andrew7

Bump, roll call

here is how I made mine. http://www.usa7s.com/vb/showthread.php?t=694

I thought you guys would like to know about this. I think its going to be very different than the original. I didn't see any Sevens. http://www.amctv.com/originals/the-prisoner/ Follow the links at the bottom to watch the entire 17 episodes from the '60s, starting with Arrival.

Bruce, they are the best thing on my car. I use them every time the temp is below 70. It keeps my left arm from being cold and stiff and reduces wind blast from the side.

That is funny. It would be funnier if he was an British mechanic and MG owner. I am surprised a Jeep owner is that OCD, Jeeps are supposed to be dirty and oily. Another good thing about BECs, Yamaha engines don't leak, they scream.

A couple weeks ago I pulled the Seven out and went to see my neighbor about a float trip, while their I asked if he wanted to go out for a couple hours. He grabbed his camera and we headed out through the country. He took a few video clips and on some of the straights I did a slow wind up to redline. That sound is intoxicating. He loved the car. I told him sometime I'd like to go out in his car. Today was beautiful for his series 3 Graduate Spider. Its a worn and used car but its still a blast. We ran up to check a lake and he asked if I wanted to drive. I didn't push it but the handling and brakes were good. The engine was buzzy at times but willing. It was very comfortable, nice enough to take a trip with. The twisty roads flowed and the straights she cruised without a care. The shifter is odd, a long throw stick located near the dash not the floor, with a wide H pattern. I didn't realize how intense and harsh my car was to this point. The wind didn't beat you as hard either. Thanks to Kitcat for his pictures I am seriously looking at building a full top. I know many people here have Miatas and I thought about getting one but the styling leaves me cold, maybe if it was more aggressive or something. The new model looks better. The V8 swap kit from Monster Miata and swollen fenders might be interesting. I like the looks of the Triumphs, MGs, and Fiats but I know they are not as good as a Miata. Still, my 'vert choices are Mustang, Boxster and Alfa in that order. If you get the chance go ahead and cheat on your Seven, I'm glad I did.

Hi Spaz, nice ride, Its funny mine does 8000rpm at 80mph and I also lost both front fenders when I engineered to much lightness. I've never been on an interstate with mine and prefer secondary roads. I've read Stuart Taylor was heavily involved in Locost racing in England. Why a porker sticker on the windshield and what engine do you have in there? Today, I pulled out my baby, rotated the tires and replaced a brake line, increased the caster. I turn on the main battery switch, cycled the key till the fuel pump stop bubbling and a 1/2 sec on the starter she was sitting at idle. Not a hiccup and not touched since last fall including the battery. Nice top you have, my dad ask me today if I was gong to build a full convertible top this year. I may now since I have a stiff neck from the short afternoon ride. btw, How many times have you stall it or did you pretend you were Schumacher? Those little flywheels are tough in traffic.

The crank was removed and you can see the little sequential six speed. Some of you know I don't share my 7, this engine is the reason why...one little piece and everything is affected. Second gear jumping to neutral is a problem and I'd have to replace those forks and get those dogs ground square. If you have to fix the transmission may as well pull the pistons and get new rings. The manual I have, all the con rods and main bolts need replaced because they cannot be re-torqued, They also use a tightening angle method, a certain torque plus so many degrees. I've rebuilt other engines but this one is up a notch. I Hope you enjoyed Show and Tell this Friday night.

The lower case is removed to find the crank and the first stack of 3 gears. The clutch is removed and where the sprocket is, the drive shaft adapter goes. The top left is the crank position sensor plate and cam chain.

The bottom of the engine, left of the motor filter is the round coolant cooled oil cooler(say that 5x fast). Looking below it through the openings are the main caps hiding. You can see the oil pump but the water pump is integrated into it. The output shaft is under the coolant tube.

I'll add replies to keep the pictures in order. Does this qualify for as a Hemi? Three intake and two exhaust and spark plug in the middle.

I love looking at how machinery works. I thought you would like to see what a decade old bike engine looks like inside. No, this isn't my R1 engine but was looking at how complicated a rebuild for me would be in the future. It might be easier to buy another engine than to R&R it. You can see the multi-plate clutch but on the other side is the starter/generator combo, Yamaha combined both units together.

Congratulations Hank on your first start up...I know its an exciting moment. Could you still hear it running when you went to sleep that night?....I did with mine.

SevenHeaven, The passenger side seat was soaked and filled with water and the aluminum stained with water spots.......I'm kidding. Imagine my surprise when she said she did a photograph of my car, I thought it was just a snapshot she took. I don't remember parking my car that close to the waterfall.:lol: http://www.usa7s.net/ASPNETFORUM/upload/395595220_img459.jpg] We'll here is were I parked. I snap this one about 100yds away with a 300mm lens. I guess she uses it as a back drop template in PS for other shots. The waterfall is a couple miles away from the parking lot, in an Amish farm community.

This past year I've been learning about photography, just as a hobby. While at a store a friend from the local camera club snapped a picture of my car and made me a copy. I'm always impressed at peoples artistic ability. http://www.usa7s.net/ASPNETFORUM/upload/946470428_7waterfall.jpg

yea, I drive like that every night...........in my dreams. :rofl: Amazing talent of the driver. I've always thought of getting a Subie, this may have thrown me over the edge.

I've got RPM envy!

