Entry in Captains Log: Maiden "flight" completed successfully.

Quote from: Joesson on November 29, 2019, 14:46Entry in Captains Log: Maiden "flight" completed successfully.

Lóve that :-)

Will be flying to the coast this afternoon, back up tomorrow; luxury prolem; girlfriend management.
First some hurried winter preps on the farm as before first light Monday morning I am off to the hospital for some more titanium bits.
Hence the gf management; they both want to be max. involved and that is potentially a case of more being less.
Going to be ´fun´ btw; a zip line of staples and the bucket seats.
My original plan was to self drive to the hospital and ditto back Wednesday but I have been convinced not to. Hence the ... yes, you get the idea; both want to etc. and my son is still a few months from getting his drivers license.
Anyway, first disconnect, dismantle, cover some water equiment as the serious frost will be here next week.
Then... fly away, fly away-ay...

Hope the operation goes well.Not sure if titanium is lighter than bone but I believe it is stronger in most respects and won't add too much to the laden weight of De Kikker. You might want to consider a cushion for extra padding on your homeward journey. Good luck.

The lightweight side plates to the wing are on! Fingers crossed that they are strong enough.

Almost 1 kilo lighter. The whole assembly is 3.4 kilos now.
I may replace the alumium struts with impregnated multiplex later on (aerogel would be übercool but still way to expensive). Just for the heck of it, to get the thing under 3 kilos.

Unfortunately the lid still does not pop open 
What a pita.

@Petrus  said:     "Unfortunately the lid still does not pop open  "

I believe I suggested when you first mentioned this lack of "pop" that, just maybe, the bump stops under the lid could be adjusted upwards a little to help the lid in it's upward motion.
Otherwise, you may need gas struts as  several members have used.
The struts, of course, would be a weight addition, contrary to Petrus's first rule of automobile engineering. But then, you have already strayed from the path of lightweightness when you ADDED the wing!

Quote from: Joesson on December 28, 2019, 15:27@Petrus  said:     "Unfortunately the lid still does not pop open  "

I believe I suggested when you first mentioned this lack of "pop" that, just maybe, the bump stops under the lid could be adjusted upwards a little to help the lid in it's upward motion.
Otherwise, you may need gas struts as  several members have used.
The struts, of course, would be a weight addition, contrary to Petrus's first rule of automobile engineering. But then, you have already strayed from the path of lightweightness when you ADDED the wing!

I´ve not looked closely at the rubbers, but now will.
Will lubricate the hinges and the latch ánd look at the wubbahs.
The two combined might just be the ticket.

As to rule of adding lightness, indeed I have sinned:

- volt meter and usb port panel
- louvred console panel
- two aero rubber strips
- wing
- front strut brace
- Boris´ belly brace
- Dev´s door spacers
- Carolyn´s head support

If lubricating (or the rubbers) does not work I could try change the release cable to one in the rear vent panel. That way I can help the lid while pulling the release, at the same time short cutting the need to open the door.

Confession it is said is good for the soul so there may be some redemption for you now. Maybe your "special olive oil" would help with the necessary lubrication.

Quote from: Joesson on December 28, 2019, 16:48Maybe your "special olive oil" would help with the necessary lubrication.

Oh no, that would be sacrilege!!!
Got all kinds of greases, lubricating oils, WD40 in 3 l. can and KY-gel in 4 kilo pack, so no need to waste the tasty stuff!!

Sweet Jesus. 

That reminds me of oldy worldy castrol 20/50

Any going spare?   

Quote from: Petrus on December 28, 2019, 18:56Got all kinds of greases, lubricating oils, WD40 in 3 l. can and KY-gel in 4 kilo pack, so no need to waste the tasty stuff!!

No Astroglide?

Apart from reminiscing as @Ardent  above, that does look like how I would imagine olive juice should look! Probably don't stock that in our local Tesco!

@Joesson
You might find it in Waitrose next to the Tuna friendly Dolphin.

@Ardent , Thank's, I'll have a look next pension day.

Quote from: Ardent on December 28, 2019, 21:13No Astroglide?

It´s not KY either but a general purpuse water based lubricant used for medical purposes. It was the only one that came in bulk. The pharmacist and assistants stíll have laughing fits about it. Could nót believe it whe they put the box on the counter. Expected me to politely refuse but I was over the moon.
The lady owner asked me what on éarth I did with it so; ´just go out on a date with me ;-) ´
Am already down to the last kilo btw.

