Stupid Door: Inanimate Object Rant

[varmint]

lived here almost five years. it's always been a confusing annoyance. but i've finally come to a point where i have to figure away this around this.

this looks like a double door. but only one side opens. there are no hinges or visible latches on the other. i can't believe someone built a door this way. is there some trick i am missing? have any of you all familiar with this sort of thing? there are no i.d. numbers on it to look up directions.

i'm a few hours away from completely dismantling it with a screwdriver.

[MRM]

It looks like a fixed panel to me. The manufacturer didn't make it like that. The builder ordered an inoperable panel and installed it on that side, presumably to make it more leak proof and less maintenance. You can probably call and order an operable panel from the manufacturer (measure to fit before you order) pull out the fixed panel, and install an operable panel with hinges.

What brand is it? Hinged French doors are nice.

[p911dad]

It's an "XO" door, a fixed panel French door. We have had them in 2 different houses. More energy efficient, fewer drafts. Pretty common, actually. Because of the hinges and latches, I think the only solution if you want both panels to open is replace the whole unit ($$$).

[varmint]

crap. i was afraid of that. there are no identifying marks. can't figure who made this thing. there are a number of screws. am going to start into this this and see where it goes.


want to haul the bike into the living room for a winter restoration. the door is 28 inches wide. the bike 34. crap crap crap crap crap crap.

[varmint]

it's the motor.

[MRM]

Look on the bottom corners of the glass, just above the frame, both inside and outside. There should be some etching in one of the corners. It will probably say CIG with a bunch of numbers and maybe a date. The manufacturer might be identified in the glass etching.

[vonsmog]

Just remove the fixed panel, roll in the bike, then reinstall fixed panel. Come spring time do it again and roll out the restored bike.

[varmint]

Just remove the fixed panel, roll in the bike, then reinstall fixed panel. Come spring time do it again and roll out the restored bike.

You have a bright future writing instruction manuals.

Took the weather stripping off. It's a mass of caulk and inaccessible screws in there.

[RWebb]

disassemble your bike outside then take each piece thru the single door

you don't want to create a big air draft in Sept. in Alaska

[varmint]

The cylinders are the widest part of the bike. Things like body panels and turn signals can be taken off. But they don't really impact the overall width. Dropping the engine out would be a nightmare.

Have a contractor friend coming over tomorrow to look at the thing.

[varmint]

Whats the front door look like?

Slightly wider. But it immediately leads into a wall and a bend the bike could never negotiate.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by varmint

Slightly wider. But it immediately leads into a wall and a bend the bike could never negotiate.

Unless you drove it in while doing a wheelie!!

See, you have to think like an engineer.

Maybe open a large window and make a ramp out of plywood and two-by and drive it through the window.

Man, I am on a roll today!

[tevake]

Originally Posted by vonsmog

Just remove the fixed panel, roll in the bike, then reinstall fixed panel. Come spring time do it again and roll out the restored bike.

Bingo!
Looks like Vonsmog nailed it for you. That door was installed into the frame at some point. Dig into it more till you figure out how to uninstall it. Those hidden fasteners can really baffle the mind, but there is a way. And this approach seems best as it will help keep the weather out over the winter coming soon

Keep us posted on your restore of the bike.

Cheers Richard

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by varmint

You have a bright future writing instruction manuals.

Took the weather stripping off. It's a mass of caulk and inaccessible screws in there.

On a golf course once a buddy was facing what looked like an impossible shot and really needed to take a drop.
Instead he addressed the ball and said, " I saw this in a cartoon once, I'm pretty sure I can pull it off".

The bike runs, right?
Then I don't see what the problem is.
Just get a running start at it like they do on TV.




Come to think of it, my buddy's trick golf shot didn't end well.

[on2wheels52]

Interesting cowl on your S; I wonder if my kid has forgiven me for selling mine.
I take it either you have no garage or it will be too cold in it this winter to use it for the project?
Jim

[Baz]

How about just building a small shop out back - then just use that to do the rebuild.

Just make sure the door is wide enough to roll her in, for heaven's sake...you don't want to wind up in the same situation you're in now!

You're welcome!

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by vonsmog

Just remove the fixed panel, roll in the bike, then reinstall fixed panel. Come spring time do it again and roll out the restored bike.

all that caulk it is boogered up with is there b/c the fixed panel doesn't seal well - my bet anyway

removing the panel means a lot more work ... to booger it up again with caulk

[GWN7]

Their called a "Garden Door". I have one on the back of the house. Opens left or right. No idea if you can open it and then reseal it.

[Stonestreet]

If it is a fixed panel, I'd probably take the operating door off the hinges (pop the pins, starting with the bottom) and then uninstall the unit. Most likely you will find screws under the hinge leaves on the jamb and maybe one in the centre top and bottom depending on how well the installation went initally. If you have a rare earth magnet, you can check the fixed jamb side for screws that have filler over them. Mind you, if you're taking the whole unit out, you need to remove the casing, and if they didn't use spray foam, you'll be able to see where the shims and screws are on the fixed side.

Having a carpenter friend can really help out, but there are plenty of resources online to show you how to install a door once you get it out. Fine homebuilding is a good resource.

Marc

[Stonestreet]

But you may be able to remove the unit without removing the frame.. . hard to say from here.