All of you made great points but I think you need to have a sense of humor, their only campainin. http://www.jibjab.com/originals/time_for_some_campaignin

I thought it was very funny. I heard 70% of Americans would like to remove everyone in Congress at one time it they could. http://www.usa7s.net/ASPNETFORUM/upload/212242927_grandma.jpg

Hi Jeff, Sorry about that, I knew you started your build earlier ('01) and your pictures looked like it was carbed. Mine is 2 years newer but the FI system has a completely different look, a pair of tubes with 8 butterflies and 4 injecters hanging out. I heard Yamaha makes big changes every 2 years. O.T. Is your normal speed range and average in the 70 to 130mph range? I haven't been above 85, I need to increase caster it feels twitchy at that speed. I enjoy watching your videos, currently trying to transfer older 8mm of the Dragon to mpeg files. Dad is still working on his 7 Rodster, http://www.veoh.com/videos/v1494005328ms9mBa

Bill, I have a 2005 Yamaha R1 fuel injected, I know Jeff Underwoods R1 engine is a few years older and carbed. I used a Ford 7.5" rear end with an open differential. I started with a 3.08 ratio and found it difficult to pull out, went to 4.11s and were great but 55mph was 7000 rpm. I think this lower gear would put you in the proper rpm range for autocross. I went back to 3.08s with lightweight 13" wheels. The Ford and Mazda rear end pinions are offset to the passenger side about an 1". I think Jeff started out with an RX7 rear but change to a Toyota unit for higher gears and more top speed. I believe he's running his car mostly at VIR. I built my basic frame from McSorley's plans and altered them as to the changes I wanted, you didn't specify what you needed. There are a lot more builders over at LocostUSA, someone has already solved the problems you will face. I uploaded some 8mm video of the car here. It should give you some ideas. The second half shows the engine at idle. http://www.veoh.com/videos/v16367710fWHQZyK4

I found this over at Lotustalk. http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/226185/caterham_levante.html I like the front wing, it makes sense on this car.

Hi Bill, I was looking at your previous post questions. Here is where I found my cad plans, mine is a +4". http://www.mcsorley.net/locost/drawings.htm You said, "mainly for autocross". Do you want a car like Jeff U. , not street legal. The reason I ask is with a bike engine and the autocross rules you would be competing with purpose built race cars. That said, in question 4, yes you could make the car about 1' shorter but the look of the car will be changed. Regarding question 6, the engine could be place in the passenger compartment for the best balance. Does your state require "powered reverse"? Mine does but some states don't. If its an autocross only car no need to think about it. A home engineered solution is about $100 to get past the letter of the law verses a Quaife reverse box at $1500. I know the Hayabusa needs dry sumped or a swivel pickup tube with a modified pan. Figure an extra $1000 on top of the engine price. The Suzuki and Yamaha engines don't need it from my research. A flat six Goldwing motor with shaft drive might be usable, low center of gravity and has reverse built in but the rear end might need flipped to get the rotation correct. First gear on the superbikes is long, I heard on an RC51 first was good to 80. A short autocross course could be run in first. I think I'm 65mph at redline. Used engines are hi tech and cheap, 150hp at 150# about $1500. The downsides: The flywheels are too light for traffic and hills, after 3 summers I still stall it once or twice every time I'm out. The engine will die if you rev to 5000rpm and drop the clutch, not enough flywheel mass. I still screw up my shifts and the sound is terrible. One reason I don't let others drive my car because I don't want them learning on my engine. Blow a clutch and pieces and parts are circulated through the engine oil, blow a tranny gear and remove the engine. Everything is related. The parts are no longer trying to move a 400# bike but a 1000# car and this means more stress. There is a fair amount of vibration, read thin shoes on the pedals after 1.5 hours = numb feet. I envy other seven owners that are able to tour with their cars. I've never done an Interstate. Take your car to a 4 lane freeway drop it in second then drive at the speed limit for 5 minutes. This is the BEC highway experience. My dad has a V6 in his seven and it is quick and comfortable. It is a completely different feel than mine, his feels like a car where mine feels like a go-cart. My opinion is the closer to a track weapon you make, the less fun you will have on the street. I still wonder if a Westfield Miata on the street would be more fun to drive than my car. The paddles and Formula soundtrack are addicting on back country roads. Hope this helps.

I've been for researching the problem. The following kit is the only one available for an R1 in the US commercially. Its $6000, low boost and no opening the engine, I think its overpriced for what it is. I built the car so I could build that. Yamaha racing sells gearsets for different tracks but their priced about the same as the turbo kit. Dermot, I agree about the rear end ratio. My old 4.11s were great but driving 55mph and turning 7000 rpm for any length of time was terrible. If sixth was an overdrive I would have left them in. Yamaha's sport tourer the FZ1 might be another possibility. The crank and flywheel are 40% heavier, the stroke is longer, the gearing is wider spaced, and max torque is 2500 rpm lower. http://www.usa7s.org/aspnetforum/upload/1561819267_fp03.jpg http://www.usa7s.org/aspnetforum/upload/1039098992_146_0606_01_z+2006_yamaha_fz1+dyno.gif

Yes Skip, I believe it would be a compromise, there always is. I might lose a little on top and gain a bunch in the bottom. Move the line up 20 hp just for discussion 150 to 170 doesn't mean anything to me but 20hp on the bottom is now double what I had. I believe the superbike engine works great for Jeff U. on the track, running around triple digit speeds and keeping the revs between 8k-12k rpm. The real world is a lot different, 3k-8k is normal with only a couple of times during a ride hitting the teens. This has more to do with the odd spacing of the tranny. First is very long...shift to second on your way toward 70 mph then the rest are all closely spaced. Cruise in sixth at 60 is 6k rpm in fifth its 400 rpm more, many times triple downshifts are required to get the engine over the 7500 line for get up and go. A properly spaced (wide ratio) tranny may be an alternative option to a turbo. All the graphs I've seen show more top end hp but its a steeper and more rapid climb, while the reliability goes way down. I'm still researching and listening for ideas.