Guess what time it be?

It be registration time! Doodle qualifies for, and is now officially registerd as an Antique Vehicle! In the state of texas, thats a five year registration, meaning no annual inspection (I think) but he can only be driven limited miles per year and only to club functions, trips and maintenance. Yep, random camping counts. Stoked. $54 bux for five years. *insert joyus dance once again*

Otherwise, I did nail down my chugging spitting problem. Damn points were burned up. Four bucks, ten minutes, and I'm back up and running. I did, however, in my repairs notice several vacuum hoses are worn. Not terribly, but not perfect. I ordered a complete vacuum hose set from German Supply. $85 bucks and its nearly every single piece except the Decel Valve Tee and the Intake Sleeves. My intake sleeves are fine, and I think my Decel Valve Tee is fine too. Unrelatedly, German Supply also sells a very awesome fuel hose replacement kit. Mine are all good, but if they weren't, I'd be buying that from them too. Money well spent. I think I might actually be able to go camping this weekend! Yay Doodle! Until next time Constant Reader, find somewhere to take the bus. They seem to run better (at least Doodle) if you dont let them sit. Thats a crime against nature, I'm sure. Not everyone is as lucky as us, to be the pilot of such a cool vehicle. Go show off today. Its Summertime. Enjoy.

Camping with the Air Coolers

Camping planned for tonight in Temple. Checked the points, burned spot. Cleaned and set to .016. Went for a drive, popping, chugging, backfiring violently. Checked points again, burned. Cleaned, reset. Filed smooth, set to .020. no change. 12 degrees BTDC, set back to 7.5 BTDC. No change. Changed plug wires. No change. Changed coil, no change. Checked vacuum lines, zip tied all tight. Started, sprayed carb cleaner on all. No change. Couldn't find any major leaks, no change in idle. Replaced the cap, no change.

I have no freaking clue. None. So frustrated.

Quick search on Samba.com indicates the AFM might be out of adjustment. The only other thing I didnt change is the condensor. Well damn. Not smart enough to do an AFM roadside adjustment, so it looks like I'm foiled again. Towed into the campgrounds in shame.

Ah Doodle, you summabitch you.

Breakfast Drive

Drove Doodle to iHop for breakfast for Mother's Day with my mom. Little cruise afterwards. Weather is awesome, say thankya! Not running perfect, points? Stutters on initial accelleration. Need more camping! Exhaust leak sounds worse. Did visual inspection. Didnt see it. Still a great day.

Doodle heads to the hills!

Well Howdy Constant Reader! (You do realize this is Texas right? Just checkin.) So April in Texas means one thing if you are a VW fan. Texas VW Classic. Biggest show all year. People come from far and wide. Even with the issues they have been having lately with camping and such, its still a must see. And this year, I decided to see it from the front seat of Doodle.  For reference...

Can you see me?! Right there. No, over a bit. Yeah! (Disclaimer: Or no.) So, just so you are aware, Fredericksburg is 347 miles away from me, using the freeway for a third and back roads from Georgetown, Texas to Llano, Texas down south to Fredericksburg. The back roads are the best parts really. So, in the weeks preceeding my epic journey (and my first Doodle camping experience) I drove Doodle every day. Did a tune up. Oil change. Started him randomly throughout the day. Nothing. No issues, no hicups, nothing. And awayyyyy we go.

Now I have to say, crusing along the highway was quite a treat in Doodle. With the load rated tires, and new found power, the only time I had any issues where when battling passing semis. Otherwise, no issues! Awesome. Stopped in Georgetown for fuel top off and to check the oil. Everything seemed like it was running well. Little chugging on initial acceleration, but nothing major. So off we go through the hill country, little SRV (thats Stevie Ray Vaughn for the musical greatness challenged among us.) as my co-pilot.

