From Coast to Coast

[Wayne Sheldon]

Decent tight wooden spoke wheels are much stronger than most people think they are! However a loose wooden spoke wheel will chew itself up quickly and become very unsafe. A good tight wooden spoke wheel will almost never break except during a collision. They will almost never cause an accident. However, accidents often break wheels.
But once a wheel becomes a bit loose? All bets are off!
Be careful.

[DHort]

I have one I could overnight you, but cant send it until tomorrow. No guarantee it would fit your rim, but probably. I have one also with a front hub you would have to change to rear hub. Hopefully someone in Ohio can help or you can make it to MI with what you have. Viel Gluck.

[Norman Kling]

If you have the steel felloes, you can buy new spokes already cut to fit and you will need to press them in. However if you have the wood felloes, you will need a wheel wright to do them.
Norm.

[BernhardBK]

Day 4, 10th June 2022, short summary of todays trip.
No issues, no repair stops
About 140 miles from Buffalo to the Falls and then to Erie.
No rain, sunny the whole day but cold wind.
Harald needs two demountable rear wheels.
Niagara Falls were great, also the route on 5 West or even closer to Lake Erie roads.

[BernhardBK]

Art, you are right.
It is impossible to reach Detroit today.
We will reached the Piquette Avenue Plant not before the afternoon

[Model T Steve]

Bernhard - Great to hear that you will be in Detroit on Sunday. The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant will be most happy to host you at the museum. Please advise in regards to your estimated arrival time. My cell is 248-930-8306.

I am also working on some wheels for you if you are still in need. Please advise.

Weather is looking pretty good here with rain Saturday 9 PM to Sunday 7 am. Clear and comfortable temperatures after that.

Be safe -

Steve Shotwell
Ford Piquette Avenue Plant

[Model T Steve]

Bernhard - I will also be bringing a Model T wheel press to the Piquette Museum with me on Sunday.
Steve

[JTT3]

Bernhard can you take pictures of Harold’s rear wheels and post on this thread?

[BernhardBK]

We are in Geneva on the Lake for a coffee.
Thanks Steve!

[FreighTer Jim]

As luck would have it - I am in Erie.

I picked up this Sears 1910 High Wheeler
this morning in Jamestown, NY.

I am headed west on I-90 to Joliet, Illinois
where my next pick up is - but I am in no
hurry - I have room in my enclosed trailer
for a Model T - if your friend wants it
trailered to Piquette or wherever your
next stop is to get demountable wheels
he can catch a free ride ….

I will wait around in Erie until 7:00 pm.

FJ
260-804-6695

[TWrenn]

Great generous offer of you Jim! Way to go!

[TWrenn]

Bernhard...sending you a PM if you can retrieve it. Info and an invite if you're in Sandusky Ohio tomorrow?

[TWrenn]

Bern...if you can't get the PM..text me at 419-271-5405..text only, as my Robo Killer app will toss out the phone call. Or use WhatsApp!

[BernhardBK]

Thanks for your very kind offer, Jim, we are in Toledo now and Harald will try to reach the museum on the road.

Day 5, 11th June 2022, was nearly without any Problem.
We only had a short forced stop after Gerhard’s T hit a pothole and a fuse ran away.
As we want to visit Piquette Avenue Plant tomorrow, we drove more than 200 miles today.
We followed the Lake, stopped at Geneva on the Lake, where I tried to post a photo of Haralds wheel.
Heike’s route was great, small streets, Lake view, great houses, we drove through Cleveland, where nearly no cars had been on the road. Finally we reached Perrysburg south of Toledo where we stay and eat now.

The bad side of the day was that we did not had the change to meet the Ford T Friends of Ohio.

Hopefully we will meet some other T drivers at the museum in Detroit.
As we are already near Toledo, we should arrive at the museum between 11 am and noon on Sunday

CU at the museum
Bernd

[Model T Steve]

Bernhard -

Looking forward to seeing you at the Piquette Museum on Sunday.

