Tech article

[Barney Eaton]

I have been informed that my tech article for the next Reatta Division newsletter is due.

I have reviewed all the old one and am running out of ideas for articles (about one page is all they will give me) Does anyone have any suggestions on tech articles that cover the more common Reatta problem areas?

[Vincent Vega]

Buffing tail light lens?

Headliner replacement?

Brake flushing?

[George Madsen]

With summer nearly here how about a "How To" tech spot on recharging the A/C system.

[Barney Eaton]

Just because I had a little A/C problem last year does not make me an expert.

[122838B]

Barney,

After watching the questions concernings Reattas for a couple years, I think repondents have hit several nerves that bedevil owners....they concern the oxidation of taillight lenses, sagging headliners even in non-sunroof equipped cars, air conditioners that go on the blink without a warning, emergency brake lights than remain on, and ABS problems that crop up unexpectedly. Reattas may have been handbuilt, but perhaps robots would have done a better quality job????? At any rate, I do not think you have a paupicity to subjects to expound on, even if it requires patrolling old turf.

[Barney Eaton]

Thanks, I have been writing these for almost 5 years, four time a year and many of the subject you mentioned have already been addressed. I am always looking for suggestions and will use those that have not already been done.

[Guest smith356]

I just became a Reatta owner a few weeks ago and I've discovered that my bright lights are adjusted way too low. I can drive with the brights and no one coming at me can tell. Headlight alignment may be a topic - at least for me. Do they adjust like stationary units ?

[Guest inthespot]

122838B you hit the nail on the head. I have owned a lot of vehicles (cars,trucks,vans,scooters, and cycles) which started with a cushman around 1958 and my '90 Reatta amazes, baffles, and mesmerizes me all at the same time. This car rides and drives like a dream, it has the look of an exotic sports car but the fit and finish of the interior leads you to think you are in a chevette ( I had one ). The switches and handles are no doubt "low Bid" items. I love my Maui Blue '90 and as soon as I can same up will get another one. But I will say that where Buick missed the mark was that at $30,000 you should have gotten a coupe and convertible. I would have thought that on a car of this type and cost that GM would have increased the quality of the parts that they used. Just my 2¢

[Rawja]

How 'bout flushing the brakes?

Removing 88-90 centercaps without damaging the wheels?

Replacing the Magnavox coils with Delco?

Headlight repair (could include plug for your bellcranks & motor rebulid services).

Refinishing of glass encapsulation?

Restoration of hazy foglamp lenses?

Change-out of front parking/turn/cornering lamps?

Change-out of lamps within the tail cluster?

Change-out of lamps within the CHMSL?

Replacing power window motor?

[dwmajk]

Barney any chance you would post the old tech articles here,I sure not everyone has had the opportunity to read them.

[Guest Greg Ross]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Barney any chance you would post the old tech articles here,I sure not everyone has had the opportunity to read them </div></div>

Get out your checkbook "DWMAJK", those Tech Articles are published in the Reatta News Letter-members only domain, sorry.

When this Thread showed up I thought, hmmmm, should scan back a few pages of postings and see what topics were high traffic areas. (went back several hundred threads)Low and behold what stands out are 1) typically "Reatta for Sale" are big draws, 2) Special Interest topics like "How old are Reatta Owners" but far and away, Threads about "Gawd Forbid" modifications and power enhancements are the heavy traffic areas.

But wait, the Reatta Div. does not endorce or promote modifications, the club charter is devoted to the narrow interest of maintaining originality.

I stopped renewing my membership in the Reatta Div. several years ago on principal. The Club declined to consider my proposals of a performance group within the Reatta Division to hold all Reatta Owners together in a common interest group. I was respectfully directed to the (new) Buick "Performance Group" A stock looking Reatta with some power enhancements/ and any related discussion on parts availability to maintain my Reatta is certainly going to be lost amongst a group talking/ showing radical Street Rods and Super Modifides!

Since I'm an outcast I would be most interested in knowing what the numbers are of "Registered Users" on this Discussion Board vs the 250 members Barney cites for the Reatta Division. My recollection is membership had been up around 300+ at one point.

Perhaps the Reatta Division is no nonger representing the majority interest of Reatta Owners?

Somewhat "Off Topic" but a "Tick-Off" to me.

[jonlabree]

I agree GREG. I also am an outcast because of some mods I have made to my Reatta. I am of the opion that what is good can be made better an more personal for each an every owner

[Guest F14CRAZY]

How about the LN3 to L67 conversion?

