Okay guys, here's your chance to help out all the travelers. Marty asked for suggestions on what to bring and what to leave home.....give it your best shot. Only three days to go so start packing!!
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Okay guys, here's your chance to help out all the travelers. Marty asked for suggestions on what to bring and what to leave home.....give it your best shot. Only three days to go so start packing!!
Basic tools:
Hammer, wrenches and sockets, various screwdrivers, vise grips, adjustable wrench, pliers, wire cutters. Duct, electrical and blue painter's tape, spare 12 ga. wire, fuses, bailing wire, test light. Spare complete ready to drop in dizzy if you have one, fan belt, extra alternator pulley shims, spare set of plugs, quart of oil, fix a flat, shop rags, waterless hand cleaner, paper towels, real towels. Cell phone and charger.
Your AAA card.
I'm sure there is more from others.
Have a safe uneventful trip Marty. ~Alan
Hammer, wrenches and sockets, various screwdrivers, vise grips, adjustable wrench, pliers, wire cutters. Duct, electrical and blue painter's tape, spare 12 ga. wire, fuses, bailing wire, test light. Spare complete ready to drop in dizzy if you have one, fan belt, extra alternator pulley shims, spare set of plugs, quart of oil, fix a flat, shop rags, waterless hand cleaner, paper towels, real towels. Cell phone and charger.
Your AAA card.
I'm sure there is more from others.
Have a safe uneventful trip Marty. ~Alan
Guys,
I hate to point this out but none of us on the West Coast pack all of this stuff. We rely on good maintenance and the reliability of our cars to allow us relaxed and worry free vacations.
I am not really throwing stones here but you must quit worrying about your cars breaking down. This culture of being prepared for problems is making many possible new owners gun-shy. Why should anyone buy a Replica Speedster if they must be pampered this much and if the driver cannot expect them to be reliable?
Look at Jack Crosby's 3500 mile journey with a new motor ... if he thought it was unreliable would he have made the trip? Please, just get in your cars and enjoy the trip. Keep your cell phone and your towing insurance handy (if you are truly worried) and just let it go. These are reliable, good, fun cars and should be viewed that way, NOT thinking about being left on the side of the road like and "old Harley".
I have done thousands of miles without a single problem. The only reason I trailer to distant events is because I like the quiet of my Escalade and the ability to pack many things and spend days enjoying talking quietly with the Lovely Miss Sharon while we enjoy the miles, and miles, and miles.
Enjoy the trip. You have wonderful cars.
Happy Trails,
Dusty and LMS
I hate to point this out but none of us on the West Coast pack all of this stuff. We rely on good maintenance and the reliability of our cars to allow us relaxed and worry free vacations.
I am not really throwing stones here but you must quit worrying about your cars breaking down. This culture of being prepared for problems is making many possible new owners gun-shy. Why should anyone buy a Replica Speedster if they must be pampered this much and if the driver cannot expect them to be reliable?
Look at Jack Crosby's 3500 mile journey with a new motor ... if he thought it was unreliable would he have made the trip? Please, just get in your cars and enjoy the trip. Keep your cell phone and your towing insurance handy (if you are truly worried) and just let it go. These are reliable, good, fun cars and should be viewed that way, NOT thinking about being left on the side of the road like and "old Harley".
I have done thousands of miles without a single problem. The only reason I trailer to distant events is because I like the quiet of my Escalade and the ability to pack many things and spend days enjoying talking quietly with the Lovely Miss Sharon while we enjoy the miles, and miles, and miles.
Enjoy the trip. You have wonderful cars.
Happy Trails,
Dusty and LMS
Dusty,
Nothing wrong with being prepared. For some of these guys this trip is the longest they've taken in their Speedster - and some of us have built these things with our own hands. Don't have Raby-engineered engines either. Plus there's not alot of room to pack stuff. I'd wager Jack squeezed in a couple of "what if's".
Nothing wrong with being prepared. For some of these guys this trip is the longest they've taken in their Speedster - and some of us have built these things with our own hands. Don't have Raby-engineered engines either. Plus there's not alot of room to pack stuff. I'd wager Jack squeezed in a couple of "what if's".
