New Manx Kick-Out SS for France

[hitlers revenge]

Looking good!

All the best to the two of you in 2013.

[vincent9993]

It was not really a time to drive our dune buggy outside this week-end, we decided to start thinking of how we will build the top. We are still missing a few pieces but we have a really good idea on how to proceed. More details to come in a really near future.

We didn't spent as much as we want working on the dune buggy so we were a little short on time but we accomplished a lot. Vincent decided to start making the brackets that would be used to install the carpet (that came from Tj Kustoms). When I went to the garage and saw that the seats and seat belts were removed, I suggested to install the carpet.

Tom was kind enough to send us some samples to make sure we got just the right colored carpet and had it shipped in record time last fall.

This thing is the real deal, it has a 1/2" carpet sound insulation padding under the floor section and it fits exactly in the OEM floor pans.

Vincent spent some time with the pedals but he was able to do a really good job.

As you can see, we finished the installation and we are really happy with it. If my grand mom was still alive she would say that it looks rich with the carpet. We left late to come back home but we are really happy with the result.

Anyone looking for a quality carpet without having to mess with trying to heat a regular carpet into place, you owe it to yourself to check out Tom's carpet.

Next week we should either work on the backup lights and/or clutch (if we received the missing pieces). If not, we will start the installation of the heating seats.

Stay tune and thanks to follow us week after week.
Hope you enjoy our pictures of our progress.











[youtube]http://youtu.be/gJTwbHQdJls[/youtube]

[vincent9993]

Week-end progress report.

Got the throw-out bearing taken care of, replaced the fork and the bearing with the proper flange.



France was on deck to re-install the engine.


We also got the vents in the side pods meshed in. We opted to go with ricer mesh over Bruce's chicken wire. I think the smaller holes will give a better look.









We also got the GPS bracket installed, I don't think my back is going to like that tomorrow.

[vincent9993]

Devil's in the details...

Got the license plate lights installed as well as the backup lights.

We also got the clamp for the front hood installed.

Finally we started working on the special parts...

[hitlers revenge]

Well done. Looking good.

Is that a molded carpet??? Does it have a fibre base??

[vincent9993]

As our season is about to start, here's our latest update on the SS.

I think we'll qualify for SR&ED (Scientific Research and Experimental Development) Credits soon!

Last week-end we got busy with life stuff... This week-end we're back at it.

From a few weeks ago, we installed the Mrs' plates...


Now at the risk of offending the "man" for working on a top solution, here goes our progress and SR&ED part:









Before heading back to Montreal, we tore it all down and got everything cleaned up and painted. Sorry no pic, it was still drying when we left.

We also reached out to our friend Tom from TJ-Kustoms to get a set of new seat covers. We'll leave that last but the covers look fantactic.

Another milestone, we're now 100% insured. We went through a private evaluator that came on location to appraise the value and took a bunch of pictures and send our insurance agent his evaluation, now the buggy is fully insured for 25,000 miles per year and we will legaly be able to drive it come March 15th. In Quebec, we have a law that you need winter tires from Dec 15th to March 15th.

Getting closer to being ready...

Today we worked on the trunk and we should be ready to start working on the canvas top next week-end.

We were also very fortunate to receive a special label from a fellow Manx Club member and we got to drive it to town to fill it up. More on that after the progress pictures.





Here are the special labels we received. Allowed us to drive it a week early.


BIG SMILE!!!




It was about 5°C and overcast. Now here is the 1st drive report:

• Clutch cable needs adjusting, even when the wing nut is screwed all the way, clutch is not completely dis-engaged.
• Speedometer: We had coded it in the shop to make sure the impulse unit was working but got tired of hand turning the wheel after a few rotations. We need to calibrate it.
• Steering wheel is 90° off. Easy fix.
• Oil pressure gauge dropped un-expected. Pulled to the side of the road, checked everything... Started again and oil pressure came right back. Happened 3 more times. Suspect loose wire or air in system...
• Rope bar for top, that will need a velcro starp to keep it from rattling.
• Front suspension, it may be a tad too low. I had left the adjusters at the lowest setting but we may need to rise it a little.
• Heated seats: France loves them! She even suggested we may be able to drive without the top on cold mornings!

Pulled in to the gas station in town and went inside to pay, the young woman behind the counter wanted to know what that was. I told her it was a Meyers Manx from California. Her reply: That must be very expensive!

On the drive back, we drove right by a local police cruiser! Am I glad we had those special stickers!

Got up early to get some work done on France's SS.

Here's a quick picture update of our progress:

Started by finalizing the trunk locking system








Then got started on the canvas.






Still quite a bit of work to do but so far, looks like our SRED project may actually work!

Not much visual progress but we've actually done quite a bit of work on the top. We figure another week-end and we'll have it functional.

Here are the pictures:

[Tony Z]

The car is looking fantastic. Keep up the good work guys

[*]Oil pressure gauge dropped un-expected. Pulled to the side of the road, checked everything... Started again and oil pressure came right back. Happened 3 more times. Suspect loose wire or air in system..

Just remember to check the oil level when the oil filter is full. You dont have a deep sump so you need to ensure the dipstick is full when the oil filter is full

[vincent9993]

Almost done!

Got France's (driver) side finished.









Another week-end and we'll be ready to road test this top.

[SouL]

WOW!!! beautiful...just pisses me off that all those cool spares and add-ons are not readily available here.

[piesang]

Now that's a beauty. Well done.

I love the idea of the boot. I have something like that all so in mind for my buggy.

[vincent9993]

Done! Almost...

First real drive. 46.6miles (75km) Shakedown run in 43°F (6°C) weather.

Spent the morning working on finishing the top.


Then we went for a test drive:






























Quick video:

[hitlers revenge]

Well done! Hope it gives you miles and miles of pleasure.

[Pine]

Well done, guys! Looks BEAUTIFUL!

Looking forward to read more about your adventures in the Kick-Out, happy Buggying

[piesang]

If I'm right the canvas can be removed for summer, how do you get the canvas to stay in place on the boot lid when "little red riding hood" is on?

[vincent9993]

If I'm right the canvas can be removed for summer, how do you get the canvas to stay in place on the boot lid when "little red riding hood" is on?

You are correct, in fact the canvas is/will only be used when weather is bad on our long trips. We also put it on when we park it overnight.

It's held on the underside of the trunk lid with 2" Velcro.