Project Dollywobbler's Invacar - Ongoing

[Rocket88]

The issue with having to hold the handlebars up, rather than being able to rest the weight of your arms on it.. Given the mechanical simplicity of the steering/braking arrangement, a spring should be fairly easy to get in there somewhere (or a bigger one if there already is one) and if balanced properly, you should be able to get it comfortable* to drive, without wearing your arms out, but still easy to press down to brake.

 

...how hard do you have to press down to brake?

 

 

 

I find the same with a lot of accelerator pedals, particularly in smaller cars. If I relax my foot, I floor it. 99% of the time I have to hold my foot up, which is very tiresome. Bigger spring on the accelerator return, and much much more comfortable. Had this when driving a Berlingo 1.6HDi a while back. It's a cable-less accelerator pedal (IE just a pedal, plugged in to the vehicle) and the spring is completely inaccessable. Given that I had 600 miles to drive, I fitted a bungee cord around the pedal up to the dashboard. Made it massively less tiring to drive, and improved my economy by about 5MPG.

 

 

 

was going to suggest exactly this......

[beko1987]

Watching the video that wiper switch looks like a massive pain in the arse too... Any scope for wiring another little switch in line somewhere and mounting it somewhere a bit more friendly?

 

Then you can just have the 'master' switch on, then flick an easier to get at switch as and when

 

Charlie fucking loves it too, watched the vid again with him this morning!

[dollywobbler]

Thanks chaps. Definitely going to try and sort some springing out. Not sure about moving the wiper switch though. It's not that hard to use your left hand, and I don't want to spoil the originality (other than the clear indicators, because rebel).

[loserone]

I don't want to spoil the originality (other than the clear indicators, because missing the lexus already).

EFA

[Wingz123]

Would you use this as a daily or was that never the plan because of the SM-X.

[dollywobbler]

Would you use this as a daily or was that never the plan because of the SM-X.

 

Well, I don't really drive every day. My driving is split into occasional local trips, for which this will be fine, or mega-mile work trips, for which it will not be fine (and so isn't covered for). 

[PhilA]

Re the wiper- how's about just clamping a second stalk on the opposite side to the indicators? No drilling, and if you find one that's similar to the indicator stalk it wouldn't look out of place. Wire in a VW intermittent wiper relay and you're set.

[Talbot]

Just leave it. It gives the car character*

 

Probably more important to get it running properly, and tidy the bodywork. Is it still running with an inside-out rear window?

[Squire_Dawson]

I have a better solution to the wiper 'problem'. Why not just come off the throttle to operate it, unless there is some special reason the throttle must be held open all the time?

[LightBulbFun]

I agree on the engine swap stuff...

 

the only engine I would think of swapping into an invacar would be the 600cc variant some of them came with for that just a little bit more Go Juice

 

would be fun to get TWC on a Dyno before and after the "tune up"

 

(also to all those complaining about the windscreen wiper switch being upside down... its not if you drive a Routemaster bus  )

[SierraMikeHotel]

I have a better solution to the wiper 'problem'. Why not just come off the throttle to operate it, unless there is some special reason the throttle must be held open all the time?

Because momentum. It's pretty much always fully open on my moped!

[dollywobbler]

I don't want anymore go juice! It's already terrifying.

 

The rear window is still inside out. It'll do, at least until I can get the bodywork repaired.

[Slartibartfast]

The wiper button issue could be solved reasonably* easily by getting a push button which you can jubilee clip or otherwise attach to the handlebar in an appropriate spot. Wire it in with quick disconnects and then you can remove it should you ever want to unmolest it.

[beko1987]

That's why I said wire it off the existing wires for the existing switch, break the live and earth it, can be removed and no one will know it was here when you sell it for mega coin in about 8 months when your bored of it!

[dollywobbler]

And I can label it NITROUS for extra lols.

