ottocycle

FRANKENSEVEN..........the best laxative known to man!!!!!!!http://usa7s.com/vb/images/icons/icon7.gifhttp://usa7s.com/vb/images/icons/icon7.gifhttp://usa7s.com/vb/images/icons/icon7.gif

I took my old Jaguar out for a spin this weekend (we had great weather, at long last), and broke my throttle cable. I will have to make a new one. Does anybody have any recommendations on what to look for in a quality cable and who might be a competent supplier of parts? I did a quick web search and found a number of suppliers but I am old fashioned.... I like referrals! Cheers- Dermot.

Bruce, I would "take the money and run" too. I dealt with Fidanza about 12 years ago when they were GT Jaguar and bought cams and an alloy flywheel for my Jag from them and had no problem. Since then they have entered the market making lightweight flywheels for a lot of engines and perhaps their rapid expansion has taken its toll on quality control. I definitely would not screw around with slotting holes and so on. I would look to the UK to see if you can find a supplier over there as Fidanza may be supplying flywheels to a number of American dealers who could put their own name on it. Tilton may make one, I would trust them. I know you know this but use new flywheel bolts an threadlock too. I would consider a scattershield or balistic blanket if you plan on hammering it, (a lot cheaper than prostethics and physical therapy!!!!!). I cannot believe that guy suggested hogging out the holes..............NUTS. Good luck, Dermot.

Mazda, Looks cool. Do you need to seal the foam before you glass it or is the plane so light you can mylar direct onto the wing, ie. it will not need additional strengthening. Do you rout in a spar or strengthen it some other way? As a kid I built balsa models but never worked with foam. it looks like a good way to build mouldless bodies. Have fun, Dermot. PS. I love the Potomac workbench!! :0

I wonder what they will buy with next years bonus!!

That thing is FAST. I was in a model store recently getting some balsa strips for a frame model and saw some model jets. I had not been around model RC in years and was amazed at the models. The guy told me when they fly them they have to have the fire brigade at hand and can only use a special field. They are expensive and are for serious modelers. They are fast. Check them on You Tube. .....I better stay away from them..I can get in enough trouble with cars.... Cheers- Dermot.

Think about how much you will need a reverse. I have been running mine on the street for over 2 years without reverse and I have not missed it. You have to think about how you park but considering I only go for fun blats with it, the PITA factor is not worth it in my opinion. The option of using a car trans is intriguing but the weight and parasitic drag would dull the edge of the bike engine, which is part of the joy of having a BEC to begin with. On the other hand 36 forward gears and 6 reverse speeds.... Just my 2c worth. Dermot. Hayabusa Heritic.

its funny what will get by the censors. I think it a cultural thing , once one gets outside the realm of basic profanity. I registered my old Jag "DGSBOLX", as a kind of inside joke and while the car itself gets a lot of attention I have had a few people over the years get it (mainly Brits or Anglophiles) and comment approvingly, even though they were surprised the MVA issued it.

Hello all, Happy New Year everyone. I am involved in putting a track day event together for June 2010 and I am trying to find a source of rental transponders for timing the drivers. It is a club event so I thought this might be the place to post this rather than the motorsports section. (Mazda, if this is the wrong section please feel free to relocate it). Does anyone know where I can rent 40-50 transponders for a day and how much it will cost? Thanks, Dermot.

I came across this while looking for alternative seven designs and felt compelled to put in my 2 cents worth. I have done a lot of stupid things in my day and will do some more, no doubt but I agree with WestTexas too. The woman is free to do what she wants but if you are a parent you compromise your range of free choices, your responsibility is primarily to the kids. The driver too should know better. Perhaps it is a form of "retroactive birth control"! :) In the end Darwin prevails. Dermot.

I agree with both of you. It is amazing how difficult it is to make "simple" right!! The Seven is very difficult car to redesign in a way that that keeps its simple lines, is different from the original yet is good looking and strongly stands on its own. A lot of great designs are like that. Any other examples of a stylish LSIS? Thanks for the photos. Dermot.

I need a new floor jack and would like to get a lighter aluminum one,rated around 6,000 lbs. I have seen them on E Bay from unknown makers from about $150.00 to race team quality for $800.00. I do not want rubbish and I will keep it a long time but I do not need a Snap On priced jack. Any advice on what to look for and feedback on a deal that you got on one? It will be used for LSIS to lifting a regular car or minivan. I would appreciate the benifit of your experience. Cheers- Dermot.

Hello all, I am curious to hear the experiences of those of you who also have experience with lightweight rear engined cars. How different are they to drive and how much feedback do they give. My only experience is with a Lotus Europa and while it handled brilliantly, when she let go ...SHE LET GO. I have an intuitive belief that the closer one sits to the rear axle the more feedback one gets and therefore throttle steering (a sensation I enjoy) is more possible and the car is more forgiving to drive (ie. similar lap times for less talent!!) or is it a matter of engineering this into a rear engined car? Does anyone have any experience or input on this matter. I have never come across a serious debate on this subject. Cheers- Dermot.

