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Wed Jan 25, 2012 12:27 pm

caseydenise wrote: On the wiring diragram I only see gray and black wires running to the back for the tail lights :?

Def try and switch the bulbs.

Yeah I know I saw that too, thats what had me scratching my head. These two wires aren't mentioned in the diagram from the vendor either.
Here's the thing, the parking light didn't work until I connected these wires to the fuse block where its labeled - tail lamp rear. So my guess is they must have something to do with the parking lights.

Wed Jan 25, 2012 1:04 pm

Just read the whole thread. WOWZA. WOnderful inspiration :D

Wed Jan 25, 2012 1:08 pm

webberjames thanks man!

So I just fixed the parking light. The bulb is good, its an issue with the tension on the bulb holder, one of the prongs (for the parking light filament) doesn't have enough tension against the bulb, so if you press lightly its fixed.

I'm going to remove the bulb and bend back the prong and it should be good. Thanks all for the help and consult through this very stressful time. I kid, I kid.

Wed Jan 25, 2012 1:56 pm

Let there be light! This is pretty exciting all of my exterior lights work as they should.
Still have to fix the horn and dome light.

Wed Jan 25, 2012 6:06 pm

Nice work on the lights. My 56 wiring was dead on with that diagram. You can be like me and wrap the bull with tin foil for a good seal, I used to wrap fuses with a gum wrapper back in the day. As long as the radio works right!

Thu Jan 26, 2012 12:45 pm

Got the brake lights working too! I just bypassed the switch by letting the two wires touch, making sure I didn't touch any metal. I didn't have a mirror or an assistant so I decided to video it.

Wed Feb 01, 2012 12:43 am

Schwing wrote: Herman came with a grab handle originally. At first I was just going to install it in its original condition but next to the new paint it just looked lousy. I figured there was no harm in attempting a restoration of the plastic insert since it shrunk over the years. I filled the gaps on either end with epoxy, sanded, and refinished. I also painted the rubber escutcheons since replacements are not available. I still might carefully go over the paint line with a razor and some fine sandpaper.
Its not perfect but a huge improvement.

Before:

After:

Nice work on the grab handle - it was originally a Kabrio handle. Nice work on the rubber escutcheons too although I do believe they are available as a repro from Brezelwerks - their on my wish list as my handle hs them missing...

It's great to see it driving :) (I'm just catching up on the last few months of the thread...)

Cheers,

Dave

Thu Feb 02, 2012 8:22 pm

Jon, during the past few heatwave days I've been driving my '49 and the 67 bus. all the ends of my new "german braded" hose dried/split and became brittle. This was after only two years. I am searching for ethanol friendly hose locally and am gonna switch all my rides over asap.You put too much work into Herman for it turn into a hibachi,or burn like your brothers bus. Keep up the great work.......Doug

Fri Feb 03, 2012 6:04 am

splits-n-scoots wrote: Jon, during the past few heatwave days I've been driving my '49 and the 67 bus. all the ends of my new "german braded" hose dried/split and became brittle. This was after only two years. I am searching for ethanol friendly hose locally and am gonna switch all my rides over asap.You put too much work into Herman for it turn into a hibachi,or burn like your brothers bus. Keep up the great work.......Doug

Yeah thats a good point Doug. I only have 2 very small pieces of German braded line and they are new within the last few months, of course no telling how long they sat on the shelf but I will definitely keep an eye out. I have one running off of the reserve to the tank, and another running from the chassis tunnel to my hard line to the fuel pump.

I'll be close by your house on 2/28 doing some training for work, I have some German running boards I picked up that are kind of ratty but could be perfect for the 50 if ya want em they are yours! Let me know and I will pack em in the car.

Fri Feb 03, 2012 7:12 am

Schwing wrote: Let there be light! This is pretty exciting all of my exterior lights work as they should.
Still have to fix the horn and dome light.

Holy schniekies man, can't wait till my beetle comes alive like yours! Nice work man!
So what's left to do?

Fri Feb 03, 2012 7:24 am

left_coast*9 wrote: Schwing wrote: Let there be light! This is pretty exciting all of my exterior lights work as they should.
Still have to fix the horn and dome light.

Holy schniekies man, can't wait till my beetle comes alive like yours! Nice work man!
So what's left to do?

Thanks man! I was so excited when the lights came on!
Whats left:
Bleed brakes
Horn
Dome Light
Soundproofing
Padding on roof and luggage area
Headliner
Seats blasted and painted
Seat covers
Door panels
Doors assembled
Windows
Running Boards
Drive it.
TBD - Kingpins, Linkpins, Tranny Rebuild

Thats my plan for now :)

Fri Feb 03, 2012 7:44 am

Sweet! 8)

Sat Feb 04, 2012 4:39 pm

Whenever your around drop by. I would love those running boards for the "Extreme patina just driven out of the woods after 62 years '50". They will save me non-refundable life not trying to achieve the look with new POS Brazilian boards. Bring a wish list,see ya soon.....Doug

Thu Feb 09, 2012 9:56 am

I took my oval to work the other day and remembered how soft my brakes are. Guess I should bleed them too, you only told me to do it back in September. :lol:

Sat Feb 11, 2012 3:22 pm

caseydenise wrote: I took my oval to work the other day and remembered how soft my brakes are. Guess I should bleed them too, you only told me to do it back in September. :lol:

Haha that's funny. Jack up each end and adjust the shoes first before you bleed. You want them to be touching the drum when you spin the wheel, but not too tight.
I've been working on mine but it's going to take a lot more adjustment to get them right. Spent the last week in Cleveland, OH on business, hoping to get cracking in the next week.

*EDIT* Forgot to mention, got the horn working (replaced brush and ground at coupler), and the dome light, as well as soundproofing). The brakes aren't showing any more air and likely just need more adjusting/seating.

Next on the agenda is headliner padding.

Sat Feb 11, 2012 5:34 pm

Schwing,

I have an identical 57 ragtop and I'm having a few wiring issues. Did you use the 56 that on the forum or the 57 in the technical section.[/img]

Sat Feb 11, 2012 5:52 pm

dogstbird wrote: Schwing,

I have an identical 57 ragtop and I'm having a few wiring issues. Did you use the 56 that on the forum or the 57 in the technical section.[/img]

I used the 56 diagram on here. What's not working for you? A lot of times it's just a dirty connection or a crusty bulb.

Have a seat on the Samba couch and let the wiring therapy begin :wink:

Sat Feb 11, 2012 10:45 pm

Thank for the reply! I can't even tell you how much I've enjoyed reading through your post. Well where to begin? We actually made some headway tonight and found out that we were having lots of ground issues due to paint and bulb holders. Blinkers are working and brake lights are finally working on one side. I still don't have tail lights but we are going to clean the other connector up and see what's up. I need pictures from back junction connector in the engine bay if you could.

Check out my gallery pics. I have a ton more from start to finish that I'll get out later.

I'll be back on tomorrow afternoon looking for any info you guys can give.

Tue Feb 14, 2012 8:26 pm

Schwing wrote: Got the brake lights working too! I just bypassed the switch by letting the two wires touch, making sure I didn't touch any metal. I didn't have a mirror or an assistant so I decided to video it.

Bright lights! Did you switch to 12V?

Wed Feb 15, 2012 5:10 am

bobnorman wrote:
Bright lights! Did you switch to 12V?

They are still 6V. I am missing the diffusers for the rear tail lights (which I heard was fine) and all the connections are nice and clean. Give it time they will get dim! :lol: