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Bought a 1976 Birchaven [message #121577] Mon, 11 April 2011 23:09 Go to next message
Bob Raef is currently offline  Bob Raef   United States
Messages: 165
Registered: July 2009
Location: Lubbock, TX
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Recently bought a 1976 Birchaven with a custom twin beds interior similar the the rear bath, twin beds, Royales. As of today, I have not gone to retrieve it. Hoping it will run good enough and the tires make it to get it home about 300 miles. Former owner Bill Naden and Nana Kendall of Brownsville, TX. It has not been used since 2004. The following link to purchase pictures:

I will provide additional pictures and a trip report of the trip to retrieve it to get it to San Antonio, TX


Bob Raef, KF5TYA
(575) 973-2273
Re: [GMCnet] Bought a 1976 Birchaven [message #121578 is a reply to message #121577] Mon, 11 April 2011 23:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Henderson is currently offline  Ken Henderson   United States
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
Senior Member
Bob,

With tires AT LEAST 7 years old, do yourself a big favor and replace them
just as close to the GMC's present location as possible. The cost of
fiberglass repair, in the likely event of a blowout, will far exceed the
cost of the new tires, which you need anyway.

If you're REALLY a Beancounter, you'll recognize the logic of that. :-)

JMHO after 13 years of GMC ownership

Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI+ & EBL
www.gmcwipersetc.com



On Tue, Apr 12, 2011 at 12:09 AM, Bob Raef <bobraef@gmail.com> wrote:

>
>
> Recently bought a 1976 Birchaven with a custom twin beds interior similar
> the the rear bath, twin beds, Royales. As of today, I have not gone to
> retrieve it. Hoping it will run good enough and the tires make it to get it
> home about 300 miles. Former owner Bill Naden and Nana Kendall of
> Brownsville, TX. It has not been used since 2004. The following link to
> purchase pictures:
>
> I will provide additional pictures and a trip report of the trip to
> retrieve it to get it to San Antonio, TX
> --
> Bob - Beancounter - Raef
> - Home - San Antonio, TX -
> Currently in Ruidoso, NM and motorhomeless
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist



Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
Re: Bought a 1976 Birchaven [message #121581 is a reply to message #121577] Tue, 12 April 2011 00:13 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bob Raef is currently offline  Bob Raef   United States
Messages: 165
Registered: July 2009
Location: Lubbock, TX
Karma: 0
Senior Member
OOPS!!!

I forgot the link to the pictures:

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=5759

Thanks,


Bob Raef, KF5TYA
(575) 973-2273
Re: [GMCnet] Bought a 1976 Birchaven [message #121585 is a reply to message #121581] Tue, 12 April 2011 06:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Austin Brown is currently offline  Austin Brown   United States
Messages: 5
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 0
Junior Member
Are these the pics of the one you just bought in Brownsville???

-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Bob Raef
Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2011 12:13 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Bought a 1976 Birchaven



OOPS!!!

I forgot the link to the pictures:

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=5759

Thanks,
--
Bob - Beancounter - Raef
- Home - San Antonio, TX -
Currently in Ruidoso, NM and motorhomeless
_______________________________________________
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Re: [GMCnet] Bought a 1976 Birchaven [message #121593 is a reply to message #121578] Tue, 12 April 2011 09:42 Go to previous messageGo to next message
k2gkk is currently offline  k2gkk   United States
Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009
Karma: -8
Senior Member

When I bought "The Money Pit" in New Braunfels
in March of 2010, I immediately went to the
local Discount Tire and had them put on a full
set of new BF Goodrich TA load range E tires.

The cost was under $1,000, including balancing.
I was NOT going to risk 500 miles to get home
to Oklahoma City with 7-8 year old tires!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ex-Palm Beach, 76 ~ ~ ~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~




