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ratwell
Samba Member
Joined: April 26, 2003
Posts: 8717
Location: Victoria, BC
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 Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 12:45 pm Post subject: |
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| Chris Galvin wrote: |
| How many PM's did you get ? |
- 13 people were duped up until the point when you posted and suggested it might be an April fools joke.
- 4 further people were duped after your message.
- even after I posted the link to the page that gave it away, 3 more people still signed up because they jumped to order before reading any more posts.
My favorite line: "On the softest setting, you don't even need to hold the steering wheel anymore". 
I'm glad everyone found it funny and there's no hard feelings. Thankfully no one sent credit card numbers to me.
_________________
'78 Westfalia CDN
'76 Doublecab
Read the Baywindow FAQ |
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daves_ale
Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2004
Posts: 1044
Location: Home of Happiness, Texas
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| Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 12:55 pm Post subject: |
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Ratwell, by supplying the part number and all, I must say that it was really succesful. I was heartbroken when I heard that all the orders were full. Day late $75 short. Then on the next post the first hint and I went back to your link and saw myself ROFLMFAS!!!
Kudos, man.
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"Beer is proof that God loves us and wishes us to be happy"- Ben
'66 Euro Beetle 1200A
'71 Single Cab
'78 Westy
'02 Jaguar XK8 convertible |
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sailorkh
Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2004
Posts: 288
Location: Alameda, Ca
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| Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 4:29 pm Post subject: |
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I must say, I sure was duped. I spent a while under my bus looking at the two front Konis thinking, it's gonna be great to have that dampener too. And the torture, did I get in on time?? There were 52 views before I got my PM in. Then the denial, it is April 1st but Richard would never...Then reality, not only is he the King of Konis, but he can have fun with it too. Nice one .
Does Koni sell touch up paint in a rattle can so I can paint my Sachs dampener red?? Maybe we can do a group buy so everyone thinks they have one, and they can kick in the sticker too. 
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Kris
1971 Deluxe
1978 Westfalia |
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Karl
Samba Member
Joined: January 29, 2001
Posts: 6170
Location: Coos Bay, Oregon
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| Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 5:39 pm Post subject: |
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| I am surprised no one realized that Australian buses are right hand drive and if you turned to the left on your LHD drive bus, it would have dampened to the right....... |
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VWBusMan1
Samba Member
Joined: December 30, 2003
Posts: 333
Location: Your Nation's Capital
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| Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 6:29 pm Post subject: Well done Richard... |
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but seriously, I just came across some NIB KYB dampners with remote control adjusters and an integral laser that illuminates the center line of the road while driving. Hence even the stoners can stay on track.
Thanks Richard.
P.S. Now I'm a lucky man, after spending hours today cruising the highway I went to turn around in a neighbor's driveway and heard a little metallic tink sound. Then discovered my front trans mount (the notched metal bar) on my '72 just fell off. What are the odds that my stereo would be off, my cell phone headset off and idling quietly enough to hear that. I feel so lucky I should buy a lottery ticket.
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'79 Beige Westy, Deluxe, 2L, FI (4 sale on Samba)
Honda CB 350 (mostly chained to my fence)
2 good feet for '58s |
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pjalau
Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2006
Posts: 487
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| Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 8:33 pm Post subject: |
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Holy Thread Revival Batman!
I wouldn't bother posting, but after Joe didn't believe me, and told me the story of Ratwells mythical damper, I figured that a little resolution might be in order.
I have, I'm not kidding, a Koni Steering Damper. No, really and seriously, I do. My uncles shop ordered it for a customer, the customer said "it costs how much?!?! Forget it" and it sat in his shop. So I bought it off him.
I'll install it this week and let you know how it handles, but pics are here for verification. For the record, on my best day, I could not photoshop this. Also for the record, a little less than $200.00. My uncle is willing to order in a block of 5 if I get pre-orders, PM me off list.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/2606601324_a0b665b2f8.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/2605772849_3c2d4ec172.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3089/2605772537_884f029ce7.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3281/2606600644_4457befd84.jpg |
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pjalau
Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2006
Posts: 487
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dwill49965
Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2005
Posts: 1396
Location: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
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| Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 10:59 am Post subject: |
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| pjalau wrote: |
Drove rather nicely this morning. I aimed for a new known bumps and didn't have the strong pull that I normally get when I hit them. I've got it set soft right now, think I might make it a little stiffer.
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You should have just cut and pasted in Ratwell's "faux" review as your own. 
Seriously, this is a hilarious development. I'm actually surprised that Ratwell didn't uncover the existence of the Koni steering damper when he was doing all the detailed research for the Koni shock buy years ago.
Great job, great pics. I think the damper is a bit expensive (okay, very expensive), and I'm a Koni shock owner.
_________________
Darryl
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'78 Westy, Boston Bob built 2.0 L, FI, MSD 6A
| Meyer wrote: |
| Lastly, you just referred to US citizens as 'Americans'. Exactly what kind of Canadian are you? From what continent? |
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pjalau
Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2006
Posts: 487
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| Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 11:25 am Post subject: |
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| Expensive, no doubt. Damn value of the dollar isn't helping either... |
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pjalau
Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2006
Posts: 487
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| Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 4:00 pm Post subject: |
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OK, one more update. Just went through the 101 corridor between Brisbane and South San Francisco - the one that I have to stay to the right because the wind blows me all over and I need the shoulder as "just in case" room.
Not anymore. My damper scoffs at the cross wind, it sticks it's tongue out in defiance, and laughs at your pitiful efforts. The bus tracks straight, the wheel moves naught, and the smile on my face widens.
