5imon
New Member
Posts: 33 
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Post by 5imon on Aug 16, 2019 14:47:35 GMT
Hi All,
I've had "Ken" now since April, and i've been gradually venturing further and further afield. Today we went out on to the Motorway to test his ability to keep up with traffic. I can report back and say that he keeps a lovely cruise a 55-60 and was even happy with the occasional 70. All tested with a GPS speedometer so I have a fair indication of actual speeds.
When I purchased the car, I was told that it had had some engine work, a "free revving engine" theres also indications of handling upgrade such a front and rear anti roll bars, and larger wheel and lower profile tyres.
Whats your cruising speed? Does your car feel comfortable with motorway traffic? I have to say I was pleasantly surprised!
Cheers,
Simon
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Post by canuck on Aug 16, 2019 16:41:59 GMT
Hello Simon, From the land where motorways, (autoroutes to us) I can report that George handles this traffic situation very well. I tend to stay in the 'slow' lane as we have, like many other places, whackos that like to do silly things. George likes to cruise at 70 mph or so with the odd burst to mid 80 mph when conditions present themselves. I will admit it is a tad 'scary' at this elevated speed, with aerodynamics not being a Riley strong point. I have presently 4.5" wide wheels, (MM van wheels) with 155 radials fitted. Previously on the OE 3" wide wheels and crossply tires I needed to pay a lot more attention.  I do have a front anti roll bar fitted and have lowered my Mk1 using one torsion bar spline drop in the front and lowering block in the rear. Braking is always a concern and I leave adequate room to reduce the 'oh sh*t!!' moments. All in all a very safe feel and motorway or city driving is not at all daunting. Great little car this, and never fails to provide smiles.  B |
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Post by deltalimamike on Aug 16, 2019 16:44:43 GMT
I'm pleased with reliability no real issues there.
Ours is a rolling preservation project though and I'm fairly sure the wheels are not balanced correctly and the tyres are definitely past their best.
I also need to check over the lever arms and bushes properly yet......
Last trip out I wasn't happy on anything above 50 mph really due to wheel wobble starting.
Engine pulls well though so when I have sorted the above I'd be happy with similar speeds to you.
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Post by deltalimamike on Aug 16, 2019 16:50:26 GMT
Hello Simon, From the land where motorways, (autoroutes to us) I can report that George handles this traffic situation very well. I tend to stay in the 'slow' lane as we have, like many other places, whackos that like to do silly things. George likes to cruise at 70 mph or so with the odd burst to mid 80 mph when conditions present themselves. I will admit it is a tad 'scary' at this elevated speed, with aerodynamics not being a Riley strong point. I have presently 4.5" wide wheels, (MM van wheels) with 155 radials fitted. Previously on the OE 3" wide wheels and crossply tires I needed to pay a lot more attention. I do have a front anti roll bar fitted and have lowered my Mk1 using one torsion bar spline drop in the front and lowering block in the rear. Braking is always a concern and I leave adequate room to reduce the 'oh sh*t!!' moments. All in all a very safe feel and motorway or city driving is not at all daunting. Great little car this, and never fails to provide smiles. B Any more info on the lowering side of things? I'd like to drop a little, I understand the torsion bar method at the front but not the "block" at the rear, how do I do that? Thanks. |
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Post by canuck on Aug 17, 2019 13:45:57 GMT
Any more info on the lowering side of things? I'd like to drop a little, I understand the torsion bar method at the front but not the "block" at the rear, how do I do that? Hello Darren, That front end lowering process is tedious, lots of wrenching and one needs to be mega careful. Lowering the rear end is the easy part of all this, and a kit is readily available from the usual suspects. This kit consists of cast lowering blocks and longer U-Bolts to hold everything together.  Below shows the principle and install.  I hope this helps. Bruce |
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Post by deltalimamike on Aug 17, 2019 13:55:35 GMT