> From: hend4800@bellsouth.net
> Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:21:09 -0400
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> CC: bobraef@gmail.com
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Bought a 1976 Birchaven
>
> Bob,
>
> With tires AT LEAST 7 years old, do yourself a big favor and replace them
> just as close to the GMC's present location as possible. The cost of
> fiberglass repair, in the likely event of a blowout, will far exceed the
> cost of the new tires, which you need anyway.
>
> If you're REALLY a Beancounter, you'll recognize the logic of that. :-)
>
> JMHO after 13 years of GMC ownership
>
> Ken H.
> Americus, GA
> '76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI+ & EBL
> www.gmcwipersetc.com
>
>
>
> On Tue, Apr 12, 2011 at 12:09 AM, Bob Raef <bobraef@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Recently bought a 1976 Birchaven with a custom twin beds interior similar
> > the the rear bath, twin beds, Royales. As of today, I have not gone to
> > retrieve it. Hoping it will run good enough and the tires make it to get it
> > home about 300 miles. Former owner Bill Naden and Nana Kendall of
> > Brownsville, TX. It has not been used since 2004. The following link to
> > purchase pictures:
> >
> > I will provide additional pictures and a trip report of the trip to
> > retrieve it to get it to San Antonio, TX
> > --
> > Bob - Beancounter - Raef
> > - Home - San Antonio, TX -
> > Currently in Ruidoso, NM and motorhomeless
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
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Re: Bought a 1976 Birchaven [message #121598 is a reply to message #121581] Tue, 12 April 2011 10:55 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mike miller   United States
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
Senior Member
beancounter wrote on Mon, 11 April 2011 22:13

OOPS!!!

I forgot the link to the pictures:

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=5759


While I am not to sure about the modified layout, I like the seats, wheels and especially the kitchen counter.

16inch tires should be fairly easy to find at good prices. To differ some of the cost, it is POSSIBLE to sell the old tires if they do are not "checked" to bad. Craigslist would work fine.


Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo' http://m000035.blogspot.com
Re: [GMCnet] Bought a 1976 Birchaven [message #121607 is a reply to message #121598] Tue, 12 April 2011 12:17 Go to previous messageGo to next message
ljdavick is currently offline  ljdavick   United States
Messages: 3548
Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
Senior Member
And with those pretty 16" Alcoa hot shots you have a vast selection of tires to choose from.

Larry Davick
Sent from my iPad

On Apr 12, 2011, at 8:55 AM, Mike Miller <m000035@gmail.com> wrote:

>
>
> beancounter wrote on Mon, 11 April 2011 22:13
>> OOPS!!!
>>
>> I forgot the link to the pictures:
>>
>> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=5759
>
>
> While I am not to sure about the modified layout, I like the seats, wheels and especially the kitchen counter.
>
> 16inch tires should be fairly easy to find at good prices. To differ some of the cost, it is POSSIBLE to sell the old tires if they do are not "checked" to bad. Craigslist would work fine.
> --
> Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
> '73 26' exPainted D. -- `78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- `77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
> http://m000035.blogspot.com
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
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Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
Re: [GMCnet] Bought a 1976 Birchaven [message #121610 is a reply to message #121593] Tue, 12 April 2011 12:41 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Marsha is currently offline  Marsha   United States
Messages: 144
Registered: February 2011
Karma: 0
Senior Member
My rule is: never skimp on breaks, be extra cautious with tires. My theory on tires is based upon how far/fast I'm going. Within walking distance and walking speeds, it doesn't matter. Damage at that point is a matter of inconvenience. I have bought used tires, mostly for spares, cars that aren't driven at high speeds or very far, and sometimes for rear wheels. Anything long distance/high speeds (and always motorcycles) get the best I can afford at the time. 
BYW, I ordered new tires for the GMC I am driving 1,200 miles later this month. Total cost $1,100, and the tire guy is going to the coach to put them on before I get there. 
Breaking down along the side of the road is a pain. Blowing a tire and running off the side of the road, possibly into people along the way, can be pain-ful.
Just my thoughts on the matter.Marsha 


--- On Tue, 4/12/11, D C *Mac* Macdonald <k2gkk@hotmail.com> wrote:

From: D C *Mac* Macdonald <k2gkk@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Bought a 1976 Birchaven
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Tuesday, April 12, 2011, 9:42 AM


When I bought "The Money Pit" in New Braunfels
in March of 2010, I immediately went to the
local Discount Tire and had them put on a full
set of new BF Goodrich TA load range E tires.

