From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
The cessation of Michelin wheel forging production due to accidents with soft bead clincher tyres.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 42\4\ Scan148 | |
| Date | 25th May 1920 | |
| x 3894 COPY. ROLLS-ROYCE OF AMERICA. SPRINGFIELD. MASS. May, 25th, 1920. Oy6/G25.5.20. To Mr. Bailey. c. to Mr. Barrington. Mr. Beaver. Mr. Nadin. Mr. Manning. Mr. Burton. Mr. Caswell from Mr. Olley. re - Michelin Hub Forgings. X. 3482. X. 4050. X. 3894. Replying to your letters By/M5/H24.4.20, and By5/P4520 in which you finally state that no Michelin Wheel forgings are to be produced at all, we note that this decision has been arrived at as the result of accidents to wheels fitted with "beaded edge" or what are here known as "soft bead clincher" tyres. The accidents to Michelin wheels are apparently the same as those which occur on Warland rims, on which subject I reported to CJ. on November 8th, with copy to Barrington. These troubles arise from running soft bead clinchers without security bolts. We have read a recent letter of Mr. Royce in which he refers to the accidents to Michelin wheels, and states that in his opinion, the American straight side tyres which he is using at Chichester are a far more advanced design than the European soft bead clincher, and offer an assurance against the type of trouble which has been met with. Since Dunlops are about to produce straight side Contd | ||