The restoration of Kettenkrad 116714

Dark Alley Dan said:
Three days with no Kett or Schwimmer goodness. Withdrawal sucks, man. I have the shakes so bad people are waving back. :)

We got our '85 Vanagon out of her cocoon this weekend, and so I have some familiarity with the subtle pleasures of bringing a quirky VW out of a deep sleep. What's it take to get your 166 back on the street after a long winter?
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Hi Dan, this should calm your jangled nerves a bit, my funny little car in the burbs.
 
All this talk about track going on a half track and Dan with the DTs from kett withdrawal means I better get the pickle out and post some pics before Normandy.
The joy is endless. Turning this tired, old and greasy track from this.

Into this.


Then into this.

And the first of many test fits.

(Pssst, hey Canadian War Museum, the left hand track on your kett is on backwards)
 
I mentioned to the curator at the CFB Borden museum that the one track on their Churchill tank in Worthington Park was on backwards. I was told to change it myself. Wondering what would happen if I grabbed some torches, big hammers and bars and some blocks and jacks and started the job?
 
Where did you get your 60 mm registration stamps for your plates? Very cool. I've been drawing up many parts in auto cad......tooling up for the scratch build. i have many questions for you....in time! That kettenkrad looks unreal sir, you are the master restorer!
 
OK, that'll help. Shaking less now, hallucinations have backed way off. Thanks, man. Whew, that was close... :)

So where does a guy get those rubber track pads? I gotta think they're not really common. And the wee bearings in each link would be hard to source as well. The joys of old stuff, huh?

I assume the Kett has been driven about some - got any video?
 
Dark Alley Dan said:
OK, that'll help. Shaking less now, hallucinations have backed way off. Thanks, man. Whew, that was close... :)

So where does a guy get those rubber track pads? I gotta think they're not really common. And the wee bearings in each link would be hard to source as well. The joys of old stuff, huh?

I assume the Kett has been driven about some - got any video?
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Dan, I take the long view on a restoration in that it sets its own time and schedule for work being done and parts or info coming in. I also hold fast on my belief a restoration is never "done" as there is always something to repair, fix, source a better part, touch up paint or just plain do right-the second-or third time around. Pads I got from Germany at 16 Euro X 80, but they are super nice and worth it. Sharpsguy, the 60mm registration stamp was litterly a international effort to produce, a Ex-pat Brit living in Spain who is super knowledgeable came up with the design using original plates (strangly hard to find), who then had an American in Washington state make them up. As for going for a drive I see that being another year before thats happening as I have to many vehicles to tend to and not enough me to do the tending, the kettenkrad has been a time vampire the past three years so the schwimmer is now getting its deserved attention.
 
stsfld66 said:
Find your card yet ?
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Sadly no. But I did pick up this gem of a idler wheel for the kett in Normandy. Some people go for souvenir post cards and tee shirts I had to lug this home (and be relieved of 65 GBPs by Air Canada to do so).
 
So James, what have you been up to that you need another idler?

Or are you thinking you may need a spare?

Regards
Doug
 
Nothing really of merit to report about, card still MIA and I am focused on the Jeep and Schwimm. Here is my rear (410mm) Leitrad that was purchased in Holland (by me in Canada) and not wanting to pay 110 Euros messaged back and forth till a contact in the Netherlands confirmed he was going to Normandy where I picked it up.

^The wheel at Grand Camp Maisy, Fr.

^All nice and spiffy after sandblasting.

^Primed and painted.

^original 70 years old rubber in amazing condition.

^the simple job that grew, and grew and grew.

^Tout Fini.
 
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Thanks for the update, bud. I was loathe to pester you any more than I have. :)

The rubber on that wheel must wear out sooner or later. Where would you get something like that? Have the original moluds survived, or is there a stash of NOS stuff in a bunker someplace?
 
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