One I have always liked is: "I did not claw my way to the top of the food chain just to eat lettuce". It seems like the best ones are not very PC. Dermot.

Mazda, If I can commit at the last minute I would like to go, I will be just back from Ireland then and will not know what alligators I may have to deal with, post trip. West Virginia roads are the best and if we stay off Skyline drive we should have a blast. Cheers- Dermot.

Hello all, I would like some advice on design programs suitable for a MAC computer. What I want to do is design some parts on my MAC and then send the file to one of the companies that will make the parts for me. My question is twofold: one is advice on the program and a manual on the subject, the second is for companies that will CNC parts. I am not very computer literate and am more comfortable with a pencil and ruler but it is hard to beat the CNC system and if I can learn to design on the computer I would like to do so. Any suggestions?? Cheers, Dermot.

Thanks Morgan, I realize that the dollars and cents side of things make no sense. I have a multitude of bits lying round my shop from past projects and if I can I would like to use them in the old American hot rod tradition. I am considering things at the moment, I always seem to have a multitude of irons in the fire. I have not committed to the project yet, I am considering things. We will see how things shape up. I threw it out here because I thought it would stimulate some interesting discussion. I like your car. Cheers- Dermot

Morgan, I would love to buy your car but finances being what they are........ I would love to see details about it, could you send me a link to your advert. How does the Elan compare with the Seven? "Inquiring minds want to know". What are the Elan's weak spots? I have yet to weigh things but I think a stripped down Elan could come in within 100 lbs. of a normal Seven (if that is not an oxymoron). Thanks.

I agree with the issue of major HP output. I want to use a light, high output motor. I am thinking of an all alloy unit. I am sold on the lightweight principle. The car does not need more than 150-200 hp to be great fun.

Like the old lady who adopts stray cats, I cannot say no to interesting cars. I have gotten a 1967 Lotus Elan S2 abandoned project basket case, without the engine or trans. It is apart and I have no idea what is missing. It would be too expensive to restore and a sane man would part it out or junk it. I have never been accused of being sane. At this point I would suggest to purists that you stop reading. I am thinking of doing an Elan speedster and would like to hear from anyone with ideas and experience with these cars. I am interested in hearing about modern 4 cylinder engine suggestions. My emphasis will be on keeping the weight down and glitz to a minimum. I am not committed to this yet but I believe there is a mountain of experience and history of these cars out there and I would love to learn more and build it on paper first. I am particularly interested in ideas people have for the suspension and brakes and what parts interchange with what. If I can keep the weight down, I should be able to use a lot of the stock stuff or off the shelf modern parts. Keeping the costs down is a priority. If you have found any interesting sites on this subject or have any suggestions please let me know. Also if you have any Elan bits lying around let me know too. Thanks, Dermot.

In my opinion one of the prettiest 7's I have ever seen is the restored Hamblin 7.5 as pictured in Ortenburgers book. I would love to see color shots of it. Has anyone got any other pictures of it? Bruce, I know you have a great collection of photos, any chance you have a copy of this car? Cheers- Dermot.

Greetings, I do not wish to p.. in anyones wheaties here, but I think it is important to include driver weight in these calculations, as that makes a huge difference to the final numbers, particularly for heavy drivers and lighter cars. Just a thought.... Cheers, Dermot.

Mondo, I managed to get the following tag for my old Jaguar: DGSBOLX I do not think they got it. I will post a photo when I can. The term Dogs Bollocks means really cool or in 1920's Americam slang "The cats pyjamas" (why cats have nocturnal fashions is beyond me). I think it was Churchill who referred to England and America as "Two different countries separated by a common language". Sure sounds Churchillian. Cheers- Dermot.

Mazda, No problem. I am busy this weekend, but we can get together next weekend and you can check it out.

Mazda, I have a Jaguar C type replica that you can take a look at. It has a Jag IRS. Strong, reliable and able to handle a lot of HP but it is a heavy setup. The old XJ6 and 12 rears are wider and cheaper than the E type. I am looking at ways to change it for lighter bits. There must be a modern car with an IRS that is lighter. Following on the monster Miata link I was thinking of looking into what those guys are doing. I believe they have a 2,600+ lb. car with as much and more horsepower as you. Another one I am considering the recent Ford Mustang. I may have a line on one that came out of a supercharged car. A lot of drag race guys change them out for live axles. If I get to see it you are welcome to come and check it out. How about the pre transaxle Corvette. The model before yours. That design came out of GM's post Lotus ownership pillage and was a good handling car. We should pool our knowledge on this as I would be interested in doing something in the future. Cheers- Dermot.