Count down to Carlisle

Did the magic beads thing today. I borrowed my neighbors compressor to aid in putting the air back in the tires. Lane is right, the pouring of the beads is one tedious process. After the wheels were back on, I went for a test drive. Unfortunately, I did not notice much difference. I'll run it on I-40 tomorrow for a better test. If this test confirms my suspicion, I will be looking for a deeper problem or perhaps just learn to live with it, as I have for the past seven years. :-(

Ack! Sorry to hear that, John.

Hoss,

Have you had a tire shop check each tire assembly for "out of round"? Also, what synthetic fiber is used for the cord and belts. After setting for long term storage, the tires can develop "flat spots" were the they meet the bottom surface. Some of the synthetic materials used in the construction will take a permanent set. Just from my experiences growing up in a true service station

Jack the car up, to check each tire, place a small wood block 1/8" away fron the tire tread and spin the wheel watching for possible out of round, then move the block to the side wall and check for any wobble. Sometimes it can be resolved by breaking the tire bead and rotating the tire 90 or 180 degres on the rim.

John has replaced wheels, replaced tires, had 'em balanced, etc., without success. I have only a short test drive on mine, but will do more this weekend to verify whether or not the beads worked for me.

Well, Next week is the big show, BRING YOUR PONCHOS.....typical Carlisle weather is forecast. Sun.... maybe, rain definitely... and FUN is spite of it all. Im moving to the Left Coast......

FIVE more days!!!

Merlot will be delivered Tuesday at best! I'll have to learn how to drive all over again on the way. New hydraulic clutch and pedal assembly installed may take some getting user too!

Rain...Let's not forget that Speedster tops were only for "Emergency Use Only" I plan on throwing in several Sham Wows to absorb any water that gets into the interior. They work pretty good for that purpose.

Convertible tops. Whatever. :)

That's great news about Merlot!

Good News but expensive, Cory! The transport cost has gone crazy. The cost apparently has doubled since transporting to Carey last October!

I got 4 possums, do we need more? %~)

I saw Andrew Zimmern's Bizarre Foods show this week. He was eating possum, raccoon and other bizarre things...so I guess it is classified as bizarre. Being new to this group and my first trip to Carlisle, where and when do you pound these critters down during the weekend?

"The transport cost has gone crazy"
.... Uh Huh, imagine that I spend at least $350.00 per day for diesel fuel. ~Alan

Airfare was more expensive than a carrier! Round trip at $700 to $1200 and still throwing away the return. Add fuel cost, a night on the road and and eats plus wear/tear on the knee so the carrier was a sound call.

Unleaded has gone within a few cents of $4.00/gal here in Lake Lure! On to eBay to find a Vespa w/side car!

Rich,

I'll have to hit a few on the way up to Carlisle. That's the main reason for traveling the back roads. Told Cory that I had 4, Right now that doesn't look like it'll be enough. Oops, we're goin' to need a coon to make some coon grease gravy for garnish and biscuits.

Gettin' Hungry yet?

Hardly.

Only USDA-approved Possum for me thanks. BTW, what is the plural for possum? Possums doesn't sound right. Maybe Vince can provide the answer.

Posthumus

Bring it on! I'll try almost anything once. " He was a bold man that first ate an oyster" - Johnathan Swift

Note I said "almost anything"...and isn't it Opossum? (Irish ?)

I really do hope there is no road-kill on the menu. At all. Ever.
I've eaten enough Third-World crap to know I don't want any meat on a plate in front of me that wasn't raised on a farm and killed with a bolt gun.

I think (and pray) that Aaron is just yanking our chains. Luckily he won't have cooking facilities with which to prepare a road-kill repast.

This is more fun than a barrel of monkeys...Cory told me that he'll bring the barf bags! Why, I don't know!

Now, fellers, I will need grits and moleasses for breakfast! Do they have grit trees that fur North?

Not sure but I have seen them there colored eggs hanging from trees

Whew! Hot and muggy here today, but I've done everything but clay bar, polish, glaze, and wax. Gonna take a break, but the car's already lookin' GOOD!

Done and DONE!! Car's so shiny it almost hides all the rock and sand chips.

Hitting the road tomorrow, car is waxed, packed and ready to go. May have to put the top up since it's been raining for 2 days down here. Also carrying a spray bottle of ammonia and a spray bottle of water to clean off the lovebugs. For those few that don't know a lovebug from a VW beetle, they're little black flies that swarm while mated together, no natural enemies except for fast moving vehicles, birds don't even eat them. Nasty buggers, if not cleaned off soon, their body juices will eat into your paint and etch and stain it. I expect to have one or two stuck in places I can't get to unless I use a high pressure hose. Camera and cell phones are charged and will be turned on, cell number is 954 296-3638.