Safe travels -

Steve

[BernhardBK]

I try again to post Haralds wheel after his repair of last night

[Wayne Sheldon]

Wheel doesn't "look" too bad. However, IF the tenons are wearing undersize? Which they undoubtedly are. It could become very dangerous quickly! And without a close examination? It may already be dangerous.
I really wish I were close by. I would love to spend an hour with that wheel!

[JTT3]

Steve do you have access to any Kwik Poly that you can get your hands on before meeting the group? Give me a call, Best John

[Model T Steve]

I think I have two solutions to your problem with the wheels.
Will also have some kwik poly in case you wish to go that route.
I also have my Model T trailer with me. Happy to come your way with the trailer if needed.
I do not seem to have your phone number. My cell is 248-930-8306.
I will be at the museum about 8:30 am.
See you when we see you!

Be safe - be smart.

[Joe Bell]

If you need any drive line parts and chassis parts I am in North west Ohio and be glad to help out with anything I can, have big barn and tools to fix them. Thanks Joe Bell

[Joe Bell]

I should of added I live in Tiffin Ohio and phone number is 419-618-1025

[Joe Bell]

ON the leaky block it is a 26-7 block very common crack, go to local parts store and look for a product called irontite it may seal a small crack but you need to run water instead of anti freeze to make it work. It is not a permanent fix but it will get by, I would find another block some day and do it right.

[Scott_Conger]

Looking at the wheel, I'd bet a spoke jack and some shims would put that wheel right for the rest of the trip

they almost look like Oak and if they are, should be replaced after the trip regardless of how tight you can make things with shims

[speedytinc]

I dont have any experience with quickpoly. Not sure how a glue would effectively tighten spokes. I have seen an epoxy glued wheel get hot on a national tour & catastrophically fail.

I have made shims as described with a spoke jack to tighten a set of wheels for a "hot rod" centerdoor some 25 years ago. This is a 60+mph car. Those wheels are still in service under much harder use than a typical T. A shim job can be very effective.

[Model T Steve]

The Alpen Chapter arrived at Piquette today right on schedule.
We planned out their visit - first priority was getting the wood-spoked wheel fixed.

This photo shows Harald and Stephan finishing the installation of a new wheel in the left-rear of the car. Piquette had a spare demountable wheel that filled the bill.
I saw a post from earlier today regarding the appearance of the spokes being oak - I think this is likely true. Spokes should be hickory as many of us know. More scrutiny is needed.

Group photo in the Dealership Exhibit at Piquette.

Their cars proudly displayed in front of Piquette.

Enjoying a meal together at Ford's Garage in Dearborn, Michigan. They are now off to Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Great Friends - Great Times - Great Memories.

Thanks for coming to Piquette Alpen Chapter!

[Wayne Sheldon]

Like Scott Conger, I think a spoke jack and several shims would hold that wheel for quite some distance. Anything, even glue, that limits the motion between the worn wooden pieces and whatever they are next to, will slow down the wear and probably extend the safe usage of the wheel. THAT being said, I do not like the use of glues between spokes and whatever they are against for one big reason!
I often say wooden wheels are much stronger than most people think they are. But it goes beyond that simple statement. A major part of that strength is in the resilience of the wheel, in other words, in its flexibility where it needs it. Glue between the felley and the end of the spoke creates a hard interface that can actually cause a spoke to snap off instead of giving that tiny amount it needs to for its resilience. Glue between the spokes and the hub can also create a rigidity that can result in a break rather than a give when needed.
I have used steel shims around worn tenons, with a small amount of tough glue between the shim and the wood. The glue can there fill minor flaws in the wood to reduce working wear, while no glue between the shim and the steel felley allows the flexibility needed for the wheel to take on the shocks and stresses of rough roads.
The other big issue with glue is that the vibration and stresses will eventually break down the glue one way or another. This is especially true where leverage tries to twist or pull between two larger pieces (like a spoke and a felley?). As pieces are forced to move where glue holds them tight? The glue will pull material around it apart, resulting in weaker material. Having a steel shim with glue on only one side maintains the flexibility while at the same time filling voids that would otherwise weaken the wheel and allow faster wear.

