Käfer Cup brace. Where, who, how?

[davygrvy]

So who makes it? Where can I buy one? Aircooled.net has a large back order on it, with none coming, possibly. And to complicate things, I want the 5-bar one.

[davygrvy]

Ok, n/m, got it:

http://www.csp-shop.de/cgi-bin/shop2...nr=20917a&pn=0

Their USA distributor is @ http://www.classicandspeedparts.com/

[boygenius]

Glad to see you found a source. When you go to weld the tabs in only tack weld them. If they move when you are welding them you might not be able to get the bars off for service or adjustment. Once everything goes on and off with minimal effort weld a little more and check that the tabs didn't move.

[super vw]

Well there is another option out there, much cheaper, not easier...but works the same and quality is in your hands. DIY my friend. BTW its so rewarding to make things yourself!

Ok so as you can tell i am talking about making your own torq bar.
Its quite easy in a sense, a little time and creativity and plenty of mesuring will net you a cheap alternative to the hefty price tag of the ones offered in the aftermarket scene.

The way i went about it is like this.

I went to the local home depot (harware store) and picked myself up a stick of 3/4 black pipe (steel pipe, its in the plumbing section) and a smaller width to (forgot the dia), that cost me around $10 total.
then i picked up some 1/4" by1" steel plate ( i think it was around 2 feet worth), and some 1/4" by 2" steel plate aswell.
I then picked up two M12 bolts and nuts.
THEN... Oh yeah.. i yanked the tie rod ends off the parts car i have in the backyard (72 super) and used the LEFT HAND THREAD tie rod to use at one end of the torq bar rods (the ones that go from the frame horns to the center bar)

OK, so i made my own clevis style rod ends (you can buy real nice looking ones for around $10-20 each, in left and right hand thread).

I used the 1/4 by1" plate to form the sides of the clevis end, then drilled holes in all the sides (8 total) using the first side as a jig to drill all the rest.

then i weled the sides onto the M12 bolts to create a one off clevis end. you can form them to look nice and pro like to, or leave them square and bulky if your lazy,,, i formed them to look slick.

I used the tie rod ends to make the left hand thread clevis, i cut off the ball and used the shaft/threaded portion for the clevis end.

Not to deep into it , but ya get an idea.

Mine turend out super well after i cleaned it all up and sandblasted it all and gave it a nice coat of black epoxy paint.

looks a lot like the TG fab brace, simple, clean and work... the kafer cup bar takes a bit more clearancing on a car like mine around the stock bolt body area, i own a 74 super beetle.

I think i only spent around $35-40 on everything, from the metal to the paint.

i will try to get pics, i got my Digi cam program on this comp now so i hope i can load up some pics of what i have been up to the past couple of months.

Later,
Jonathan

[LOAF]

WOW,

A Home Depot option.. Hope you can get pics up soon..

They know there by first name.. That's my second home..

"Home Depot, got to love it."

Alex..

[super vw]

Well i got the pics loaded to my computer, but for some resson when i go to upload them from my desktop (jpg file) it says there is an error and wont let me upload the the GL site in my posts. somthing like its not the right kind of file if i remember (it was 1AM last night when i tryed).

Later,
Jonathan

[LOAF]

Could it have been a size issue..Like to large and need resizing?

My .02 cents
ALex