[Guest Greg Ross]

Philip,

That's a great suggestion for an Article that will never grace the pages of the Reatta News Letter. I was actually invited to write an article a few years ago concerning the modifications I'd been making on my '88. Sent in a Draft and there it died.(perhaps it was my inability to express myself!)

I think it's a huge shame the executive of the Reatta Division has decided to remain a narrow interest club. The BCA has been struggling with the same issue as its' membership aged and numbers dwindled, hence the "Modified Division". My opinion has always been that as with this Discussion Board, strength is in numbers. I talked this up for a couple of years at Reatta Division National Events but was unsuccessful in finding any depth of support with the Executive. In fact I think it had the reverse effect and consolidated determination to exclude alternative interest.

Flint, the Buick 100th in 2003 was a truly wonderful experience but will be the last BCA National Event I attend. If I'm not welcome in my area of interest with modifying and improving Reattas then I'll just have to stay away. In my opinion, my loss is their loss, sad!

[dwmajk]

Funny thing is I let my membership in BUICK club expire two years ago, membership app. is going out today. So I will look back on the articles I want.Everyone is here cause they like Reatta's.My interest in the car is that it rides great,has the best seating for an old guy with a bad back.and you don't see one everyday.I sold the Allante because it more complex than the Reatta,web site is not as active,But if you want to go fast buy one trust me you can go all day at 100.and people love the looks.I admire the people who are active in these clubs it's not the money!Dennis

[Booreatta]

Greg I make my statement based on high respect for you ability to do mods on

your car, I have read a great many of your posts and I admire your ability, but It is time to get off of your soap box. In defense of Barney, It takes a great deal of time for him to research the Tech stuff and I am sure that he is not paid. All of us including you can benefit from his work. All of his articles in the Reatta are posted on the Reatta web site. So dont get out your check book its still free. I am sure that anyone who wants to join the club would be welcome regardless how that they see the hobby of colletable cars. That would explain why some of us like Buicks, Fords, etc. I really dont see why anyone would find the need to not belong just because they disagree with the direction of the club. I would challange any one who quit the BCA or the Reatta club to rejoin and focus your efforts to help make the club better. Change is slow but the BCA and the Reatta always can make improvements. The changes can not come if they dont get all sides of an issue. I have said before and I will say again, It is well worth the time and the money to belong. You get out what you put in.

My hat is off to Barney who works hard for our hobby and deserves a big THANKS.

I still respect your knowledge but get off your soap box and retire it.

Thanks for listening

[Guest F14CRAZY]

Mr. Eaton sent me an email, inviting me to make a summary of my work and include a few pix.

This is also, my retrofit was not approved of by a lot of people, like durability problems. Then again, a lot of people like my "screw it and do it" additude. I don't think I've joined the Buick club yet because shows and clubs have just a lot of older people with grandpa's '49 Flowmaster. These guys may not approve of my "get rid of the old [censored] that's not sufficient and replace it with something better" and my "that engine don't give a flip".

The newsletter might not go along with my views. My car is not mint, and probably never will be. The red's faded on top of the front fenders, I still don't have those overly expensive hubcaps, plenty of corrosion from lead wheel weights, cracking paint on the hood, clear coat loss on the rear plastic, faded carpet (the tan turns kinda pink), my Claret steering wheel and column...mechanically, I keep everything up with the best maintenance that's reasonably possible. I keep the exterior washed and waxed, replace sensors and mechanical parts.

Can I non-member submit an article for the newsletter?

I'm going to give it a try, but will keep in mind what Greg said. I give things and people a chance, but won't after they put me down.

[Guest Greg Ross]

Booreatta,

I find it exceedingly interesting that not a single member of the Reatta Div. Executive has ever responded on this Forum concerning my issues. That is excepting Barney Eaton concerning how my membership evaporated several year ago and that was via email-direct-and that was fair enough.

I had it on, what I considered very good authority, that the National after the last time I pressed for opening the club to Modifieds, the Executive stacked the Annual meeting with Proxies assuming I was showing up to challenge the issue. The Reatta Division is not an open Club, not open to change.

I've done I think 3 Nationals and had a great time with owners from all over the continent. I was, within the Reatta Division obviously in the minority as automotive interests go. I was looking for the continued oportunity to stay in the Reatta Division and see it expand and broaden to other then purist stock interest.

I think I've personally met every member of the Executive, have you? They're all fine people. Someone bandies the BCA Charter over that group to retain stock original equipment content only on the vehicle.

