And that damn bear will think twice before he contemplates that again.

Hoo boy this thread did take off in some interesting directions. Sorry about that, I was just asking for ideas to fix the niggling/simple things that might happen.

dspevack wrote:

realbtl wrote: Damn, almost forgot the baling wire. It will definitely work for things the duct tape won't fix. I keep some in my '63 Beetle and have used it along with some rope to limp home with a broken throttle cable. Put a loop of wire around the arm on the carb then rope out the back looped around the bumper and up to the side window. Not very responsive but it works. That's quite an interesting picture. You could have tied it to the door and then open the door to accelerate .

I learned this lesson the hard way when I was young and stupid (but I repeat myself) and was driving Beetles the first time around. Broke a throttle cable in the middle of nowhere at night and luckily found a barely long enough piece of rope beside the road about 1/4 mile away.

I'm not into fiddling with the oily bits at all, I've toured for years and as long as a service has been recently done, and the tyres have plenty of tread that's about it for me. I carry a few bit's and pieces in a kit I made up, I also carry spare bulbs and an Aerostich First Aid kit. Which reminds me I'll have to remove all the tablets and pills which are out of date.

In the past I've had the odd dodgy tyre valve causing deflation problems, so I now carry spares valves stored inside the barrel of an empty Pilot G-1 pen. The metal end cap and dust cap holds everything securely. Another 'pen' has bits of fine gauge wire inside, and another talcum powder to dust my sweaty hands with if I'm struggling to put on rubber or vinyl gloves.

I carried a few useful, (to me,) bibs and bobs in and around my Beetle when I owned one.

Welding rod in engine compartment for getting into the thing when I (frequently) locked myself out!!! 50 odd pounds lead shot, (weight), so keep the front end down. It got very light on the steering when the fuel decreased. Bicycle brake cable for the odd snapped cables!! Rolls of 'Gaffa' tape to keep the thing together. One inch drive T bar for the 36mm socket needed to remove the brake drum, the T bar doubled as a great hammer - extension bar - and general frustration tool!!!!

Various mods on the VW, clear fuel tubing to help clear the rear window when it fogged up.

Made a air duct under the No 3 piston to assist with cooling, it was prone to overheating.

Re manufactured the heating ducts out of GRP as the metal ducts rotted completely.

It was without fear of contradiction the biggest money magnet ever - but it was a great car to learn from.