Concerning the olive oil that is a tricky subject highly diffused by commercial interest of hype sellers. The further from the source the bigger the spin and price.
The stuff we get over here stays with the members of the coop. It is basically like that all over with all coops. We also get some from micro growers who just have a few eco trees.
It must be noted that this stuff is all VERY outspoken in taste. All very different too. Three different varieties on toast is like three different cheeses on toast. It likewise is highly subjected to taste and also useless for use in any cooking; too ´olivy´. This is why the stuff exported is an easier paletable pressing and blend.

Pleased to here your lids "popping" again.

Quote from: Joesson on January  4, 2020, 18:37Pleased to here your lids "popping" again.

Was a good suggestion.
Will need to adjust a bit as the rhs is not flush now.

She was washed too yesterday.
Rather necessary but have a good excuse.
Because of the excuse did not do all that much, basically managed the proceedings of my son and mountain girl.
Then I applied plastic reconditioner/ UV protection to the plastic bits.
I also somewhat sanitized the engine room with oven cleaner.

Fingers crossed I can take her for a spin tomorrow.

@Petrus
"I also somewhat sanitized the engine room with oven cleaner."

Mr muscle oven cleaner foam spray per chance?

I've used some to free up sticky turbo vanes on a tdi golf. Superb.

How do you use it in the boiler house engine room?

Quote from: Ardent on January  4, 2020, 18:53@Petrus
"I also somewhat sanitized the engine room with oven cleaner."

Mr muscle oven cleaner foam spray per chance?

I've used some to free up sticky turbo vanes on a tdi golf. Superb.

How do you use it in the boiler house engine room?

Dunno the brand. It is a liquid dipersed by hand pump. There is a minute gauze screen in front of the aperture and that ´foams´ the liquid.
I take the screen off and spray the liquid liberally all over the place. Let it soak for 10 minutes and then spray it all off with water; holding my finger on the hose to controll the spray/jet.

This is the stuff I'm on about.
https://www.mrmuscleclean.com/en-gb/products/kitchen/mr-muscle-oven-cleaner

I wonder if this is somewhat stronger than, what you are using. I would not be spraying this all over the place.
Very good were it was used though. Broke down and freed the vanes from the carbon build up.
Def a gloves n googles product, when outside and random breeze.

Quote from: Ardent on January  4, 2020, 20:22This is the stuff I'm on about.
https://www.mrmuscleclean.com/en-gb/products/kitchen/mr-muscle-oven-cleaner

I wonder if this is somewhat stronger than, what you are using. I would not be spraying this all over the place.
Very good were it was used though. Broke down and freed the vanes from the carbon build up.
Def a gloves n googles product, when outside and random breeze.

That one is highly corrosive. The one I used définitely not as strong.

YESSSS took De Kikker out for a spin.
Well after jump starting that is. I lóath jump starting LiFe but with the help of my son it was a doddle.
With it idling adjusted the rear deck rubbers, lowered the roof and got descended into the bucket, crutches in the passenger space. Thus no, no girl could come with me to great chagrin. Tant pis; wanted to freely enjoy the ride and not having to think about accomodating the company nor had the appetite for the dead certain comentaries.

Was pleasanty surprised how easy, aaaaaallllmost smooth, I could get in. When back closed the top with one arm and could get out suprisingly easy with it closed!!

Anyway, clear blue sky, southern sun and stunning countryside. Whát pure joy. I think anyone with a car like this, driving top down through sunny countryside, be that UK, Germany or Andalucia is a lucky bloke!

I do my bit to spread the the word.

btw., now it´s past bed time of the young ones, I can be politicaly incorrect.
On the way back, with all properly hot and lunch time, I turned onto the deserted industrial estate; my ´track´ and naíled it.
The engine revs véry freely all the way up to the red line without slowing down. Yes, the rear has more grip now and is way more tolerant to lifting a bit mid corner, allowing a wider band of steering with the throttle. Lóved it, with two crutches rattling in the passenger seat; hilárious!

Went for a longer ride yesterday. A route I´ve done several times.
Although you don´t really notice the differences individual mods make all thát much, I can say that my car is now markedly different from OEM.
Even discounting any effect of the non restrictive exhaust, the 150 kilos less, somewhat stiffer tub and tighter handling makes for a lót of difference.

On real world public roads, the free exhaling 1ZZ makes for quite quick enough cornering without needing to pussyfoot the pedal with a tight bum.