Sorry, I gave it my shot. Closed Societies wither and die, I'll focus my interests and efforts somewhere they're likely to bear fruit.

When that changes, kindly let me know. In the meantime I am entitled to my opinion.

Thank-you

Greg Ross

[Booreatta]

I will respond by saying that I have not made an attack on you. Your opinion is very important, and the point that I have been trying to make is that Barney is looing for ideas and as a member of the club I feel that it is my duty to try and help. You may be right that some changes need to be made but they wont be made if you dont belong. You cant win the lottery if you dont buy a ticket. Share the postive and keep the negative.

And that is all I will say about that

[Jim]

I try and not get into some of the controversial issues but in reading Greg's comment that none of the "Executive" have ever responded. It is possible that is true but as assistant director of the Reatta Div. I will respond with my thoughts.

I have known Greg since 2000 and when he started modifying his Reatta I sold him many parts for the project and gave him many pieces at no charge. At the Flint meet I had the opportunity to meet Greg in person and get to see his car. Terrific job he did. At that meet there was also a yellow and black "bumble bee" that was as far from stock as you could get and again a very nice car to see.

Clubs like the BCA, Olds club, Corvette club etc. are generally there for the preservation of the marque. In many of these clubs there will be a modified division for those cars that have been drastically changed. The Buick club has such a division. We are a small "division" within the BCA and it would not be practical to have a sub-division within the Reatta division as there would simply be not enough members to sustain it.

We in the Reatta division exclude no one from membership and are just the opposite, welcoming of anyone with a Reatta or simply interest in the Reattas.

The current board members of the Reatta division are---

Domenick Clemente, director

Jim Finn, assistant director

Ed Farnell, treasurer.

My wifes Reatta has Cadillac wheels, wood grain panels and a tan shifter knob.

One of Ed's Reattas also has Cadillac wheels, wood grain panels and a very nice looking Burgundy convertible top.

We are not against modifications. We do judge our cars against the 400 point BCA judging system and I and Ed will be loosing points on our cars.

Domenick at this time is in the process of moving and has no computer access but I have spoken to him and can say that Greg and anyone else is 100% welcome in the Reatta division and actually people like Greg are extra encouraged to join as they have so much of offer other members.

Jim

P.S. I have also sold and given many parts to 63 viking and Jon your are not an outcast. We are looking forward to seeing your car.

[Guest mgibson]

I too, like Jim, tend to listen much more than speak but I will offer my thoughts on this. I agree with Jim's comments 100%. I have met Greg and think he made an awesome modification while doing nothing to distract from its beauty. I like to have it both ways. My 91 convertible will remain totally stock if possible while my 89 driver has slight modifications. Most notable are the Cadillac CTS wheels with Reatta emblems. When I repaint it because of tree sap damage, I most likely will choose Cadillac Pearl White instead of the present Arctic White. When I saw Gregs car I though it was well received by Reatta members. I certainly would be the last to criticize his great efforts!

Greg, I hope that you can feel more welcome to this forum and group! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Martel Gibson

[padgett]

A lot is in perceptions. There are those who believe that the cars the general built were perfection incarnate and oppose any change. Personally, I have never had a stock car (or at least not for long enough to pull the new wheels out from under the bed where they waited for my new car to be delivers.

At the same time it is good to know exactly what "stock" was when deciding what is "good enough" and was isn't.

This lead to many years as the chief technical advisor for a different (10,000+ member) GM marque club and setting up their "platinum class" before becoming somewhat disillusioned with the entire judging process.

The simple fact is that GM has always built cars to a price point (and you need look no further than the seats in a Reatta for proof). Further all evidence the available technology (and mandatory compromises) of the times when they were built. None are "perfect" except as a snapshot.

My view or "modifications" is a bit different: how *could* the car have been built both at the time it was and today ?

Take Greg's car which really is in a class of its own. It is how the experimental garage at Buick might have built a five-speed S/C Reatta. The attention to detail is marvelous and it has all of the "right parts".

No, it is not a production car but perhaps a "replica prototype" class (as opposed to "modified") might be a good thing. After all there will always be a super chromed World of Wheels show car to take top modified, but those are art expressions and not technical expressions.

Of course few can tell the difference. I always valued "as if the factory had done it" highly particularly on rare or "unobtainable" options but having been a GMI student, can tell.