Now looks like you are all set as far as the wheel goes!
Enjoy the journey.

[TWrenn]

Bern and gang: glad you made it to Piquette safe and okay. And got your wheel issue resolved. Let's hope now the rest of your journey is just plain relaxing and fun. What a great memory you will have for the rest of your life and to take back to Deutschland mit dir!

[JTT3]

Just as a suggestion after enlarging the photos it appears that the spokes on the other wheels of the car may be the same type spokes. I realize no one really wants to make a huge investment for Hickory spoked wheels but while you’re in the states you may consider buying a set from someone and placing them on the car before being shipped back home. It would take the expense of buying them and having them shipped later plus any VAT THAT MIGHT BE DUE. Just a suggestion. I hope all are having a good time and will continue to keep us posted as we live vicariously through you.
Best regards John

[BernhardBK]

6th day, 12th June 2022, from Perrysburg via Detroit to Ann Arbor with no technical stop.
After we drove through the Ford estate we arrived at about noon at Piquette Avenue Plant.
Steve already informed you, that the defect wheel could be exchanged by our very fast dream team Harald and Stefan, Then a great tour with very interesting information about the Plant, the Cars and Ford Motor Company followed, with some brand new secrets and many photos.
After that, Steve brought us to the Ford Garage (Restaurant). Great location, great explanations by Steve, great foods and equipment.
Steve’s hospitality was incredible. Thanks again Steve for nearly five hours which we will remember even when we returned to Germany.
Later we took west rt 12 and now we are staying in Ann Arbor.
Tomorrow and at least the day after tomorrow we will stay in Kalamazoo. It’s not clear if we’ll go to the Gilmore museum on our way to Kalamazoo or later.
Our Organisator will stay there with his good friend Al and we all will have the change to use Al’s Garage to do some repairs or maintenance; on Tuesday.
At the moment we are one day after the schedule, if we stay an additional night there, we are two days after schedule.

Regarding my engine water cover crack; it’s a 1923, and I use no antifreeze anymore. I think, that the scratch is closed by oxidation. Therefore at the moment I will do nothing additionally, but I will change oil after every 1.000 km, about 600 miles.

Harald plans to rebuild his old wheels with new wooden spokes.

[TRDxB2]

When do you expect to arrive in Moline, Illinois? Initially it was on the 16th but you are making great progress and wondering i you have change plans.

[JTT3]

Bernhard, please be sure Harald uses hickory spokes from one of the vendors. Any other type wood spoke will not be as safe. Again he could place an order now and have them shipped to a location here in the states if you perhaps contact a member that would be willing hold them for you until you arrive at that destination. Then simply ship them back with the vehicle.

[BernhardBK]

Day 7, 13th June 2022, from Ann Arbor to Kalamazoo, about 122 miles
First complete day with Harald’s or Steve’s “new” rear wheel. As safe trip for Harald and Stefan.
(I will inform Harald of the spokes he should order, thanks for the advice!)
No technical forced stops beside one to add water in one of the radiators because it got hot as the outside temperature was soooo high.
Today we visited the gorgeous Gilmore Museum. I never saw so many extremely nice, restored and precious cars on one place before. 430 cars where displayed there and at about 3.45 pm even 5 additional cars, our 5 Ts.

Gilmore Museum

Now we are staying for two nights in Kalamazoo.
Maintenance, small repairs and one Ruckstell rear end check are planned.

Wednesday or Thursday we will continue or trip to the West. We could be in Moline for a short break in the T museum, but I could not confirm that yet.