The scenery out here is amazing. Made Doodles slow pace worth it, so I could see what was going on. If there is a better way to see the Texas Hill Country than behind the wheel of a classic VW Westfalia, I dont know what it might be. I did manage a few cool pics tho....



So a little over six hours later I arrive at Fredricksburg and join my buddies. Yay!

Interestingly enough, it was quite warm during the day, so warm infact, I got a pretty decent sunburn. At night however...

My phone said 35 degrees when I took this pic! See that orange? Thats my subzero sleeping bag. The one thing saving me from certain doom! Hahahahaha *ahem* So, after an uneventful weekend, sleeping in Doodle while enjoying all that is VW hijinkery (yes, constant reader, you can make up your own words when writing in your own blog! Isnt it scandiferous?!) So, time came to ride home, and doodle fired right up. Yay! Lets head back. 347 miles to go. :)

I did have to stop by Lake Bachman(?) or Llano Lake. Can't remember and I'm too lazy to check. It was here that I first started hearing a slight exhaust leak. Wait. Did someone say photo op? Hell yes I'll take pics of Doodle by a lake!

And one place I've waited for a pic of since last year. A wall in Bertram, Texas. Dunno what it means, but I really really liked it. And, Doodle liked it as well. So did all the passing cars. At least they must have. They all honked and waved. I doubt I had TP on my shoe, but I digress.

Well, thats about it. Otherwise its just me, back roads, and the blissful sounds of a well tuned flat four engine. Although, that exhaust leak is troubling. Hmmm... Well, for my first camping excursion in Doodle, I really, really enjoyed it. I can see why people fall in love with these things. Unrelatedly, my buddy Herman drove in from Amarillo. I fell in love with his new tires. I love my Vancos, but DAYUM. I likes me some of these. I may have to consider an upgrade.

Love those. LOVE. Hmmm. Anyway, from Doodle and I to you, wheres your Westy parked?

Touch up painting!

Okay, so Doodle is "paint challenged" as it relates to the two slider covers on either side. So, in my infinate wisdom, I decide I am going to use some of my super fly VWoA spray paint and touch them up. Hmm. Okay, lets see how this works out.

The first thing I need is a good primer. I talked to the guys at Auto Color, and explained what I was doing. This is what they reccomended in a spray can. Fair enough, lets go.

Now, lets first start with some before pics, so you can see exactly what I'm working with. They were really the main blemishes to Doodles appearance, like a zit on the prom queen type style, so lets see what I can do about it.

Okay, that last is a little area above the hatch that is bent for some unknown reason. Alright, rust pictured, lets see what we can do about it. I'll skip the tedious steps. First thing I did was sand with some 1000 grit paper, to get everything ready for primer. Then, I taped off using the 2009 "Travel Texas" magazine yours free of charge from the State of Texas visitors center. I need to go get a 2011. Its what I use to plan my (thus so far imaginary) trips in Doodle. Back on topic.

Okee Doke, now lay down a little primer. Luckily there was no wind and an oddly warm March day, so it should be fine.

Sorry for the crappy cell phone pics, but I think you get the idea. Tape, paper, primer. Now paint!

Now to let it bask in some of that Texas Sun greatness. Ahhh. (Insert 80's movie montage here, with your choice of song. Or the hands of a clock spinning in an expedient manner. Which ever you prefer.)

Now time for the unveil!

Hmm. Honestly? I'm not a huge fan. Paint didnt dry smooth. Looks touched up (obviously) but, its a decent ten footer. Not perfect by any means at all. Damn. What can ya do tho? I'm no professional. What I'll do is have them painted when Doodle goes under the knife this winter for rust/spare tire removal. You know, slide it in. "Say brotha, since you already got paint mixed n stuff, why not throw a lil down on those for me? 'Preciate it." Or something less ethnic. I dunno. Anyway, surface rust is at bay, Doodle looks better from a distance, and all is right with the world. Adios Constant Reader, I have a date with a 3800 pound green bus. Have a great weekend.