drhasegawa

slowdude, thanks. 200,000 km,,,

https://drhasegawa.com/prisoner6birkin/birkin-geo.htm#260324

Thanx Timothy for your response. I too am very interested in how long-range other guys drive their Sevens. Since I am as a MD accustomed to preserve the records, just as medical records (paper or electric chart), I recorded on paper basis all the travel individually, including fuel comsumption records at each gas station stop. So, my mileage records are fairly easily summerised, and longitudinal validated. I guess there are many Seven drivers with longer mileage than me, who keep mute.

Thanx panamericano for yourm warm reaction.

On February 24 2026, My seasoned Birkin 7 (so-called poorman's Seven, model year 1993, I purchased this on October 2 2004, odometer at 9,285 km) traversed 150,000 km travel distance today on the Seisho Bypass short of its toll gate. Past history: 20,000 km in January 2006 --> 30,000 km in March 2007 --> 40,000 km in July 2008 --> 50,000 km in October 2009 --> 60,000 km in January 2011 --> 70,000 km in September 2012 --> 80,000 km in May 2014 --> 90,000 km in June 2016 --> 100,000 km in March 2018 --> 110,000 km in March 22 2020 --> 120,000 km in November 2021---> 130,000 km in April 2023 --> 140,000 km September 2024, and 150,000 km today. Actually after passing 140,000 km, many accumulated weakness caused trials and tribulations. This cannot be accomplished without reasonable and honest car mechanics at Elite Motors. I wonder if my Birkin and I can reach 200,000 km mileage (now 74 years old ,,,). http://drhasegawa.sakura.ne.jp/prisoner6birkin/birkin-geo.htm#260224 (To view the images, click the underlined phrases, and to return to this page, click RETURN key of your browser) IMG: Coming close to 150,000 km on the Seisho bypass 1.jpg: Near the toll gate, my Birkin reached 150,000 km, though I could not shoot the picture during driving, 2.jpg: I shot over-50, 000 km meter (The meter has already gone around, so, +100,000 km). 4th image: Commemorative photo for 150,000 kilometers mileage achievement of my Birkin Seven (1993 model) with Meister Sakamoto (2nd from left) and his two subordinate car mechanics, taken March 17 2026..

After the engine did not start again on the gas refueIing stop, and returun to Hayama, I visited Elite Motors in Nagasawa, Misaki. After hearing the current illness, meister Sakamoto immediately install the additional second thick cable from the alternator to the battery - Photo-1 New line from the alternator, very thick compared with the existing thin cable, - Photo-2 Distal charging terminal to the battery. He taught me how to check if the alternator is really generating the electric power to the battery (to rule out the possibility that the alternator itself is the primary cause) - Photo-3 The electric tester (multimeter) is set, one test end to the alternator's main body and the other end to the outlet terminal. O.K. 14.45 volts, the alternator is proved to be working. I hope this treatment is effective. I return to Hayama retreat through the east side of Miura Peninsula comfortably.

to Demoray, actually this is the first time I meet Honda S800. This machine was lately rebuilt to twin cam with twin? caburator by meister Teshima. Since this car's owner is private practice doctor, investment seems effective. This car may be exeptional :）

MV8 - Thanks for your advice.

On December 16 2025, I test run my Birkin to Odawara City. Firstly in excellent condition, though, after 5 minutes stop at Seisho Bypass, Kozu parking, the engine did not start. The tester indicates 7.4 volt with the battery, so, I start the engine with jump starter, O.K. engine starts. On the return road from Odawara City on the route One, the engine becomes unsteady and finally stopped. Be stacked embarrassed on the road side, a yellow Honda Sports S800 stopped and an aged gentle man says "Can I help you ?" (What a good Samaritan!). He was a seasoned auto mechanic (age 75-year-old, cf. I am 74-year-old), then performing a test run for his client's vintage sports car. He kindly leads me, after returning to his garage and bringing back on reserve battery for me, to his garage nearby - Photo-1 Meister Teshima's garage, - Photo-2 ditto his hard-boiled factory, - Photo-3 his mechanic (ditto, aged) narrowed down to a loose electric contact to the Caterham's alternator, - Photo-4 the new terminal installed. It still remains unclear whether this electric terminal problem was the primary cause of the current trouble, though, I could return to Hayama successfully this day, with a lent reserve battery. A week later, I visited his garage to return the borrowed battery with two packages of Sapporo black beer (6x2) as a token of gratitude. Old good mechanics never die.

Actually, my Birkin 7 has suffered from drained battery, lately, probably caused by mild current leakage. When I returned from Tokyo home to Hayama retreat after one week, my Birkin's engine did not fire up recently. So I purchased from Amazon, (1) battery kill switch, (2) Jump (kick) starter (USB-charged auxiliary power), (3) fast pulse battery charger. Today on December 14, I return to Hayama and tried these devices. Geez, kick starter works (photo-1). These devices are not so expensive. seemingly very effective for our vintage car. From the first, I install kill switch on the minus (-) terminal. I will cut the circuit when I go home to Tokyo. By turning black circle handle, circuit is turned kill/alive. Very low-cost countermeasure - (Photo-3, 1.jpg). Then I charge the battery with pulse charger connected with home electric current source (Photo-2, 3.jpg). I will continue this for overnight. Actually, after my Birkin reach 140,000 km mileage, several problems are occurring more frequently. Now, 148,000 km, I am making an effort,,,

To IamScotticus: the description on the bill of Elite Motors only shows "Lotus-seven 70Am". The label is on the other side of the new alternator, which I cannot inspect. According to my Meister, the vendor is Caterham's local corporation at Osaka.

The engine did not start up in the traffic congestion at the exit of Seisho Bypass in the last week holiday, where I hardly succeed to push my Birkin to the roadside (image 1 - 35s.jpg), and call the road service center of Sony Sompo, the carrier car reached about one hour later, sigh of relief (image 2 - 46s.jpg). She was carried next day to the Elite Motors, so-to-speak attending physician. The trouble was diagnosed as alternator's (generator) by Elite Motors, and the repair has finished one week later. 30-year old Lucas alternator (image 3 - IMG ,,,.jpg) is being replaced to Caterham 70 Am (image 4 - DSC,, 04s). Thanks for Lucas part for a long-standing service, Amen. As a result, my Birkin is now a hybrid with Caterham clamshell fender and alternator,,, Birkinham ? (image 5 - IMG ,, jpg)

Thanx for your suggestion. I would add strong adhesive under the indicated point of the second stay.

Re to Vovchandr: >> How's the reception of the Birkin by the public in Japan? I know small sized cars aren't anything strange to the people used to Kei cars but it's a visual statement like no other. << Seven in general is accepted not only by the maniac but also by the general public. Pedestrians occasionally send me thumb-up sign. OTH, between Seven maniacs, some discrimination seems exist, at the summit of the food chain, Caterham is the champion, however, seven people are largely all families, communicating technical experiences.