Pack tools and supplies... Travel with confidence knowing you have a shot at fixing what ever might need adjusting. A majority of these cars, it's their first long run. Hell, I still bring along supplies and I live just 34 miles south of Carlisle. ~Alan
Not even sure where to begin... but feel free to ask me at Carlisle.
Hmmm...
- Enough underwear (guess what I forgot one year)
- Layers because weather in Carlisle is fickle. Sunscreen too.
- Camera
- Cell phone
- Beer, Oban, or adult beverage of choice
- Lawn chair
- Hat
- A sense of humor
- A few tools "just in case". If you DON'T bring any you are more likely to need them. Besides, you can always use them to help the one guy who has a problem. We always have one of those.
- Enough underwear (guess what I forgot one year)
- Layers because weather in Carlisle is fickle. Sunscreen too.
- Camera
- Cell phone
- Beer, Oban, or adult beverage of choice
- Lawn chair
- Hat
- A sense of humor
- A few tools "just in case". If you DON'T bring any you are more likely to need them. Besides, you can always use them to help the one guy who has a problem. We always have one of those.
I tend to pack things that have caused me trouble on past trips. For my trip to Florida I packed a spare distributor and timing light because i had just installed a distributor that was purchased used online. Lets just say it wasnt "as advertised". I didnt need the spare, ended up using one my brother gave me in Atlanta. He did not have a timing light... I did. It all worked out. I ALWAYS pack a spare clutch and throttle cable. I have had both go out on me (at different times) 800+ miles from home. It is an easy fix if you have the parts and they dont take up much room. We do not have the availabilty of parts houses here on the east coast that you do out west. I sat for an hour this Saturday waiting for someone to show up at Peak Performance to get a new shift rod bushing. Asked a guy next to me (waiting in his bug) if there was any other store around. he laughed. SO, even the ones we have arent that reliable... kinda like the chinese crap they sell as replacement parts.
Ive put +/- 18000 miles on my speedster in less than two years. Have multiple trips to Florida and the Carolinas under my belt.
For what its worth my bag includes:
set of points
fuel filter
throttle cable
clutch cable
nitrile gloves
shop rag
oil
tools
blue tarp (it rains on the east coast)
bungees for tarp
fix a flat
fuses
a 4" piece of breather line to help remove/install spark plugs (but i dont pack spark plugs??? weird)
pack of camels and a pint of Jameson (cant afford the oban)
I pack my Carb Snail and Timing Light when ive been fussing with the tuning and its not quite there. I know my car well enough to know what i need and dont before each trip.
Pack smart and enjoy the ride.
Ive put +/- 18000 miles on my speedster in less than two years. Have multiple trips to Florida and the Carolinas under my belt.
For what its worth my bag includes:
set of points
fuel filter
throttle cable
clutch cable
nitrile gloves
shop rag
oil
tools
blue tarp (it rains on the east coast)
bungees for tarp
fix a flat
fuses
a 4" piece of breather line to help remove/install spark plugs (but i dont pack spark plugs??? weird)
pack of camels and a pint of Jameson (cant afford the oban)
I pack my Carb Snail and Timing Light when ive been fussing with the tuning and its not quite there. I know my car well enough to know what i need and dont before each trip.
Pack smart and enjoy the ride.
Here you go> Resurected from the depths of roadside despair:
https://www.speedsterowners.com/forum/readmsg.asp?t=16683
But if I were going this year, I would add a bottle of Jamesons to match the one from Paul.
I'm jus' sayin.
Oh, and Dusty! In the 12 years I've been on the road with Pearl, I've only used one of my on-board spares just once - Year before last, I had a dash light burn out and changed it on the show field. Worst part was contorting my body to get under the dash......
But I HAVE used my spares to help a whole lot of other folks and I seem to remember a few spares disappearing when we built Lane's car - that's what happens when your kid knows where a sure stash of parts is ;>)
Most used spare? Fan Belt. Most unexpected use of a spare? A tie wrap (zip tie) wrapped around a battery cable to prevent shorting after it chaffed against a frame member.
PAUL! Here's a tip I got from the late Jim Ward, Dead-ass driver that he loved to be:
Get a spare distributor hold-down clamp for your spare distributor. Assemble it to the spare disti and then install the whole shebang to your engine, hook up everything else, static time it and then start it up. THEN use your timing light on it to dial it in to whatever advance you want, then tighten the clamp around the disti stalk to lock it in. Once dialed in, either pull it out and pack it for a spare or use the original disti as a spare, whichever you like best.
