To add to the discussion of cost saving methods in building the Europa I
would like to point out a source of free knobs for the throttle. In the US,
Almaden has recently come out with a 5 liter boxed wine which uses a valve
mechanism whose knob may be adapted for use on the throttle. Of course, one
must finish the wine first... Actually, one must finish two containers since
one knob is needed for each side of the throttle lever.
The knob is nicely fluted and includes a press in cover which hides the ends
of the retaining bolt and nut. To retrieve the knob, just turn ccw with
sufficient torque to overpower the stop. The valve mechanism is part of the
knob and must be sawn off flush with the base of the knob using a razor saw.
The inside of the molding is depressed such that the bit is automatically
centered when drilling it out for the retaining bolt - clearly pre-adapted
for recycling into Europa throttle knobs. Although, in a perfect world, the
knob would be about 2mm larger in diameter.
One caution: don't attempt to recess the sawn part below the edge of the knob
since this will make the plastic too thin causing a failure (had to drink
another box to recover from that!).
With savings like this, building a Europa becomes ever more reasonable. One
certainly can't wine about the cost :-)
John A044 Newtown, CT
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