The cost was under $1,000, including balancing.
I was NOT going to risk 500 miles to get home
to Oklahoma City with 7-8 year old tires!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ex-Palm Beach, 76 ~ ~ ~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~




> From: hend4800@bellsouth.net
> Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:21:09 -0400
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> CC: bobraef@gmail.com
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Bought a 1976 Birchaven
>
> Bob,
>
> With tires AT LEAST 7 years old, do yourself a big favor and replace them
> just as close to the GMC's present location as possible. The cost of
> fiberglass repair, in the likely event of a blowout, will far exceed the
> cost of the new tires, which you need anyway.
>
> If you're REALLY a Beancounter, you'll recognize the logic of that. :-)
>
> JMHO after 13 years of GMC ownership
>
> Ken H.
> Americus, GA
> '76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI+ & EBL
> www.gmcwipersetc.com
>
>
>
> On Tue, Apr 12, 2011 at 12:09 AM, Bob Raef <bobraef@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Recently bought a 1976 Birchaven with a custom twin beds interior similar
> > the the rear bath, twin beds, Royales. As of today, I have not gone to
> > retrieve it. Hoping it will run good enough and the tires make it to get it
> > home about 300 miles. Former owner Bill Naden and Nana Kendall of
> > Brownsville, TX. It has not been used since 2004. The following link to
> > purchase pictures:
> >
> > I will provide additional pictures and a trip report of the trip to
> > retrieve it to get it to San Antonio, TX
> > --
> > Bob - Beancounter - Raef
> > - Home - San Antonio, TX -
> > Currently in Ruidoso, NM and motorhomeless
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist                          
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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_______________________________________________
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Re: [GMCnet] Bought a 1976 Birchaven [message #121612 is a reply to message #121610] Tue, 12 April 2011 13:05 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
Senior Member
Marsha, please consider the fact that your air lines and ride height
controls are in the immediate area of the rear tires and when one of them
comes apart or blows out, more often than not are damaged by the flailing
pieces of tire. The fiberglas T skirts and inner fenders are almost always
damaged as well. If you have a fancy paint job, the damage can run into
thousands of dollars to repair. High quality tires, properly
aligned, inflated and loaded go a long way towards peace of mind when you
are far away from home. Kinda like insurance, very expensive, but very
necessary. You sound like you have been blessed with common sense in this
area so I'll not preach to the choir, but you might not be the only one who
reads this post. Our collective minds are "usually" better than when we are
by ourselves. GMCnet is a great resource, as is the BlackList. Those of us
who are listed there are a helpful bunch when a fellow GMCer is stranded out
there. Welcome to the asylum.
Jim Hupy
Salem, OR
78 GMC Royale 403

On Tue, Apr 12, 2011 at 10:41 AM, Marsha <makeminetea@yahoo.com> wrote:

> My rule is: never skimp on breaks, be extra cautious with tires. My theory
> on tires is based upon how far/fast I'm going. Within walking distance and
> walking speeds, it doesn't matter. Damage at that point is a matter of
> inconvenience. I have bought used tires, mostly for spares, cars that aren't
> driven at high speeds or very far, and sometimes for rear wheels. Anything
> long distance/high speeds (and always motorcycles) get the best I can afford
> at the time.
> BYW, I ordered new tires for the GMC I am driving 1,200 miles later this
> month. Total cost $1,100, and the tire guy is going to the coach to put them
> on before I get there.
> Breaking down along the side of the road is a pain. Blowing a tire and
> running off the side of the road, possibly into people along the way, can be
> pain-ful.
> Just my thoughts on the matter.Marsha
>
>
> --- On Tue, 4/12/11, D C *Mac* Macdonald <k2gkk@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> From: D C *Mac* Macdonald <k2gkk@hotmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Bought a 1976 Birchaven
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Date: Tuesday, April 12, 2011, 9:42 AM
>
>
> When I bought "The Money Pit" in New Braunfels
> in March of 2010, I immediately went to the
> local Discount Tire and had them put on a full
> set of new BF Goodrich TA load range E tires.
>
> The cost was under $1,000, including balancing.
> I was NOT going to risk 500 miles to get home
> to Oklahoma City with 7-8 year old tires!
>
> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
> ~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
> ~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
> ~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
> ~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
> ~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
> ~ ~ ~ ex-Palm Beach, 76 ~ ~ ~
> ~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
>
>
>
>
> > From: hend4800@bellsouth.net
> > Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:21:09 -0400
> > To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> > CC: bobraef@gmail.com
> > Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Bought a 1976 Birchaven
> >
> > Bob,
> >
> > With tires AT LEAST 7 years old, do yourself a big favor and replace them
> > just as close to the GMC's present location as possible. The cost of
> > fiberglass repair, in the likely event of a blowout, will far exceed the
> > cost of the new tires, which you need anyway.
> >
> > If you're REALLY a Beancounter, you'll recognize the logic of that. :-)
> >
> > JMHO after 13 years of GMC ownership
> >
> > Ken H.
> > Americus, GA
> > '76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI+ & EBL
> > www.gmcwipersetc.com
> >
> >
> >
> > On Tue, Apr 12, 2011 at 12:09 AM, Bob Raef <bobraef@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > Recently bought a 1976 Birchaven with a custom twin beds interior
> similar
> > > the the rear bath, twin beds, Royales. As of today, I have not gone to
> > > retrieve it. Hoping it will run good enough and the tires make it to
> get it
> > > home about 300 miles. Former owner Bill Naden and Nana Kendall of
> > > Brownsville, TX. It has not been used since 2004. The following link to
> > > purchase pictures:
> > >
> > > I will provide additional pictures and a trip report of the trip to
> > > retrieve it to get it to San Antonio, TX
> > > --
> > > Bob - Beancounter - Raef
> > > - Home - San Antonio, TX -
> > > Currently in Ruidoso, NM and motorhomeless
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > GMCnet mailing list
> > > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> > >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
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Re: [GMCnet] Bought a 1976 Birchaven [message #121619 is a reply to message #121612] Tue, 12 April 2011 14:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Keith V is currently offline  Keith V   United States
Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
Karma: 0
Senior Member
James Hupy wrote on Tue, 12 April 2011 13:05

