Tipo 184

[Jurld]

@JeffersonRaley how is the build going?  Do you know if there are other owners in the USA?  I'm seriously considering the kit, but would like some feedback from other owners to help decide.

[JeffersonRaley]

It is going really well.  Suspension, brakes and drivetrain are all in the car.  This past weekend we started cleaning up the wiring harness, so things will slow down a bit while we sort that.  After that we'll install the body panels and be done.

 

Overall the kit is really well designed.  There were a few frustrations, but that is to be expected with a kit car.  We've been very surprised by the great quality of many components (wheels, knockoffs, frame, body panel finish, etc)

 

There are 10 in the US now.  Here is a link to our FB group.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/tipo184buildersusa

[Dickim]

Hi From Perth Western Australia  - I have the 1st Tipo184 in Oz, chassis NO 11, and now ANOTHER in N.Z. And a 3rd being built in Sydney. Slow progress due to also restoring a Big Healey, and a certain amount of disillusionment after 2yrs between order and arrival. Subframes overhauled, new discs, braided pipes and overhauled calipers, supplied new shockies, Drivetrain hopefully in this weekend, and a trial fit of the bulkhead and floor. Dash complete  - all "overseen" by a little of Dad in a Motorcycle Brake Master Cylinder 

[Jurld]

Thanks for the update.

 

Does anybody think they can now deliver them sooner than 2 years after ordering a kit?  I guess that would give me plenty of time to find a donor car (and get my garage in order, )

 

[Jurld]

I'll add. . . I've never built a kit before. Do you think this would be a good one to start with?

[Dickim]

This is my 3rd kit - early 80's V.W. based Dino replica called Karma, 2018 Moto Guzzi engined JZR trike- BRILLIANT, not a single instruction but simple, and this. 2yr wait was IMO opinion going to market before production capabilities in place, but seems sorted now. Engineering and Quality ABSOLUTELY superb, some question weight but when you see the chassis you understand  especially when compared to the Westfield X1 I considered. ALL bits are high quality except I think the tex / Tec screws for the panels need pilot holes or want to shear due to chassis  wall thickness - so a fair bit of drilling but alloy panel fit is great, and GRP is well finished and pre-hung. NO instructions BEYOND the build video which whilst good is not comprehensive  - could do with a "cheat sheet" inc links - quality aftermarket  short shift kit with appalling b&w photo copy instructions- yet YouTube video is an easy job.... My relationship with them is strained through delays and from my perspective  broken promises and agreements, and subsequent increased shipping costs during that period (shipping coming down again) , but that isn't a reflection of the product, more a couple of people.

YES it would be a great 1st time kit, and the quality will reduce frustration And cost make it harder to NOT finish it.

[MV8]

Very nice!

The Blackjack Zero is vw based with guzzi power and vw irs transaxle with a flipped ring and pinion for fwd or porsche 901 transaxle from a 914, but the Zero requires the engine to be forward of the wheels (the only downside imho). The Corbin Merlin and electric Sparrow use the same configuration.

The Dino appears to be rwd, using the guzzi swingarm/diff with a long driveshaft to the rear through support bearings. I've contemplated something similar using a honda goldwing.

[Jurld]

@Dickim that trike looks like a lot of fun.

 

Thanks for the good information. Things kind of went to pot the first part of this decade and I know some folks in manufacturing, etc. who really struggled to keep things going. It still really hasn't resolved. Even in good times most thing are outside any one person or company's control. That said, it would help avoid a lot of aggravation if folks would just be transparent and tell you "here's what the landscape looks like" and not promise you stuff they might not be able to deliver.

 

[Dickim]

Thx - the picturef trike is a JZR - About 300 produced, great, but scary as hell! Fun to build - Guzzi 1060 engine, and a reverse gear that was operated by a lever that engaged a Kawasaki starter motor onto the drive shaft that ran from motor to swingarm- HAD TO BE IN NEUTRAL OR BANG! so fitted a 3 stage "safety" process through relays - Neutral light ON, allowed Dash Switch ON and then Engage button on the lever👍

My Dino Replica, sadly never took a pic, was in a V.W. floor pan but I fitted a Ford Kent 1600cc 4 cylinder with twin Webber carbs. There are a few "Karmas" around, an owners club, and a racing group as it evolved to have mid engine Ford V6

[Dickim]

8 minutes ago, Jurld said:

@Dickim that trike looks like a lot of fun.

 

Thanks for the good information. Things kind of went to pot the first part of this decade and I know some folks in manufacturing, etc. who really struggled to keep things going. It still really hasn't resolved. Even in good times most thing are outside any one person or company's control. That said, it would help avoid a lot of aggravation if folks would just be transparent and tell you "here's what the landscape looks like" and not promise you stuff they might not be able to deliver.

 

Agreed  - most of us ARE understanding, and why I've NOT let it cloud my opinion of the product  - 40yrs a Commercial Photographer I can rate good, average, poor, company attitude and honesty ALWAYS wins👍

[JeffersonRaley]

On 8/29/2023 at 9:48 AM, Jurld said:

I'll add. . . I've never built a kit before. Do you think this would be a good one to start with?