[TRDxB2]

I understand you must maintain your schedule. The museum is only a slight detour off your route.
I thought that you might find this interesting as you pass through the area. Davenport Iowa is just across the river from Moline & Rock Island Illinois
https://gahc.org/about/our-mission-history/
In the mid-to-late 1800’s millions of German citizens left their homeland and settled as immigrants in the United States. The 1900 U.S. Census documented that over half the citizens in Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota were German immigrants or their descendents. Scott County, where the first passenger railroad crossed the Mississippi River, was the entry point for many immigrants to the upper Midwest region and points west. In 1900, Joseph Eiboeck, a veteran German newspaperman, described Davenport as, “the most German city, not only in the State, but in all the Middle West, the center of all German activities in the State”.

Founded on August 1, 1994 as a private, not-for-profit organization, the German American Heritage Center (GAHC) seeks to preserve the heritage of our German speaking ancestors for present and future generations and to enrich our knowledge of the German immigrant experience.

The Mission is to “preserve and enrich for present and future generations knowledge of the German immigrant experience and its impact on the American Culture.” GAHC’s focus is cultural programs and immigrant contributions. GAHC seeks to reach out to other cultural groups and demonstrate the contributions immigrants from many countries and from varied backgrounds have made to the ethnic palette which is the United States.

[JTT3]

Thanks for the update Bernhard, please give my congratulations to the rest of the group. I know all of you are very busy but I am hoping having a great time. Good to hear there were no major issues and for the most part the Model T’s are performing well. Be safe, have fun and keep us posted.

Best Regards John

[Bob McDaniel]

I am reading this from the hotel in Dearborn where we had planned a trip several months ago and can't believe we missed this group of people by 1 day. Have a safe journey and enjoy the adventure.

[BernhardBK]

Day 8, 14th June 2022, a non-driving day.
We had the chance to do some repairs at the private Garage of Al and Diane with all the equipment we needed.
Again I clued my scratch in the water cover, again with JP Weld, because I feared that another to me recommended clue might “react” with JP weld.
We removed again a rear axle, but everything was okay, ex changed a muffler system exchanged a reverse transmission band and installed additional ones, to have some when we need them. Exchanged one exhaust, checked breaks, solved leaking issues on water pumps.
I finished the installation of my side curtains as ordered spares arrived on time.
And a lot of other things.

Tomorrow we will drive to the West again. We might stay somewhere southwest of Chicago one our tour via Moline to Lincoln.

Where could we see the old Route 66 or where does it cross our route to the West, we like to drive a few miles on this famous street.

CU Bernd

[JTT3]

Great to read your post. Here’s a couple maps

[TRDxB2]

A significant storm pattern is moving from the West, through our area Wednesday night, and then towards Chicago. It looks like it will pass by you before you start your traveling on Thursday. If you are in need of any parts, its likely we have them here in Moline.
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Since you asked about Route 66 I thought to provide you with some additional Historic Highway's that cross the Mid-west.
Route 66 starts to head South from Chicago to Springfield Illinois and on to Saint Louis as the Map
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The Lincoln Highway was the first transcontinental road for automobiles in the United States, dedicated in 1913. It winds its way over 3,000 miles between New York City and San Francisco. More info at this site https://www.lincolnhighwayassoc.org/
It is North of your plan form Chicago to Nebraska but you may be able to drive a portion of it after that.

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The Great White Way, no not Times Square in NYC, but one of the first dedicated routes across the State of Iowa.This route was originally the White Pole Road designated such in 1910 by the White Pole Auto Club (formerly known as the Southwestern Iowa Auto Club). It first followed along the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad from Des Moines to Council Bluffs. The route promised motorists a straighter, leveler and shorter route across the state with a town every five to six miles along the way. Poles along the route were painted white and auto tourists were encouraged to travel the "Great White Way." In the fall of 1912, the road was extended east from Des Moines to Davenport to encompass the entire state, with plans to eventually extend from Chicago to Denver. When the Iowa Legislature in passed the Iowa Highway Route Registration Act, the Great White Way
only 26 Miles of it still exist on the Western part of Iowa