Bring your worst pitiful wind. oh wait... don't touch the pop top... be careful, sorry.
Yeah, the damper helps a lot. Now for some Hankooks. |
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busfreak_71
Flat 4 Junkie
Joined: April 29, 2007
Posts: 1191
Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta
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| Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 6:20 pm Post subject: |
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 I might just have to save my $ and get one of these...
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'71 Tin Top Westfalia
'99.5 Bora TDI
'85 Jetta Coupe
'85 Mercedes 300SD
Resident Off-Grid hippie and diesel advocate. |
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dogcoves
Samba Member
Joined: September 09, 2005
Posts: 266
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 7:58 pm Post subject: |
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| pjalau wrote: |
| OK, one more update. Just went through the 101 corridor between Brisbane and South San Francisco - the one that I have to stay to the right because the wind blows me all over and I need the shoulder as "just in case" room. |
That's my story also coming back to Santa Cruz from S.F. after college at night bam wind right at Brisbane to Burlingame. If you can get another pair let me know I could use them... Good Score
-- Mike
_________________
Current VW: 1987 Westfalia
My Past Volkswagens:
1958 karmann ghia
1963 Beetle
1963 Westfalia
1966 Westfalia
1970 Beetle
1970 Westfalia |
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pjalau
Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2006
Posts: 487
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| Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 11:05 pm Post subject: |
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OK, I've got three, two more and I'll have the order made.
-Peter |
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dogcoves
Samba Member
Joined: September 09, 2005
Posts: 266
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 11:20 pm Post subject: |
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I bought a Westy stool off Peter about year ago at a great price. So when I saw he had new Koni Steering Dampers for sale I knew it was a trust worthy deal. It was way way way more than my $20. Brazilian but worth it since I no longer blow all over the road at the smallest breeze. Coming back to Santa Cruz from school in San Francisco Monday night I hit some hard hitting wind on highway 1 and the bus stayed true and steady. A non swerving bus--priceless. Thanks Peter.
Before:
After:
Like comparing a bicycle air pump to a Koni
_________________
Current VW: 1987 Westfalia
My Past Volkswagens:
1958 karmann ghia
1963 Beetle
1963 Westfalia
1966 Westfalia
1970 Beetle
1970 Westfalia |
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Opossum
Samba Member
Joined: February 26, 2005
Posts: 735
Location: Islets of Langerhans
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 9:55 am Post subject: |
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That damper Koni p/n 76-1099 comes up as a steering damper for a Porsche. I did not know you could interchange dampers.
_________________
"You can lead an aircooled to water, but you can't make it drink"
"Live and learn or crash and burn"
"It's only Cool, If it's Air-Cooled"
Virginia Whiteface (Opossum) the first VW
Camper Special Club Member
1973 Orange Westfalia Hard top, Original owner |
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PicklePickle
Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2008
Posts: 933
Location: Gonzales, LA
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:20 pm Post subject: |
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| Opossum wrote: |
| That damper Koni p/n 76-1099 comes up as a steering damper for a Porsche. I did not know you could interchange dampers. |
I also did a search on that part number and found the same thing. I guess it's really about how well it works more than anything. I'd like feedback from several people in different environments and with different firmness settings. I kind of wonder if the bus is too much for a Porsche steering damper.
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"Aircooled VWs are like roaches in that if you let one in, they'll soon be nesting all around you in great numbers."
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1970 Yellow Beetle aka "Melbourne" |
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calebmelvin
Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2006
Posts: 3140
Location: Seattle, WA
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dogcoves
Samba Member
Joined: September 09, 2005
Posts: 266
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 5:04 pm Post subject: |
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[/quote]I also did a search on that part number and found the same thing. I guess it's really about how well it works more than anything. I'd like feedback from several people in different environments and with different firmness settings. I kind of wonder if the bus is too much for a Porsche steering damper.[/quote]
_________________
Current VW: 1987 Westfalia
My Past Volkswagens:
1958 karmann ghia
1963 Beetle
1963 Westfalia
1966 Westfalia
1970 Beetle
1970 Westfalia
Last edited by dogcoves on Wed Jul 30, 2008 9:49 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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VWDruid
Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2008
Posts: 1192
Location: Boca de Ratones FL
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 6:27 pm Post subject: |
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| calebmelvin wrote: |
| I still think this is a joke... |
same.
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70 Westy, 2027cc "dual DRLA 40 m140 i55 wjdoc a165 p33 v30 "w100 straight cut 040 polished heads 1.25 rockers 1.5 A1sidewinder supertrapp muffler trans 091 coil SUM-850500 CDI universal svda Pertronix
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dogcoves
Samba Member
Joined: September 09, 2005
Posts: 266
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 9:48 pm Post subject: |
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| dogcoves wrote: |
| PicklePickle wrote: |
| I also did a search on that part number and found the same thing. I guess it's really about how well it works more than anything. I'd like feedback from several people in different environments and with different firmness settings. I kind of wonder if the bus is too much for a Porsche steering damper. |
When I put the Koni damper on I set it on the lowest setting and had to much sway in the wind. So I set it on the firmest and its worked great so far. I too looked up the Koni damper compatibility, and found nothing about VW buses. However, I must admit my steering has never been steadier, I guess time will tell. I'll keep it updated. |
_________________
Current VW: 1987 Westfalia
My Past Volkswagens:
1958 karmann ghia
1963 Beetle
1963 Westfalia
1966 Westfalia
1970 Beetle
1970 Westfalia |
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