homebrew

Hi all it has been along time since I posted last. Does anyone know the tube dimensions i.e. tube diameter and wall thickness for the Caterham, Birkin and Westfield? Just looking for the main tube dimensions. A little background to this question. I built a Locost that I now mainly use as a track day car. This year I ran into an overzealous official with a local race sanctioning body who has denied me from particpating in track days put on by his organization because he feels my car is not safe enough to be on the track. He questions not only rollbar height, material thickness and attaching points and methods but also the chassis materials, tube diameter and thickness. The tech steward understands the problems this guy has created and has suggested if I can come up with engineering data it might shut this twit down. So If I can prove the same materials were used in a Caterham it might help my case. Any help would be appreciated. Jim

Hey Mike nice to know there is another crazy 7 owner in the Portland area that is a part of this forum. I have a Locost and live in the Mt Taber area. Some of my favoite roads to terrorize are up to Corbett and then down towards bull run to Sandy. Or from Corbett out Evans Rd then over to Louden Rd to Larch Mt Rd and back into Corbett. Worst part for me is getting back into Portland and having to deal with the traffic. This past summer I pretty much dedicated the car for track use. After getting onto the track I decided it was much safer to find the limits without penalty. I went over to Oregon Raceway Park 3 times this year, the place is an absolute gas. It would be fun to do a track day with another 7, I have yet to come across one at the track although I know there are others out there. I checked out the pictures of your car you posted in your album, she is a beauty. Jim Larfield

No build site. My car has been on the road for 3+ yrs. I'm in SE, Mt Tabor area. Jim

I do track days, not actual wheel to wheel raicng. This year I've been at 2 Cascade Sports Car Club HPDE days at PIR and just got back from my 3rd track day with Team Continental at Oregon Raceway Park in Grass Valley. Both of those clubs are affiliated with ICSCC. I've only done one SCCA autox and didn't really care for it, just not enough speed and a lot more expensive if you work it out in minutes on course. Yes, I built my car from the ground up, no kit. Jim

Got your PM. Didn't have time to call today. I'll try calling Wed. Jim

It's your lucky day! I live in Portland (more like Rainland) and that is Oregon. I currently have my car set up for the track (no windshield, DOT/R tires, no headlights or front turn signals). Send me a PM maybe we can figure something out. Jim

Bster13, yes the tonneau was meant for aero purposes. The track here in Portland is basically 2 long straights connected by squigglies on either end. Aerodynamics play a much more important role there then they do at Oregon Raceway Park. I made the tonneau and short windscreen to try to improve top speed at Portland, then I found out the club I like to run with lost there dates there and moved them to ORP. Also had a few ideas for a more aero nose but since have stopped that build. All the info Rahul posted about my car is correct. Cheers, Jim

Ok so I don't post here often just mainly lurk, but I had to post this video of my most recent track day at Oregon Raceway Park. It's the newest track in the Northwest, about 2 1/2 hr. drive from Portland in north central Oregon. Lots of elevation change, you'll see when you watch the video. This was my first time out on my new tires - Nitto NTO1's - based on rnr comments. Last time there I was running Yokohama street performance rubber. WOW what a difference these tires make. Rahul you might remember me I was the nut running around in the rain in 08 at the West Coast Lotus Meet in Canyonville, OR. I've been following your blog on your Ultralite and thanks for the tip on the Nitto's I love them. Jim

Thanks Todd, This is exactly the info I was looking for and then some. Hadn't considered the possible issue with oil pressure. If I do upgrade the tires for next year I'll definetly keep an eye on the o/p. Jim

After 2 yrs finally took my locost to the track. I'm currently running street performance tires and want to upgrade next year. Does anyone have experience directly comparing the difference in performance between slicks and DOT race tires? At one of my track days I had Dennis Palatov of dp cars ( http://www.dpcars.net/ ) as my instructor. He said if I wanted to upgrade I should go to slicks as the DOT tires took a lot of heat to make them work and the 7 wasn't heavy enough to heat them up properly. Anyone have an answer or suggestion? Thanks Jim

A couple of shots from first autox, at the West Coast Lotus Meet in October in Canyonville, Or. I think it was wet that day !! :lol: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1311880711_autox2.jpghttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1088165002_autox6.jpg It was definately wet but still had a great time. Took about three days to clean and dry out the inside of the car. Tach and Speedo took about 3 weeks for the moisture to dissipate from inside the faces. Jim

