Hank

David, The only hiccups I had along the way were as follows: 1. Missing brake master cylinder fittings (2) 2. Steering shaft was for a fixed steering wheel and I specifically ordered a detachable steering wheel mount 3. Dry Sump tank fitting - I only used the Westfield dry sump tank. I used the SBD dry sump system. I knew the revisions required ahead of time. 4. Roll cage side mounts. Sure I could have removed the lower body section to mount the inner roll cage mounts, but I chose not to. I agree with your statement that if I had wanted the Megabusa completely stock it would have been completed a long time ago. The bulk of the build took only 3 weeks. I waited on the wheels for 3 months. Other bits took additional time (brake fittings, shoulder harness spacers). I will leave the reverse box in for certifying the car for road use by the State Police. They do not require me to drive it. I was told on the phone if it passes inspection on my trailer that I would be issued a registration shortly thereafter. After the registration is printed and I get an inspection tag I will drop the car off to get the reverse box removed. Then I'll update my website with what I replaced it with. What brought me to get a Megabusa? I like challenges. I like power-to-weight ratios. I love the sound of motorcycle engines over blatty 4 cylinders. Now turbo 4 cylinders, that's a different story. I might turbo the Megabusa and have the best of both worlds. Of course the reliability might be thrown out the window. Hank

David, Sure, there were "tests" along the way, but this car isn't exactly going to build itself. That's the fun in purchasing a kit car. If everything was slide tab "A" into slob "B" it wouldn't be fun, right? Keep in mind I'm customizing the car as I go. The paddle shift setup is on its way from Britain right now. The reverse box is getting ripped out before the first mile is put on the chassis. In its place will be an alternative that I will post about after completion. It's been fun up until a month ago. Now I want it done. The wiring kid had it for a month and I think he spent 3 hours on it.

I really wish I could but I'm up to my eyeballs in website work right now and I want the car finished at the same time. From the outside looking in it seems crazy, but I can't find the time to go in the garage and finish it.

Well, it is partly my fault. I could have simply sent the loom to Westfield for modification. However, Westfield does not use the factory dash for anything. I want to use the factory Hayabusa dash for the speedometer and tachometer. So, it is somewhat hybrid than what others do. Some have done it in the past, but they are all in Europe. To add to my dilemma, no one in my area works on custom wiring harnesses. The street rod crew order Painless wiring kits and the motorcycle racers remove and install factory wiring harnesses in their drag bikes. My situation is definitely unique in that part of the harness needs to be extended so that the ECU can fit in the passenger footwell on a hinged plate that pivots down from the Scuttle behind the dashboard.

The local instrument tech working on my Megabusa wiring is swamped with work and his wife had a baby last week. I don't think he'll ever finish it. I'm willing to trailer my car somewhere in the Gulf Coast area to get the wiring harness properly sorted. Part of the wiring harness needs to be extended to allow the ECU to be mounted in the passenger side footwell. The only add-ons from the factory Hayabusa & Westfield harnesses are a Flaming River safety/battery kill switch and a GI Pro gear indicator/timing retard eliminator. Let me know if anyone is recommended to do the job. Thanks in advance. Hank

My god this wiring guy is taking forever. :mad: :mad: :mad:

Does it cost me anything that a Brit called me this morning and spoke for 30 minutes? I wouldn't think so.

Here is a copy of my resume for those helping in my effort. http://www.henry-bell.com/images/HenryBellresume.doc

Thanks for the kind words. Se7ens community in Fort Worth, eh?

I got laid off Thursday, Feb. 19th. I had worked 3.5 years for this Engineering firm. They gave me 15 minutes and 3 boxes. My boss watched me until I walked out with him trailing behind. No exit interview, nothing. I was billable until the end of March. Weird situation. I never took a sick day, and I only took 2 short vacations. No complaints. No internet usage warnings. No email chain letters. No excess personal phone calls. They lost an important asset, those bastards. On a positive note I already saw it coming so I scheduled an interview with an Engineering firm in Ft. Worth. The interview fell on the day after I got laid off. It went really well. I hope to have an offer on Monday morning. I even asked for more money than I was making and he didn't even flinch. Do I want to move? I'd really like to stay in Louisiana. Selling my house might be difficult. Anyone know of any Mechanical Engineering jobs available? I can provide a resume, if needed. 6.5 years experience in Design Engineering, Project Management, Manufacturing (refineries, chemical plants, high-volume assembly lines, etc).

I'll sell you the pair of factory Megabusa sill protectors from my kit. I believe they are vinyl wrapped aluminum. I can provide pictures if you like. Shoot me a PM if you are interested.

I love watching Jay Leno's videos. Does Jay own a Megabusa, or did someone post the information below on Jay's website for sake of posting? http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/your_garage/cars/5511.shtml

I like the shift knob. :jester:

Get a Westfield.

Basically it's a tiny rendition of my MEGABUSA using photoshop with zoom at 1600% and a brush size of 1 pixel. *whew!* http://www.hanksmegabusa.com/images/HanksMegabusaPixelated.jpg Comments are welcome.

I'm all for racing a 7, but that rollbar isn't tall enough for EITHER person in that car. :nonod:

Rob, Carbon Fiber sill protectors can be found here: http://www.carbonmods.co.uk/Departments/Kit-Car.aspx I wish I could buy half of that website for my Westfield. I'm ordering the dash, sill protectors, and rear fender protectors. Hank

The MEGABUSA has been at a friend's shop getting the engine harness finished. I updated my website with pictures of the car on the trailer. It looks gorgeous outside in the sun! I like this one: http://www.hanksmegabusa.com/images/020509/06.jpg

No, but my lawn mower has racing stripes. Does that count? http://www.teamshockerracing.com/images/teamshockermower.jpg

That really wasn't that far away from where I live. Seriously.

What is it? A redneck with scrap materials and a lot of free time is what THAT is. Thanks for the laugh! :rofl:

Horrible comparison, not even CLOSE, but I watched it and enjoyed it nonetheless.

A turret-mounted potato gun would be better. :rofl:

I pity you poor guys that take forever to register your 7. I called the DPS (State Trooper kind-of) and they told me to trailer the car to their location for a physical inspection (when I finish it). They will look the car over in 5 minutes or so, they will send me to DMV for my registration, and I will be road bound the same day! Sweetness. Oh the horror of the SVA over in Britain. Most fail their first time I hear.

Wiring sucks. That is all...