I think it is a good starter kit.  Little to no fabrication and the kit goes together really well.  Definitely easier than street cars I've converted to race cars.  Probably a little harder than old cars that I've restored to mostly stock.

[JeffersonRaley]

18 hours ago, Dickim said:

This is my 3rd kit - early 80's V.W. based Dino replica called Karma, 2018 Moto Guzzi engined JZR trike- BRILLIANT, not a single instruction but simple, and this. 2yr wait was IMO opinion going to market before production capabilities in place, but seems sorted now. Engineering and Quality ABSOLUTELY superb, some question weight but when you see the chassis you understand  especially when compared to the Westfield X1 I considered. ALL bits are high quality except I think the tex / Tec screws for the panels need pilot holes or want to shear due to chassis  wall thickness - so a fair bit of drilling but alloy panel fit is great, and GRP is well finished and pre-hung. NO instructions BEYOND the build video which whilst good is not comprehensive  - could do with a "cheat sheet" inc links - quality aftermarket  short shift kit with appalling b&w photo copy instructions- yet YouTube video is an easy job.... My relationship with them is strained through delays and from my perspective  broken promises and agreements, and subsequent increased shipping costs during that period (shipping coming down again) , but that isn't a reflection of the product, more a couple of people.

YES it would be a great 1st time kit, and the quality will reduce frustration And cost make it harder to NOT finish it.

100% agree on the self-tapping roofing screws used to secure the panels to the chassis.  Those holes should have been drilled and tapped by the factory.

 

And yeah, the short shift kit instructions are garbage.  I did the same thing and looked up a YouTube video.

[Dickim]

Wanted to join the Tipo US Facebook page but rejected as in Oz which I understand  - but as only 2 of us in Oz & 1 in N.Z. abd we talk ANYWAY, but it would have been helpful to share with more builders.

Did a quick measure on the TEC screws, difference between the "drill" and thread is 2mm, no wonder they shear in the chassis wall! tried some of the ones I normally use 0.9mm and work fine - looks like a trip to the hardware store. Only other to date is the clutch MC bracket, the main hole and bolt hokes not in line so needed filing, and Brake MC / Pipe layout different to the video 

[Jurld]

Is anybody compiling this information about trouble spots and getting it back to the kit manufacturer?  I'd hope, anyway, that they'd want to hear about it.

[Dickim]

Terry in N.Z and I are both giving "feedback" via Kay inc a suggestion of a link to the YouTube video of the short shift installation 

[Dickim]

Just a follow-up re the TEC Screws, found some that also "create" a standard MM thread, and fitted the floor today, NO pre-drilling, only 1 shear where the pre punched hole aligned with a  WELD Edge. They supplied 100 so grabbed 50 to try👍

Steering wheel by Moto-Mole Grip-Lita 

[JeffersonRaley]

5 hours ago, Jurld said:

Is anybody compiling this information about trouble spots and getting it back to the kit manufacturer?  I'd hope, anyway, that they'd want to hear about it.

Yep.  They are monitoring our FB group and also very responsive to email.

[JeffersonRaley]

On 8/30/2023 at 6:29 PM, Dickim said:

Wanted to join the Tipo US Facebook page but rejected as in Oz which I understand  - but as only 2 of us in Oz & 1 in N.Z. abd we talk ANYWAY, but it would have been helpful to share with more builders.

Did a quick measure on the TEC screws, difference between the "drill" and thread is 2mm, no wonder they shear in the chassis wall! tried some of the ones I normally use 0.9mm and work fine - looks like a trip to the hardware store. Only other to date is the clutch MC bracket, the main hole and bolt hokes not in line so needed filing, and Brake MC / Pipe layout different to the video 

 

Yeah, our brake pipe layout was different too. I suspect that is due to differing legislation. But since we had to bend the lines anyway, it was an easy adjustment on ours.

[Dickim]

So on the brakes, mine has pipes 3 from the Master, on same circuit 1 to front, and 1 to a "balancer" that also has the 3rd - these two then becoming front and rear. Question is, is there a need for the balancer given the whole weight distribution is different so the "setting" of the balancer valve will be wrong. Are you guys doing a straight L & R  front split?

[Dickim]

Hi Jefferson- a question for ANYBODY on here, or would love to ask in U.S Tipo site (Perth is the most isolated City in the World and feels like it at times🤣) Trying to identify which of the 2 fuel pipes is feed and return? (I didn't strip the donor!) Pic shows the 2 -  L & R - the right (front of motor) seems to terminate in the valve (2nd pic) itself at the end of the injector rail, and seems to have a "breather" pipe. The Left hand pipe seems to terminate somewhere behind it - thoughts guy's on which is FEED.

Going back to orig Tipo order they specified ANY MX5 NB And some of us bought the 6speed which CAN'T be used. They were unwilling to consider cancellation, but offered to source & strip a Donor. Just so happened my U.K. based brothers car had failed it's annual inspection due to rust, but in the family for 15yrs, so known history  - so they stripped & shipped with the kit,  but didn't label fuel lines....