[Guest tempest68]

Greg,

I think the only real way to get the Reatta Division to change is to add to/change the membership. By that I mean, if alot more folks that are interested in modified Reatta's join up they could make things different. At Flint, there was trouble just getting new blood to volunteer for the offical positions leading the club. Now, if several folks interested in modified as well as stock versions joined the club and eventually worked their way into the president or vice-president roles maybe that would change.

At Flint, Lisa and I just felt alittle too young compared to the average owner represented. And we were in our mid 30's then.

I appreciate the original cars and hope as many worthy cars are kept in that condition. But if you take what was a daily driver like our car that would take too much time to restore to factory condition, I think going modified is the way to go. It "might" be less costly for some things, and would definitely be fun.

I quit both BCA and RDIV simply because our triplets were about to be born, and we need every penny for formula, diapers, etc.

[farnelle]

Barney,

Look what you started. As I read these posts I cannot help but being bewildered and somewhat amused. It kind of reminds me of the old saying that no good deed goes unpunished. You asked a simple question in attempt to help Reatta owners and this string looks like it is turning into a slam of the Reatta Division.

As Sec/Treas of the Division, I would like to encourage all Reatta owners to join. I know of no prohibition against modified Reattas. I know of no requirement to own a Reatta. For $10 a year you receive a membership card, a window decal, and four newsletters a year. Pretty cheap entertainment when you consider the cost of a movie. If we had more members, maybe we could have tech articles about some of the interesting modifications. I am certain that Barney would not mind if someone else wanted to write a tech article. Believe me, it is not easy coming up with newsletter articles.

I believe there is room in the Reatta Division for all Reatta owners. I also believe that we can all learn a lot from each other. If folks like Greg and others do not belong and participate, a lot of Reatta owners are missing out on the opportunity of seeing some really interesting cars and meeting some really knowledgable people.

Are we maybe confusing Division membership with the rules for judging? The Austin Healey club figured out a long time ago how to appeal to all sides. Concourse judging is for those who want to preserve the marque and adhere to strict orginality. At those same events each participant is allowed to vote the popular judging. Awards are given in each catagory. I have a room full of trophies that I have won with my 67 BJ8 Healey and none are for concourse. While pretty original, the body and paint are much nicer than any Healey that rolled out of a BMC factory. The engine is prettier (chromed up) and the wheels and tires are much safer. My point is that I am very proud of the trophies that I won with my personal restoration (I could never afford a professional restoration to concourse) and I take pride that my trophies came from the votes of a lot of people who attended the show and not just a few judges looking for a certain bolt, screw or hose clamp. This just to say that there should be a place for everyone who loves Reattas. If the crazies who own and love British cars can get it right, I am sure there is a chance for us too. I see no difference in a Reatta 5 speed and a Healey with a Ford V8, but it is impossible to put them into a concourse or 400 pont judging system. Even it they could, who would be smart enough to judge them by anything other than pure subjectivity. That is the reason for popular vote judging.

It will never happen, however, if people stay on the outside and pout. I might agree that some of the folks in any club can get a bit stuffy, but we need to be able to look beyond that. For one, I plan to be in Rochester next month. I am going to let my Reatta be judged just like it is. I just wish I could get a chance to see Greg's car, but it looks like that is for another day.

All I am asking is that folks on this forum give some thought to the Reatta Division. Your participation is welcome and will benefit others. You may even get to meet some nice folks who own and love Reattas. If you have any questions or suggestions the place to make them is Reattaclub@aol.com.

Regards to all,

Ed

[jonlabree]

Ed; I belive they are talking about competing against stock Reatta's.

I personally like the modifications that I have made and will try me luck in the modified division.

[manikmekanik]

I don't believe a modified Reatta belongs in the BCA Modified division's class for competition. The cars winning/placing in the competition in this class are extreme, or radically modified, like the Riviatta posted here recently.

Jon's (63Viking) coupe has only bolt-ons, and could not compete with someone else's life-long body mod on an old Roadmaster, or other early Buick Hot Rod-and should not have to enter such a class.

Could the Reatta Div. open a class, supported by Reatta div. members, for modified cars, like Jon, Greg and Phil? These guys, and many more, are expanding the possibilities of thier Reattae with tasteful body, bolt-on , and performace mods. How 'bout DTakas' forward-tilt hood? or fold-up doors? These cars are cool, and attract attention from all enthusiasts, rather than just Reatta purists. In local shows, Reattae are crammed into a "special interest" class, along with GN's anyway! The last show I attended was hosted by Cream City chapter, and of the 7 cars in this class, 4 were Reatta, 1 GN, 1 Regal T-Typr and a bone-stock 81 regal sedan. Only the Regals were awarded trophies, even though the 81 did not belong, and the Reatta, (2 coupes-others', 2 ragtops-mine), outnumbered them.