When you remove the disti for anything, just note where the rotor points on the rim and pull out the disti with the clamp attached. Install the "spare" disti such that the rotor points at the same, exact spot on the rim and it should start right up, no timing light needed.
gn
https://www.speedsterowners.com/forum/readmsg.asp?t=16683
But if I were going this year, I would add a bottle of Jamesons to match the one from Paul.
I'm jus' sayin.
Oh, and Dusty! In the 12 years I've been on the road with Pearl, I've only used one of my on-board spares just once - Year before last, I had a dash light burn out and changed it on the show field. Worst part was contorting my body to get under the dash......
But I HAVE used my spares to help a whole lot of other folks and I seem to remember a few spares disappearing when we built Lane's car - that's what happens when your kid knows where a sure stash of parts is ;>)
Most used spare? Fan Belt. Most unexpected use of a spare? A tie wrap (zip tie) wrapped around a battery cable to prevent shorting after it chaffed against a frame member.
PAUL! Here's a tip I got from the late Jim Ward, Dead-ass driver that he loved to be:
Get a spare distributor hold-down clamp for your spare distributor. Assemble it to the spare disti and then install the whole shebang to your engine, hook up everything else, static time it and then start it up. THEN use your timing light on it to dial it in to whatever advance you want, then tighten the clamp around the disti stalk to lock it in. Once dialed in, either pull it out and pack it for a spare or use the original disti as a spare, whichever you like best.
When you remove the disti for anything, just note where the rotor points on the rim and pull out the disti with the clamp attached. Install the "spare" disti such that the rotor points at the same, exact spot on the rim and it should start right up, no timing light needed.
gn
Gordon said "...seem to remember a few spares disappearing when we built Lane's car...".
Hey! I found some loose tools in the car when I was chasing some rattles after I first got it. One was a big-ass screwdriver well over a foot long, and another was a set ot wire cutters. The rubber grips on the latter got a bit burned buy something hot.
Hey! I found some loose tools in the car when I was chasing some rattles after I first got it. One was a big-ass screwdriver well over a foot long, and another was a set ot wire cutters. The rubber grips on the latter got a bit burned buy something hot.
I would not know how to use 80% of that stuff so I will take the bare essentials and the AAA card. I do have a spare electronic dizzy. Roland even said it makes sense to have a spair belt. Almost forgot the fold up lawn chair; thanks Lane.
Marty--for sure on the spare belt but to be sure you can install the belt you also need:
* 19mm socket and handle--to take the pulley nut off.
* Good sized screwdriver-to hold the pulley from turning so you can
loosen & tighten the nut
* Some spare pulley washers to adjust the belt tightness
And maybe a sheet copied from a bug owner's manual showing how to change the belt. In fact a bug owners manual for the year of your pan
is a big plus alomg with the Muir book.
I am working on a new approach to listing what should be carried and rather than just listing a bushel basket full of tools, it would be based on the JOB you might need to perform---like the above. It will go like this;
CHANGE A TIRE- spare tire, sissors jack, hubcap removal tool, tire tool that matches your lug nuts.
FIX A FLAT- tubless tire repair kit, air pump that works off the lighter socket )or co-2 tubes) Air gauge.
REPLACE FUSES-spare fuses and a fuse diagram.
NO SPARK TO PLUGS-spare dist cap, rotor and Pertronix module. Spare
Bosch coil, spare plug wires (plus meter and sheet on how to troubleshoot)
NO FUEL PRESSURE-fuel pump, spare fuel filters.
OTHER-for long trips with overnights, I enjoy having a 9mm on board.
UNFIXABLE PROBLEM-AAA Premier care, cell phone and some $$$.
It seems to make more sense to base a list on what jobs you want to perform. On many of the "here are the tools you need to pack" lists I have seen socket sizes that don't even fit anything on a Speedster---it's just part of a set.
It would be nice if others would contribute to this sort of a list and we could have a very practical list of fixes we might have to make and the required tools for that particular repair.
* 19mm socket and handle--to take the pulley nut off.
