hello from South Wales

Hello everyone, I've been grateful to get some moral support in other threads, so thought it is about time I introduced myself properly.

So I'm fedoracat, I have an s reg 1977/8 double sliding door bay. We just spent a lot of money completely restoring the metalwork (feels like we have more replaced metal than original), purple paintwork and fairly basic insides.

I'm not at all a mechanic but I like to have a go at resolving problems (if I can be fairly sure I'm not going to be making them worse) and have been able to resolve a couple of little problems in the last few days; the horn was sounding uncontrollably, turned out one of the screws was broken. Anyone know what that screw is called? It is one of the three holding in the metal place contact thingy which makes the horn work.

And I've been having problems with the lock handles on my sliding doors, but after taking them apart and talking sternly to them, they seem to now be behaving. Win.

Otherwise mostly the van runs pretty well. I've been struggling with second gear, particularly when changing down, but I think that's to do with getting used to the engine speed, isn't it?

I went accidentally went up a steep windy Welsh hillroad yesterday and was having fun until I met a big white van coming the other way who refused to reverse. So I had to reverse uphill and around a bend, which was quite entertaining for everyone on the bus. Still, I made it without injury or paint scratches, so that was another minor victory.

This is a photo my daughter took on her phone with a silly retro filter..

 

Hello & Welcome from The Colonial Contingent

 

Welcome to the madhouse

 

Welcome, we need more pictures, looks lovely

 

Welcome along

 

Welcome. Lovely bus

You can learn more alongside fellow bus owners at a get together called Techenders 21-23rd April

I'll post some more info about it below

 

What is TECHENDERS?
TECHENDERS is a meeting of (mostly) bay owners to camp and fix/learn about their van in a central location, it's a chance to ask all those questions you try to explain on here or compare your engine and oily bits to someone elses with assistance or back up from people who've probably done the same job you're attempting.

Where is it held?
It's at victoria farm near Lutterworth http://www.victoria-farm.org/

When is it?
It's held twice yearly. Starts Friday afternoon and stop as long as you like (it's a working campsite).

Who can come?
Anyone, including pets or kids - come to mess with vans or just come for a weekend break.

What can i expect?
It's whatever you make of it, in the past we've removed and replaced engines or just helped people change a bulb, all we ask is you explain fully what you expect to do and do it early, no use saying "can i take my engine out" on saturday night..... also be aware we won't do your work for you, we expect you to get dirty - or be willing and we can point you in the right direction.

What about entertainment and food?
This isn't a vw show, it's just people meeting at a campsite owned by a vw owner who lets us use his facilites, there are no stalls or tat it's just camping, there is usually a run to the local chinese for a feed and the local shops are 10 minutes away with a Morrisons etc. The site has a bar and a heated barn which we have the use of if there's bad weather etc. The site owner is a vw nut and has a 4 post lift which he usually lets us have use of if pre-warned.

What will it cost?
Usually £8 a night to camp with no hook up or £10 with, this will be confirmed nearer the time incase it's gone up - we do not take any money, this charge is from the site. Electric is limited in the lower field although there is plenty in the top field if needed - you can always walk or drive down during the day.

 

weld one shut...

Bonjour...

 

Hello from cheshire

 

looks tidy fella. welcome.

 

Welcome aboard the rollercoaster ....

 

Some more photos after going to have a bit of a clean

http://imgur.com/zI55KCs

http://imgur.com/tPZfjGd

http://imgur.com/qvR88Gt

 

Welcome. From the Eltham area of South East London. Nice bay.

 

Welcome aboard from Sunderland

 

Hello from North Yorkshire