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).
Letter from Rolls-Royce of America regarding issues and observations on straight-sided tires and their flanges.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 42\5\ Scan033 | |
| Date | 9th November 1922 | |
| C O P Y. ROLLS-ROYCE OF AMERICA, INC. SPRINGFIELD, MASS. -------------------------------- Oy3-W-11922. November 9, 1922. Mr. Claude Johnson, Rolls-Royce Ltd., London, England. Attention of Mr. Platford. Dear Sir: Re: Straight Sided Tires. In reply to Mr. Platford's instruction No. 261, and covering note of October 23, we have had no cases of demountable flanges coming off, even when we deliberately tried to produce this result. We find that new flanges overlap from 5/8" to 7/8" and after six months' use on test this becomes 3/8" to 1/2". The gap when in position on the wheel is 3/8" on a new wheel, and becomes 1/8" after a few months' running, as the flange beds itself into the rim. We find it essential to have this wide gap at the start, as otherwise the two ends of the flange butt after a few months' use. This causes a squeak when the wheel is revolving, and also is liable in extreme cases, where the flange is kept from bedding properly in the rim, to cause the flange to fly off while inflating the tire. It has been noticed on one or two English straight-side cord tires (Dunlop) that we have seen, that they are much softer in the side wall than the American tires. This probably makes for better riding qualities, but has the disadvantage of leaving the tire much more "squashy" when deflated, which may cause the trouble of rims flying off. Yours truly, ROLLS-ROYCE OF AMERICA, INC. (Sgd) M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} OLLEY. Engineer. | ||