Alpines List Archive

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Mail From: Chris <(email redacted)>

Hi,

I am working on cleaning up the rear end of my SII, and I've got a
couple of questions regarding the suspension...

I took off and cleaned the lever shocks, and what oil there was in them
was not pretty. Is there a particular method or cleaning solution to
clean the gunk out of them? Also, what oil should I use to refill them?

All that's left of my rebound straps are a few little shreds where they
were attached to the frame. What kind of material were these made of,
and to what length were they cut?

Thanks,
Chris
'63 SII

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Mail From: "Ian Spencer" <(email redacted)>

The rebound straps were made from canvas. I don't know a length off the top of my head. I'd need to do some measuring. The shocks can be refilled with motorcycle fork oil. Put the shock in a vice and fill it with oil. Work the bubbles out slowly by cycling the lever up and down to it's full range.

>>> Chris <(email redacted)> 06/27/01 09:20AM >>>
Hi,

I am working on cleaning up the rear end of my SII, and I've got a
couple of questions regarding the suspension...

I took off and cleaned the lever shocks, and what oil there was in them
was not pretty. Is there a particular method or cleaning solution to
clean the gunk out of them? Also, what oil should I use to refill them?

All that's left of my rebound straps are a few little shreds where they
were attached to the frame. What kind of material were these made of,
and to what length were they cut?

Thanks,
Chris
'63 SII

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: Scott Rohr <(email redacted)>

Over the years I went through several sets of canvas rebound straps. Finally, I decided to use a little newer technology and bought some nylon webbing from a local sporting goods store. I dont' remember the exact width, but they have lasted forever. I imagine they have a little more "bounce" to them than the original canvas straps, but I have never noticed the difference.

Scott Rohr
Series I Alpine

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: (email redacted)

In a message dated 6/27/01 10:25:31 PM Central Daylight Time,
(email redacted) writes:

> I dont' remember the exact width, but they have lasted forever.

What is the LENGTH we need?

gary

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: Ron Tebo <(email redacted)>

Chris:
Here is your information, from an old master Alpinist who is gone but
not forgotten! (I also had mine made from nylon webbing - much better,
but not original).

Courtesy of Jerome Yusyk, who originally saved to his web site.

Ron Tebo - Series I - B9000627


Date: Sun, 12 May 1996 18:05:10 -0400
From: (email redacted)
To: (email redacted)
Subject: Rebound straps

This question came up a few weeks ago, now I can give some answers.

The strap is 22" long by 1 1/4" wide. It is made up with a core of 1' wide
woven webbing wrapped in a wider piece folded in three, giving a 4 layer
finished strap. The ends attach under the buffer bracket using what Rootes
calls a lock washer - a 1' x 1 1/4" piece of thin sheet metal with 30 1/16th
inch holes punched in it - half from each side - to give a cheese grater
effect.

There seems to be a lot of slack, but it becomes taut with two inches of axle
drop. On the side with the broken strap, it dropped 2 5/8" before the
springs, shocks, whatever stopped it. These observations were on an empty
car sitting in the garage. The dynamics of power, motion, and load were not
considered - mainly 'cause I don't have a clue as to how to do that.

Caveats- the straps on my Series 2 are not factory - they were obtained from
Rick McLeod about 1982 but seemed right. My shock absorbers were
rebuilt by
Apple Hydraulics about six years ago - the one on the side with the good
rebound strap is now leaking. The springs and bushings have never been
touched - but probably should be.

The broken strap shows signs of a lot of friction before it went away. Guess
the rear axle windup from all of those power launches took its toll.

"Ole"

--

Chris wrote:
>
> >
> All that's left of my rebound straps are a few little shreds where they
> were attached to the frame. What kind of material were these made of,
> and to what length were they cut?
>
> Thanks,
> Chris
> '63 SII