Owned for 4+ years driven for a week

[5erge]

As many of you are aware (if not you are now) I spent a considerable amount of time fitting the engine (a 1914 T1 with twin 40's) was one of the first to buy the Red9 wishbone kit (for a bay) and have since fitted a number of decent mechanical components to my bus. Very recently GrahamL (Midland Earlybay) finished off my bus for me as I just didn't have the time, he got it MOT'd.

I've only been pottering round in it and to be honest at first I wasn't entirely sure I'd done the right thing, four years of the bus being sat in my garage with the odd hour here and there spent working on her and I’d lost the love really. I’m feeling a bit more positive though, each day I drive her I’m extending the miles driven as my confidence grows.

The bus is quick, it really does fly in all gears up hills on the flat anywhere really and I have to remind myself I'm supposed to be taking it easy. The wife told me off yesterday for speeding. :roll: The suspension and steering are great and attribute to road holding that is more akin to a mid-80's hatch than a 43 year old bus. The brakes (discs up front) are better than I thought they would be, I don't think it needs a servo but the brakes need bedding in as they are also brand new.

What was really pissing me off though was my gearshifter, I had a Berg, but swapped this for a Bug-Tech as I wanted something more individual. The Bug-Tech is a great looking extremely well made shifter but it does take some getting used to as the ratios are so close together, when I say close they are REALLY CLOSE! I'm getting better with it but may end up selling it or at least swapping the shifter for another Berg.

Need to fit out the interior next and adjust the dampers slightly, I want to soften the ride a touch but overall I am happy, it’s been a long wait, the kids love it, wife is almost off the fence but the main thing is I can now drive my bus when I want. Just need to decide what to do with that shifter, persist or sell it.

Des

 

[mr scoops]

I was hating driving SuperDry when it had the awful Empi shifter.
I swapped it out for a CSP shifter, changed the gearbox oil and adjusted the clutch cable wing nut by a turn and now I love driving it.

 

[Bundy]

Hi Des,
I found the same issue with my Bug-tech to start with....mega close and a non existent neutral position! I wound the adjustable ball at the base up as far as it could go without it popping out of the socket underneath...this gives it more 'throw' and makes it easier to use. Found it took a few goes to get it right. It's still close, but I can now actually see and feel a difference between each gear!
Good luck with it
Cheers
Al

 

[Alex VW Heritage]

Berg all the way for me :mrgreen:

CSP are a great copy of the Berg,

Bugtech just look too out of place for me and heard lots of people having issues.

 

[5erge]

Hi Des,
I found the same issue with my Bug-tech to start with....mega close and a non existent neutral position! I wound the adjustable ball at the base up as far as it could go without it popping out of the socket underneath...this gives it more 'throw' and makes it easier to use. Found it took a few goes to get it right. It's still close, but I can now actually see and feel a difference between each gear!
Good luck with it
Cheers
Al

Thanks Al, I'll give that a go. Markus also threw in two 1 inch shaft extension pieces as well as an 8 ball gear knob that brings the shifter almost level with the wheel, I'll try adding those and also wind the ball up.

Cheers

Des

 

[bluenose]

I've always had the same issue, too many hours and £'s gone in for the ammount of use out... Mainly my own fault through unwise spending on subaru engines etc..

i've learned my lesson and this time round the aim is to use it!

I do fancy a red9 though, how is that working out for you?

 

[creationblue]

Glad your driving it at last Des 8)

I love the Berg I bought off you, adjust yours as Al suggested and it will be fine!

Just

 

[matt-me]

Glad your driving it at last Des 8)

Just

hallelluyah, totally agree. Well done Des and enjoy....... :lol:

 

[BARKING MARK]

You have obviously invested some serious time and cash into you Bus, now its time to enjoy.
Im sure the more you use it the more you will love it.

 

[5erge]

I haven't adjusted the lower ball on the shifter yet but I did screw on my 2 inch extension pieces and the 8 ball topper bringing the shifter level with the handbrake. The throw of the shifter is more positive, I can feel where neutral is now so it is geting easier to drive, no more blind panic when going down from fourth/third to second.

Still having the tendancy to drive the bus like my car though, especially when coming up to junctions and I need to perform emergency, emergency stops. The steering is fantastic though but I have nothing to compare it with as I've never driven a bus with a conventional box. I often read of tram-lining and the bus wandering at speed but there is none of that with this red9 wishbone setup. I have commented before that the steering is similar in feel to a Smart car, so if you've driven one of those you'll know what I mean.

Des

 

[faux]

Berg all the way for me :mrgreen:

CSP are a great copy of the Berg,

Bugtech just look too out of place for me and heard lots of people having issues.

Really? I normally agree with you Alex but I have had both and the CSP has a longer stick putting it in a far more comfortable position in a bay. The Berg is still the original and a fantastic piece of kit but the CSP is an upgrade in my opinion.