[They_all_do_that_sir]

There's a lot of concern for the wiper switch going on here. I would suggest the switch placement is the least of your worries should you ever find yourselves piloting one

 

Sent from my F3211 using Tapatalk

[beko1987]

There's a lot of concern for the wiper switch going on here. I would suggest the switch placement is the least of your worries should you ever find yourselves piloting one

 

Sent from my F3211 using Tapatalk

I was watching it and not really understanding how it works, so thought that the driving of said car is the least of my concerns, so I'd start wiper-gate!

 

What was the knob on the rh side that you grabbed twisted and pulled at various points for example?

[Zelandeth]

I was watching it and not really understanding how it works, so thought that the driving of said car is the least of my concerns, so I'd start wiper-gate!

 

What was the knob on the rh side that you grabbed twisted and pulled at various points for example?

 

If referring to the large control that looks like an umbrella handle poking out the dash, that'll be the handbrake.  Which just to add to confusion is on the opposite side on mine...because Invacar.

[Eddie Honda]

What's the bar diameter?

 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1PC-Universal-Motorcycle-Handlebar-Switch-E-Bike-Motor-Single-Switch-0-7m-Cable-ATV-Horn-Starter/32816408591.html

 

Just a push-to-make switch good for a flick wipe.

 

 

Is there no friction screw adjuster for the throttle? If not, add one then you can take your hand off the throttle without it slowing down to operate the switch.

[PhilA]

 

If you're going for buttons

[beko1987]

If referring to the large control that looks like an umbrella handle poking out the dash, that'll be the handbrake. Which just to add to confusion is on the opposite side on mine...because Invacar.

That's the one! Makes sense now, thanks!

[Zelandeth]

What's the bar diameter?

 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1PC-Universal-Motorcycle-Handlebar-Switch-E-Bike-Motor-Single-Switch-0-7m-Cable-ATV-Horn-Starter/32816408591.html

 

Just a push-to-make switch good for a flick wipe.

 

 

Is there no friction screw adjuster for the throttle? If not, add one then you can take your hand off the throttle without it slowing down to operate the switch.

 

Setting the throttle up so it can be left open on a car with a centrifugal clutch and no inhibitor to stop it being started in gear...That sounds like a recipe for Bad Things Happening .

 

Throttle on mine sticks a bit, and I've already had to chase it into the garage once when I forgot the thing was in gear before starting it.  Didn't make that mistake twice.

 

I'd rather not hear of DW being the first person to get run over by an Invacar since they were originally withdrawn from service...

[madrat]

Setting the throttle up so it can be left open on a car with a centrifugal clutch and no inhibitor to stop it being started in gear...That sounds like a recipe for Bad Things Happening .

 

Throttle on mine sticks a bit, and I've already had to chase it into the garage once when I forgot the thing was in gear before starting it.  Didn't make that mistake twice.

 

I'd rather not hear of DW being the first person to get run over by an Invacar since they were originally withdrawn from service...

:mrgreen:

[dollywobbler]

It is a valid concern. So far, there has only been once that I've gone to rev the engine and it's launched itself. Thankfully, I was inside it rather than leaning over the engine bay...

[SiC]

How are these secured against being nicked/joyriden? I can't imagine a disklok working too well on these.

[dollywobbler]

How are these secured against being nicked/joyriden? I can't imagine a disklok working too well on these.

 

Judging by my YouTube comments, they weren't, and people did nick them and joyride them. Or just carried them away.

[beko1987]

How are these secured against being nicked/joyriden? I can't imagine a disklok working too well on these.

Its got a built in cloaking device...

[Eddie Honda]

It is a valid concern. 

 

Here's my BMW OE cruise control:

 

 

A nylon tipped thumbscrew which adds friction to the throttle twist grip. In the parts list it's marked down for "OFFICIAL VEHICLES"

 

 

And if you're worried about safety and still need to give your throttle hand a rest... rig up a bicycle cable noose that you can grip/release - I know it is a hassle skip-raking and fitting it, but you'll be glad you did.

 

[Noel Tidybeard]

needs a twin choke webber mate!

[oldcars]

And I can label it NITROUS for extra lols.

Bit expensive but you NEED this.

 

http://www.jupiterstore.com/Knight-Rider-KITT-TURBO-BOOST-Button--Individual_p_71.html