SkinnyG

My favourite: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/skinnyg/locost2007100.jpg

Got an email back from the organizers - clones and replicas are welcome to join them on the drive around the countryside, attend the barbeque, and hang out. Not allowed to park in the same area as the "True" 7's. Not sure if we can also parade the hill - I'll check. G

Now hang on, that's a really crappy picture of Kelowna, and more specifically of Westbank, not Kelowna itself. I had my Locost in the Knox Mountain Hillclimb car show last year (and apparently placed third ). For a short while mine was placed beside the Super7cars demos, but then they moved elsewhere..... (tee hee). Perhaps the newsletter was geared for more of a "West Coast" appeal. Kelowna is roughly two hours drive north of the border in British Columbia. Kind of right in between the Pacific Ocean and Alberta. It's about 4 hours drive from Vancouver BC. Probably another 17 hours drive to Alaska. You're welcome to stop by for a visit - I live in Kelowna, eh?! By May long weekend, it'll be around 30 to 35°C, with possible sprinkles of rain. http://www.bestofkelownabc.com/AirPhotoBridgeInForeground.jpg http://www.donnaeaston.com/images/kelowna.jpg

I built my Locost with an open differential, and endured wheel spin to a certain extent on the street and a greater extend in autocross on street tires. Once switching to 20x9.5x13 slicks, there was still wheel spin (with a stock 4AGE), so I installed an OEM Toyota LSD and the difference was such an improvement that I would highly recommend an LSD whether or not you autocross it. KAAZ is quite good, however you ~may~ run into some increased understeer due to the much greater grip. If and when my OEM diff blows up, I'll likely try the TRD unit. G

I drove mine down to -5°C (about 23°F) last fall. No top, no curtains, no heater. Three jackets and an Elmer Fudd hat. Then it started to snow. This year I called it quits earlier.

Your remains would be more identifiable. G

AE86 is 4x114.3mm (4x4.5" ). I'm using Chevette front spindles (4x100) that have Datsun 210 hubs and rotors mounted (4x114.3" ). I've been waffling between IRS and solid axle for a few years now. I still haven't really made up my mind. Reducing unsprung weight can be a significant advantage in motorsports, and certainly comfy in street use. The original 7 chassis and the Book locost chassis is really designed to have the rear "axle" loads taken through the outer sides of the frame, not the center like you would have to to mount an IRS pumpkin. To mount the diff there properly you would have to triangulate the chassis to bring the loads back to the outside - by bracing and/or through a tunnel. Using a Sierra/Merkur diff like Caterham does makes mounting pretty easy, but available gear ratios suck (deeper gears are available, as well as LSD, but we wouldn't be building a Locost if we were willing to afford the real McCoy). deDion runs the hub forces back through the sides of the chassis, unlike a double wishbone on the rear needs. For an ultimate lightweight like I want to build (for the next one), I'm not sure the IRS, with its required additional bracing, is lighter than the solid axle on a simple chassis. I'm undecided. If you can build a front suspension, rear is easy. IRS: + Better ride quality - More complex Axle: + Simple - Better acceleration/braking? (no camber change on power/braking) - Torque steer as chassis rotates (on/off power) What may really sway me is I already have an axle and LSD. G

I want to know how the rocks get into my pants pockets.

Which, no doubt, results in the bigger poo...... (waste, not waist)?

Ouch. (Chew your food, boy)

Mine is book size, but the entire cockpit is 2-1/2" shorter. I'm 5'9" and 155lbs. I find the chassis too roomy and will build a Series 2 size chassis next. Friends who are much larger than me have a hard time with pedals, or knees and steering wheel. A Caterham SV is larger than a book chassis, and might be a good duplication for you, as is a 442. G

This was one thing I found very surprising (and I still can't get over it) when the group from USA7's came through on their tour - they DID NOT CARE what se7en you had - you were accepted. I still can't get over this. There is a (relatively) local guy up here who is a strong proponent of the "Caterham" marque, referring to others as "imposters" and "counterfeits." I'm stoked by the inclusion here. It still seems surreal to me. G

How do you heat shrink aluminum??? That's my only question. Skinny "big pile of scrap behind the shed" G

If the speedometer had said 60mph and it was a 55mph zone, would you have had concern that the speedometer was shown? My understanding was it was a CCC event. Was it a USA7s event? Would it be better to caption it USA7s, or leave it unidentified? I would liek to be as correct as possible. I have currently removed all identifiers. I couldn't agree more. People who write about or show videos that indicate extra-legal driving are morons and a menace to society. I'm trying not to come across horribly defensive - in the video I'm not doing anything illegal, and I've been burned badly in the past by people taking things out of context and/or misunderstanding issues. G

I removed some "names" in the description to make Al Navarro happy.

That's my video. I posted it. If you want me to take it down, I will, but please tell me what it is specifically that is offensive (ie: develop your policy). The stretch of road was on the "Coquihalla" Highway 97 between Kelowna BC and Merritt BC. The posted speed limit is 110km/h (68mp/h). We were doing about 120km/h (75mp/h) which is a reasonable speed on that highway. I also made it clear with the group when they came to visit, that I'd love to travel with them, but I WILL NOT speed (more than the accepted 10% (I know, kind of hypocritical)), and that if they all wanted to speed, I was going home. I think I held a few people back because of this. The speed here in Canada is in KM/H not MPH. G (And if your your seven can maintain 120mph at 4000rpm, I'd be very impressed!)

I used those plans for mine. The only "error" I have with it is the upper tubes of the tranny tunnel should be directly above the lower tubes, not straight as indicated. This makes panel fitment easier. I have a LOT of issues with the rear of the locost chassis - it makes fitting a "boot" quite difficult. Plus, there isn't enough room for good suspension travel in the rear (I had to move some tubes after mine was built :banghead: , though mine sits rather low). G

I'm getting uncomfortable over 120km/h for long trips. I always wear earplugs. I have no side curtains or doors. I have a bikini top that reduces the wind a bit, and it's much nicer with four 13x10's with slicks strapped on the rear deck as it blocks more wind. GRIN It's quite nice around 100km/h for me.

Mine fell off too. Funny that. They're hanging on a wall in the shed. Along with my rear mudflaps, sunvisor and two-speed heater/defroster. G

I purposely go MUCH slower. To the point of sitting at the light while he takes off. You get more respect by not racing them at all. Harder also to say "Why, no, officer! It must have been some other 7 you saw..." My favourite answer to the question "How fast does it go?" "Depends who's around." G

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/skinnyg/CCC%20PNW%20Tour%202007/DSC01893.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/skinnyg/locost2007063.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/skinnyg/Locost20070662X.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/skinnyg/locost2007091.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/skinnyg/locost2007100.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/skinnyg/DSC01654c.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/skinnyg/DSC01654d.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/skinnyg/DSC01654b.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/skinnyg/DSC01654e.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/skinnyg/Locost2007001.gif http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/skinnyg/DSC01630.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/skinnyg/locost2007029.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/skinnyg/locost2007040.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/skinnyg/Locostautocross009.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/skinnyg/DSC01317.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/skinnyg/DSC01394.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/skinnyg/DSC01400.jpg