* Good sized screwdriver-to hold the pulley from turning so you can
loosen & tighten the nut
* Some spare pulley washers to adjust the belt tightness
And maybe a sheet copied from a bug owner's manual showing how to change the belt. In fact a bug owners manual for the year of your pan
is a big plus alomg with the Muir book.
I am working on a new approach to listing what should be carried and rather than just listing a bushel basket full of tools, it would be based on the JOB you might need to perform---like the above. It will go like this;
CHANGE A TIRE- spare tire, sissors jack, hubcap removal tool, tire tool that matches your lug nuts.
FIX A FLAT- tubless tire repair kit, air pump that works off the lighter socket )or co-2 tubes) Air gauge.
REPLACE FUSES-spare fuses and a fuse diagram.
NO SPARK TO PLUGS-spare dist cap, rotor and Pertronix module. Spare
Bosch coil, spare plug wires (plus meter and sheet on how to troubleshoot)
NO FUEL PRESSURE-fuel pump, spare fuel filters.
OTHER-for long trips with overnights, I enjoy having a 9mm on board.
UNFIXABLE PROBLEM-AAA Premier care, cell phone and some $$$.
It seems to make more sense to base a list on what jobs you want to perform. On many of the "here are the tools you need to pack" lists I have seen socket sizes that don't even fit anything on a Speedster---it's just part of a set.
It would be nice if others would contribute to this sort of a list and we could have a very practical list of fixes we might have to make and the required tools for that particular repair.
Jack:
Great start to a comprehensive list.
Don't forget the Jamesons. One of the most important "tools" in the bag. Some say better than Oban (although that's a pretty tall order!)
gn
Great start to a comprehensive list.
Don't forget the Jamesons. One of the most important "tools" in the bag. Some say better than Oban (although that's a pretty tall order!)
gn
Non-mechanical stuff:
1. Hawaiian shirt for Saturday night dinner
2. Poncho or folding umbrella (to chase away the rain)
3. Camera
4. Carlisle windshield sticker if you registered early
5. Flashlight
6. Map
7. Side curtains
8. Small cooler
9. Beverage of choice (we take a small "road scotch" and buy wine/beer in Carlisle)
10. Car cover
11. Fire extinguisher
12. Sunglasses
13. Hat
14. Favorite glass or mug
1. Hawaiian shirt for Saturday night dinner
2. Poncho or folding umbrella (to chase away the rain)
3. Camera
4. Carlisle windshield sticker if you registered early
5. Flashlight
6. Map
7. Side curtains
8. Small cooler
9. Beverage of choice (we take a small "road scotch" and buy wine/beer in Carlisle)
10. Car cover
11. Fire extinguisher
12. Sunglasses
13. Hat
14. Favorite glass or mug
Oh--in addition to the 19mm socket to remove the alternator pulley nut, on long road trips with overnight stops I also like another item ---in 9 mm, if you get my drift.
Gordon--we are going to miss you this year but I understand pressing business can trump other things.
Gordon--we are going to miss you this year but I understand pressing business can trump other things.
Spare throttle cable....ask me how I know!
~WB
~WB
That wasn't a good blog for a potential newbe to read. Sounds like way too much work that I know very little about. Looking forward to carllisle, already in Lancaster!!
Don't worry too much David. I ran my 07 VS from Chicago to the Tail of the Dragon the in Smokies. That was in 08 and the weekend went on without a hitch. Marty G.
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David---listen to Marty and don't worry about it. The only tool I have ever used in 16,000 miles on the road was an awl. At the Tail of the Dragon, I had a carb issue with my Kadrons. My son' Russ, whio can fix anything asked me if I had an awl. I asked him if he wanted one with a wooden handle or a plastic handle. I think I was well into your overkill area ---Russ certainly thought so too.
I am less paranoid now and know my car is reliable.
I am less paranoid now and know my car is reliable.
Toothbrushes!!!! I always bring a spare!
Pork Rinds or Beef Jerky
For those loooong stretches between gas stops ;>)
For those loooong stretches between gas stops ;>)
I always carry wheel chocks just in case I get a....UGH....flat tire. You may come to rest on a hill.
Pork rinds and jerky.....There will be no gas stops... ;-)
Wheel chocks...I have a couple of stories...ask me at Carlisle :)
OK.
