2018 Tour de Smo'

Outstanding plan fellas. At first glance no work conflicts, now to get cruise control installed. 

How are you planning to install cruise control  Joe?  

I am looking into it as well on my subie.  I hear that there is a way to use the existing ECU if it has the module built in and you can make it happen using the VSS and the ECU.  Of course safety switches on the brake and clutch and the usual controls for on set, accel, decel etc

I traded a few emails with Carey and he thinks it can be done using this. Tom Boney had Henry install cruise control on his IM, it’s where I got the idea. After last years Carlile trip my knee was sore for a couple of weeks. 

@Lane Anderson

Barring catastrophe, we'll be there.

I am making reservations for a few days on the Outer Banks, and then over to the meet.  I’ve always wanted to see the area, and as we are missing Carlisle this year, we will be there.

Stan and I have to have a beer (among others, of course).

I sooo want to make it this time (Karen can't do anything this early in the semester). Trouble is, if I still don't have a job, it's a big ask, and if I do have a job, who knows if I'll have earned any vacay?

Gonna try to make it a priority anyhow. 

Joe Fortino posted:

I traded a few emails with Carey and he thinks it can be done using this. Tom Boney had Henry install cruise control on his IM, it’s where I got the idea. After last years Carlile trip my knee was sore for a couple of weeks. 

Yes I know that system, I installed it in a 1978 VW Diesel believe it or not.  Do you have drive by wire?  If you do, they have a modified kit that can work with the standard ECU plug pass through and you do not have to install that servo which is a kind of unsightly in the engine bay.  PM me if you want more info.

edsnova posted:

I sooo want to make it this time (Karen can't do anything this early in the semester). Trouble is, if I still don't have a job, it's a big ask, and if I do have a job, who knows if I'll have earned any vacay?

Gonna try to make it a priority anyhow. 

I hope that you:

a) get a great job soon, and

b) can make the Tour de Smo’ as you would have a GREAT time!

I can lead the Parkway+ ride again.

-Maybe dip down on my side of the mountain for some back road fun and lunch at some place where we can walk in and get seated as soon as we arrive. Trying to seat 13 or so people out of the blue at the Pisgah Inn, while slammed, got a few feathers ruffled last year. We might have to forgo Malt Disney, I mean Sierra Nevada, though.

Weather permitting of course.

I just looked at the map that is 1000miles from my homes that would make it quite a trip to go and come back alone,  so I best get cruise control or a some sort of attachment for holding down the gaz pedal  

Miko who had Bob's last IM silver mentioned that road some time ago it would be nice to drive that area. 

Count me in. I will do what the group wants, but really enjoyed the rattler and would love to do it again.

The cruise control saved me going to and from the event,I highly recommend it.

Joe if you want to travel together let me know as well as anyone else in the Chicagoland area.

Bones

Tom Boney posted:

Count me in. I will do what the group wants, but really enjoyed the rattler and would love to do it again.

The cruise control saved me going to and from the event,I highly recommend it.

Joe if you want to travel together let me know as well as anyone else in the Chicagoland area.

Bones

 

Bones I think a  caravan would be make an epic trip. @Marty Grzynkowicz are you in, I know timing didn’t work for you last year. 

Planning on making it this year from NW FL (500 miles 8.5 hrs).  Wife will want to see Biltmore Estate while there.

On the Bucket List ~

Same here, on the bucket list! 

 My last business brokerage deal has been SOLD and will close in mid April   ---a $3 million marina,and by the Tour De Smo I will be a free man and plan to join you knuckleheads for this great event if you'll have me.  The Dragon runs in the past were awesome and the Rattler looks very fine as well.  By Sept a lot of folks will be jonesing for a Speedster event ---I know I will.

We are so looking forward to this and have already requested the time off! 

Thank you, Lane!

"Malt Disney"  I love it!

I haven't spoken to the hotel yet, but Wolfgang tells me the website shows it pretty much booked up.  I seem to remember from last year that the website did not match reality, but I will check today.  I am not in a position to put down a big deposit to hold a whole lot of rooms, and last year we had no problems getting in.  There are plenty of other hotels in town, but this is the only one I know of with the fire pits.  Fingers crossed.

I have put a lot of thought into what we're doing this year. We are supposed to be doing a cross country trip this year, which got canceled last year due to Michelle and I having some health issues. This year is going to be a little much to do the cross-country. The thing is, we don't think 5 weeks is going to be enough time. We really want to do this right and take as much time as we need to explore the country. To me that means 8-12 weeks. This means we will do this once I am on vacation permanently, as in, retired. Thankfully, with 27 years service, that won't be too long.

So what all that gobbledegook means is we are IN for Maggie Valley come hell or high water! Last years broken ankle on top of all the other stuff in our cake really hurt.

RE: cruise control. I know there are units that are designed to be used with OE throttle servos for those of you with drive-by-wire.

