soareyes

Both the Garmin Quest and Garmin Zumo are weatherproof. The Zumo (I have the Zumo 550) is geared toward motorcyclists, which makes it very nice for a Seven. Both the Quest and Zumo allow you to upload routes that you plan out on your PC using Garmin's mapping software. None of their Nuvi line allow this route uploading until you get to the newer 700 series. A disadvantage of the Zumo line is the size compared to the Quest and Nuvi lines, not as easy to pop in your pocket when you leave your car. I have owned mine for about a year, and I have been very happy with its performance. It is pricey though!

Yep, I took the Birkin :hurray: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/472858703_DSCN2882.jpg I haven't sorted out the problem but it runs well most of the time, enough to really enjoy this trip.

It's good to see most Sevens drivers don't let a little cold weather slow them down. :thumbs: Here is a picture of me and Magnus on my first winter blat here in S. California, December 2004: http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd136/soareyes/Stan_Magnus_Elsinore.jpg That's Gert's Birkin in front, Magnus's green SV, and my first yellow Birkin. I think temperatures dipped down into the 70's at the higher elevations! :rofl:

Here is Simpson's recommendations from their web site (www.simpsonracing.com): http://www.simpsonraceproducts.com/images/big_up5pt.gif http://www.simpsonraceproducts.com/images/big_up6pt.gif Lap Belt must be anchored to the frame rail or roll cage as close to the hip as possible at an angle of 45 degrees, but no greater than 60 degrees to the ground. 5-Point Anti-Submarine Belt should be anchored on or slightly behind the Chest Line1. 6-Point Anti-Submarine Belt should be anchored at an angle of 20 degrees behind the Chest Line as measured from the intersection of the Chest Line and the lap belt buckle. Mounts should be approximately 8 to 12 inches apart (approximately located under each hip and as close to the body as possible). Two routing holes in the seat or a special seat mount may be required. Using the 5-Point hole detracts from the effectiveness of this system.

Recently my sister-in-law started taking flying lessons with the intent of getting her license. I always thought of her as somewhat of a witch, but I respected her for trying something different after her recent divorce. Anyway, this last weekend she narrowly escaped serious injury or worse when she was forced to make an emergency landing. It was more of a controlled crash than a landing though. I posted the link below of a picture of the craft after the incident, and as you can see, she was very lucky! Flying Incident

You can put me down for one Men's watch, thanks!

Thanks Dave, your install looks great, simple and effective. I'll get to work on mine! 82 degrees and sunny here

Yes please! This will be one of my winter projects for my Birkin. Can you also take a pic of how you mounted the muffler to the chassis? Thanks!

It doesn't seem to have a heater either - not something you would miss out here on the west coast, but you might want one in New York. It's a very pretty car though, my favorite color combo.

Gert, I think this is the Painless unit you mentioned: http://www.painlessperformance.com/webcatalog/plarge/30206.jpg "Our Remote Master Disconnect with Mechanical Latching Solenoid is ideal for everyday vehicle applications and is a simple and effective anti-theft deterrent. It uses a 100 AMP continuous duty solenoid which is activated by an easy to hide momentary push button. No risk of accidentally draining your battery with this latching solenoid. Kit comes complete with one solenoid, one switch, mounting hardware, wire and connectors." I have been meaning to install a battery cutoff, and like John, I don't need it to be a kill switch, just a disconnect. Wouldn't this type of be just as effective as the Painless unit, but simpler and cheaper?: http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/Images/L/4431.JPG I was thinking of installing it through the scuttle wall so I can disconnect from inside the cockpit. Thanks for any advice!

Hi Lawrence, I would suggest going to www.californiacaterhamclub.com and posting that you would like to sit in a local Seven. I'm sure you will get several invitations for a ride. Our local group has standard size Caterhams, an SV, and several Birkins and Locosts. Like you, I'm tall and thin (6' 3" with a 36 inch inseam and 180 pounds) and I've made modifications to my Birkin so I fit well. Hopefully, your size 12 feet are on the narrow side? I live in Victorville and you are welcome to check out my Birkin!

This reminds me very much of the humor in the HBO show "The Conchords", although I think they are from New Zealand. Good stuff anyway!

Gary, it's the Toyo RA1, a Dot R tire with enough tread to be suitable for road use: Toyo RA1 edit - scannon beat me to it! edit x 2 - The R888 looks good, and has been well received by European 7's owners, but I wonder if it will ever be brought into the US in sizes we can use. So far only 17 to 19 inch sizes. I'm hoping we can get them sooner or later! Toyo R888

I use aol on both my Mac at home and PC at work, and no problems logging onto this forum.

I think we all did, at least till we got to Canada.

Yes, I did get into the ABS a few times. Nearly made me drop my cell phone and spill my latte!