Marsha, please consider the fact that your air lines and ride height
controls are in the immediate area of the rear tires and when one of them
comes apart or blows out, more often than not are damaged by the flailing
pieces of tire. The fiberglas T skirts and inner fenders are almost always
damaged as well. If you have a fancy paint job, the damage can run into
thousands of dollars to repair. High quality tires, properly
aligned, inflated and loaded go a long way towards peace of mind when you
are far away from home. Kinda like insurance, very expensive, but very
necessary. You sound like you have been blessed with common sense in this
area so I'll not preach to the choir, but you might not be the only one who
reads this post. Our collective minds are "usually" better than when we are
by ourselves. GMCnet is a great resource, as is the BlackList. Those of us
who are listed there are a helpful bunch when a fellow GMCer is stranded out
there. Welcome to the asylum.
Jim Hupy
Salem, OR
78 GMC Royale 403

On Tue, Apr 12, 2011 at 10:41 AM, Marsha <makeminetea@yahoo.com> wrote:

> My rule is: never skimp on breaks, be extra cautious with tires. My theory
> on tires is based upon how far/fast I'm going. Within walking distance and
> walking speeds, it doesn't matter. Damage at that point is a matter of
> inconvenience. I have bought used tires, mostly for spares, cars that aren't
> driven at high speeds or very far, and sometimes for rear wheels. Anything
> long distance/high speeds (and always motorcycles) get the best I can afford
> at the time.
> BYW, I ordered new tires for the GMC I am driving 1,200 miles later this
> month. Total cost $1,100, and the tire guy is going to the coach to put them
> on before I get there.
> Breaking down along the side of the road is a pain. Blowing a tire and
> running off the side of the road, possibly into people along the way, can be
> pain-ful.
> Just my thoughts on the matter.Marsha





Huh?
She said she was having new tires put on before she drives it.....


Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
Re: [GMCnet] Bought a 1976 Birchaven [message #121620 is a reply to message #121619] Tue, 12 April 2011 14:27 Go to previous messageGo to next message
cbwoodsr is currently offline  cbwoodsr   United States
Messages: 1063
Registered: February 2004
Karma: 0
Senior Member
..You sound like you have been blessed with common sense ...

He caught it...


CBWood
77 Kingslay
MWC OK
ONLINE PARTS PROGRAM
www.GMCMHParts.com

Re: [GMCnet] Bought a 1976 Birchaven [message #121622 is a reply to message #121585] Tue, 12 April 2011 15:20 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bob Raef is currently offline  Bob Raef   United States
Messages: 165
Registered: July 2009
Location: Lubbock, TX
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Yes they are.