We, (the club), could hold such a class as part of the "Reatta Rendezvous" at a BCA event, where the annual Rendezvous is held, within the confines of our "space" at the event. If BCA does'nt want to judge, or offer awards, we could use Reatta div. members to "peer" judge along BCA/Reatta guidelines, to INCLUDE these Reatta owners, and enlist them as members, if not already. Advance registration/membership would be needed, to attempt to accomodate the class, and fund the awards.

I can't see any reason our "exclusive" club can't be "inclusive" toward ALL Reatta owners and enthusiasts, even Kenny Bernstien and his "modified" Reatta funny car. It would be fan-tastic to have him display it at the Nats, in Rochester! Of course, he'd probably win any Reatta-mod class!

Any division can only be as big as the car(s) it represents. The Reatta line is NOT the most limited line of American cars with a BCA class, and in all fairness, a modified GN, Riviera or Reatta may not stand a chance in an "all-inclusive" Modified Buick class, against the life-long Buick Hot Rod cars. Nor in the "performance division" against GS. GS-x, Gn, GNX, or other muscle cars, because a 430 V8 just won't fit in a Reatta, unless you do a funny car project.

[Guest MauiWowee]

Well put Randy. I think your suggestion has a lot of merit. Reattas are not yet at the point where the majority of the cars are purchased and preserved by the purists. Greg and his mods have paved the way for young blood like Phil to keep enthusiasm high for our great cars. As pointed out, most of us have done a little something to our cars, just to please ourselves.

I also wish to thank some of our members here who have made constructive posts on this subject, unlike the "soap box" comment. Healthy exchange of ideas and opinions can result in a change for the better. My apologies to Barney for adding to the hijacking of his original post. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

[Guest Stan Leslie]

Manik,

I am proud to see that you have volunteered to organize, set up, and otherwise handle the details for the first ever "Modified Reatta" judged class at this years 'Reatta Rendezvous'. Please contact Jim Finn, Rendezvous organizer to coordinate. It's about time someone came forward with "deeds", not just "words". As I once told Greg - "as a BCA member, all you have to do is get 10 modified Reattas entered in the BCA Modified category and the BCA will create a second, separate Reatta only modified class". However, this will be even better.

Stan Leslie

Ex-Reatta Div. Director

[Guest F14CRAZY]

I would join. I've got the cash right now, so I think I'll go ahead and join the BCA and the Reatta division

Reminds me...the old dude that bought Claret asked why I was supercharging my coupe...I told him the Reatta's stock motor was not sufficient to propel the 3400+ pound car

[Guest tomt]

Barney:

You, Jim, and others involved do a great job. I'm not kissing anything here, just stating the obvious. Your initial question was what about a tech article. My initial reason for wanting a hands on at Lincolnshire was to get a good explanation on replacing relays. I know there is an article on the other Reatta site, but a good explanation of replacing these, to me is still lacking. This seems to me to be a repair that will be required again in the future, and from what I see, is simple, I just haven't done it. A better explanation of relay replacement, with pictures would be a plus.

[Jim]

Tom,

Thanks for the nice things you said. I would like to add that Stan Leslie also has done more than most of us to further the Reatta division and he should be included in the kudos.

Stan---

Excellent reply, I wanted to say something along those lines myself but I didn't know exactly how to word it or how it would work within the BCA.

On a slightly side note, I was also asked to send in something for the next Reatta division newsletter and since I will again be a judge I will try and point out some of the things judges look for. One of several things that come to mind at the moment is your car is not competing against other cars. Your car is being judged against a 400 point system. A car starts with 400 points and the judges deduct points for items that are different from when the car came from the factory. We are also instructed to judge fairly, if for example we see some chips in the paint on the bottom of the door because the seat belt got caught in the door when it was closed and chipped the paint we take off one point. If we see it on the first car we judge, we take off a point on that car and then on successive cars. We cannot see a defect for example on the third car we judge and then go back to the first or second car to see if we missed that item on those cars.