I stumbled on this thread in the Locost USA forum http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4435&start=0 regarding the modified steering arm on the Stalker failing. Thought the Stalker owners in this group should be aware of this problem. Jim

to the West Coast Lotus Meet in Canyonville, Or ? I'm leaving from Portland Thurs morning. Normally this is a 3 1/2 hr trip down I-5 but I'm planning 2 lane roads, anticipate it will take most of the day. Lots of twisty roads meandering along rivers and creeks with several covered bridges to check out too. This will take a rather boring straight forward drive and turning it into an all day 7 lollipop. Will report back when I return, hopefully with pictures. Jim

So, here's my version of this story. After finding David through this forum and a couple of phone conversations we meet Sat in Seaside (my hometown, Dad still lives there) blast down the coast to Nehalem then onto Hy 53. This is a roller coaster of a ride with the road dipping in the middle of corners followed up by climbing hairpins then followed by decending hairpins finally to a mile or two of straight that eventually intersects with Hy 26 the main route between Portland and Seaside. Once back in Seaside we head to David's favorite watering hole for a pint. I kinda had to chuckle to myself as we were enjoying our brews as people walked by there heads bobbing back and forth as if they were at a tennis match first looking at David's car then mine and back. Later that evening David calls and tells me about his winking headlights. Stop by on way out the next afternoon to have a look. Turns out 2 wires hooked up backwards. Problem solved, on my back to Portland. Leave Seaside it's sunny & warm, approching the coast summit the roads are starting to get wet, then into a rain shower - GREAT! no top, no rain gear. Here's my first test in the rain since getting the car on the road. I expected this was going to happen one day, after all this is the Northwest. What a relief to find the rain being blown over the top of the windshield and the side wind deflectors doing a wonderful job of keeping the rain out of the cockpit. I survive that shower only to encounter another about 10 mi from Portland. Luckily that one stopped at about the city limits. Got home and into the garage just before the skys opened up and it just poured. It was a great trip and fun meeting David. Jim

You're in Seaside, what a coincidence, my family roots run deep in that town. My father still lives there and I was down last Sat to see him. A neighbor thought he saw me the week before but I wasn't there, it must have been you, unless of course there's more than one 7evin in Seaside. I usually go down every other weekend. PM me maybe we can meet and have a drink and talk 7's. Jim

Hey, DB I'm planning on attending. Driving down from Portland. I plan on leaving Thursday morning 10/2. Taking all 2 lane roads to at least Roseberg before getting on the freeway. Some of those roads should be great 7evin roads. Contact the event chairman from the website about hanging out for a day. He got back to me within minutes of emailing a question. If you want to go Thursday morning I'd love to hookup with others to drive down. Let me know. Jim

Codeman, like I said I could be talked into a redue of this trip. If you're interested contact me. I'm planning on going to the West Coast Lotus Meet in Canyonville the first weekend in Oct, are you going to be there? Looks like there's a great 7 road outside of Riddle that goes along Cow Creek, have you driven it, if so what kind of condition is it in? Jim

Ian - Sounds to me like something is binding up. Could be anything from the speedo head to the drive gear at the trans. First thing I'd check is to make sure the cable isn't kinked. Speedo cables like to have long gentle bends. If the cable isn't kinked, I'd disconnect the cable from the back of the speedo head and make sure the speedo head is free and not notchy or binding. Sometimes you can use the tip of your finger to turn the speedo, if not a very small flat blade screwdriver can be inserted into the speedo. You should be able to turn it enough to make the needle move. If it's hard to turn the speedo head will have to come out and taken to speedometer repair shop. If the head looks ok then you'll need to look at the drive gear. If you have a right angle drive those things can bind up as well. Again remove the cable from the right angle drive and the drive from the trans. Just like the speedo head it should turn without any binding or notchy feel. The British made angle drives I've seen had a tendency to get pretty sloppy and work themselves apart. A speedo shop should be able to help you out with an angle drive if that turns out to be the problem. Now check to make sure the inner cable turns in its sheathing. It shouldn't turn as easily as the speedo head because of the long run from the trans to the speedo and it should be lubed with grease therefore increasing it's resistance to spinning. If it's almost impossible to turn pull the inner cable out, wipe it down then relube with grease and try it again. Also check to see if the sheathing may have gotten pinched or burned from being to close to an exhaust pipe or such. This could cause the inner cable to bind. Good luck. Hope this helps. Jim

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/736627089_DSC01103.JPG This is the view of the John Day valley looking east with the Strawberry Mountains in the back ground. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/2030655483_DSC01102.JPG This is from the same overlook. The road and the John Day River go through that chasm ( Picture Gorge) in the mountain. Jim

Just posted a description of my trip last weekend and a picture ( there were supposed to be 2 pics but I must have screwed something up. It's in the Pacific section under events. Jim

