I got one.

mmmnmmmmmmmmmm. Disclaimer: This was written before I took a bite.

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transaxle rebuild

For the love of God, keep an eye on the half moon axle shims. This took four hours longer than it should have because the shims slipped behind the axle and wouldnt allow the axle tube to seat completely. This transaxle came out of what I believe was a 1968 type 3. These rears had longer axles, bigger drums, and had the option of a 4.12 final drive ratio. This was a popular swap for off roaders because of the wider stance and added braking power. I removed the zbar mounts and smoothed the tubes because im going to use a camber compensator instead.

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VW Transaxle Clean Up

I stripped the transaxle apart over the weekend and gave it a good cleaning. I intended on putting in a freeway flyer ring and pinion (3.88:1) but it turns out to already have a 4.12:1 set in it already. Close enough! This transaxle is actually a type 3, which has longer swing axles and bigger brakes. It also originally had a z-bar on it and the mounts were still on the axle tubes. I removed them and smoothed the tubes for a cleaner look. I went ahead and replaced the disintegrating trans mounts with new urethane ones and installed the lower brace. Next I need to replace a few leaking seals before it all goes back together.

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My next catastrophe begins!

1961 vw dune buggy. Its all in parts and the guy I bought it from laughed when I said I was going to stuff it all in the buggy back of my truck. It came with two engines and two spare tires too! Woohoo!

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Back to the BMVW Trans

Had to get creative again on this project. Bought a precision-ground plate from CycleWorks for setting the end-play clearance of the transmission shafts, but it's only for a stock transmission. The countershaft of the BMVW trans is off set by almost 1/2" from the stock location. Transferred the locations of the old and new bearing bores into CAD to determine exactly where the new hole needed to be:

Took the measurements from the CAD model to the bridgeport and with some careful figuring I machined the new bore hole into the plate. Matches up exactly with the trans cover:

Now all I have to do is figure out how to clean, check, and reassemble all the trans parts and clusters. Here goes nothing...

Wheel Covers for Saint

Some day I'll learn to avoid Jeff at Saint Motorbikes when he gets a new idea into his head. On his latest bike he decided he wanted 'salt flat inspired wheels'. He asked if I could cut out a set of covers for him to make a modern pair of sportbike wheels look like a vintage set of salt racing rims. After a lot of figuring I bolted a blank down to the rotary table and spent the next couple hours working away at it while Jeff took pictures and wandered around the shop. The result was actually quite convincing. Fortunately, attaching it and clearing the caliper is Jeff's problem. Mine is making 3 more of these exactly like the first.

home brewed champagne cider vintage 2008!

I found this out in the garage. It was my first attempt at hard cider. Really hard cider. It specs at about 18% alcohol.... Proof: One bottle made 250 lbs of Carl sloshed.

It is incredibly dry, but with this accidental aging, it has become very clear and somewhat flavorful. 11 bottles left! Woohoo!

Im going to make another couple batches for the fall using different recipes. One strong again, and one about 8-10% with the aim of a strongbow or dryer flavor.

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