FRUNKenstein’s ‘75 914 2.0

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gnat
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Re: FRUNKenstein’s ‘75 914 2.0

Post by gnat » Sat Dec 19, 2020 11:21 am

32wildbilly wrote: Sat Dec 19, 2020 10:38 am Somebody has been into the eggnog early this year and I don't blame him.
Cuda911 wrote: Sat Dec 19, 2020 10:06 amFound it.
Indeed. That clearly says it is for the 928, not the 914.

Jeez Cuda, we know you have a lot of cars to keep track of, but come on man.

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FRUNKenstein
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Re: FRUNKenstein’s ‘75 914 2.0

Post by FRUNKenstein » Sun Dec 20, 2020 4:29 pm

Right rear suspension assembly seems to be missing in the TSB illustration.
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

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FRUNKenstein
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Re: FRUNKenstein’s ‘75 914 2.0

Post by FRUNKenstein » Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:41 am

I went with gnat's DIY deviated stitching suggestion for the steering wheel for the 914. Unfortunately, when I went to install it over the weekend, I realized the hub adapter currently on the car is 6x74 mm versus the 6x70 mm pattern that most aftermarket steering wheels use (like Momo). So, I ordered a new hub adapter. In the meantime, here's the process with stitching install on there wheel itself (basically copied from my post on 914world.com):

The old aftermarket steering wheel that came with my car when I bought it last summer was not dished at all. So, every time I made a significant turn, my fingers would hit the turn signals or wiper switch. Also, it was getting a bit long in the tooth and had some minor surface rust. For Christmas, my son got me a new Viilante steering wheel. It has a 39 mm dish, so hopefully that will solve the problem with hitting the turn signals and wipers during a turn. It is also a little more of a classic design (I didn't like the more modern style of the old one), and has perforated leather. But, I wanted to add a bit of bling. Here's a link to the 6-speed online on DIY deviated stitching thread that gnat pointed out in my X1/9 thread:

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/cay ... beige.html

So, I thought I'd try it with my new steering wheel. It's really inexpensive: $4 set of upholstery needles and ~$4 for a spool of bead cord (think thick thread). Full disclosure, I ordered 3 different colors of bead cord because I wasn't sure exactly how they would look, so I actually spent about $14 on bead cord, including shipping. Also, I wanted to add a color-matched center stripe at the top of the wheel. After research, it appears that the actual racers use "stage tape" or "gaffer's tape" for this task. That stuff comes in tons of colors, and I ordered a 1" wide fluorescent blue roll of tape for $7.99 (including shipping). There is a link in the 6-speed online thread about where to buy the bead cord (your local JoAnn's Fabrics and the like don't carry it). I just ordered the gaffer's tape off Amazon. I haven't installed the steering wheel yet (this weekend's project), but here are some pictures of before, during and after the DIY stitching install.

First, a picture of the car so that you can see the exterior color I was trying to match (Laguna Blue):

New rocker panels, 2020-8-9.jpg
New rocker panels, 2020-8-9.jpg (443.19 KiB) Viewed 1962 times

Then, here's the steering wheel fresh out of the box, along with the bead cord and gaffer's tape.


m_IMG_0015.jpg
m_IMG_0015.jpg (213.06 KiB) Viewed 1962 times
m_IMG_0016.jpg
m_IMG_0016.jpg (213.12 KiB) Viewed 1962 times


Next pic shows one section of deviated stitching installed next to a section without it. I should have turned off the LED light I was using as it kind of makes everything blue. My eyes aren't too bad, but you definitely need a bright light to see the stitching you are going to run your needle under. One note in the 6-speed online thread mentioned grinding down the tip of the curved upholstery needle to keep from poking through or snagging the leather (you are just going under the existing threads, not through the leather). But, I found that it really wasn't a problem with the sharp tip, plus I think it would have been tough to get the needle under the threads on the steering wheel with a dull tip. Maybe grinding the tip down works better on seats or consoles.

m_IMG_0017.jpg
m_IMG_0017.jpg (232.37 KiB) Viewed 1962 times

This next pic shows the deviated stitching installed without the center stripe.

m_IMG_0018.jpg
m_IMG_0018.jpg (256.71 KiB) Viewed 1962 times

Then, this one adds the center stripe in 1" width.

m_IMG_0023.jpg
m_IMG_0023.jpg (262.55 KiB) Viewed 1962 times

I felt the 1" width was too wide, so I cut the width down to 1/2".

m_IMG_0027.jpg
m_IMG_0027.jpg (248.51 KiB) Viewed 1962 times

Frankly, I may just remove the center stripe. It's easy enough to do - takes about 2 seconds. And, if I want it again later (like for an autocross), then I can just reinstall. I have enough tape to do that about 100 times!
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

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32wildbilly
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Re: FRUNKenstein’s ‘75 914 2.0

Post by 32wildbilly » Mon Jan 11, 2021 10:09 am

Holy Crap! Your sewing skills make Betsy Ross look like a slacker!
FRUNKenstein wrote: Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:41 am I went with gnat's DIY deviated stitching suggestion for the steering wheel for the 914. Unfortunately, when I went to install it over the weekend, I realized the hub adapter currently on the car is 6x74 mm versus the 6x70 mm pattern that most aftermarket steering wheels use (like Momo). So, I ordered a new hub adapter. In the meantime, here's the process with stitching install on there wheel itself (basically copied from my post on 914world.com):