Yes, thanks to Gert for organizing this fantastic trip! :hurray: Al asked for opinions/suggestions from the tourers that might help others planning similar adventures in the future. Here are a few off the top of my head: 1. Even though I wasn't able to take my Birkin and switched to my tin-top at the last minute, there were some advantages to having a regular car on the tour. It provided a safe place for the Sevens drivers to stow loose gear at our many stops. Otherwise they would have had to hand carry this stuff when the cars were unattended, or risk possible theft if left in their Sevens. Also, between the support truck and my car, we were usually able to ferry all the tourers to restaurants/pubs so they didn't have to get back in the Sevens after a long day of driving. 2. My favorite motels on this trip turned out not to be the larger, modern places but instead the small motels where you drive your car to the door and everyone had rooms next to each other. We would usually pull some chairs into the parking lot with our cars, drink beer, and bs into the night. It was much harder to get together and organize things at the bigger places where we lost track of each other (maybe a good thing sometimes?). Of course, this had a lot to do with the size of the town we were staying in. 3. I'm half joking here, but an information sheet made out ahead of time with answers to the common questions would be a huge time-saver at stops. Example: It's a Lotus Seven No, it's not a VW kit car Gasoline about 25 mpg Fast enough etc., etc. As most of you know, the attention a group of Sevens gets is amazing, but after two weeks straight of the same questions it can get a little annoying! Maybe other tourers can add suggestions too.

No, it didn't work out as we were passing through on a Sunday when they were closed.

I have a glider rating but haven't been active for 15 years. On the way home from the PNW2007 tour I stopped by the Tehachapi glider field and they were having their annual sailplane homebuilder's workshop/vintage fly-in. I definitely still have an interest in getting active again but there is just not enough time! http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1143908315_DSCN0825.jpg

Have fun guys on the rest of the tour! Enjoy the cool air in Ft. Bragg while you can because it was 102 degrees when I pulled into Vacaville this afternoon :ack:

I broke away from the tour today to start my way home. :cry: I did get to do Mattole Road just south of Eureka - just an incredible scenic route. I was there early and I only saw two other vehicles for the whole 40 miles. It would have been perfect if the road surface were a little better in some places. Here's Mattole Road from beginning to end: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/319623425_DSCN2816.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1103671566_DSCN2801.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1713086615_DSCN2803.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1217977858_DSCN2810.jpg A couple of deer who refused to stay put long enough for a good picture: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/329169300_DSCN2817.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1293853026_DSCN2821.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1995351054_DSCN2830.jpg

The fog definitely created some interesting scenery: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/630808889_DSCN2764.jpg I drove a little inland to higher ground to escape the coastal fog and hike in the redwoods: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1317176747_DSCN2782.jpg Time to eat! :cheers:

As John said, lots of traffic on our route today, but still miles and miles of beautiful and rugged Oregon coast: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1148853491_DSCN2744.jpg We stopped at the Tillamook cheese factory for a tour and samples: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/218497214_DSCN2707.jpg And I made a stop at the Tillamook air museum where almost all the display aircraft are still flown. It is housed in a huge old WW2 blimp hanger: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/646354141_DSCN2727.jpg This is one of only five flying P-38's in the world: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/355518149_DSCN2711.jpg Interesting nose art: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/799259670_DSCN2720.jpg Finally, "the end" to another day of Sevens touring: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/83657328_DSCN2752.jpg

Here's another POV from Sindy Davis: A day off in Victoria, B.C. seemed to be a relief for the drivers. At least it was for Dion (squarefour). There was so much to do there. Many of the group went to the museums, irish bars, shopping malls, irish bars, etc. Get the picture? Dion and I took a bus tour around the town to get the lay of the land. Then with Stan Sadorf we grabbed a float plane and flew around Vancouver Island. I was disappointed that our landing was perfect and didn't produce any sea spray. :-) Oh, btw, dinner was at the irish bar for fish and chips with the group. Dion and I also did a 4hr whale watch tour on a zodiac and saw zero whales, but a ton of Orcas which are actually oversized dolphins. Who knew?! Anyway it was a fantastic trip that I would recommend. So the "ferry conference" occurred that night at 6pm. None of us had reservations for the ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles, WA (oops). Some of us, including our support Mike Johnson, had inquired on the best time to get in line for the 10:30am. The answers ran from 8pm the night before to 8am that morning. We decided to meet at 4:30am (some of us pax stayed asleep) to get in line. John Christiansen was informed that morning (4:30) and had to struggle with his luggage to make it in time. Consequently he twisted his knee. Not a good thing for a driver. Turns out, the drivers were able to make the 6:10 ferry and those of us sleeping had 15 min to dress, call a taxi, and get to the terminal. All was well, but, we were incredibly tired the rest of the day and John C. went home :-( due to the knee issue. Sindy

Here is a point of view from Sindy Davis, Dion's wife and copilot: The 3 hr Road to Whistler was incredibly exhilarating! Following the river very closely, the road wound around the mountains crossing the river at several points. There were some bumps that caused us to bottom out a few times - minor spine compression, I'm sure. The traffic was spreadout enabling passing at nearly the same travelling speed - so it seemed. We (squarefour) passed the others in the group while they were taking advantage of photo opportunities. Lame. They caught on pretty quickly and Tom Jones kept up with us while driving with a huge maniacal smile on his face. We went faster due to fright. He lost second behind a pig of an RV to John Haskey who was able to pass with us - excellent driver. With the road all curvy and our 7's in tight formation it looked like a race in Burnout (video game). We passed mountain spires, glaciers of blue ice, rain cells, and several climate zones. And then, if you can believe it, we arrived at the hotel (with in room jacuzzis), and the Lexus appeared in minutes with Stan Sadorf!! Sindy