Hey folks, Doug here.... my wife Julie is a member of the association...I get the honor of doing the maintenance on her hack!
So here's the deal-- we have a 1991 California Sidecar Friendship I with the clamshell opening. It's been great, but we have a minor issue that needs to be addressed. The clamshell door appears to need adjustment, as if it has raised slighly on the forward edge where the hinge is. (the hinge looks like a V )For now it is still weather tight, but I can see if this trend continues the gasket will eventually not be thick enough and water will be able to enter the leading edge of the door.
I tried adding spacers to the hinge connection of the door but that did not improve the contact.
I'm wondering if any of you has had this issue. Is my best bet to remove the door and widen the angle on the curved hinge? I was hoping not to need to remove the door but if that's what I have to do then so be it.
Thanks in advance!
Doug & Julie
Salt Lake City
Doug I don't have any experience with your problem but there is a easy fix if the gasket is going away, you can use black RTV and thin plastic film like the food wraps, clean the rubber with alcohol and put the plastic in the grove on the car, put the RTV on the gasket and close it, the plastic film will keep it from sticking but will allow the RTV to fill the low areas for a perfect seal, if you don't want the shinny serface of the plastic film you can spray it with cooking spray and it will peel of otherwise just trim it and call it good. Put a wide strip of plastic down so if there's to much RTV and it oozes out it won't stick the the cars drip rail then just trim it off.
This work on just about any uneven serface that needs to be sealed from what ever, I got rid of a wind whistle on a car window this way.
This is a cool tip! Have to remember this for the future.
Hi. What's RTV. I see it's a silicone, but what specifically? Any help will be welcome. Thanks.
Here Ya Go:
Room Temperature Vulcanization
Room temperature vulcanizing (RTV) silicone is constructed of reactive oil base polymers combined with strengthening mineral fillers. There are two types of Room temperature vulcanizing silicone:
RTV-1 (One-component systems)
RTV-1 hardens directly under the action of atmospheric humidity. The curing process begins on the outer surface and progresses through to its core. The product is packed in airtight cartridges and is either in a fluid or paste form. RTV-1 silicone has good adhesion, elasticity and durability characteristics. The Shore A hardness can be varied between 18 and 60. Elongation at break can range from 150% up to 700%. They have excellent ageing resistance due to superior resistance to UV radiation and weathering. Industrial RTV-1 products are referred to as CAFs.
RTV-2 (Two-component systems)
RTV-2 elastomer are two-component products that, when mixed, cure at room temperature to a solid elastomer, a gel, or a flexible foam. RTV-2 remains flexible from -80°C to +250°C. Break down occurs at temperatures above 350°C leaving an inert silica deposit that is uninflammable and non-combustible. They can be used for electrical insulation due to their dielectric properties. Mechanical properties are satisfactory. RTV-2 is used to make flexible moulds, as well as many technical parts for industry and paramedical applications.
I believe the CFII has the clam shell opening,..but reguardless,..sounds like the hinge has been over extended and bent,..perhaps a removal and straightening will solve the issue before $$$ is spent,...just a thought,..cheers, crawf '02 marauder/CF1 rig