gw1.jpg (33.95 KiB) Viewed 9155 times

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Last but not least is U.S. Route 6 which you have been traveling on and off from time to time and likely will continue to do so for the rest of your journey.U.S. Route 6 (US 6), also called the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, honoring the American Civil War veterans association, is a main route of the U.S. Highway system. While it currently runs east-northeast from Bishop, California, to Provincetown, Massachusetts, the route has been modified several times. The highway's longest-lasting routing, from 1936 to 1964, had its western terminus at Long Beach, California. During this time, US 6 was the longest highway in the country.

[DHort]

I am not sure how you plan to get around Chicago. When I drove my Model T to Detroit I drove a lot on Hwy 30 from Chicago Heights to Valparaiso. This is the famous Lincoln Highway. However the speed limit is 60, so I had a lot of cars passing me, but you can drive a portion of it and say you drove on the Lincoln Highway.

If you want to drive on the old Route 66, you probably have to go to Braidwood. This is south of Joliet. If you Google Braidwood you will see Route 66 just west of Hwy 53. You can head to Moline/Davenport from Braidwood. It is only a little bit out of your way.

Remember to buy gas in Indiana. Gas is very expensive in Illinois.

I hope this helps.

[Steve Jelf]

Remember to buy gas in Indiana. Gas is very expensive in Illinois.

And fill up in Nevada before you enter California, too.

[BernhardBK]

Day 9, 15th June 2022, on the last 30 miles extremely windy.

Today we followed Heike on small streets to Silver Beach, St. Joseph, Lake Michigan, for a break at the beach.
Then we followed state road 39 to the south and took US 8 to the West.

We had several technical problems: Peter’s Fan Belt, Gerhard’s contacts gone, then a fuse. Reiner also had a flat tire and 10 miles before we arrived at the hotel Gerhard also had a flat tire and a second burnt fuse.

When I changed the oil the second time after driving 2.000 km, I noticed that one of my tires looked not Completely full. Just 2 instead of 4,5 bar. The valve had a leak. I changed not only the tube also the very old tire.

Reiner could not change the leaking tube, as we have no wheel spreaders with us.

Tomorrow we plan to visit the Model T Museum in Moline, maybe there is a wheel spreader…

On the way to Moline we’ll follow the advices, which I received yesterday and this morning.
Thanks for the awesome support.

Here some photos

[JTT3]

You are making good time and handling the problems rather handily. Keep up the good job & spirit. Again thanks ever so much for the report of your progress.

[TRDxB2]

We have tire spreads ready for you here in Moline. Also if you are in need of any parts for reserve, send me a list and I will see what we have

[Flivver]

[BernhardBK]

Day 10, 16th June 2022, 293 km from Hebron to Princeton, Illinois.

As hot as yesterday,
very good quality of the streets, even of small streets.

Nearly 250 km of our trip we had corn on both sides of our streets. Flat region, which changed when we approached Illinois River.

We stopped for lunch in Dwight in the great old Route 66 family restaurant and followed 66 till Pontiac, where we
Stopped for a walk through the historic city.

Because of the heat, we stopped again in Magnolia, where we got cold drinks. Many thanks especially to the nice lady of the library, who enabled us to go to the closed garden cafe. In this little town a neighbour helped us to change another flat tire of Peter’s T.

It was too late to reach Frank’s museum in Moline.
We will be there tomorrow, today we stay in Princeton

[TRDxB2]

I wish it were my Museum but it belongs to Craig Beek.

[BernhardBK]

Day 11, 17th June 2022, from Princeton, Illinois to Kalona, Iowa, about 224 km 140 miles.

Hot as the last day. Just one short technical stop, as Peter‘s Fan Belt got lose.