I am about to purchase a Dakota Digital unit that uses the speedo cable for VSS and has a very small and easily hidden electric servo with a cable. They have three different controls, I am opting for the dash one which will be velcroed for easy access and easily hidden as well. $280 at Summit. This will be pretty easy to install in the Spyder as I'm not using the speedometer cable(GPS Speedo from Speedhut). The only thing we all will have to do if you have LED taillights is install a relay for the brake switch.

Lane Anderson posted:

"Malt Disney"  I love it!

I haven't spoken to the hotel yet, but Wolfgang tells me the website shows it pretty much booked up.  I seem to remember from last year that the website did not match reality, but I will check today.  I am not in a position to put down a big deposit to hold a whole lot of rooms, and last year we had no problems getting in.  There are plenty of other hotels in town, but this is the only one I know of with the fire pits.  Fingers crossed.

According to the Maggie Valley Event Calendar, the same event are going on as there were last time we were there. The Ford Truck Show is on the 9/27 and the huge flea market is on that weekend.  So... maybe the incoming traffic will be similar. Let us know if you need room deposits to hold spaces ... cuz, fire pits. 

Dannt I checked it and I believe they use Rostra parts as their base 

I would love to be there and volunteer to support this event.  I have done the "Tail" several times on motorcycles and have ridden the length of the Blue Ridge Pkwy.  However,  I will be in Europe with my wife and a few friends that weekend.  I hope to make next year!  Have fun with those roads.... they are great! 

Tom Boney posted:

Count me in. I will do what the group wants, but really enjoyed the rattler and would love to do it again.

The cruise control saved me going to and from the event,I highly recommend it.

Joe if you want to travel together let me know as well as anyone else in the Chicagoland area.

Bones

 

Tom would you post a few picts of what your cruise control set up looks like I forgot if your car is the subie one that IM did.

Thanks  Ray

Love the twin threads here, but somehow they are interconnected...need cruise control to get to Maggie Valley.  

Well let's see .... where are you on the map

Bob it looks like I might be the farthest going to that event even beating Jack  

Bob: IM S6 posted:

Love the twin threads here, but somehow they are interconnected...need cruise control to get to Maggie Valley.  

Not really, but it helps.

Well, I don't need it, but some may.  I like having my right foot on that pedal...

IaM-Ray posted:

Dannt I checked it and I believe they use Rostra parts as their base 

That may be true, but as far as keeping cost down, the Dakota Digital kit has everything you need in one box for a lower price, at least in my case where I need electric servo and speedo sensor/VSS.

I've done long distance in my Spyder, and maybe if I was shorter I wouldn't need it. But the way I fit in there, my knee is always bent at the same angle, and my knee and foot/ankle bother me after 150 miles or so. Having the option to maintain speed without tiring the foot will go a long way toward long distance comfort.

IaM-Ray posted:

Tom Boney posted:

Count me in. I will do what the group wants, but really enjoyed the rattler and would love to do it again.

The cruise control saved me going to and from the event,I highly recommend it.

Joe if you want to travel together let me know as well as anyone else in the Chicagoland area.

Bones

 

Tom would you post a few picts of what your cruise control set up looks like I forgot if your car is the subie one that IM did.

Thanks  Ray

Ray, you can check out Toms thread which has a link to the flickr build pics. 

Thanks Joe

UPDATE: The Lodge is currently closed for maintenance and vacation, so I will choose not to believe the online indication that they are booked.  They re-open on 12 April, and I suggest calling that day for a reservation.  You can leave a message now, if you wish.  Their number is 828-926-1301.

Thanks, Lane.  Do we specify any club or event?

I haven't set anything up like that.  Last year we all just did it individually and got a good rate.  Let's try that again this year.

Is Martay coming down with his Italian concoction?

Sounds good Lane, keep us posted.

Bob: IM S6 posted:

Well, I don't need it, but some may.  I like having my right foot on that pedal...

I just wished those in my area could figure that out and get going

Henry changed the cruise on my car that shows in the build pics to small toggle switches under the dash to the left of the steering wheel. I have some pictures just need to get them to post.

I will work on it in the morning.

I can relate to what Danny says about the same position of his leg/knee being tiring after 150 miles.  I had the same problem when I first started traveling some distances in my VS.  My solution was low tech but simple, cheap and elegant and worked well for me.  Alice made me a small pillow about 3 1/2 inches thick and 18" square that I slip between below my right knee and the bottom area of the gear shift.  I have heard that leaning against the gear shift column is damaging to the transmission ---maybe an old wives tale but I don't lean against it just in case.  This pillow takes the strain off holding my knee/leg in an upright position which was very tiring.  Positioning part of the pillow against the center "hump" takes the pressure off the gear shift knob as my leg leans against the pillow.  Comfortable and relaxing and almost as good as cruise control to me because the gas pedal is so easy to operate.

While I'm at it I'll mention that I use a soft canvas Lands End type brief bag (like a soft brief case) as a left arm rest.  Put trip supplies in the bag along with a "Keep your VW Alive" book  (and maybe even a pistol) and sit the bag on the flat shelf below the door slightly above the floor and voila---a great arm rest.   To get out of the car, just swing the bag into the space over and behind the seat back and swing the door open. 

" (and maybe even a pistol)" Priceless comment Jack.