Charawacky

Elvington wings and wheels 2010 Here is a rough log of the journey to Elvington. Departed Gisburn Saturday 0900 Managed to get about 1 mile from home then spluttered to a stop, fortunately on a gradient (no electric start and will not start on the handle) , disconnected fuel tap from pipe and pushed up a bit of wire to clear tap. Bumped started and away 2 miles further along just made it to another gradient and stripped carb having borrowed a pair of pliers from a nearby house to remove jet, bumped started ok. Made a further 4 miles and turned round to face a slight down hill on a lay-by on the opposite carriagway. Kept engine running whilst completely removing fuel tap from tank, cleaning out congealed solder from tap whilst stopping fuel from escaping from tank with my finger and allowing a little fuel through to keep engine running! Then replaced tap without too much loss of fuel on to flywheel and exhaust pipe! Rejoined road to continue journey to Elvington. Stopped for fuel at Pool, engine stopped whilst in pay booth, convinced two bikers to give me a push and away again. Water pump now leaking badly. Successfully made York missed a turning (no navigator) and travelled 4 miles wrong way until I saw some MVs going in other direction only to follow and find out they service MVs not going to this event but took me to a signed junction to Elvington. Made it to the show site Saturday. Rear right brake now making a strange noise so decided to reset hand braking compensator for even pull on both drums. Late afternoon the Crossley joined the road run of 25 miles which at one point had no hedges and a series of switch backs which gave an excellent view of other MVs travelling at speed. The Crossley was now making a squeaking noise as it had done a few days before when the fault was traced to a UJ within the torque tube which was cured by having the correct oil level in the gearbox. The road run half way halt was a disused airstrip so the opportunity was taken to add oil to the gearbox without reference to the oil level plug due to time constraints. The foot brake now became ineffective as the gearbox oil level was too high and was flooding the transmission (foot) brake. The squeak remained and was investigated on return to base. Excess oil drained from gearbox. Run to Elvington Fuel Station to fill the 4 gallon dash mounted tank, hand brake had to be freed off manually as it was found the rear nearside drum brake actuator was not returning correctly On return to base purchased and jury rigged a bungee strap to assist in return of lever. Water had lost cooling water at an alarming rate of 1 gallon on the 25 miles road run, running out of thread on pump gland adjustment nut. No spare gland material so scrounged some hemp just in case I needed something to get me home. Had an excellent night in good company and slept in the back of the Crossley, drank to much and found it to be quite a drop from the tail gate to the ground when emptying my clog 3 times during the night. Sunday was a good day: Highlight which made it all worth it – Crossley Tender Awarded Best in Show Departed for home, elected to take the same relatively flat route through Harewood, Otley and Skipton Travelled down the A64 behind a 6 wheeler MV at about 40 mph, (estimated by doubling the engine oil pressure reading, the only gauge I have) Turned off at Tadcaster, oil pressure now fluctuating on right hand turns indicating low level Stopped just after crossing the A1 to add oil to sump, not very successful as the engine had to be kept running and a portion as spit back into the cooling fan airflow and at me. Much water added and pump gland tightened again Transmission problem could be felt, the Tender would now not roll under it’s own weight and a squeak could be heard. Decided to add oil to the back axle in case rear UJ located inside the Torque tube was not being lubricated. Purchased Fuel and oil for axle from Pool service station again engine kept running, oil added to rear axle. Water replenished Engine now sounds different Pulled off at Otley to investigate engine, problem could not be found, but the Tender would not roll under its own weight until it was driven a little, passer-by invited the Crossley to a meeting at Howarth next weekend, declined due to tender teething troubles! Coming out of Ilkley engine struggles to set tender off from lights. Pulled off onto a minor road, forward motion is now difficult. Very loud backfire reports coming from exhaust Getting a little worried so sat for a while to think. Chocked the wheel and found the offside brake drum lever is now being actuated by the bungee on the nearside lever back through the compensator! Slackened bungee. Found a bolt had come been lost from the exhaust allowing air in to create the backfires. Replenished cooling with water Travelled with confidence to Skipton. Pulled in at the same Lay-by where the fuel tap was cleaned to replenish water. Drove home at speed daylight beginning to fade (no lights) Parked in shed, closed door, had a bite and went to Bed. After approx 200 mile round trip I am wiser and getting to know my Crossley. This is they only way to find out the running problems short of a full rebuild and common sense is the only reference for a vehicle which is almost a singleton. I had eventful, superb weekend and extend my thanks those who helped me and also the members of the YMVT for staging the event, I also thank God it did not rain. Tom

Hi Never been to this event before, I am thinking of driving over from Lancashire in a WW1 Crossley if it will get over blubberhouses and the brakes hold up, then kip in the back Sat night if there’s anyone who would cook my breakfast or is there a breakfast caterer on site? Hope it doesn't rain, no windscreen! and if you see me stopped I may need a tow! Surprisingly I have a rope, but no starter and I cannot start it on the handle, although I guess there will be someone who can show me how to! Any Volunteers? Tom

Agreed, I would expect it to be good mechanically Have you any images of what it should look like? Tom

WW1 Fiat offered at Auction http://www.brightwells.com/3rdparty/orphanspress/classiccars/viewdetails.php?id=1709 Did not sell - opportunity?

