Month: May 2022

To make a more serviceable lamp lens I decided to use M3 rivnuts to attach the lens. (Rather than the kit supplied self-tappers).

Quite a challenging task, probably the scariest in the whole project. First is to trim, trim, trim the windshield to size. The factory recommends an angle grinder. I used a Dremmel with a 38 mm grinder. Took most of a day and a lot of patience to trim the windscreen to fit exactly. There’s no going back if you trim too much! It’s a very dusty job, outside with a mask. To get the lines to trim and for the bonding itself, use good quality vinyl line tape to mask, mask, mask and get clean lines. The Sikaflex gets everywhere. Everyone says that, but until you use it you don’t really believe them. Lots of gloves lots of masking tape. Some help. There are several bottles to use. Cleaner (called activator the big bottle) Primer for GRP, Primer for the window itself. Take your time (it took us about 4 hours). Get some help (Thanks to Graham for all the tips). Get the Sikaflex evenly squished by using spacers. (It’s Important to read the Sikaflex application notes (mostly for marine applications) in addition to the Sling instructions. I am very happy with the end result.

Messy job. On advice, I feed the brake fluid from the cylinder up to the reservoir. The trick is to be sure to remove all air bubbles from the master cylinder and purge the air out. To do this it’s important to have the centre console loose so it can be moved upside down allowing the air to move to the highest point.

I sprayed the panel myself with Paragon Paints enamel Black (Night) BS381C – 642 , not too black, tried to match the black leather than go all out black black. With about 10% PT8 synthetic thinners. I am very happy with the result of the engraving done by Bay Engraving. I finished it off with 4 coats of good quality clearcoat. (Oppted for the longer lever for parking brake).

I tested QB fuel tanks in several ways: Baloon test – test the circumference over 24 hrs Soap test high concentration of washing up liquid – look for bubbles Manometer test – 700 mm column of water. Look for change at constant temp and atmospheric pressure All tests are tempo and pressure-dependent. Probably the manometer is the most reliable if done the same temp to the same temp over x hrs. I pressured the tank to about 700 mm (using my lungs) and watched for a change over 24 hrs. The pressure initially changes as the temperature of the air equalises. In my case, both tanks were absolutely fine no leaks whatsoever. Less impressive were the 2 rivet tails found in each tank. Anyway managed to remove them out through the filler cap. Talking of filler caps. My QB tank has a ‘feature’. The filler cap receptacle is not aligned correctly. Attaching the fuel tanks to the wings took a long time, to align and figure out how the brackets go.