All
Just an update on my new VS speedster. Took it to, of all things, a tire place right down the street. They have been doing oil changes and other stuff on our daily drivers and yesterday I was at the point of blowing a gasket so I went there in hopes of at least getting something fixed.
I have an Appt on the 4th to go to a specialist mechanic. He now has a lot less to fix!
Brakes - they bled the brakes. Feels better but still very mushy. For Disc brakes all around I would have thought I would be stopping on a dime. In my last speedster I had disc up front and drum in back and the brakes were much better. I was told by the builder discs all around would be. OUt of the blue I get an email that a larger master cylinder was shipped to me. Still waiting on it, but will have it installed as my last hope to have great braking power.
While they were adjusting brakes, I asked the guy to stick his hand up through and adjust the clutch which had enough play in it for 3 of our cars. Now, it feels great. I think they dialed that in BUT IT DID NOT help the shifter at all and still having a big issue with finding gears and using somewhat brute force for 3rd and 4th. I am not driving the car for pleasure yet.
They did tighten up a couple hose clamps that were not very tight at all. There is still a major leak and I have it pinpointed to one of the either in our out hoses on the oil cooler itself.
Upon starting car yesterday, It backfired twice, died on me twice and while driving it over the past couple weeks, it has spit and popped at 2000 to 2800 rpm. Hesitates, etc. The manager of this shop and I started talking about carbs, and he asked me to pop the hood (which by the way is a nightmare to get closed...if anyone has suggestions since the manufacturer wont write me back on how to adjust, let me know), and he immediately stuck his hand into the engine, and about 30 seconds later the car was sounding great. I took it for a quick spin, no popping, etc. As with my last VS - I know that these carbs need adjusted a lot so I am sure that I will hear this and feel this again down the road...hell maybe even today if I take the car out...but as of yesterday, it was WONDERFUL. Told the Manager he had magic hands and he said no, anyone who works on cars would know that having the air mixture screws set ALL THE WAY IN would cause a car to stumble and grunt and kick...He adjusted them out a couple turns and a quarter. Should have been fixed at VS but with 12 miles...not sure they had enough time.
While the car was in this shop - and they are all car guys, 2 people separatley commented on how bad the paint job was and actually asked it it was MY first time painting a car. I am trying to find a local reputable shop here to see what it will cost to make the car look like it should have coming out of the manufacturer. I will be sending a bill on that.
The oil cooler is working. I have been able to get on some back roads and drive the car at 50 mph for a long stint and the temp on the gauge grows, and the fan comes on. It is a great noise when you hear that. I did not have an oil cooler on my last car! The A1 exhaust sounds fantastic by the way. really has some grunt to it. Living in Florida, I have yet to put the top up and nor will I so the noise is not bothersome at all. Still waiting on my race bullet muffler from A1. Tiger said it was sent to the coaters and should be here in the next week to two weeks.
One of the bolts holding on the wheel was stripped at the thread and had to be rethreaded...
Roland at Rascon has been great. Answers my texts, etc. Calls me when need be. For anyone that doesnt know, Roland supplies only the long block to VS. The rest of the motor is put together in VS shop by one of their guys. But - Roland is always willing to help including on weekends. Great dude...
I was sent 4 rubber grommets which are nothing more than decorative. I was assuming the served a purpose from letting the bumper hit the sides of the hole in the body but no...they are purely decorative. But, I have 4 of them. Only need 2 so let me know who wants the others and I will pop them in the mail for you.
I was sent a small can of paint from VS. I asked if they had touch up paint and they said yes and sent it to me as discussed, but after really looking at the paint job...I am not sure what to do with it. I am not a pro painter. should have been done before it showed up to me but missing paint on engine lid, all around the edges of doors and hood, etc.
All in all - interesting week.
Taking it on the 4th to have mechanic do the following.
1. Sync carbs - I cant be sure this was done if the air mixture screws were set all the way in
2. adjust OR REPLACE shifter
3. find and fix oil leak at cooler lines
4. general nut and bolt shakedown.
5. install larger master cylinder
6. change oil
All in all - if buying a brand new speedster - BRAND NEW FROM THE EXPERTS - stay on top of it. I thought I was. Sit on top of them to make sure all systems are as they should be when leaving the shop and DONT LET THEM GIVE YOU ONE WORD ANSWERS ON ANYTHING. I should have flown out there. I should have gone for two days and put as many miles on the car as possible before it left that shop. I have a NEW car with a 7 out of 10 paint job, oil all over my floor (well cardboard now), brakes that take forever to stop me, a shifter that is a pain in the ARS to get into 3rd and 4th gear and a lot of heartburn and sadness. On the bright side, I am learning a ton!
It will all be better soon...and when it is, this car will be frigin SUWEET!!!! I am looking forward to my first drive with all system go!
Please, Please, Please only take my above as just an update on my car. If anyone has suggestions on anything above, let me know. I have done my rant a couple times but dont want or need the fire fueled.
Speedsters RULE!!
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