omg 1000% times better, thank you so much!
Ed I put it in the resources and put your name on it, thank you for that!
Birch Screen Door (Gold anodized version)
- Thread starter 74_Coach
- Start date
omg 1000% times better, thank you so much!
Ed I put it in the resources and put your name on it, thank you for that!
I have upscaled the original document to 8.5"x11", improved the fidelity of the images, and replaced the step-by-step instructions with typed text. But now I need your help: I have uploaded a draft version of the instructions document for thread followers to review and add helpful comments to before I finalize it. Once finalized, I will upload the PDF to this thread.
Click here to open a collaborative version of the document where you will be able to add comments (eg interpreting hard-to-read text, labels, etc. so I can replace them in the final version of the document).
If you can decipher the really hard to read labels and text elements that I have not retyped, please add them as comments by clicking on the commenting icon (a Post-it note). Click the document text that needs changing and enter the change (or your comment) in the commenting field. Once you're done with each comment, be sure to select "Post" so the comments are all capture/embedded in the shared PDF document.
Note: the document updates in real time, so assuming you have a solid Internet connection, your comments will be saved EVEN BEFORE you closeout the document and end the session.
How to add a comment to a PDF:
I will review the draft document on November 7, 2025 and will incorporate any relevant text and label elements that thread followers have added to the comment fields into the final document. A final version of the "new" version of the PDF will be posted to this thread the following week.
Click here to open a collaborative version of the document where you will be able to add comments (eg interpreting hard-to-read text, labels, etc. so I can replace them in the final version of the document).
If you can decipher the really hard to read labels and text elements that I have not retyped, please add them as comments by clicking on the commenting icon (a Post-it note). Click the document text that needs changing and enter the change (or your comment) in the commenting field. Once you're done with each comment, be sure to select "Post" so the comments are all capture/embedded in the shared PDF document.
Note: the document updates in real time, so assuming you have a solid Internet connection, your comments will be saved EVEN BEFORE you closeout the document and end the session.
How to add a comment to a PDF:
- Select the Add a comment tool from the Quick action toolbar.
- Type your comment in the text field that appears.
- Select Post to add the comment to the document.
I will review the draft document on November 7, 2025 and will incorporate any relevant text and label elements that thread followers have added to the comment fields into the final document. A final version of the "new" version of the PDF will be posted to this thread the following week.
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Thanks Marco,
I have photos of Eric Tanner's coach which has an original Birch door installed, showing what I thought at the time were important parts of the install.
I also have photos of a friend's coach that appears to have had a Birch door installed at one time (IMO) based on some of the modifications done to the coach.
Would those be of use to the document?
Todd
Yes - Please! I have seen 2 Birch screen door installations at 2 different rally’s but neither one looked like they fit properly.
Ed
Yes, I think so. I can add an appendix showing actual installs, including my own.
Please upload using the following link https://we.tl/r-pKybFy8oLj
Please upload using the following link https://we.tl/r-pKybFy8oLj
Will do. However, I'll post photos once I've completed the tip for aligning the plastic door frame trim with the rubber retainer "tongue". I hadn't realized that this was an option until I started working on the instruction document cleanup. I've always been unhappy with how this particular area looked and performed.
Is that the step where the lip on the trim is heated with a heat gun and pried open or closed to match the door?
I read thru the two documents side by side and made edits. Was this successful? The adobe editor was pretty wonky, I don't have a lot of confidence the edits were made successfully. Can you check before I close the window?
Hey Todd. I just checked the online doc. and your comments were there. Thanks for clicking the on actual content that needed changing and then adding your comment. Very helpful!
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I looked at my setup yesterday and it’s slightly different to photos posted by folks in this thread in the area where the two vertical trim pieces butt up against the rubber retainer and where the roller assemblies are located. The metal plate the rubber retainer affixes to that sits behind the large strike plate with four recessed Philips head bolts, is much further back on our 1973 than in photos and the schematic. The two end tongues (grooved in the back) do not reach the metal guide rail the plastic trim sits on in the door coach door entrance frame. It doesn’t create a continuous and seamless barrier as seen in images elsewhere in this thread. I’ll post a video showing the screen door, surrounding trim, and where the trim interfaces with the screen door roller assemblies in our 1973 as soon as I can get to it.
Btw, the only changes I’ve made over to the screen door over the years are cosmetic in nature, plus adding the (missing) trim pieces from Bob Burkitt, replacing the two roller assemblies, and installing the rubber retainer bump stop purchased from @Jim Kanomata recently. Since the setup is working for me and — even though it’s not the cleanest — I’m leaving everything as is.
I got mine directly from the source: Bob Burkitt https://gmcmotorhomemarketplace.com/bobburkitt/ a few years ago. Btw, GMC MH cottage industry vendors and fabricators can all be found on this site. Note, some are no-longer in business.
@Jim Kanomata https://www.gmcrvparts.com/product-p/ap86.htm and Jeff Sirum https://sirumvintagegmc.com/exterior-and-trim/birch-screen-door-plastic-trim-moldings-set?rq=birch also sell it. @Jim Kanomata also sells the rubber door bumper https://www.gmcrvparts.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=RV118. Not sure if Jeff Sirum has it. Email Norma okeejeff@gmcmh.com and ask.
@Jim Kanomata https://www.gmcrvparts.com/product-p/ap86.htm and Jeff Sirum https://sirumvintagegmc.com/exterior-and-trim/birch-screen-door-plastic-trim-moldings-set?rq=birch also sell it. @Jim Kanomata also sells the rubber door bumper https://www.gmcrvparts.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=RV118. Not sure if Jeff Sirum has it. Email Norma okeejeff@gmcmh.com and ask.
Bob Burkitt's email bounced back. And the phone number goes to a fax-line sound, no one picks up and can't leave a message. Do you think he's still selling the trim? Should I send him a fax?
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Bob Burkitt died a while back. Sirum bought the Birch door jigs and small amount of materials from the estate.
Like 74_Coach, I am also looking for a source for the little spring loaded double roller.
For the car guys, a little trivia about Bob Burkitt. Prior to being involved in GMC motorhomes, Bob Burkitt was a champion drag racer. He had a 1962 Dodge Station Wagon named "Behemoth". Among his many wins included winning Stock Eliminator at both the U. S. Nationals in Indy and the World Finals in Dallas in 1969.
For the car guys, a little trivia about Bob Burkitt. Prior to being involved in GMC motorhomes, Bob Burkitt was a champion drag racer. He had a 1962 Dodge Station Wagon named "Behemoth". Among his many wins included winning Stock Eliminator at both the U. S. Nationals in Indy and the World Finals in Dallas in 1969.
