Mark Gardner wrote:
>
> Hi all - After all those years of resisting the ferocious acceleration
> generated by that fire breathing 1500 cc engine (over 50 BHP!!!), my
> driver's side seatback will no longer lock. I believe in being cool
> while driving my Spitfire, but full recline doesn't do it for me. I
> checked my Haynes and Bentley manuals, and neither was any help
> whatsoever on seat construction. I worked out in the driveway for a
> while (my garage is so full of junk, there's barely room for
> the car).
> It started to rain, so I'll delay the real fix. But since it
> looks like
> rain and/or snow tomorrow, I've got to take the car instead of the
> bike. Just to get by, I've got the seat propped up by a case
> of castrol
> A545 for a bike I haven't owned in a few years and the box my
> Vance and
> Hines big bore FJ1200 pistons came in (the pistons were installed four
> years ago, and the bike has been gone for two). And my wife
> wonders why
> I save all this junk.
>
> Anyway - If anybody can give me any advice on what I need to do to get
> to the seat recline lock mechanism, I would greatly appreciate it.
>
> Regards,
>
> Mark Gardner
>
Mark,
Are you sure it is the reclining mechanism? It could be even worse,
the frame has cracked and broken. You need to feel the outside of
the frame, or just slide the cover off. If it is broken, it can be
welded, but only once. After that, there isn't enough metal to weld
to. You can also check with TSI or Obsolete Automotive to see if
they have a replacement frame.
My frame broke a long time ago, (the cars were still in production,
but the frame was NLS even then) so we welded it together. It broke
again two years ago, and I rewelded it. That lasted about one drive.
I bought a replacement seat last spring. I should mention that I think
the primary reason the weld lasted so long was the roll bar was supporting
the seat back.
Cheers,
Doug Mitchell
mailto:dmitchel@ismi.net
mailto:dmitchel@ford.com
'73 Spitfire 1500
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