Pokey

Good to know if not a little disturbing...

I've thought the rule of thumb was 10 years max, with the emphasis on max as tire quality and use are factors. I recently replaced a set on a truck that aged out and recall at the time trying to find out what tire manufacturers said on the topic. If memory serves most avoid an explicit age limit but 10 years is mentioned when it does come up. I was okay with leaving 10 year old tires on a truck used for local errands, but a six year limit seems more reasonable in general.

For what it is worth, I think you did the right thing and took the right amount of stuff. You reminded me that over-planning can get in the way of a good adventure and that is something I really don't want to forget. I was smiling as I shared your adventure with my wife. Speaking of adventure, highly recommend the documentary on Amazon about Horatio Jackson's experience: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B08CW35KY7/ref=atv_hm_hom_1_c_ET3Pyw_brws_5_4

Beautiful Seven! Hopefully it will stay local.

That is impressive. I'm helping my son wrap his project car and know enough now to know it isn't easy... kind of nightmarish dealing with big pieces and complex curves. No idea how they got that nose cone in one piece.

Thanks Bruce, that would explain it

By now you probably have this figured out, but another thought came to mind. The BMS might also protect against temperature and not just input voltage. As a test of this or over or under voltage conditions, you could reinstall your old battery (or any lead-acid battery) connected to the alternator alongside your new battery so the alternator has somewhere to dump the charge if it is the BMS. The answer may not be to replace your battery, but to install something to protect the alternator should the battery be disconnected while the engine is running (by the BMS).

Is the velcro really fabric backed? That seems less industrial than I would have expected. But if vinyl then you might try an adhesive specifically for vinyl given how poorly things adhere to it. 3M 80 comes to mind, but I don't know how it holds up to temperature.

Weather has not been great for driving, but I did get out for a bit yesterday for a good coating of wet pine needles and leaves. The (lack of) plate was an inconvenience but I still managed 500 miles on just trip permits.

I particularly like the take-out VIN inspection!

As mentioned, I reached out to the Washington State Patrol about a front plate exemption, sending an email with the details and a picture of the front where the plate would, in theory, mount. They responded that because no Caterham had yet received a waiver they would contact the manufacturer. Caterham confirmed that they didn't have a mounting bracket and that there wasn't a way to mount the plate otherwise (I now forgive Caterham for the missing bits in my kit) so I've received the waiver. Like John it came in letter form that needs to be kept with the car.

Interesting phenomenon, like you I would have expected the same 14.2V with the engine running. I wonder if the alternator warning light is due to the BMS protecting the the battery and the alternator's current spiking briefly as a result. Any chance your alternator is larger than your battery can accommodate?

Loving that green!

I had never heard of an exemption for a front plate until Lucky Dawg and you mentioned it. Turns out all you have to do is email equipment@wsp.wa.gov with a picture of the front of your car and the details (make, model, etc.) and the State Patrol will review and, if they agree that there isn't a place to mount the plate, issue an exemption. I sent the email a few minutes ago and will post once I hear back, so I guess this build thread isn't quite done yet. And I'll put it here because I had a heck of a time finding out what others did to mount their rear plate - I used four 1" long strips of 3M dual lock. The plate won't be coming off without some serious prying and I like the idea of not drilling into the skin. And because I had the leftover, I went around the plate with the edge trim I used for the cutouts for the front suspension to give it a finished look.

Exciting! Please don't hesitate to reach out if I can help at all.

I put the plate on today, and I have to say it was an odd feeling realizing I could just jump in it and go. I'll get over it

I neglected to add a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has offered advice and answered my questions as I went through the build process. Not only was this helpful, but being able to share my success (and un-success) made the process even more enjoyable. This is a great community! (Even though I suspect we are all a little odd.)

The great state of Washington has bestowed upon me two license plates. A back plate and a spare back plate Like the WSP VIN inspection, it took two attempts for success at my local DMV. I was organized and seemingly prepared for my first trip, but I hadn't anticipated the insistence on an odometer disclosure statement signed by the seller. The second trip I came armed with two references to state code, RCW 46.12.695(h) and 46.12.665(4)(e), and with an attitude of patient perseverance (aka my Columbo imitation) we settled on my receiving the plates in return for an attestation as to why the seller wouldn't be signing the odometer disclosure. In that attestation I explained the odometer disclosure wasn't necessary as by code a car that had never been sold retail before was exempt. I also had to write a second attestation as to the value. And with that I do believe this build thread is complete! The build was a blast, and I'd order another kit tomorrow if I could. :auto:

Well that was easy. I didn't even have to unload from the trailer. The inspector took a few minutes to jot down the numbers on the chassis and another 15 minutes or so doing paperwork and that was that. Today or tomorrow I'll take the paperwork down to DMV and see if I can convert it to a plate. I've never done this before so have to assume what I was provided will suffice. I celebrated with a quick blat up the Mt. Baker highway before heading home.

If anyone is considering the Schroth harness from Catherham (https://caterhamparts.co.uk/seatbelt...roth&results=5), be aware that the hardware provided won't allow the brackets to swivel. After ordering a variety of bolts, swivel bushings (top hats) and washers from Schroth, I finally figured out that what is needed is the SG11 shoulder bolt for the B24 bracket and the S3 wavy washer. Four each of the B24 and S3, plus the four spacers that are included with the harness, are needed for the belt and shoulder straps. For the crutch straps I used the supplied bolt, 7/16" oversize washers for spacing, and a nyloc nut.

I was going to wait to update with what I hope is good news, but I have an appointment this upcoming Wednesday in Bellingham. Fingers crossed I don't get a call from the inspector the day prior like last time! But then again last time my appointment was in Yakima where I'm thinking they don't see much out of the ordinary.

When we are past all of this COVID stuff we'll need to have a PNW gathering. I'm tired of seeing all of the posts out of the other coast about track days and other such events knowing I can't join along!

Beautiful road and even came with its own two-wheeled deer-sweepers. Seven looked like it runs smooth and doesn't wander around at all.

Welcome! I wouldn't be too concerned about what I've experienced. The situation I found myself in is related to COVID. The WSP has suffered temporary layoffs and that has greatly curtailed the number of inspections available so I wound up taking an appointment in Yakima. The inspector there was befuddled by the Caterham is all. I'm more concerned about getting an appointment before the weather turns than I am about passing the inspection. I've been checking the stations from Tacoma to Marysville several times a day and so far no luck. Bellevue opened up two more days today but between when I checked this morning and this evening they were already booked up. I imagine that by the time you need an inspection things will be back to normal, or at least more normal. Don't let this blip take the fun out of what you are about to experience.

I've been watching all of the inspections stations on the I-5 corridor waiting for an opening, checking several times a day. Bellevue is my first pick, but it is down to one lane so I'll have to get lucky with my timing. I'm thinking that Seatac and Tacoma should be relatively safe locations too, but at this point I'm checking them all.