Technical Manuals From Vendor Yes/ No?

Hello again,

I have noticed when inquiring about purchasing a used Beck 550 that the manufacturer did not supply manuals. No reference manuals listing components used during the build with part numbers, or basic engine timing information. Seems like a simple enough thing for the manufacturer to do. I was very surprised to hear this. For example, how would one know what brake pads to buy, etc...? Some follow up questions, how difficult is it to source parts, if you plan on doing the work yourself? Are there suppliers out there anyone could recommend? Maybe there should be information on this in the knowledge area of the forum. Am I missing something? -- Thank you John

John,
Components are VW. Engines vary as do transmissions. Just about everything is available at a VW specialty shop or via the internet.

Vintage offers a Manual with their cars, covering some basic stuff. It all depends on what power you choose: type1, type4, Subi, or 911. Get the appropriate commercial manual, your engine builder should provide a spec sheet of tuneup info(timing,valve adj.,carb jet sizes,etc.). Plus, there are two boards full of knowledgable people to send you in the proper direction when you need help.

John -

These cars are really quite simple to work on so long as you don't have to go inside the engine or transaxle.

All of the wiring is exposed and easy to get to, usually the engine is in the open and unencumbered with all the computer geehaws and crap on modern cars, and although there can be minor variations that may trip one up, a good manual like the Bently VW Service Manual will take you a long way.

Everything on these cars is fairly simple and logical and as was mentioned above, people here are always quick to assist...I leaned on Larry, Mike and George a lot during my first months of ownership.

Additionally, unless you plan to drive your car a lot, components like brake shoes and pads shouldn't be an issue for years.

If you take a look at the cars on the market, the majority have only a few thousand miles on them, with most having less than 3,000. Compared to the typical family sedan, most aren't driven that much. Given that, the big service issues seem to be changing the oil regularly, valve adjustment, fan belt tension, carb adjustment, clutch adjustment and timing (Not particularly in that order).

Because the cars are "handmade" and build quality varies signifiacntly from car to car, there are always "issues" to be dealt with, but for the most part, that is usually part of the "joy of ownership" (As long as the "issues" don't rear their head while you're on the road).

I had some significant issues with my car at the beginning and fortunately for me, the constructor paid Jake Raby to correct them. Since that time, it's been minor stuff and quite frankly, I'd rather be fiddling with my car than doing just about anything else that's legal (Notice I said, "just about").

Bottom line: The cars are a blast if you don't let yourself get too tied up in the "experience." Like any other hobby/pasttime, it is possible to take this all way too seriously and then the fun seems to diminish.

Just my opinion...

TMc

Thank you all for the reply. This sounds like the place to be for trials, tribulations and triumphs. The next step is getting hold of one of these naked machines. --- John G.

Hi, John. I got hooked up with Carey at sales_info@beckspeedster.com and he was kind enough to xerox me a copy of the Beck owner's manual. It is in English and Portugese. Not very techinical but its a good translation tool.
Cheers!