Today we met Frank, Craig and his wife Nancy at Craig’s private museum in Moline, Illinois. I never saw so many very early extremely well restored Model Ts. The cars, the museum and the cemetery were fantastic and we spend much more time there as planned.
Frank, many thanks to you that you arranged that for us and thanks to Craig and Nancy for showing us their museum and for drinks und snacks.

We crossed Mississippi River in Muscatine and drove to the West on 231 and later on 22.
During a coffee break in Kalona, we decided to stay there, as two of us were in the need of changing tires.

That took much longer than expected and it didn’t work for Reiner Split Rim. Even the Rim Spreader, which Frank left Reiner, could not help.

Now we need an advise or someone how knows exactly, how to use the spreader. Without the tire we could fit the rim correctly, but with the tire on the rim, we could not fit it in the right position. Any help/advise is appreciated.
Here are two photos.

Plans for the next days
Tomorrow we want to pick up some parts at Birdhaven, but they do not have tubes for us and no motormeter for my car, which I need to recognise early enough, that my car has a problem, but other parts are available.

Then we should reach Omaha on Sunday Late Afternoon.

The visit to Speedway Motors Museum is now planned for Monday, many thanks and apologies to Laura, Rick, Rob and Bob, who helped us with that, and the timechanges.

CU Bernd

[TRDxB2]

Instructions

sp2.png (478.22 KiB) Viewed 8784 times

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By Dave Roberts October 16, 2007
Then, when mounting a new/repaired tire, turn the spreader assembly 180 degrees so
the 2 swing arms are at the 2:00 and 10:00 aspect and the 'bird beak' arm at 6:00. When you
crank the handle, the 2 ends of the split rim should easily glide over each other and lock.

37671.jpg (55.99 KiB) Viewed 8784 times

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Other instructions and methods

[Wayne Sheldon]

From the picture you show of your (friend's?) rim? It appears the end is bent a bit sharp (doesn't take much!), causing the ends to not come together as they are supposed to.
Model T 21 inch split rims are fairly soft (a lot of other era cars using split rims are much tougher!). On the one hand, they are easily damaged by misuse of the rim spreader. On the other hand, they are fairly easy to put back to right.
It is a bit tricky, and difficult to explain. I usually draw or cut a careful representation an undamaged arc of the rim to check against the damaged area. Then using the representation to determine how much and where the rim needs to be tweaked. The Ford rims are soft enough that heat is usually not needed, and often not desired. However, a small block of wood (or?) that fits inside the rim between the rim sides is almost necessary to prevent kinking or breaking the rim. Using some sort of heavy steel framework, wedge or clamp the short end of the rim beside the bent spot, and pressure (just arm strength!) the rim back to where it belongs, regularly checking the arc against the representation.

It may not be necessary to go to all that trouble? IF the rim isn't too bad, careful use of the rim spreader MIGHT be able to force the rim into position for the latch to work. The Ford rims are soft enough that that can often be done.

A bit of a tale. Just about a month ago, I ran into this very problem for my 1927 Paige. I needed to mount a better tire to replace an old one that was ready to fail. I did not notice that the rim I grabbed had a similar tweak as your rim. I started to push it in place with the rim spreader - - - - and it wouldn't line up. I tried every trick I knew with the rim spreader. Then I cut a couple 2X4 pieces of wood to fit the rim (another old trick!) and used a jack between them. I fought that stupid (WHO's stupid????) thing for more than two hours!
The Paige rims are a bit tougher than the Ford rims are. It required a torch. But in ONE hour, I had cut an arc representation in sheet steel (I wanted accuracy!), clamped the rim onto an anvil, heated it where it needed to be shrunk, and pushed it to within spec. Once the paint dried, It took fifteen minutes to mount the tire.
A straight rim makes all the difference.

[TRDxB2]

Arced wood and jack as mentioned above http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/29/37596.html

[BernhardBK]

Many thanks for the advices regarding the Rim spreader issue. We will try to follow those advices and try it tomorrow morning again.

