I have been running the 20" and 19" blades on my '87 Westy since sometime in June 1994 just after purchasing it and learning that the 20" blade could be used in place of the 19" one.  Now today with almost 700,000 km on the clock the wiper motor is probably one of the only things I have not replaced.  Now, that was probably not a good thing to say as the next time I turn the wipers on the motor will go up in smoke !  I do not think adding 1" to the wiper blades will stress that motor more than a load of snow.  OH��maybe that's why my motor has lasted so long.  My Westy has not seen snow for 7 years !  Might get to test some snow removal this year as it looks like our Mexican vacation is not going to happen this year.  Boo Hoo !

On 2012-10-30, at 8:47 PM, Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> wrote:

> RE: Longer Wiper Blades
> Even though I use longer wiper blades (20" and 19") I have also wondered
> about the additional load on the wiper motors and transmission.  I think
> the point is well taken that maybe the motors were speced for a specific
> load/length on the blades.  Or maybe the other way around? They got a
> bargain on the motors and had to specify the shorter blades to meet the
> specs on the motors?

Cheers,    

Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 VW Westy, '00 Kawasaki 250 Sherpa, "98 Ducati 750 Monster & Lionel Trains (Collection for sale)
Frank Condelli & Associates - Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
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