assembly. Can anyone here help me out with that information and potentially parts? Alan

The Riker previous owner told me the story of who took possession of the Riker from him, with the idea that he would be able to buy it back should that time ever come. As the story goes, the next owners family had a sell off, which included the Riker, but it moved on to another owner. He didn't know more only that he suggested that the Riker is still in the California coastal area still. He is helpful and if he, or some of his truck buddies, comes up with more current information he will share that information. Interestingly, my hunt for information on Locomobile and Riker trucks has put me on to a WW-1 Pierce-Arrow truck project. If something comes of that lead, I may need to start a Pierce-Arrow truck thread. Al

Here is a bit of a "Riker" update. I have continued to scout around in my efforts to track down the Riker shown earlier in this Riker thread, located on the US west coast. I was lucky enough to speak, over the phone, with a previous owner of the before mentioned Riker truck on the US west coastal area. That particular Riker truck has changed hands at least twice and maybe three times and from what I can gather is still located on the US west coast. I will keep my perseverance up in my effort to track down that Riker and report here as I learn more. In the mean time, any help from the "cheering" section here would be most appreciated. Al

Nice reporting, pictures and update.... Al

I don't understand what is amiss with the shifter. What do you think? Al

Here is a picture of a Helleshaw design clutch I am in need of. Do you happen to have one that is not being used? Al

I did not make it to the Van Horn Museum. Iowa is quite a "drink of water" for me with Iowa being a couple of days drive one way. I don't get that way often. He must have had a decent collection, but it takes money to fund and operate a Museum and it sounds like the gas ran out for him and his family. I would bet that more than a few of his trucks ended up at the I-80 Museum. Al

Nice video clip of the I80 Trucking Museum. Take a watch.... Al

Hello Tim, From a different forum I was referred to a fellow that is associated with the remnants of the Hays collection. two thirds of the trucks were liquidated with the remaining rigs being stored in a good warehouse facility in Reno. This gent has invited me to drive west across Nevada and spend some time with him where we would take a look at the Hays collection as it now exists and also his own small collection of trucks. This gent was also very familiar and a friend of Archie Crippen, the northern California truck collector whose collection was liquidated a few years ago. I will ask him if any of the Hays trucks made it to the I-80 Museum. There is also the Robinson Truck collection that is located in Salina Utah. That collection may have a few rigs from the Hays collection also. Al

I recommend you check out the link shared by Johnny above that shows a small taste of the Old Hays Museum trucks now residing in a warehouse in Reno Nevada, (Part of the old Harrah automobile museum now the National Museum). Some nice trucks and they are out of the weather. No I didn't see the Riker or Locomobile trucks, maybe those trucks will appear on a future virtual walk-around. Al

On another note. I have been past the "Heartland Military Museum" located in Lexington Nebraska. Each time I have been in that area the Museum has been closed. Has anyone here been to that Museum? I think most of the display is WW2 or newer but I don't know for sure what they may have that is not currently on display. Al

I have been digging around for information relating to the current disposition of the Hays Truck museum inventory since the museum was closed in 2013. The museum was to be relocated to Reno. I also guess that a portion of the museum inventory could have been sold off. Does anyone here have any update information to share? If the Hays Museum is now set up under another name or business front in the greater Reno area, that is just across the state of Nevada from me and I would like to make a trip. Help out if you can with any information. Al

We had our first snow of the season and I am not ready for the cold weather yet! The worst of our winter weather doesn't arrive until around January 1, (then look out). I would dream of a few more Riker parts from which I could get my hands dirty on, but not so much yet or maybe for the long term. Al

I wish I had seen this thread while it was still active! It proves that we just don't know what is still out there laying in the weeds! Al

Nice craftsmanship Ben is doing on the radiator. I would need to study and read up in order to build the shell and then all the core pieces to make it all function as it should. This is a great forum to study and enjoy! Al

Steve, That is nice craftsmanship. I am guessing that the radiator is to be cast in aluminum? Do you have the sides in pattern form yet? What is your plans for the core? If I stay with the Riker project, I will need to build the radiator for that truck also. Al

OK Dorset Boy.... I took the bait.... How did the first day of Double Decker war bus work go? Do you anticipate a full on rebuild and replace most of the wood. Or is this a seek and destroy mission where you repair as needed and get on with the upper deck? As I have studied your pictures, I can see the subtle differences between the Locomobile radiators and the Riker. Do you feel the worm drive arrangement is the same for both? Al