917 shift knob

[Rory Mckenna]

that is too bad,, they are nice!
thanks,,, I just bought one from a guy.

[Don Z.]

I'm curious why they told you not to soak it in epoxy. The only thing I can think of is UV sensitivity, but there are ways to deal with that.

Balsa can be very soft... or not. Depends. A possible source is Cut & Dried Hardwood in Solana Beach. They carry it for the custom balsa surfboard trade. There may also be a benefit, once turned, in soaking it in Smith's Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer. The balsa will soak up lots of it... Come to think of it, so would spruce and cedar.

I was going to start one of my rants on the differences is epoxies, and how they can be used, etc (all learned on wooden boats), but well... I'll stop. I am curious why they said NOT epoxy though. But I'm biased.... I have a 45 foot boat that is western red cedar and spruce, completely held together with epoxy...

[maler928]

Hi!
I have not read all posts in this tread, so someone maybe already has told you!I am pretty sure that the original 917 knob was made of birch wood, and the same for the Carrera GT!

Tommy

[JeremyD]

I'll have to take a picture of the one I made - It looks just like the 917 knob - I made it out of alternating layers of mahogony and brich.

[JeremyD]

Mahagony and birch - alternating layers - epoxy soaked - then sanded - then finished with a UV stabilized clearcoat.

[Rory Mckenna]

very nicely done!

[76911S]

Hi all, I do still make them but they are sold exclusively here http://www.tremotorsports.com/product.cfm?Node=10299

Epoxy coating them would be fine but that was not the way the original ones where finished and the oils from our hands create a great patina after awhile. All the original 917, 907's & 908's used these and the ones I have seen all have a nice worn used look.

You can't really say the originals where made with Birch or Balsa because the restoration gurus don't even know for sure what woods where used. I have sold knobs to both Carl Thompson & Dale Miller for use in restoration projects so these seem to be as close as anyone has found to original. All though, original is not always the best...

Mark..

[MOMO3.2]

Dang Mark, it has been 3 years since I started this thread with my musing over a 917 shift knob for my Carrera. The one you made me does have a nice patina and is holding up swell. I love it. Thanks Mark.

Sincerely,

Mike

[76911S]

Hey Mike, glad to here you like it.
Time fly’s doesn’t it??

Mark..

[CurtEgerer]

Nearly all 917's used the wood knobs. There were some exceptions using aluminum:

[Flojo]

got this one in plane wood from kultluft.at

[DeRRis]

Originally Posted by Flojo

got this one in plane wood from kultluft.at

Does it come with the right insert Flo?

[Flojo]

no. made up my own:

Wevo Shifter tall rod - knob question

[Flojo]

Got another nice source for unique shift knobs.

Cceck https://builtbybasil.com/ (or: @builtbybasil on FB or IG)
He is UK based dude that works marvels with recycled skateboard Wood.

Received mine this Weekend (with proper socket for 915-shifter to Mount with oem crush sleeve)