Spring Issues

Fri.02.03.07. The difficult question of the weight of the front spring has dominated the day. An early conversation with Tony of Spax re-affirmed the possibility of changing both the lower platform in as well as the size of the spring; the main problem being that the upper retaining cap would need to be compatible in size to enable the top of the unit to be securely fastened to the turret. Again, he refused to suggest the correct weight that would be suitable; that remains our decision. 

With a break in the day I travelled over to Chester to collect the order from Paddocks. John could not shed any more light on the problem of spring size but offered the phone number of the actual company that produces all their Triumph springs, namely South Yorkshire springs on 01709 375 375, but also added that I should speak to Max, Totally Triumph, who could definitely recommend a solution. Coincidentally Chris, during the afternoon, had received a return call from Spax who also gave him a number of a spring manufacturer; Neil of Sheffield Springs 01142 758 573.

Because John could not supply the missing dynamo pulley and fan, there became another viable reason for a visit to Max in order to purchase these small but vital parts. Journeying back along the M58 I began to concoct the most fitting approach to tackle Max: how best to ask his opinion regarding the weight and size of front spring without appearing totally ignorant or arrogantly smart. I would guess that either or both of these approaches would always brand every customer, through the eyes of Max. I found him in his usual corner of the workshop sporting his characteristic string vest huddled over a Mk2 Spitfire that he had rescued some years before from a barn in Warrington. I, of course complimented him upon his craftsmanship before requesting the parts that on the surface appeared to be the prime reason for the visit. 

After deciding that the engine in the Burlington was prefixed by GK he dragged an old dynamo from the shelf then with my hesitant assistance he bludgeoned, butchered and battered the pulley and fan from the rusting dynamo. “Hold it straight whilst I chisel it off, don’t be worried I’ve done this many times before, I have only ever lost one finger nail!” After a few grunts accompanied by thunderous farts, which Max blamed upon his medication, the bits were levered away. I passed over a fiver, the deal was complete. “I just need a little advice regarding the front springs on the car; do you think we should go lighter or heavier?” “You’ve got to go lighter; otherwise the car will bounce across the road on any uneven surface. With very little natural weight on the front of the car you really must have a 10-inch free length spring reducing to, about, 7 and a half. The way to achieve this is to use your existing old springs, then, cut them down to the size that you feel is appropriate for the best ride. If you could find some old ‘Dolly’ rear springs they would be perfect. They are 10 inch with a loading of 95 lbs; they would be an ideal starting point. Build up the car and keep chopping off the old spring until you are happy with the ride. One of the biggest mistakes amateur kitcar builders make stems from over weighted springs. The car is too light, the springs to heavy, the result is dreadful handling but moreover a shite ride, that’s why most kitcars are crap and are worth fuck all!” As usual Max was forthright plus ‘very pertinent and relevant’. “Mind you, it has been suggested that it would be better to have a stronger spring thus avoiding ‘nose dive’ as well as ‘sloppy handling”, I tentatively offered.

 “Who the fuck told you that load of bollocks!” snapped Max. “It was a guy called Mark of Jigsaw Racing, he seemed quite knowledgeable?” I meekly and apologetically replied. Max immediately transformed into the green bulbous ‘Hulk’ he often becomes when aroused. “That dumb egotistical bastard, he knows fuck all about road cars. All he wants is to sell you his over priced racing stuff, which is absolutely useless on normal roads. He’s a right fucker, worst of all, bloody dangerous, he’d have you killed with those heavy springs. The first pot hole, damage to the road, even a small piece of debris would throw the car into the gutter, ‘curtains’ for you and the car; what a wanker!” Max, in his own special way, has certainly cleared up the debate about softer or stiffer springs. Not long after his ‘rant’ his ‘downers’ kicked in, he did eventually return to relative calm before posing a question about our rebuild. 

“I’ll tell you what I think: that customer of yours has got more money than sense. Having you pitifully inexperienced guys build the car using a blank chequebook, buying all the best gear what's more taking so fucking long to do it, he must be one hell of an extravagant, profligate bastard. Kitcars are not worth a wank when they are finished. I wouldn’t mind a few customers like him, the wasteful, lazy tosser!” I defended our feckless patron by informing Max that it was a truly very special, unique vehicle, also, this particular client had luckily experienced an exceptional 18 months of extremely successful financial investments within a growing bullish market. “He’s still a fucking wanker” replied the ever blunt Max.