At national meets as opposed to regional meets the judges in all classes are usually more experienced at the particular class they are judging because there are more judges available. At regional meets very often you might have people judging Reattas that are not familiar with them. They may own a '39 Buick but have volunteered to judge Reattas. At the last several National meets there were 3 or 4 classes for Reattas and all the Reattas were judged by experience judges, usually Reatta owners. You cannot judge the group your car is in. Example, if you brought a convertible you would judge the coupe class.

[jonlabree]

I may not be as competitive in the modified class with my Reatta but at least I don't have to worry about having 5 points dedected for non-authentic hose clamps, or 5 points deducted for the wrong color valve caps,(pet Peve) or having points deducted for a tiny pait chip at the bottom of a door. (But only 4 points off for the wrong Transmission)

That is one of the reasons I joined the Buick Modified division.

I do like Randy's idea. Are there enough Modified Reattas that could enter?

[Barney Eaton]

Tomt.......send me a not about the relays, your note above is not specific on which relays are in question and why you would want to replace them.

[Guest inthespot]

Here's my 2 ¢, I do not know enough to disagree with anyone but hope to one of there days. I think this entire forum is great. I was between a Reatta and a Chrysler TC ( liked the two top idea ) but went with the Reatta because of this forum. The TC forum has less post on in a week than this one does each day. I have fixed everything so far with the suggestions and info here but my high idle (1,000 to 1,200 with new TPS and idle air control motor).

But I think the mods that people do are great, I want mine to be as stock looking as possible with the exception of the wheels ( like the '91's and also the chrome cat's) but I like to look at the options. But if you guys want to start a mod classification, then I'll donate a few bucks to buy the trophy, just let me know and I will sent a check to help. Notice I said help not fund the entire thing. As I said just my 2¢

[Barney Eaton]

Here goes..... I am diluting my own post

This past week I received a message from the BCA Chief Judge. He informed me we have 36 Reattas entered in the 400 point system at Rochester. However, his problem is not having enough judges. Each judging team is 5 people.

A team captain, and 4 other judges to handle Chassis, Underhood, Interior, & Exterior.

If the 36 cars were split into 3 groups for 3 teams that would be 15 judges

Because it takes at least 10 minutes to judge a car, that is 150 minutes plus breaks and conferences. So it is easy to see that a judge can easily spend 3 hours on the field. Plus there is judges training the day before and the judges breakfast, the morning of the meet. However, 5 more judges for a 4th team, knocks the number of cars to 9 per team that must be judged (now closer to under 2 hours per team)

These are the backroom details that many people don't realise when they enter a car. Adding a seperate Reatta only modified class is doable providing the entrants also support the effort.

In the above example...for every classification we need 5 judges, so if there is 10 cars in a class as Stan Leslie indicated, half of those people need to sign up as judges. The Chief Judge assigns judges to classes where they would not judge their own car. So unless they have knowledge about other Buicks, they would probably indicate they would judge Reattas. Again little details that not everyone is aware of.

So this week I got on the phone and called people that have Reattas entered in the Rochester national and ask if they would judge (some class of cars) every Reatta Division person I called volunteered to judge.

[Jim]

I just sent in my registration last week and when I got home from my trip to North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin this week, my confirmation papers were there. I did sign up for judging but the info might not have gotten to the judging people yet.

Jim

[122838B]

What I am wondering is if taillight lens (buffing), headliner replacement and ABS lights are such frequent problems, why are they not mentioned in the FAQ section? I am fortunate that my tailight lens so far is clear, but is there a proven way to keep it clear? I am unfortunate in that I have the ABS and the headliner problems, but lucky that both these can be readily solved. In any case, dissension has solved a lot of problems in the past.

[Barney Eaton]

My comments.... there are two seperate major web sites for the Reatta.

www.reatta.org and www.reatta.net

.org is the official Reatta web site and up until recently was only maintained, not expanded. With a little luck, we can get FAQ, photos, and other great things on the .org site.

Before some recent volunteers for the .org site, .net was and is maintained by Tom Jenkins at his own cost and he started simple, added my database and several good features. At that time he did web sites professionally and apparantly had some extra time. Now he has much less time to scan the discussion page and move hot topics to his site.

On .org you can do a search and find lots of discussion on both the headliner and the Teves ABS brakes. I have done two headliners and after you get it out and cleaned, it is a 30 minute or less job.

The Teves ABS brake issue is more complex and it takes some understanding and analysis to determine where or what the problem might be. The main thing a owner can do is good maintanence (flushing) and run the test every 6 months.

(Test from .net site) The Teves system is a very good system but it was an early ABS technology that has been greatly simplified over the last 20 years (1985-2006)