Day 12, 18th June 2022, was a hot day again.
We drove from Kalona to Greenfield, both Iowa.
First destination was Birdhaven in Colfax, 100 miles.
Then in the direction of Omaha and now we are staying in Greenfield, Iowa. Another 100 miles, together about 324 km.
We had no need for a technical Stopp and got most parts from Birdhaven, they were very helpful and the longer we stayed in their shop the more parts we bought.
US 169 and US 92 had been very ambitious for our cars, but they uphill most times with 30 mph. What means all 5 car drove very good.

Tomorrow we plan to meet the German American society at about 6pm at their location in 3717 S 120th St, Omaha, NE 68144 and maybe we will meet the local T drivers there to. At about 4pm we should arrive in Omaha
Monday we will be in Lincoln

[BernhardBK]

This morning we checked the spokes of our cars, we have two additional wheels with loose spokes. Maybe somebody could offer us to sell usable wheels on our way west to Omaha, Lincoln, Norh Platte to Mount Rushmore.
One for me and one for Reiner. Any help appreciated

[BernhardBK]

And I further recognised today, that one rim has different holders/brackets, that means I could not use my spare wheel, if I get a flat tire there.
Could someone offer me 4 of those brackets?

I would require 4 of those brackets

On the right side in the front I have a different rim

At the right in the front I have the attached brackets, all other rims are with the removable brackets

[TRDxB2]

Unfortunately these things were not recognized before you arrive in Moline. Craig has wheels and I have the lugs (holder/brackets) you need.
The issue you may have is improper mating the manufacturer of the wheel felloe with the rim. The lug does not look correct for the rims, they may be on the wrong wheels. Someone needs to verify

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rim log 2.png (255.61 KiB) Viewed 8599 times

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There are many styles of lugs to fit different wheels

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[BernhardBK]

Hi, we will be at about 6 pm at the building of the German American Society, but the cars are nearby at the super 8 motel M Street

[BernhardBK]

Just a short update to day 13, June 19th 2022:
Short trip from Greenfield, Iowa to Omaha, Nebraska, 155 km, nearly 100 miles.
Like yesterday afternoon nearly till Omaha a straight street but with many extreme uphill and downhill passages. Not ideal for our T’s but also not real issues for them.
Today was the hottest day we had till we are in the States.
We had one slightly extended tank stop as I had an issue with a spark plug, but after cleaning number 3 everything was okay again. Reason was a coil which temporarily didn’t work, strange.
And Gerhard had again a burned fuse, but that did cost less than 5 minutes.
My rear wheel spokes are to try, 5 of 12 are lose on the left, 3 on the right.
This night they take a bath, hopefully that helps.
Reiner and myself still searching for intact wheels.

At the German American Society we met T drivers of the local Omaha T club, some with their T’s and Georg with his wife and her 93 years old dad without his T’s (27 Roadster and Pick-up).

Furthermore I noticed that the brake band of the left Rockies is nearly gone.
Could someone please advice where I get a new one?

George drove home to lend me a set of tested coil boxes, which I will send back to him, when we reached San Francisco.
Thanks a lot for that, George.

It was great to see and talk to local T drivers.
But I think that the high temperature increased my unsuccessful searching for English words.

Two of the Ts had hydraulic brakes with we saw yesterday by Bill of Birdhaven and the 1911 Tourer owned by Tom startet promptly after a slight turn of the crank.