The old aftermarket steering wheel that came with my car when I bought it last summer was not dished at all. So, every time I made a significant turn, my fingers would hit the turn signals or wiper switch. Also, it was getting a bit long in the tooth and had some minor surface rust. For Christmas, my son got me a new Viilante steering wheel. It has a 39 mm dish, so hopefully that will solve the problem with hitting the turn signals and wipers during a turn. It is also a little more of a classic design (I didn't like the more modern style of the old one), and has perforated leather. But, I wanted to add a bit of bling. Here's a link to the 6-speed online on DIY deviated stitching thread that gnat pointed out in my X1/9 thread:

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/cay ... beige.html

So, I thought I'd try it with my new steering wheel. It's really inexpensive: $4 set of upholstery needles and ~$4 for a spool of bead cord (think thick thread). Full disclosure, I ordered 3 different colors of bead cord because I wasn't sure exactly how they would look, so I actually spent about $14 on bead cord, including shipping. Also, I wanted to add a color-matched center stripe at the top of the wheel. After research, it appears that the actual racers use "stage tape" or "gaffer's tape" for this task. That stuff comes in tons of colors, and I ordered a 1" wide fluorescent blue roll of tape for $7.99 (including shipping). There is a link in the 6-speed online thread about where to buy the bead cord (your local JoAnn's Fabrics and the like don't carry it). I just ordered the gaffer's tape off Amazon. I haven't installed the steering wheel yet (this weekend's project), but here are some pictures of before, during and after the DIY stitching install.

First, a picture of the car so that you can see the exterior color I was trying to match (Laguna Blue):

Then, here's the steering wheel fresh out of the box, along with the bead cord and gaffer's tape.

Next pic shows one section of deviated stitching installed next to a section without it. I should have turned off the LED light I was using as it kind of makes everything blue. My eyes aren't too bad, but you definitely need a bright light to see the stitching you are going to run your needle under. One note in the 6-speed online thread mentioned grinding down the tip of the curved upholstery needle to keep from poking through or snagging the leather (you are just going under the existing threads, not through the leather). But, I found that it really wasn't a problem with the sharp tip, plus I think it would have been tough to get the needle under the threads on the steering wheel with a dull tip. Maybe grinding the tip down works better on seats or consoles.

Frankly, I may just remove the center stripe. It's easy enough to do - takes about 2 seconds. And, if I want it again later (like for an autocross), then I can just reinstall. I have enough tape to do that about 100 times!
Never gonna make you cry...

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FRUNKenstein
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Re: FRUNKenstein’s ‘75 914 2.0

Post by FRUNKenstein » Mon Jan 11, 2021 10:15 am

32wildbilly wrote: Mon Jan 11, 2021 10:09 am Holy Crap! Your sewing skills make Betsy Ross look like a slacker!
Thanks. It's actually really easy since the stitching is already there. Trust me, I have no skills. But, I like the way it came out. I plan to look around at the other cars and see if there are ways to add a little bling on them without looking cheesy.
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

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gnat
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Re: FRUNKenstein’s ‘75 914 2.0

Post by gnat » Mon Jan 11, 2021 10:18 am

Nice job Frunk. Looks good.
32wildbilly wrote: Mon Jan 11, 2021 10:09 am Holy Crap! Your sewing skills make Betsy Ross look like a slacker!
Actually it's really easy, just obnoxiously tedious.

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Re: FRUNKenstein’s ‘75 914 2.0

Post by 32wildbilly » Mon Jan 11, 2021 10:46 am

Exactly my point. Plus I am adverse to running an upholstery needle into my thumb...
32wildbilly wrote: Mon Jan 11, 2021 10:09 am Holy Crap! Your sewing skills make Betsy Ross look like a slacker!
Actually it's really easy, just obnoxiously tedious.
[/quote]
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Re: FRUNKenstein’s ‘75 914 2.0

Post by Dr_Strangelove » Mon Jan 11, 2021 11:44 am

Dang that came out clean. Nice work Frunky!
2003 Carrera: Dark Teal Metallic

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FRUNKenstein
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Re: FRUNKenstein’s ‘75 914 2.0

Post by FRUNKenstein » Thu Jan 14, 2021 9:43 pm

I got the car back from the upholstery shop today after they installed the new plaid seats from 914rubber.com. I also installed the new steering wheel hub and steering wheel. Even though I had decided to remove the 1/2” blue center stripe, it was still on when I installed the steering wheel tonight. As crazy as it may sound, it actually looks much better in the car. I may leave the center stripe on. Here are a couple of pics:

28ACF1DA-06F9-42DD-8A47-AD21DE807756.jpeg
IMG_0098.jpg
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

User avatar
32wildbilly
Never gonna run around and desert you
Posts: 5759
Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2018 2:46 pm
Location: Kneebraska

Re: FRUNKenstein’s ‘75 914 2.0

Post by 32wildbilly » Fri Jan 15, 2021 4:58 am

FRUNKenstein wrote: Thu Jan 14, 2021 9:43 pm I got the car back from the upholstery shop today after they installed the new plaid seats from 914rubber.com. I also installed the new steering wheel hub and steering wheel. Even though I had decided to remove the 1/2” blue center stripe, it was still on when I installed the steering wheel tonight. As crazy as it may sound, it actually looks much better in the car. I may leave the center stripe on. Here are a couple of pics:

28ACF1DA-06F9-42DD-8A47-AD21DE807756.jpeg
oh-yeah-gif-1.gif
oh-yeah-gif-1.gif (537.29 KiB) Viewed 1890 times
Never gonna make you cry...

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