Pokey Posted July 13, 2020 Author Share Posted July 13, 2020 I think a solid black racing stripe down the middle to the black lipstick stripe on the nose cone would be ideal. Or multiple black/red stripes. That would keep it bold and simple and would compliment the car's other black components, like the headlights. I think the black and white stripe looks busy and disjointed, especially when it meets/crosses the nose stripe. I think the silver disappears in a sea of red. Of course, I have been told my sense taste is limited to my mouth.... Thanks! I'm of the same mind as you, the introduction of silver just made things busy. I tried just black yesterday and it looked better, but in the end decided that I'm just not a stripe kind of guy and removed it. I've left the vinyl on the sides beneath the doors for now to see how I feel about it in a few more days. Food for thought if anyone is thinking of putting vinyl on their car, the adhesive reacted with the clear topcoat. The effect was nuanced, sort of a miniature orange peel effect, and strangely it wasn't uniform. Took a buffer and rubbing/polishing compound to bring it back. And I met my match with that protective film. I've always thought that in most things I can match a pro in my work (hence I'm frequently over my head), it just may take me 10X more time than the pro, but protective film on a nose cone proved to be my Achilles' heel. I got the bottom half of the nose cone done with a little mumbling, but the top was just not happening. I swear it wasn't cut correctly as there was simply no positioning it such that things aligned. So a bit of a botched job, one I've thought about pulling off but in the end the film is on and will protect the paint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted July 14, 2020 Share Posted July 14, 2020 I paid $1,200 to have a pro put protective clear vinyl on much of my like-new Birkin, years ago. I added it to the sides as well. Someone here asked why I bothered to put it on the sides. To which someone else, I think Croc or YellowSS7, pointed out that, as anyone who had spent time with me on the track knew, my car spent a considerable time traveling sideways. So hurtful (and true...). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted July 14, 2020 Author Share Posted July 14, 2020 Yah, that sounds about right to have a pro do it. I managed to do the leading edge of the front and back wings, fuel filler cap, front bonnet latches and the bit that is in front of the rear wing and behind the elbow (no idea what that is called, kind of the equivalent of the B pillar) fine. The lower half of the nose cone came out fine too, but the top, that was 30 minutes of pure, unadulterated, mind numbing frustration. I've half a mind to Amazon a piece of bulk film and try again for no reason than the satisfaction of peeling it off. But I did it for the experience, something new, as much as to protect the car, and like many things I try one time is enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FE07 Posted July 14, 2020 Share Posted July 14, 2020 Greg, Tried to send a picture of mine to you but couldn't manage. Red with black lipstick and solid stripe. So here's a link to the post I bought it on here: http://www.usa7s.net/vb/showthread.php?9592-2000-Caterham-Superlight-R&highlight=2000+superlight If you PM me your email I can send you some more. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted July 14, 2020 Author Share Posted July 14, 2020 Greg, Tried to send a picture of mine to you but couldn't manage. Red with black lipstick and solid stripe. So here's a link to the post I bought it on here: http://www.usa7s.net/vb/showthread.php?9592-2000-Caterham-Superlight-R&highlight=2000+superlight If you PM me your email I can send you some more. Jim Nice looking Seven Jim. In case you aren't aware, that stripe is a factory option, you can get the nose band with or without the stripe. I opted for without but got thinking what it might look like with and hence the exploration. The single stripe blending into the nosecone is clean, something I'm not going to be able to replicate after the fact with vinyl. If you are going to have a noseband and a stripe then I think what you have works well. I was just organizing all of the vinyl stripes I've now have... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted July 18, 2020 Author Share Posted July 18, 2020 Well it looks like tomorrow is the big day. I just finished moving the washer bottle from the boot to the engine compartment (next to the battery in the picture below) and tomorrow morning I'll adjust the toe. I also managed to grab an open slot for the VIN inspection to get a registration (not until August 26th and a 2.5 hour drive away, but I'm not complaining). Until then I will exist on three-day trip permits. Here in Washington State you can use up to three permits in a 30 day period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11Budlite Posted July 18, 2020 Share Posted July 18, 2020 Good luck today Greg, it's been fun following your build! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted July 18, 2020 Share Posted July 18, 2020 Ta da!!!! Well done! Driving video or photos today please! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucky dawg Posted July 18, 2020 Share Posted July 18, 2020 Perfect weather for the inaugural drive. Let us know when you're ready for some company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted July 19, 2020 Author Share Posted July 19, 2020 Kind of the first day of summer here in the PNW. Everyone was out for a drive, including me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnifeySpoony Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 Congrats! Any first impression of the driving experience? My 420R kit should be here in December. Other than what you've posted in the thread, any additional tips for an upcoming builder? It seems like some challenges with a 7 build are consistent, while others vary from revision to revision. Given that I will have the same model not too long after you, the build experience should be similar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky-7 Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 Congrats Greg! Looked like a perfect day for a blatt.:driving: I'm liking the silver and black on the sides. How'd it drive? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 Well done Greg! Great to see. How big was your smile afterwards? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted July 19, 2020 Author Share Posted July 19, 2020 Congrats! Any first impression of the driving experience? My 420R kit should be here in December. Other than what you've posted in the thread, any additional tips for an upcoming builder? It seems like some challenges with a 7 build are consistent, while others vary from revision to revision. Given that I will have the same model not too long after you, the build experience should be similar. For first impressions, I would say that the chassis was more compliant than I expected given how flat it corners. Hard to say on power at the moment because I'm not winding it up too much, but so far I'd say quick but not scary. Even though the Caterham has more power per pound than the Camaro I just sold, it doesn't feel like it will get away from me like the Camaro could at times. The build was fun, interesting and had a few challenging moments. Definitely something that doing a second time would be much easier and quicker because you would spend so much less time trying to figure out what goes where and why. You would also know what to do when the build manuals conflict and which fastener packs you need that weren't included. Folks will tell you that the first step is to inventory, which although I agree with you can't truly identify what you don't have since you won't have a complete list to inventory against and the list you do have won't be completely accurate. So the best advice I can give you is to ask questions rather than struggle. There are some folks on this forum that have many years of experience, and then there are a few of us newbies that have recently completed a build. Tap into both. And enjoy the process, rushing won't get you to done faster but it will zap the fun out of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted July 19, 2020 Author Share Posted July 19, 2020 Congrats Greg! Looked like a perfect day for a blatt.:driving: I'm liking the silver and black on the sides. How'd it drive? Drove well, but the driver could use help. I'm finding that the accelerator is awfully close to the brake pedal and at the same height. I'm sure onlookers were confused to see the car slow with the engine accelerating The brakes are not as grabby as I expected. I am/was attributing this to needing to get pads and rotors seated but someone mentioned it may be more that I'm not accustomed to non-power brakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted July 19, 2020 Author Share Posted July 19, 2020 Well done Greg! Great to see. How big was your smile afterwards? Enormous Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 Congrats! Nothing like finishing the build and taking that first drive.:auto: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffee break Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 (edited) Sounds like it's time for a pair of skinny driving shoes. As to parts inventory and missing stuff, Caterham has been doing this for a few years, one would think they would have it figured out by now. :banghead: Also, Have a Blast! Edited July 19, 2020 by coffee break Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnifeySpoony Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 For first impressions, I would say that the chassis was more compliant than I expected given how flat it corners.. Which suspension option did you go with- sport/track/race? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted July 19, 2020 Author Share Posted July 19, 2020 Which suspension option did you go with- sport/track/race? Race, but I've no idea how it compares to what folks actually race with... I'm sure there are those watching (Croc?) who could comment. And I don't want to mislead, it isn't a suspension that I would pick if all I wanted to do was tour, but for what it is it is plenty comfortable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now