We all followed a detailed presentation of Michael Olk of the German American Society, who gave us an overview about the history of the society and their current activities in their very spacious buildings.
Thanks a lot!
Tomorrow we got to Lincoln and the museum.
And we will meet Rob Heyen personally, who offered to support or to lead us through Lincoln

[George House]

Bernhard, do you still need some of these doodads? If so, advise me an address to send them.... george

[BernhardBK]

hi George, yes I still need them. I have to figure out, to which place on our tour, you could send the lugs.
According to our schedule, which could change and very often really changed, the next stops are
Broken Bow tomorrow
Hyannis
Whiteclay
Keystone
The only destination which should not change is Mount Rushmore, where we should be on Friday or Saturday.
Do you have an idea, where I might pick them up.
Maybe a T driver lives close to Mount Rushmore and we could collect them there.?
Thanks a lot for your offer which I like to accept
Best regards Bernd

[Flivver]

[Rob]

Today I had the pleasure of meeting our transcontinental Teutonic friends. What a delightful and intrepid group. I am impressed by their attitude at this stage of their trip. It was hot and windy, and they rolled in, spent the day at Speedway (Rich and all the Dossants were great), and seemed in great spirits.

Toward the end of the day Myron Smith of rural Lincoln talked Mike at Lincoln Clutch and Brake into helping with a press to get new spokes in two wheels.

I did my part by steering everyone else to a craft brewery next door. Tomorrow they are on to Broken Bow NE.

[BernhardBK]

Thanks, Rob, for your summary of a great day in Lincoln.
On Day 14 I, June 20th 2022, drove 106 km/ 66 miles from Omaha to and in Lincoln.
Rob met us with his awesome Ford Model K on US 6 and headed us to the Speedway Museum and stayed with us.
Many thanks to Rich and Bob for their explanations especially to the many engines and cars in the museum. They did answer all of our questions und showed us a fantastic collection of a lot of racing cars, engines, heads, intake manifolds, metall toys and kids driving cars, and a lot of other things.
After lunch we visited the Ford Model T section, with many tuned engines and very nices cars.
We could have stayed there for more than another half day, but he had some other important things to do.

Rob mentioned already, that we “spoked” one wheel new with new wooden spokes.
Reiner tried to install a new tube and tire on his new split rim (which be bought at Birdhaven), but his rim spreader seems to be not strong enough.
He likes to buy another one. Who has one for sale on our route?
I bought linseed oil and tried to extend the wood of my lose spokes.
For diner we met Myron and his wife Bar with their Chevy impala.

By the way, Gerhard had again a problem with his distributor and Harald again a flat tire

[BernhardBK]

Additional Photos

[George House]

OK....somebody give me an address on their route so I can send the previously mentioned lugs !

[Rob]

George,
I think the route is “fluid.” They told me they don’t make hotel reservations until the afternoon of the day. Today they plan to make Broken Bow.

This morning’s pics.
Guten Morgen;

[Rob]

[Rob]

[George House]

Rob, Broken Bow OK or Broken Bow NE ? If I knew if they would stay for several days, I’d arrange to send these lugs to maybe a NAPA store there. But I can’t send to ‘fluid’ and I envy their trepidation by making this epic trip...

[Mark Nunn]

Broken Bow Nebraska is on their way to Keystone and Mount Rushmore.

[Norman Kling]

Wow! You have gone about half way across. That is quite an accomplishment. But Wait. You have mountains and deserts to cross ahead of you!
Norm

[Rob]

I’m starting a “Coast to Coast” Part 2. The intrepid travelers are about to meet the midpoint of their tour across the country, and scrolling through two forum pages for updates is a little tedious.

The center of the contiguous United States is claimed in a few locations, primarily Lebanon KS, just south of the Nebraska border in northeastern Kansas, and in western South Dakota, which borders Nebraska on the north.

Meanwhile, our German “T” travelers will be in Broken Bow Nebraska tonight, the central point of Nebraska. All things considered, they are half from the beginning, or to the finish. And, they make the midpoint on the longest day of the year.

Wikipedia - “The geographic center of Nebraska is located in Custer County, 10 miles NW of Broken Bow.”

Below:
Coast to Coast Part 2 link.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=29823

[TRDxB2]

The next portion of your route, Keystone to Ogden, should be fairly flat with long but not steep grades but desolate. Not many towns or places to purchase gas so keep the tanks full at every oppertunity. Some towns on the map are now just geographic points so plan wisely