Has anyone just gone ahead and RAINEX'd their whole car?

Just the windshield. The paint gets a nice bath, followed by a clay bar treatment using Griot's Speed Shine. Next it gets Griot's Fine Hand Polish which I follow up with Griot's Paint Glaze. Finally, a coat of P21S carnuba wax.

UPDATE: The wheel balancing beads are a limited success. The vibration is less noticeable, but still there at ~60 - but only on some roads (weird). I guess I can live with it until I need new tires in a couple of years as I think the problem is in a tire.

Lane,

Have you by chance played with the ride height? Crossed checked left front to right rear, right front to left rear? I have the settings on Merlot as per Carey as at the time of delivery. Also, have you used the VW method using a level? Just something to check.

I won't have time to even get Merlot ready. Hope that she arrives Tuesday ready to go! Carey told me that the new pedal assembly takes some getting use too! I'll learn on the way to Carlisle. Carey also said she stills runs like a demon!

Lane, be happy that you have had limited success. I don't think I had any at all after a run on I-75 and I-40. The vibration still kicks in about 62 mph and kicks out at about 65 mph. Gotta stay out of that jiggle zone.

Tell me about the "VW method" thing Aaron, because I have adjusted the ride height a time or two.

I'll bring the detailing stuff just in case you want to give Merlot a spa day.

Lane and John, I just replaced my tires. I got a really good job done by a friend on the mounting and balancing, and it is perfect. No shaking at all, at any speed! Conventional dynamic speed balance, Mainely by Design wide5 adapter.

Hey guys coming up from the Southeast. Just ran the I-81 route and the only area to worry about is the last 5 miles inVirginia before you enter West Virginia - Lots of radar everywhere. After that, clear shot to exit 52.

Good to hear ya made it. Make good time, too?

~WB

Lane,

I can't touch the paint! The finally buff-out and polish was completed on Friday. Carey has said no waxing for awhile. Thanks for the offer.

The VW way is in an old VW tune and repair manual. I can't remember the details, but will copy the procedure and bring to Carlisle.

Remember how I told all about how Merlot "bounced" at 100 MPH after letting off the accelerator and coasting down to the speed limit. Check out the chamber compensator...just a maybe! I didn't like the CB set-up because of the web straps over the axles. Used the old style with urethane push-up blocks.

Bill:

Made great time and avoided DC and NYC/NJ like the plague. The only trouble was the two days of pretty constant rain (gotta love Rain-X!!) It's great traveling with wet dogs |>(

Left Beaufort 7am on the dot on Saturday. Started to hit Drizzle just above Charleston and it never left us. Avg'd 72-75 and 18mpg for the trip while hauling about 600 pounds of "stuff" (including a Generac Generator for Chris) beyond us and the pups. Fueled up in Beaufort, Lexington, VA and Carlisle - that's it. Went smoking past Chambersburg at 6:57 am (Alan! Did'ja hear us beep??) and Harrisburg around 8am (stopped in Carlisle across from the hotel for fuel and something quick from the Dunkies there).

Pulled in to the Driveway here just after 2:30pm and the only traffic we saw was the last ten miles on I-90 - damn good time, indeed. And even DirecTV came right up- Whoo-Hoo!! Went through two months of "Car Talk", "On Point" and "Science Friday" podcasts all in two days.

Almost zero crazy drivers out there this weekend - I'm still amazed - so it was actually an enjoyable trip, if not for the reason. It's sure to be a very tough week, so I'll see all y'all next weekend or so on here.

Speedstah people of Earth:

Have a great (and DRY) time at Carlisle!!

Gordon
The Speedstah Guy from Beaufort

Merlot was loaded today and on the way at 1500 hrs. I'll check out the emergency top and side curtains and re-apply 303. Rain X ready for the front windscreen,

Have 4 possums by the tails, pickled ramps, flowery Hawaiian shirt, crash helmet, driving gloves, sunscreen, sunglasses, what else? Oh,and one fruit jar of blockade whisky.

A change of drawers, maybe?!

I hope to be on the road in 36 hours. Gettin' close, guys!!!

Don't forget the deod. Marty says "you guys smell". LOL!

Umbrella, Aaron! And charcoal briquets.



And the Lafer!