Loading up my high end wife in my entry level speedster:-) See you in Carlisle!
Ok, now that made me laugh out loud :-)
Bwaaaahahahahah .... good one Marty !
Me too...my sub entry level Speedster is ready! Just checked the oil.
Party-built Speedster is packed and ready to roll!
"Boogity Boogity Boogity ...Let's go to Carlisle, boys" ~
Can't make Carlisle (still on Papoose watch) but I almost washed Pearl before heading out to a recent O'Brien Truckers Appreciation Day to sit around with some VERY high-end and Old School Hot Rods. these were all GORGEOUS, 6-lap cars, meaning that you can walk around them six times and each time you see something else that makes you say, "Wow...."
Had several people come over to me and the car and say what a nice job I did on it. Coming from THAT crowd, what a compliment!
What a hoot!
Hope all you Carlisler's have a safe, dry and FUN time!
gn
http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt14/speedstahguy/OBrien%20Truckers%20Appreciation%20Day%202010/DSC00138.jpg
http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt14/speedstahguy/OBrien%20Truckers%20Appreciation%20Day%202010/DSC00133.jpg
http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt14/speedstahguy/OBrien%20Truckers%20Appreciation%20Day%202010/DSC00147.jpg
Had several people come over to me and the car and say what a nice job I did on it. Coming from THAT crowd, what a compliment!
What a hoot!
Hope all you Carlisler's have a safe, dry and FUN time!
gn
http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt14/speedstahguy/OBrien%20Truckers%20Appreciation%20Day%202010/DSC00138.jpg
http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt14/speedstahguy/OBrien%20Truckers%20Appreciation%20Day%202010/DSC00133.jpg
http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt14/speedstahguy/OBrien%20Truckers%20Appreciation%20Day%202010/DSC00147.jpg
I am so bummed about missing Carlisle this year!
I hope everyone has a safe & uneventful trip in and a bright sunny weekend to enjoy the cars & fellow SOCers! Have fun ~ and see everyone NEXT year!
I hope everyone has a safe & uneventful trip in and a bright sunny weekend to enjoy the cars & fellow SOCers! Have fun ~ and see everyone NEXT year!
Hold on there, Suzie!
Shoot me an email and maybe I can get something going for the New England Speedstah crowd! You should try to hit the cruise night at Kimble's Ice Cream over near Acton, MA. some night and we could hook up.
After all, there are at least a half dozen Speedsters within an hour of me near Worcester, so we should be able to do something this summer......
Shoot me an email and maybe I can get something going for the New England Speedstah crowd! You should try to hit the cruise night at Kimble's Ice Cream over near Acton, MA. some night and we could hook up.
After all, there are at least a half dozen Speedsters within an hour of me near Worcester, so we should be able to do something this summer......
Tomorrow should be really nice weather in MA... sounds like a Hebert's night!
Oh, and Dusty - if you think the spares lists these guys carry are overkill for a Speedster, you should see the list of stuff I pack for the annual summer motorcycle trip I usually take with the boys... I've been continuously updating and upgrading it over the years so that I can pack a TON of stuff into very minimal space.
I've never generally use any of it myself for the long trips we do, but it sure has come in handy pretty often for everyone else I ride with!
Oh, and I'm pretty sure Gordon's making stuff up about his spares landing on Lane's car. I was entirely too busy distracting Lane so I could use the die grinder and make some clearance adjustments to fit the motor in... without Lane watching and fainting. :^D
Oh, and Dusty - if you think the spares lists these guys carry are overkill for a Speedster, you should see the list of stuff I pack for the annual summer motorcycle trip I usually take with the boys... I've been continuously updating and upgrading it over the years so that I can pack a TON of stuff into very minimal space.
I've never generally use any of it myself for the long trips we do, but it sure has come in handy pretty often for everyone else I ride with!
Oh, and I'm pretty sure Gordon's making stuff up about his spares landing on Lane's car. I was entirely too busy distracting Lane so I could use the die grinder and make some clearance adjustments to fit the motor in... without Lane watching and fainting. :^D
1500 miles and back home safe:-)Car ran like a top.
Marty, next year we caravan!
Glad to see you made it home safely, Marty! It was great to meet you and the Missus!