Any idea on what caused the brake failure and anything that we can watch out for on our rides? Maybe this isn't the place for this, but was wondering.
I just saw this a minute ago,sorry to hear this happened but like everyone said already , glad to hear you're alright and thank God it wasnt worse.Hope you have a quick revovery Aaron.
I saw the link on Facebook & was hoping all was well , glad it's on here as we all can learn from bad experiences. Get well soon Aaron & good luck with the rebuild Keith. Steve
Man that is friggin horrible, I am glad Aaron is ok, he's lucky, I know the Chopper god's were looking out for him. Looks like the KW roadster can be fixed. My thoughts are with you guys, Aaron heal quick!!
Hey Keith, just got in the door from Tokyo, and saw the thread. Glad to here Aaron`s ok. a joke or two is always good for cracked ribs I find ! Keep well mate, regards to Aaron, speedy fix. Martin, Vultures.
Hi Everyone, I just wanted to thank all of you once again for the kind words for a speedy recovery. I am in really good shape considering, but have to be honest and tell you the last few days and nights have been very trying. -Aaron
fell out of a tree as a kid building a fort, nothing they can do for ribs but remember being told to cough a lot even though it'll feel like being kicked by a mule...You've probably been told that already but it keeps fluid from building up in the lungs and making pneumonia. As nutz as it sounds sleeping on that side can cause you to breath deeper as you sleep too. You and a bunch of other HAMB'rs are on my long list of prayers. Take care cuz
i'll take no seat belts, than have my face ground off underneath a flipped roadster with no roll bar.
\Hey buddy wishing you well from all the Executioners cc London the car can be rebuilt you have good people around you. Terry
Man, I don't know how I missed this. Aaron, I've had the pleasure of meeting you a time or two, I'm glad you're gonna be ok! How are you doing these days? Man, scary stuff. Keith, I hope the car goes or is going back together with out much grief.
I somehow missed this story too. Aaron so sorry for what you went through but hope you're feeling better by now!
I was thinking about the seatbelt issue today, and reread this thread- I thought I should clarify what hardware failed so that no one else uses it. The aircraft style belts clipped to 5/16 eyebolts which went through the sub rails with fender washers. They stayed put, but the loop opened up on both eyebolts. I had thought they looked plenty stout for the job, but didn't realize they wouldn't stand up to a sudden force. From now on I'm going to use the belts that have a tab that bolts down. (I have to change them on my Ranchero too, my '50 already has the tab style) Anyway, the point was to make sure no one else uses these eyebolts for this application.
Probably a little better, but still not a good enough grade of steel to be using for seat belts, probably grade 3 or so?
The first thing I thought too. I do remember that old seat belt retrofit kits from the sixties and seventies used a machined eye bolt that was one piece.
I doubt if those I bolts are even Grade 2. There are forged I bolts available though http://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-information/Eye-Bolts/Forged-Eye-Bolt-Dimensions.aspx A guy should be able to get them though his local fastener supply. I'm not sure that will work though as a galvanized 3/8 Forged I bolt only has a straight pull rate of 1200 lbs. Probably a lot better than the hardware store ones but they seem to leave something to be desired. Even the ones from Lawson who make some of the best bolts available are rated at 1200 lbs for a 3/8 http://www.lawsonproducts.com/webap...&catpath=All+Products////UserSearch1=EYE+BOLT If I was going with Forged I bolts I'd go with theirs though.
It makes a big difference, My dad uses this style eye bolt ( that he has me weld shut ) to lift fairly heavy structural panels. But I wouldn't use them for seat belts even if they were welded.
weld those up and the weak spot becomes the threaded area which would snap at the slightest bend with the force involved when a car stops rapidly and the people inside try to keep going.
you could use heavier eye bolts like they sell at swap meets that are used to tie down cargo in the back of trucks. Just an idea.
The Jalopy Journal