Bob Raef, KF5TYA
(575) 973-2273
Re: [GMCnet] Bought a 1976 Birchaven [message #121626 is a reply to message #121619] Tue, 12 April 2011 16:10 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
Senior Member
Keith, that post was not written specifically to Marsha, but for general
viewing pleasure of the entire net and any lurkers who might be around as
well. It is obvious to me from reading her post that the correct decision
had already been made in her situation before I even responded to it. I have
been trying to respond with factual, specific information when I do
postings, and I realize that my fingers work faster than my brain at times.
Thanks for the reminder.
Jim Hupy
Salem, OR
78 GMC Royale 403

On Tue, Apr 12, 2011 at 12:14 PM, Keith V <my427v8@hotmail.com> wrote:

>
>
> James Hupy wrote on Tue, 12 April 2011 13:05
> > Marsha, please consider the fact that your air lines and ride height
> > controls are in the immediate area of the rear tires and when one of them
> > comes apart or blows out, more often than not are damaged by the flailing
> > pieces of tire. The fiberglas T skirts and inner fenders are almost
> always
> > damaged as well. If you have a fancy paint job, the damage can run into
> > thousands of dollars to repair. High quality tires, properly
> > aligned, inflated and loaded go a long way towards peace of mind when you
> > are far away from home. Kinda like insurance, very expensive, but very
> > necessary. You sound like you have been blessed with common sense in this
> > area so I'll not preach to the choir, but you might not be the only one
> who
> > reads this post. Our collective minds are "usually" better than when we
> are
> > by ourselves. GMCnet is a great resource, as is the BlackList. Those of
> us
> > who are listed there are a helpful bunch when a fellow GMCer is stranded
> out
> > there. Welcome to the asylum.
> > Jim Hupy
> > Salem, OR
> > 78 GMC Royale 403
> >
> > On Tue, Apr 12, 2011 at 10:41 AM, Marsha <makeminetea@yahoo.com> wrote:
> >
> > > My rule is: never skimp on breaks, be extra cautious with tires. My
> theory
> > > on tires is based upon how far/fast I'm going. Within walking distance
> and
> > > walking speeds, it doesn't matter. Damage at that point is a matter of
> > > inconvenience. I have bought used tires, mostly for spares, cars that
> aren't
> > > driven at high speeds or very far, and sometimes for rear wheels.
> Anything
> > > long distance/high speeds (and always motorcycles) get the best I can
> afford
> > > at the time.
> > > BYW, I ordered new tires for the GMC I am driving 1,200 miles later
> this
> > > month. Total cost $1,100, and the tire guy is going to the coach to put
> them
> > > on before I get there.
> > > Breaking down along the side of the road is a pain. Blowing a tire and
> > > running off the side of the road, possibly into people along the way,
> can be
> > > pain-ful.
> > > Just my thoughts on the matter.Marsha
>
>
> Huh?
> She said she was having new tires put on before she drives it.....
>
> --
> Keith
> 69 Vette
> 29 Dodge
> 75 Royale GMC
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Re: Bought a 1976 Birchaven [message #121633 is a reply to message #121577] Tue, 12 April 2011 18:39 Go to previous messageGo to next message
WayneB is currently offline  WayneB   Canada
Messages: 233
Registered: July 2008
Location: Ontario, Canada
Karma: 0
Senior Member
+1 on the tyres unless you feel like rolling the dice, then good luck!

What concerns me more is the huge amount of rust on the brake rotors and calipers , it stands a chance the steel brake lines are rusty too.

Believe me you dont want to try and stop one of those things after a brake line has blown.


1976 23' GMCII By Explorer
Re: [GMCnet] Bought a 1976 Birchaven [message #121634 is a reply to message #121633] Tue, 12 April 2011 18:39 Go to previous messageGo to next message
k2gkk is currently offline  k2gkk   United States
Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009
Karma: -8
Senior Member

The salt-laden air and humidity in the
Brownsville area is REALLY BAD! I spent
a year at Harlingen, about 20 or so miles
to the north and every time it rained, we
had little salt spots all over the cars!

