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Subject Topic: Sprite Alpine SV Post Reply Post New Topic
Personsuemike21
08/8/2019 at 9:23pm
 Location: Hampshire
 Outfit: 1980s Sprite Alpine View suemike21's Profile View Profile   Reply to suemike21 Reply   Quote suemike21 Quote  
Joined: 02/8/2019

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Hi. We've just bought a 1981 Sprite Alpine SV.
It doesn't have a plate on the chassis at the front (just 4 holes).
I'm trying to restore it and need to service the running gear.
Does anyone have a manual for this van?
Cheers - Mike

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikecaa/48490733352/in/dateposted-public/


Personsuemike21
09/8/2019 at 11:42am
 Location: Hampshire
 Outfit: 1980s Sprite Alpine View suemike21's Profile View Profile   Reply to suemike21 Reply   Quote suemike21 Quote  
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Have stripped out the interior now and removed part ofthe floor over the suspension.
I can't find any pictures of the B&B suspension on the internet! So here are some I took.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikecaa/albums/72157710195532747

The van seemed a bit bouncy when we drove it back. Anyone replace the shock absorbers on this van? Looks like the 3 bolts on the top are going to be a challenge to get off.

Mike


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PersonRob and Tina
09/8/2019 at 12:07pm
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
 Outfit:  Swift Major 4SB View Rob and Tina's Profile View Profile   Reply to Rob and Tina Reply   Quote Rob and Tina Quote  
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Hi, this looks like an interesting project. Our first caravan had a B&B chassis and I found an old workshop manual which had photos, you may be lucky and find an old Haynes type manual in a charity shop or car boot sale.

The caravan may have been bouncy if the tyre pressures were wrong and also because it wasn't loaded, they always tow better when loaded with the correct tyre pressures and noseweight. Your shocks look slightly covered in surface rust so I doubt if they are leaking so as long as they rebound I don't think they'll need changing.


Rob


Personsuemike21
09/8/2019 at 4:01pm
 Location: Hampshire
 Outfit: 1980s Sprite Alpine View suemike21's Profile View Profile   Reply to suemike21 Reply   Quote suemike21 Quote  
Joined: 02/8/2019

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Thanks Rob.
It's possible the tyre pressures were lower than optimum but I didn't want to stress 15 year old tyres! Without a plate on the van I can only guess the weight. If it's the same as the old Alpine then it's 545kg empty and a maximum 735kg.

That's why I'm hoping some might have a manual they could scan for me.

I managed to get the shocks off the van although had quite a job removing the 9/16th lock nuts on the top. Seem in excellent condition, much better than I expected. See picture.

Cheers - Mike

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikecaa/48496039011/in/album-72157710195532747/


Post last edited on 09/08/2019 16:08:46


moorlander999
09/8/2019 at 10:11pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View moorlander999's Profile View Profile   Reply to moorlander999 Reply   Quote moorlander999 Quote  
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any issues with the shock absorbers / springs - get in contact with Hagon...They rebuild just about every known spring / shock absorber known to man..Great little van...keep us all updated with your sterling work..PS -- Check your image folder -- there seems to be a man about to jump of your roof :)


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Personsuemike21
08/9/2019 at 5:03pm
 Location: Hampshire
 Outfit: 1980s Sprite Alpine View suemike21's Profile View Profile   Reply to suemike21 Reply   Quote suemike21 Quote  
Joined: 02/8/2019

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Help anyone - I need some information.

The work on my Sprite Alpine continues!
Starting to put it back together now. The suspension went back on OK and I've serviced the brakes and replaced the oil seals. See pic.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikecaa/48699337008/in/album-72157710195532747/

But Putting the wheel hubs back on is a problem.
The running gear was made by Harrison (but the brake components look like old Lockheed stuff). The bearing are straight ball races with a trust washer. The hub nut is not a 'one time nut' as fitted to newer van but has a castellated cap and split pin.

Does anyone know what the correct torque figure is for this type of bearing? I've searched the internet but the only information is for the modern type. At the moment I've just done it up as hard as I can! Not happy with that.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikecaa/48699350098/in/album-72157710195532747/

Cheers - Mike


Personsuemike21
03/11/2019 at 2:30pm
 Location: Hampshire
 Outfit: 1980s Sprite Alpine View suemike21's Profile View Profile   Reply to suemike21 Reply   Quote suemike21 Quote  
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Hi to anyone whose interested in old Sprite Alpine vans.
I made a video of my renovation / refurb and put it on YouTube. Might give someone some useful ideas (or put them off the whole idea!).
Enjoy


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpExXB6hy-Y

Cheers - Mike


PersonColin21
03/11/2019 at 4:34pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail View Colin21's Profile View Profile   Reply to Colin21 Reply   Quote Colin21 Quote  
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Hi Mike, It's great to see these older vans being restored and used. If you haven't done so already it might be worth contacting the Retro Caravan Club. They have lots of useful info. I would join it myself but as my caravan is 1992 it is a bit too "modern".


https://www.retrocaravanclub.co.uk


-------------
Best Regards,
Colin


Personsuemike21
05/11/2019 at 10:05pm
 Location: Hampshire
 Outfit: 1980s Sprite Alpine View suemike21's Profile View Profile   Reply to suemike21 Reply   Quote suemike21 Quote  
Joined: 02/8/2019

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Hi Colin
Yes nice to keep these lovely old vans going.
Thanks for the info.
Cheers Mike


PersonColin21
05/11/2019 at 10:35pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail View Colin21's Profile View Profile   Reply to Colin21 Reply   Quote Colin21 Quote  
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I have owned 2 Sprites many years back. Firstly an Alpine from the late 50s, then a Musketeer from the early 60s. Both great vans that I owned in the 1970s and 80s. Back then they had gas lights and no electrics apart from road lights. No running water either, not even cold. I fitted 12 volt electrics and a pumped water system to the Musketeer, but didn't bother with mains as very few sites had it.

-------------
Best Regards,
Colin



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