This message was posted by HERB on AmayaUsers.com. PLEASE DO NOT REPLY VIA EMAIL. Instead, respond to the thread on the WEBSITE by clicking here: http://www.amayausers.com/boards/ultimatebb.php?/topic/2/797.html#000012 The black rubber was to be used as a spacer on the early Big Reds ring gauge. It brought the backing up level with the cap frame. I have not used it in years and see no real difference with or without it. The double strap is more of a pain as you have to locate both straps when you hoop. The later Big Red has a single strap similar to the XT. The single straps hold just fine. I find my Big Reds, with the wings properly adjusted, do a better job on unstructured caps while the XT is a little better on structured. =========================================================== The AmayaUsers Mailing List Website: http://www.amayausers.com Discussion Board: http://www.amayausers.com/boards Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://www.amayausers.com/list ===========================================================