Great War truck Posted July 6, 2020 Share Posted July 6, 2020 Hi Al Sorry for the slow reply. I have been distracted by other trucks. I had heard that there was a Riker over there but it had been "crushed", I think was the words used. How much actually have you got and what do you need. As you know these things are quite rare but occasionally turn up in the strangest of places. I have been talking to Bridgeport and they have scanned some documents for us and have been incredibly helpful. The British army always referred to them as Locomobiles (even after they had changed to Riker) and the US Army always as Rikers. Ideally, what would you like to restore yours as? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted July 6, 2020 Author Share Posted July 6, 2020 Hello, Per my introduction to this forum I included a picture of the main project I have, which is a 1909 Locomobile Model L Toy Tonneau. This automobile was purchased new from Locomobile by my Great-Grand-Dad. I have the engine done, body, fenders and a grundle of other small things completed. Along the way, I had the opportunity to acquire a complete 1917-18 Riker engine. Much of the pieces from Locomobile will or can be made to work so I have some bits and pieces that could help build the engine into a Riker. The Riker engine is the most refined of the Locomobile 4 cylinder engines, manganese bronze crankcase, five main bearings, full pressure oiling, 6' stroke. I am sure you are already aware of that information. The first thing I would like to procure is a Riker or Locomobile 4 speed transmission. If I can't locate a correct transmission, then I would entertain a different make side shift four speed and adapt, (last resort). Next would be the chassis. Am I correct in my thinking that the true Locomobile trucks were chain drive 5 tons, whereas the Riker utilized a worm drive rear axle and was listed as a 3 or 4 ton variant? I see a wealth of information at the Bridgeport Library Locomobile Archive regarding Locomobile trucks as well as the Riker. I have some early Locomobile information in the works right now. It will be nice to get possession and I will update this forum. I just studied pictures of your truck engine and it shows the Locomobile script on the top water manifold castings. My engine shows "Riker" on those castings, but I would bet "dollars to donuts" that the engines are the same. Is your truck titled as a Locomobile or Riker? What year is your truck? I will try to post a few pictures that show what the transmission is that I am looking for. Al. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k2lofty Posted July 7, 2020 Share Posted July 7, 2020 (edited) A Locomobile, taken at Sudbury Mammoth Rally some year ago, think it lives in Suffolk ------------------------------ open in new tab. PAULS TRIPS OUT 2082.mpg Edited July 7, 2020 by k2lofty 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted July 7, 2020 Author Share Posted July 7, 2020 Nice Locomobile truck in action video clip. Thanks for sharing. This clip certainly does give me the "urge" to proceed with the Riker project. Do you or anyone else here have history of the Locomobile shown in the clip? I would like to chat with the owner and l;earn more. Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 I know some of the history. Here is a good image of it in its previous incarnation. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted July 10, 2020 Author Share Posted July 10, 2020 Now that is a story. How many years ago did the Locomobile move from being a home to a running truck again? That would be a nice find! Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 If you click on this link it should take you to some more photos of it, including another one of it as a house: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=XK+548&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiQsYSP3sPqAhUJUhoKHbTGA-sQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=XK+548&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQDDoECAAQGDoCCABQ7u4HWKb9B2CgnAhoAXAAeACAAX6IAe8CkgEDMi4ymAEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWc&sclient=img&ei=6-sIX9CPOomkabSNj9gO&bih=741&biw=1600 I think it sold in 1975 and it was restored by Simons father. I am not sure how long it took but he is obviously a very capable engineer and it comes out to events quite regularly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted July 11, 2020 Author Share Posted July 11, 2020 Nice pictures and thanks for the reference. It looks like this Locomobile has had a different radiator built, probably to replace a missing unit? Do you know the story? I watched the VIdeo clip that showed this rig running at a show. It sure runs nice. Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted July 11, 2020 Share Posted July 11, 2020 Yes, thats right. The original radiator would have been brass but was replaced at sometime with something else - not sure what it was. Simons Dad made a new one from brass. There seems to have been five different radiator types and you can approximately date it from the rad design. What do you have for your Riker? Is there any chassis at all? Gearbox. Axles? Wheels? Starting of with just an engine is probably no worse than what we did with the Thornycroft. It can all be done if you wait long enough and are very lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted July 11, 2020 Author Share Posted July 11, 2020 To answer your question. I have a variety of pieces that could be reworked to build a RIker but I would sooner try to find a rolling chassis or parts thereof. I do have a nice heavy front axle from a 1915 Seagrave and a bunch of wheel rim parts that I could use to put 24" pneumatic tires on the rig. I would sooner hold for solid rubber wheels either wood or cast. The worm drive is going to be a big issue unless I can find a rolling chassis. If not I would probably work with a Timken. No transmission, but I do have a spare Locomobile trans. to modify for use if all else fails. No steering but that one can be overcome. If I wanted to build it more towards a chain drive Locomobile , I have the trans-axle from the same Seagrave donor truck., I also have a chain drive rear axle , brakes and enough frame rail but I do not have the correct looking bowed front frame cross member.. As you can tell I could build a "bits a this and bits a that truck" but would sooner find the right stuff before I resort to that method for building the truck. Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted July 11, 2020 Author Share Posted July 11, 2020 Oh yes, I would sure like to run across an original radiator that is apart so a duplicate set of castings could be made and allow me to have a proper radiator! I imagine that I am really in the "dream mode"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted July 22, 2020 Author Share Posted July 22, 2020 (edited) Here is another picture of Riker trucks at the factory. I hope someone may have seen a forlorn chassis or any pieces laying out that could be used to help with my restoration project It would be nice to order the parts I am missing from the factory...if only there was still a factory........ I would start with the radiator as shown in the picture. 🙂 Al Edited July 22, 2020 by alsfarms clarity of thought 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorset Boy Posted July 24, 2020 Share Posted July 24, 2020 Good luck in this , we are already looking at what needs to be made for the Locomobile, all part of the fun lol😁A couple more images of them in action. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorset Boy Posted July 24, 2020 Share Posted July 24, 2020 One little thing we will need is the Bosch “VD” type vibrating coil for the ignition system on the Locomobile 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted July 29, 2020 Author Share Posted July 29, 2020 Hello Dorset Boy, I have a couple of questions for you. First, does you truck still have its original hood? Secondly, Could you either measure your hood or the engine compartment and give me a good idea of how long from radiator to cowling the hood should be? How tall are the hood sides? I have a lead on a hood and would like to have a fair idea if it is even close to what I should have. Regards, Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorset Boy Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 Hi sorry for the delay in replying. yes it does have all the original bonnet/ side panels. the truck is not here at moment but at my mates who jointly owns this project with me, when I get to see him ile take measurements for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted August 5, 2020 Author Share Posted August 5, 2020 Here is another nice Riker/Locomobile engine picture, at the factory, taken during the WW-1 time-frame. Al 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted August 7, 2020 Share Posted August 7, 2020 (edited) A nice looking thing. In searching for a chassis, how have you looked so far. I would like to think that there must be a survivor in the USA, but our hunt for Peerless trucks over there drew a blank. Edited August 7, 2020 by Great War truck 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted August 9, 2020 Author Share Posted August 9, 2020 So far I have had no luck with my hunt for Locomobile/Riker truck parts here in the USA, (or for that matter even complete trucks). I am an optimist and am well aware that anything is possible to be located under the next "rock". I just need patience and keep up the hunt both hither and yon. Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorset Boy Posted August 9, 2020 Share Posted August 9, 2020 Hi, I will get those measurements for you this week hopefully. i may have a gearbox from a Riker 1918 truck available shortly, will keep you posted if your interested. best ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted August 18, 2020 Author Share Posted August 18, 2020 Here is a picture dated 2009. This Riker truck was part of the Archie Crippen estate auction in Fresno California. Does anyone here have any idea where this Riker truck is now and who owns it? This picture was shared with me on the "Just Old Trucks" forum. Al 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorset Boy Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 Hi, ive seen that photo before, don’t know what happened to it.There certainly aren’t many around.Will hopefully get More photos tomorrow of ours . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted August 19, 2020 Share Posted August 19, 2020 14 hours ago, alsfarms said: Here is a picture dated 2009. This Riker truck was part of the Archie Crippen estate auction in Fresno California. Does anyone here have any idea where this Riker truck is now and who owns it? This picture was shared with me on the "Just Old Trucks" forum. Al I had known about this one for a long time, but was always under the impression that it was in France. US does seem more likely though. It makes you wonder what else is still out there waiting to be rediscovered. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted August 19, 2020 Author Share Posted August 19, 2020 This is off the Riker subject but I will ask this group anyway. Did the US "Kissel" company provide Military trucks in support of the Great War? Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted August 20, 2020 Share Posted August 20, 2020 Well, they built 997 FWD Model B under licence by the wars end. I believe that they also provided some ambulances to Russia and Serbia but in fairly small numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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