Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Aquaplaning M3W's

Thanks Chris.

In France blockley are more expensive 30%

I've stuck with two on the front and one on the back!

Sorry, couldn't resist it...I have actually stuck to the same set up as before, Blockleys on the front and a Michelin Cross Climate on the back. The more I have driven and thought about it since my epic aquaplane, the more I think that in the most part it was down to truly dreadful conditions albeit not helped by the rear wheel not having the luxury of a front wheel to remove water ahead of it and my rear tyre being at the stage of its life where it was going to get replaced when I got home. I'll add that I don't run tyres till they're bald so there was a reasonable tread depth still on it. I have also heard from other sources that that particular short stretch of motorway where it happened has a surprisingly high incidence of aquaplaning, whether down to road surface, camber geometry, crosswinds or whatever I don't profess to know.
Since getting the car back I have driven a fair amount in extremely wet conditions without any suspicion of aquaplaning although I dare say I am a little bit more gentle in those conditions than I used to be.

Thanks Calum. At this point in my life and after spending many months in hospital when I was younger I can honestly say that the adrenaline generated by a crash is not as desirable as many other more sedate methods of getting that adrenaline high.

I currently have Excelsior Comp H tires on front but I am getting ready to Powdercoat the black wire wheels to a color to match the seats. I figured at that time why not change tires from the Avon’s if that made sense. Hydroplaning is not good and not on my list desired thrills. I have never had the Avon’s wet but the Comp H seem to work ok, just inquiring to find something better if possible.

Hey, are the original M3W black wires black paint or black powdercoat?

yes, the adrenaline after my MC accident three years ago was not a rush at all

In my case, hydroplaning started at the rear and if I had not been a total idiot, it could have been avoided. I agree with Red Three that our rear wheel does not have the benefit of a front wheel directly in line clearing the path. I was on the power in a situation where I should have been just puttering along in the slow lane getting wet. Once the rear wheel spun up and the rear end kicked out, there was no saving it despite my “imagined” prowess as a world class rally driver☹️.
If my wife and me were cats, we would have used up 8 of 9 lives in one fell swoop. We were incredibly lucky and we try to avoid the rain to this day. My best advice on avoiding hydroplaning Is good tires and slow down.
Be safe out there!!

Good advice Rolsmith.

Calum mentioned that he was running the Michelin CrossClimate and I also run them on the Plus 4. When I spoke to him about the tyre when we were in Portugal he had just made a long trip in every possible weather condition and was very satisfied with the tyre.

We also have them on my wife's VW Polo and I think they perform even better on the Polo than on the Plus 4. I find them a great tyre in the wet but I have had some tyre squeal when accelerating and turning on to a main road from a side road (90° turn from a standing start) on a dry road.

Both Calum and I had excellent times on the Caramulo Hill Climb. (actually Calum was faster than me and was trying to beat Mario's time. A big ask since Mario knows the course and had race rubber fitted )

Judge for yourself

Does the rear sprocket need to be removed to change the rear tire? Maybe a stupid question but not having doe it before I thought I would ask.

No it doesn't, but some tyre fitters say it does. May depend on the specific machine they use. It is easy to remove so not a big problem.