Got back yesterday (Father's day) from a 560 mile blat through parts of Eastern Oregon I've never seen. Trip started Sat morning in Portland, through a very chilly Columbia River Gorge (didn't see the sun for 45mi, then wasn't very warm) but still very beautiful. Got off the freeway at Hy 97 - Biggs. South for 10 mi then to Wasco - Hy 206 heading SE towards Condon past a couple of wind farms. This is Oregon wheat country, lots of rolling hills that drop into winding, twisty canyons and then back up the other side. There's a viewpoint about halfway between Wasco and Condon where you pop up on one of many high plateaus where you see six different mountain peaks. As far away as Mt. Rainier to the north in Washington to the Three Sisters to the south in Oregon. Quick stop in Condon to fill up. Sticker on the pump says the price is double what the pump indicates ($2.30/gal that makes it 4.60 per). Just shows how behind the times these rural towns are in everything except gas and food prices. Good thing I just wanted to top off to be sure I had enough for the next leg - approx 150 mi. I'd rather run on the top 1/2 of the tank rather than the bottom 1/2, especially when you don't know when you're going to see the next station. Continue on hy 206, pretty much the same kind of scenery except no high mountain peaks to view. 30 mi east of Condon turn south onto Hy 207 through pine forests and high mountian meadows - great screnery! Oh and the swichbacks and twistys. Forty miles later hookup to Hy 19 about 3 mi east of Spray. Stay on 19 for 10 mi and then turn off on 402 at Kimberly. 402 follows along the North Fork of the John Day River until you reach the next small burg of Monument. Then climb up out of Monument to Long Creek and a vast high valley where I turn south on Hy 395. Out of Long Creek I climb to the highest summit on this trip, 5105 feet. Down to Mt Vernon and east on Hy 26 to my destination, John Day where my sister awaits my arrival. Seems I was spotted in Long Creek by my nephew and he calls mom to let her know I'm close. Just can't hide in small towns, especially when you're driving a 7. Unlike the city everyone waves, from the farmer plowing his field to the folks driving the other way to people standing along the road. Had a nice but short visit with my sis and her hub (sometimes the way they should be with sibblings). Leave Sun morning heading west on Hy26. Stop after 35 mi at the John Day Fossil Bed overlook to take pictures and take in the view. Turn off 26 in the Picture Gorge onto Hy 19 north along the John Day River. Spectacular views and a great 7 road. Just past the Butte Creek Pass summit about 10 mi from the town of Fossil the Wheeler County WELCOMING COMMITTEE was there to welcome me to their county. They even turned on their red and blue lights for me. Boy they sure know how to make city folk feel special. To the tune of $244.00 special. Welcome to Wheeler county! ENJOY your visit, oh, and slow down. THANKS Deputy! Onto Fossil and top off the tank. Same story here as in Condon, price is double what the pump shows. Out of Fossil to Hy 218, just out of town the road climbs dramatically with lots of switchbacks and plenty of twistys. This is very arid land still very pretty in a high desert way. Stop at the Clarno Unit of the John Day Fossil beds for a bathroom break and sunscreen. Onto Clarno cross the John Day River again where there are lots of rafters. Start climbing up out of Clarno where I encounter the first vehicle going west since I turned off at Fossil. Quickly get by and enjoy the rest of this stretch to Antelope. Again a hard climb with lots of switchbacks followed by another twisty section to finally pop up on top of this high desert plateau to a view of the mountain peaks I saw the day before only now they are closer - WOW what a view! Stop at Shaniko at Goldies Ice Cream Parlor for a hot dog and ice cream cone and the best part a chat with Goldie and her husband who is a real character and will talk your ear off. After a quick walk around Shaniko I take Hy 97 south u

I was at Laguna on Saturday and checked out the vintage IMSA GTP's in the pits. How bizarre it would have been if I had wandered by and overheard your conversation. Then there would have been 4. Jim :7drive:

I've made the same observation and have picked up it's the sport bike riders pay more attention to my car than the Harley (cruiser) guys. Jim

Dave, I rented a Uhaul to get my car to the inspection. I had no problems loading, either with width or sump clearance and the bottom of my oil pan is 1.5" below the frame rails. It may have helped that the hitch on the truck I borrowed made the trailer tongue sit high. My car is a +442 Locost, if that gives you any idea of its width. If you think the break over angle is too great you could put a floor jack under the tongue jack, with the trailer hooked up to the ball then raise the floor jack so both the trailer and the back of the truck come up. That would decrease the break over angle. I used to see racers do this all the time back in the old days. :lol: Here's a pic of me headed off to DMV. Jimhttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/5925731_DSC00688.JPGhttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/2020985658_DSC00689.JPGhttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1726746420_DSC00692.JPG