So, tell us a little about yourselves

[DLW]

Hello, Dino... welcome to USA7s.

[reddcarr]

Any more of us out there? I just stumbled on this forum while looking for an old 7 to restore. I worked for George in the 80's building Super 7s in Newmarket, Ontario. Served some of my apprenticeship there as well. I moved on just after they started moving the operation to Nobel, just North of Parry Sound. Who knows, maybe I built your car! I was responsible for most of the assembly from the frame up. If anyone needs any history of the Newmarket built cars I may be able to help.:driving:

[slngsht]

welcome aboard. I'm sure your experience will be much appreciated.

[m wirth]

Hi, I guess this is the place to introduce yourselves, I'm mike, yet it seems another one, were we all born in the '50's? I just got back from an infigorating drive up our senic Columbia River Gorge around Crown Point and back roads of Sandy and Gresham. Forty degrees but helmet goretex and gloves it was warmer than a bike, oh no clouds blue sky bright sunshine.

I just got the car, this September, I have wanted since I rode in a Seven when I was twelve, a friend of my dads had one and Alphas, way cooler than a coupe even if they were Italian. So the rest of the story is the same as most everyone else wait until you're retired sell a couple things and enjoy the sun and wind on your face.

I've competed on motorcycles for almost 50 years a little flat tracking on a 238 GreenStreak and the top of the heap Bultaco Astro, a little road racing on a Yamaha RD 350 and did a little motocross but rode my first Observed Trials in 1970 on a 1966 Sherpa T, one of the first for Bultaco led by Sammy Miller, and I have been competeing in just Trials ever since currently riding a Sherco in modern trials and my original, second bike, 1973 325 Sherpa with a Miller frame in vintage events. Since Trials was conceived in England it was only natural that I would gravitate to the Sevens and they are just recumbunt bikes just with 4 wheels and seriously fast.

My wife and I enjoy horse back riding and camping, she is still a high level dressage rider and trainer and we board several horses besides ours so we can still pay for our pleasures. It may seem corny but the Seven just seems to fit the way I feel about my life right now.

I would like to thank all of you that post on this site it helps a lot to be able to view and in a lot of cases my question is answered by previous inquiries but I'm sure I will have some of my own in the future and look forward to tapping your knowledge.

Before I got my Ultralite I had looked at a partially built Birkin in the Seattle area and one out on the islands but low and behold a new 2005, 25 miles, S2K came up for sale only 20 miles from my house, no brainer. Some day after I totally retire I would like to restore an early Lotus I'll have room after I sell a couple tractors.

I worked for Consolidated Freightways in the shop as a partsman for 30 years, so if there is any CF'ers that have Sevens it would be fun to know.

I can't wait for spring and no snow on the new Oregon Racetrack to do some track days.

thanks

mike wirth

Edited December 6, 2010 by m wirth
wrong number entered

[locost7018]

Great to see another trials rider on here. I am 60 yrs old and have been riding trials since 1974. Currently riding a GasGas. Great to have you aboard this crazy group . Check out Kinetic Motors in Oregon for Se7en stuff. Russ

[m wirth]

Hi Russ, thanks for posting. I too am a 1950 baby. In order to obtain the S2K I sold two of my all time favorite bikes my '66 Sherpa mod 10 and problably one of the best bikes GASGAS made a '97 270, but it will be worth it.

[JohnK]

Hello to both Mike and Russ,

Great to hear that there are others out there that know about Trials. I had a Frank Hipkin Sprite back in the late 60's, Starmaker 250 engine, 15" of ground clearance, ... and a friend with a huge farm complete with heavy woods and a river valley. No one knew what the dickens Trials was all about but the woods-riders were amazed at what you could do with the bike. And, yes, moving to a Seven as the years pass certainly seems like an understandable move for a Trials rider. Much enjoyment and luck.

[locost7018]

Now all we have to do is have car trials like they do in England. Now that is a crazy sport. Russ

[Mondo]

Welcome!

Don't know what it is about bikes & 7s (and guys born in the 50s).

Wasn't coordinated enough for trials but did a lot of Motox (up to the early 90s), desert & a little flattrack. Thought I was mature enough for a sportbike about 10 years ago. Survived 5 years in the foothills & trackdays but felt I was pushing my luck (too easy to go silly speeds). So enter S2K upon retirement in 2008.

Most of us WMC guys are on here but if you want S2K specific info/help you can try this site too:

 

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Ultralite_USA/

 

 

.

[m wirth]

Thanks guys, and Mondo I'll check out that site, and Russ a friend of mine, Steve Doane, had an American Eagle( Sprite ) dealership in the early '70's in Portland, Or. he now sells KTM.

I hope some of my instincts cross over to the car from the bikes so I won't have to steep a learning curve.

mike

[homebrew]

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

[Mondo]

Nice car!

Funny, I was going to post a question about putting a strap (cable) on the rear shocks but thought it only applied to 4 wheel drive trucks.

[a.moore]

Hello everyone - a lurker from the Locost board here.

 

I figured it was time to join since I will be part of the driving crowd once the state sends the Locost a plate and title.

[scannon]

Welcome aboard. How about some pictures, specs or link to your build?

[locost7018]

a.moore where are you??? Russ

[a.moore]

Sorry - forgot about the profile Russ. I've updated it.

 

Here are a few pictures. I'm still not sure what color to paint the fiberglass parts.

 

I'm using a 2.0L Duratec along with the engine management stuff from a 2007 Focus. Its mated to a 2007 Miata transmission and a slew of other Mazda drivetrain parts.

 

Here is a link to my build log for anyone looking for some reading.

[Kitcat]

Nice work!

 

Forum member Andrew7 is a Pittsburgh based Lowcost builder. He and his father both built cars. A7's has a bike engine, not sure about his dad's.

 

Edit: I just read thru the 1st few months of your build diary and am changing the "Nice work!" to "Phenomenal job!"

 

Those of who buy cars that are already built have no real appreciation for how many details and challenges were sweated over during the conceptualization and build phase.

 

Mike M.

Edited December 8, 2010 by Kitcat

[a.moore]

Thanks Mike.

 

I ran into him at the 2008 PVGP event at BeaveRun. I had about 1/3 of a frame at that point and some suspension parts. Talking with him and seeing their car was a great source of motivation.

[Kitcat]

Interesting as I was at the '08 PVGP at BeaveRun and hanging w/Andrew7 as well. So, you and I may have met. I drove my se7en there from Cincy, see avatar to check if you recognize it. It was parked next to Andrew7's, tho I left before he did.

 

Mike

[a.moore]

You know I do have some pictures of the back of a Caterham that is the same color as yours with OH plates. Seeing as its rare enough to see one 7 of any marque at any given time in Western PA, I am going to bet it was yours.

 

I remember several people hanging out around their Locost while we were talking but I honestly do not remember any other details.

 

Regardless I will be attending the 2011 event.