Beetle - Nerds On Site Cape Town project

[johanb]

Hi All

Started a new project out of necessity rather out of free will. I had to get a beetle for my business Nerds On Site,,
Had a look at a few new beetles,, but am a classical guy myself,, so went in head first an bought the beetle two weeks ago.
The beetle has a solid pan,, 1700 beetle engine running on unleaded fuel,, disk brakes in the front - a nice base to start working with

As I don't have beetle experience took it to Sh... in Cape Town,, don't want to discourage people,, my beetle was there for 3 days to have a few minor repairs done
The bush in the gear-lever need to be replaced,, window winder slipped and the car turn sharp to the one side and hardly turned to the other side.
After 3 days the window winder was replaced,, the rest the same,, they couldn't replace the gear-lever bush and gave me BS that it will damage the back of the gearbox, The turn circle the same and their excuse I need to put 15'' tires on and it will be resolved - %$# was my answer to them

I saw a nice adjustable front beam at Flat Four on Saturday, Today (Sunday) I started preparing to get the beam out for what I eyed at Dave,, and looked at what is the cause of the turn circle issue,, somebody welded on one turn stop,, make the turning smaller,, grinded of and viola problem solved,, turn perfect both ways

Next week I will pull the beam out and started getting stuck into making this my nermobile

I have three weeks,, hopefully this will be a short project

[jolas]

Good luck with your project

[JamesD]

Looks like a nice little car. I thought they had to be red though? Maybe it was owned by an American who had dreams of being a racing driver so he modified it to only turn one way?

[hitlers revenge]

Hi Johan, is Nerds on Site yours.

As stated above, weren't the beetles Red?

Do you know David Jones?

[johanb]

Hi

Yep the beetles must be red,, going for her paint next weekend,, I wanted to do a full colour change,, but the misses recon only outside,,
Not happy with her choice,, but happy wife, happy life
Planning to do the full colour change when I have the splitty up and running

I know David Jones,, he visited a few weeks back,, will say hi.

Quick update, got the adjustable front beam,, fitted it in yesterday after fetching it from Dave ( not a one man job, need a second pair of hands),, now to do the shimming on the king pins
Ordered studs from Dave as I battled about an hour just to get the one front wheel up with the current bolt system,, between the disk brakes and the spacer,, nothing want to align
Hope fully I will complete this today - the shimming as Dave said he needs a few days to do the studs

Then the rest of the issues for road worthy to be finished off,,
i) Passenger side wheel don't lock when I pull the handbrake.
ii) Front lights need adjusting,, got some diamond lights from Tony Z,, will install after the car has been sprayed
iii) Reverse lights don't work,, recon it is the switch

So going to be a busy day today,, must admit like working on the beetle,, can't wait to jump boots and all in the Splitty
Till next time

Johan

[Tony Z]

regarding reverse lights... the law says that if you have reverse lights, you may not have more than two and each light must work.

This means if you dont have reverse lights then thats OK, assuming you dont have the white lense at the back.

[johanb]

Tony,, I do have the white lenses at the back,,, so will get them to work

Did the shimming today of the link pins,, have not the front tires on as I'm still waiting for my studs from Dave,, Can't wait to see the drop in front
I'm currently looking to get the play out of my front seats,, they feel like they are rocking when you in them,, stripped and saw plenty play on the rails
Will find out if there are parts you can buy in order to stiffen it

So next on the agenda is the handbrake adjustment, front lights and make sure the engine is clean
Then roadworthy and after that the colour change

Got quite a lot to do

[johanb]

Just a quick update

Took the beetle for wheel alignment on Saturday,, the front suspension is lil low for my liking,, will post a pic of the new stance

I opened the head lights today,, basically lights in empty shells what a mess,, one side had to build new brackets as all was gone
I have put the diamond lights in,, perfect fit

Tomorrow I will start with the handbrake adjustment and see what can be done about the reverse lights
Will post pics later

Hope everybody's project is not at troublesome as this project,, just seem everything need to be replaced

Johan

[retrovan]

................Hope everybody's project is not at troublesome as this project,, just seem everything need to be replaced

Johan

Welcome to the world of aircooled.

You need to remember that these cars are at best 30 years old, if not more, and that as they where deemed to be indestructible, no body serviced them or fixed them.

This leads to everything needing some form of service or repair.

But that's the fun of these projects, that they test you, you overcome the obstacle, and get rewarded by the joy of accomplishment.

Then we just ride them like we love them.......

Herman

[johanb]

Just a few updates

Here is the beetle after the adjustable front suspension was replaced,, busy preparing for spray painting


Both the door sils was repaired, beading removed,, and general stuff done
Here is the end product,, still have to do decal and some polish work,, and took much longer than anticipated finishing off this project,,

[jolas]

Ja it always takes longer and costs much more Johan

Looks nice - are you putting on bumpers ?

[Tony Z]

Looks good Johan - total change and a good one I think

[johanb]

Hi Jolas

I decided to remove the bumpers and side skirts,, just for a more of a clean look (Still have it including the beading)
The 17" wheels need some attention now,, but for now just want to get to work - as you say always more money that you budgeted for

Currently looking for window scraper blades,, Shelly's don't have and my rubber place might get some end of September,, always more things to do

[retrovan]

Looking good, nice work, have fun with her.

Herman

[johanb]

Just an update.. Nerds stickers done
Now I need the window scraper blades,, Nobody got in stock,, might have to get from Volkspares when my boet visit December

Here is a quick review,, when I got her



After the beetle have been sprayed



And finally when she got dressed,, this is what she will look like running around in Cape Town