Rocket in Malawi

[timmalawi]

After a little more than 2 years waiting for transport and shipping my Rocket is on its way from Immingham to Lilongwe via Windhoek, ETA Oct 11.

In order to make a good start I am interested in any specific tools and tips that builders found very useful. Here it is often difficult to get stuff off the shelf and a bit of preparation will make all the difference.

Expect many more questions even though I have had a long time to review the many build diaries of others.

This will be the start of a great journey of construction and many out on the roads.

[timmalawi]

This is the box of bits on its way.

[buildityourself]

Make yourself a set of trestles out of wood or metal to raise the chassis 300-500mm off the ground for the build to make it easier to work on.

[kiwicanfly]

Hopefully you were supplied with a list of EVERYTHING that was included.

Three kits (in a box) have been supplied to New Zealand, not one contained all that was paid for.

Oh the tales I could tell you!

[timmalawi]

Sept 19, 2022 10:20:27 GMT kiwicanfly said:

Hopefully you were supplied with a list of EVERYTHING that was included.

Three kits (in a box) have been supplied to New Zealand, not one contained all that was paid for.

Oh the tales I could tell you!

This is what scares me the most as things are hard to find here. I think there are 2 Ford Focus cars in the city, so spares wil not be so easy either.

But Thanks for your extensive posts from previous builds. Many note made.

[phaeton]

Sept 19, 2022 10:20:27 GMT kiwicanfly said:

Three kits (in a box) have been supplied to New Zealand, not one contained all that was paid for.

How long ago was this?

[kiwicanfly]

First Rocket 2011
My Rocket late 2012
Exotech 2020

Think that's correct from memory.

[phaeton]

Ah all prior to the new management taking over, I'm not too surprised with the old owners, hopefully the new management will handle this better.

[kiwicanfly]

And exactly are this new management?

One Mr. Paul Holmes and Liam no longer at the helm then???

[phaeton]

Sorry Rocket thread, not Exocet thread, I'll go back under my stone

[carlyd]

Tools you will need;
(Listed in order of importance in my build)

Essential;

Engine Hoist
Jack and Axel Stands
Socket Set / Spanners
Screw driver set
Drill & Drill bits (buy best quality you can HSS)
Bench Vice
Tap Measure or rule
Rivet / Rivnut gun
Files for filing aluminium and metal
Hammer
Pliers
Wire Cutters


Optional;

Small angle grinder with cutting disks and sanding disks
Soldering Iron, Solder etc (depending if you have plug and play ecu)
ELectrical tester
Clamps


I am sure there are a few other tools I used but these are the essentials.

My advice, take your time to enjoy the process. If you get frustrated (and you will) walk away and come back another day. The process should be enjoyable so make sure you have a clear mind when building.

Be prepared to make mistakes, it will happen. Just learn from it, and move on.
If you are stuck read the build diaries on here, Kiwi's is very in depth, mine too. If you can't find the answer there ask on here or the facebook group.
I would recommend reading as many build diaries as you can BEFORE you start, that will give you a very good base of knowledge to start with.

Good luck with your build.

[timmalawi]

Thank you Carl,
I have most of the tools and can borrow an engine hoist. I have been reading the diaries on and off for two years and have listed a few of the procedures. I also have a merry band of friends who will come at the weekends for a beer and a bar-be-que, with a bit of assembly in between. So certainly planning on enjoying the process.

[timmalawi]

Sept 20, 2022 8:05:48 GMT phaeton said:

Ah all prior to the new management taking over, I'm not too surprised with the old owners, hopefully the new management will handle this better.

Does anyone have details of new or alternative management? I am bitterly disapointed in what I have received from the 2019 - 2020 management and would like to knw what else is available.

Also Does anyone have any leads / links for suppliers of the twin exit exhaust, full lights set and mirrors? I am still looking at options for the brakes.

So far I have not started assembly as there are not enough parts in the box to work with.
 

[kiwicanfly]

My understanding is that has been no change,the earlier mention of a change was for the Exocet which changed from Stuart (Mills) to another Stuart. No connection to the Rocket.

When you state that your disappointed, what is disappointing you? What you paid for and expected to receive, but didn't or the quality of what you actually received?

[timmalawi]

Hi Kiwi,
Sorry for the long delay in posting anything. I was in England in March to visit Exo. But surprise, surprise, they were out, having said I was driving 600 miles to see them. The cartons of parts in that were in a photograph when crated, were now loose so they could all fit in the lorry that was coming to Lilongwe. All that are in the picture have arrived. But it seems that 55% of the necessary parts were not included. Mostly the second hand / donor parts. But also the wiring loom has different plugs from the sockets on the steering column. All metal work was not primed or painted, so after 3 1/2 years traveling is a bit rusty. (I have just found the post on "The Other Rocket". If only I had seen this earlier.)
I have been contemplating just packing the engine and gear box and send back to the UK to sell. The rest is fairly useless. But have thought that I should not give up, though it will cost a bit / a lot more to move forward. After 3 months of looking I have found 4 rims and brake discs from an old Peugeot. Next is a full cooling system.