The Squadron is reforming I wonder how long it is since these two RFC Crossley types came together. Tom

Two Good days, some nice people and stuff Thanks for comments re Tender The Tender ran well about 40 miles each way some things fell off: One greaser One brake rod turnbuckle Had to replaced one gearbox to engine flexible fabric drive coupling at Riverside. The second one is looking poorly, so I now need another new one with 6 holes @ 41/2" centres - any out there? Also looking for a spare Bosch ZU4 Mag Tom

I will be there with the RFC tender, If you see me stopped at the road side I will have stalled it. Please give me a tow as I cannot start the engine on the handle with the poor magneto currently fitted. The correct mag which would start on the handle ran its sherlac last week end and is now away being rewound. Sorry no Jerry Cans, See you there Tom

Here is a clip with one truck you should recongise from this thread plus a Peerless ! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxnDNdLJ4RU Tom

How the Germans used their Staff cars What make is it? The picture below is an German Albertros on a trailer behind a Crossley tender driven by an Australian! Tom

Baloons were also experimented with at Epsom: FWD? Am I in the right thread?

Have a look at the police Flying Squad Ex RFC Crossley Tenders which were the first vehicles they purchased in 1920, they seem very similar to the one in the RAF picture. There are various reasons given for the Mobile Patrol Experimental being renamed "The Flying Squad" however it would be nice to think it came from the Royal Flying Corps Tenders.

Here is a picture taken before the Staff Car went for wiring John Rice is stood by the Car looking workman in the evening sun. I can always rely on John for that billet of steel when the stockists are shut at weekend or late a night so I can make a part, he is a willing helper for any two man job I cannot manage. He has many strange mechanical devices, currently rebuilding a 1902 DeDion, a Monet & Goyon AUTOMOUCHE and he is looking for a "Pramotor 750cc V-twin with direct drive" image Google it! :-D Tom

Can anyone explain what is going on, my guess is the RAF marked tender communicates with aircraft reporting back the accuracy of the guns? Tom

Thanks for the comments its nice to know the filming is appreciated as my 12 year old son risked taking the film (risking his life in the process :nut:) or did my other son really take a bigger risk by traveling with me? Here is an interesting picture from the Hodge Collection (permission given for none profit use) Tom

Photo Session sounds good, Tender found to be running on 3 due to sticking valve on no 2 cylinder, now running on 4, everything on the tender has little wear but requires to be stripped freed off or resealed. Tappets still to be set so very noisy! but running very cleanly. See Youtube video:

Tim The option was to collect parts from here and there but the condition of some of the most important parts was very poor, they will still be for sale but should only be considered by the very brave or a fanatic! Tom

Thank you for all the positive comments which makes me feel justified in this acquisition and my intent to get it out and about. A SE5A might a stretch too far; I don't think I would get it past the wife. Have a look at these you tube clips I have put together (3 parts): Regards Tom

I had the intention of building up a tender having purchased a gearbox and being offered a chassis, an engine, axles and new radiator. However before committing to this expenditure and long term project I decided to do some research including being allowed to inspect what is considered to be the most original tender in existence which had not been seen out for a decade. When I visited to photograph I was informed it was for sale! As with these things one thing leads to another and I now have the tender in my possession. On closer inspection after I got it home, I find the Tender has had very little use and the more I inspect it the better it gets, this is not always the case with new purchases! The staff car is currently away being rewired and I have this weekend borrowed to copy the Crossley castings for mounting the correct starter motor which I also duplicate for the Tender. This will make the Tender more readily usable and so will get used and seen more. Parts are shown below with Rotax starter motors and a picture looking back from the flywheel on a 1919 25/30 the motor is mounted underneath. I am looking for a Rotax Starter with large pinion as the one on the left or a pinion assy to convert the right hand motor. Tom

Can anyone help with information on a Crossley Tender owned by JH Sparshatt & Sons They certainly campaigned it on the London to Brighton in 1966, entry no 43 I am particularly interested in it's history up to and including Sparshatt ownership and who from this company may still be around to advise. Please find below some pictures showing the tender today. Tom

The snow having cleared I have been out clutch testing. Initially it slipped in 3rd and top probably due to too much neetsfoot oil, however this corrected itself and works fine now. As the clutch is quite easy to press so I will change the clutch spring for a new one to ensure there is no possibility of slippage. This would result in glazing of the leather surface and then continuous slippage. I am expecting the Staff Car to have a top speed of about 60 mph, a Crossley light tender must have compared well with the heavy RR Armoured car's max speed of 45 mph. Here are a couple of pictures from the BBC documentary this week showing Laurence of Arabia with a Crossley Tender, the documentary also showed a clip of a 20/25 staff car being driven in Cairo.

I have riveted the Leather material to the Clutch and fitted it, the result is very good, a very smooth uptake, or wa it the snow! The leather should have been thicker as the cone protrudes out of the housing a few mm, will correct when next relining it. Hopefully the clutch spring will be strong enough, road testing will confirm this summer, I am told I will have to take some fullers earth in case i experince slipping. Please find a llink to a short video on youtube: Regards Tom

I am interested in what clutch face material are you using and what would have been used originally? I have just changed from a composite to leather with backing springs because the clutch uptake was very severe. Yet to be tested. Tom

Here are a couple of pics of the Staff Car out and about some time earlier in India 1966 just prior to repatriation. Merry Christmas. Tom

Thanks for your Good Luck Enigma which has done the trick: http://www.youtube.com/user/stadioscope1#p/a/u/1/1Cd3gpLueEg http://www.youtube.com/user/stadioscope1#p/a/u/0/oOAY6PfJfLo I now need to reline the clutch and it's on the road for a drive. The Crossley Staff Car pics from India will be posted on the 25th if I get time after opening my presents. All the best to everyone for the Christmas and the New Year Tom

Nice car, Is that a light fifteen behind the Peugeot?