Any more info on the lowering side of things? I'd like to drop a little, I understand the torsion bar method at the front but not the "block" at the rear, how do I do that? Hello Darren, That front end lowering process is tedious, lots of wrenching and one needs to be mega careful. Lowering the rear end is the easy part of all this, and a kit is readily available from the usual suspects. This kit consists of cast lowering blocks and longer U-Bolts to hold everything together. View AttachmentBelow shows the principle and install. View AttachmentI hope this helps. Bruce Thanks Bruce that does help and as you say looks a reasonable job. I notice there is a kit for the Moggie Minor for the front that replaces the lever arms with more modern dampers, any views on this or idea if it would fit the Riley at all? Thanks Darren. |
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5imon
New Member
Posts: 33
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Post by 5imon on Aug 17, 2019 21:00:15 GMT
 Here's the install on mine. |
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Post by deltalimamike on Aug 17, 2019 21:33:36 GMT
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Post by canuck on Aug 18, 2019 13:11:13 GMT
Darren, I think it best you do something about your old tyres? These can fail in a catastrophic way and possibly do harm to you or others on the road. Don't take a chance with old, perished dried out rubber. FWIW proper tyres make a world of difference with the cars handling characteristics. I do not recall if you have a MK1, 2 or 3 model car. Keep in mind the MK 2 & 3?? were already lowered from the factory so this torsion bar, and lowering block may not be needed if you have one of these models.  Simon, Care to elaborate on the suspension 'link' you fitted? I lke, I think. B |
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Post by deltalimamike on Aug 18, 2019 15:09:09 GMT
Darren, I think it best you do something about your old tyres? These can fail in a catastrophic way and possibly do harm to you or others on the road. Don't take a chance with old, perished dried out rubber. FWIW proper tyres make a world of difference with the cars handling characteristics. I do not recall if you have a MK1, 2 or 3 model car. Keep in mind the MK 2 & 3?? were already lowered from the factory so this torsion bar, and lowering block may not be needed if you have one of these models. View AttachmentSimon, Care to elaborate on the suspension 'link' you fitted? I lke, I think. B It's a MK3 but still sits a little high in my opinion. Tyres (and wheels) are all on the list. Tyres are not really old or perished, it's just that they are different makes on each corner and various tread levels and wheels are not balanced. They are probably better than a lot of things on the road but, like you, I like them to be all the same and in tip top condition, not worth the investment at the moment but probably by winter I may be in a place to buy. At the moment the car does about 5 gentle miles a month just to keep everything moving. It's also on JBW wheels which I'm not sure I like on the Riley. Darren. |
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5imon
New Member
Posts: 33
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Post by 5imon on Aug 18, 2019 18:59:34 GMT
Bruce,
The suspension was all setup by the previous owners, oh and I’ve also changed those rotten tyres in the picture! I must try to contact the previous owner to find out more..
Simon
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Post by Mabel on Aug 18, 2019 19:35:40 GMT
In terms of speed, Mabel had a job getting to 65 as recorded on the speedo but as the aforementioned speedo is under-reading by at least 15% I could have been going a few mph more. Scary though. However, the engine was in a poor state and has been rebuilt and is now 1532 as opposed to 1489 and the block has been skimmed to eradicate some high/low spots so increased compression will be the result. A replacement gearbox has been fitted. Will this solve the under-reading of the speedo? Will performance result in increased oomph and higher speeds? I'll not know until October/November.
Tyres have been replaced as I was running 165s (as fitted by the previous owner) and they seemed way too big. Looking at other Riley 1.5s, Wolseley 1500s and for what it's worth Morris Minors they generally seem to all be running on 145s or 155s without any uprating of wheel sizes. Owners claim to have no no problems whatsoever with these tyre sizes.
Suspension is standard size although on the basis that the handling of a 1.5 does seem to be something akin to a drunken camel on stilts I'd be more than happy to try upgrades to reduce the wallowing.
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