Additionally, from the art work on the body,
I strongly suspect that coach spent a huge
amount of time out on South Padre Island
next to the Gulf of Mexico!!!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ex-Palm Beach, 76 ~ ~ ~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~




----------------------
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> From: waynebarratt@msn.com
> Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:39:01 -0500
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Bought a 1976 Birchaven
>
>
>
> +1 on the tyres unless you feel like rolling the dice, then good luck!
>
> What concerns me more is the huge amount of rust on the brake rotors and calipers , it stands a chance the steel brake lines are rusty too.
>
> Believe me you dont want to try and stop one of those things after a brake line has blown.
> --
> 1976 23' GMCII By Explorer
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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Re: Bought a 1976 Birchaven [message #121640 is a reply to message #121577] Tue, 12 April 2011 20:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bob Raef is currently offline  Bob Raef   United States
Messages: 165
Registered: July 2009
Location: Lubbock, TX
Karma: 0
Senior Member
I had an off net email from Bob Burkett. He correct my assumption that the Alcoas were Hot Shots when in factthey are Alcoa LTS wheels.



Bob Raef, KF5TYA
(575) 973-2273
Re: Bought a 1976 Birchaven [message #121670 is a reply to message #121640] Wed, 13 April 2011 06:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   United States
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
Senior Member
Bob,

Welcome to the group/cult/asylum. . .

I have not had a change to digest this entire thread - yet, but if you have not yet, find Bdub's site and collect the current "Black List" (a list started by Roger Black that is a compilation of persons willing to lend assistance to GMC owners). Then signup with GMCMI - this is worthwhile if only for the parts interchange book, but there is more. This should require FMCA membership (neither is more than a day's worth of fuel). Then try to get to a local rally and meet some other that caught this affliction before you did and are still surviving.

I have been really busy recently and have had less casual time at the keyboard than typical.

Finally, I feel remiss that I did not get to this sooner. I my world (water), there is a traditional greeting to a new owner or vessel when one arrives, so I kind of shove it around to make it fit because I feel that these coaches seem to deserve the care that is there between a waterman and his boat.

So I offer to you,

May the Good Lord bless this coach and all those that set forth within her.

Welcome Bob

Matt


Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
Re: [GMCnet] Bought a 1976 Birchaven [message #121697 is a reply to message #121626] Wed, 13 April 2011 14:54 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Larry C   United States
Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Reading all this about "FLAILING" tires tearing apart and damage to the fender walls, brings up a thought I have had.

Why isn't there some kind of protection that we can install to protect the fiberglas panel and air lines?? Maybe a metal wheel well cover that goes over the fragile SMC fender and over the air lines??????

In theory, it does not seem so tuff, some metal reshapped to the wheel well, or even a reinforced fiberglass panel??????

The idea would be to let the panel take the hits and protect the SMC panel.

Any thoughts?? Doable or THROW IT OUT!!!!

my thoughts


Gatsbys' CRUISER 08-18-04
74 GLACIER X, 260/455-APC-4 Bagg'r
Remflex Manifold gaskets
CampGrounds needed, Add yours to "PLACES" /> http://www.gmceast.com/travel
_
Re: [GMCnet] Bought a 1976 Birchaven [message #121699 is a reply to message #121697] Wed, 13 April 2011 15:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message
gordh1   Canada
Messages: 332
Registered: February 2011
Karma: 0
Senior Member
How about some 'cycle fenders' as one might have found on an old car or on hot rods front-ends? Mount 'em to each bogie 'swing arm' and that just might work. I don't know the layout on the front wheels, but one would think inner fenders could be built pretty easily and also as an alternate for the rear wheel well too.

Titanium of course... milled from billet. Laughing

Gord Wink
Re: Bought a 1976 Birchaven [message #121888 is a reply to message #121670] Fri, 15 April 2011 08:54 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
Bob Raef is currently offline  Bob Raef   United States
Messages: 165
Registered: July 2009
Location: Lubbock, TX
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Matt

Thank you for your very kind welcome.

This is my second GMC in 3 years.

My previous one was a 1977 Royale rear bath.

For some time now I have been and still am a member of both GMCMI and FMCA.

I am also a member of the GMC Classics.

Regard the GMCnet I am more of a lurker than an active participant and have been for quite a while.

Thanks to everyone for all of the suggestions, I will take them all to heart when I go to retrieve my new toy.


Bob Raef, KF5TYA
(575) 973-2273
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