Southwind's 7

[Mike Rohaley]

I really like the center mirror. Was that sectioned tubing or was it made from sheet? Either way, it looks perfect!

[southwind25]

Was just 2" alum tube. wish i could have found some scrap aero-tubing.. oh well still turned out ok. had to order the side bullet ones today though. need to make windshield wiper post covers too. and i might play around with making some fancier wing nuts..hopefully i can start polishing the assembly by the weekend. Time to get black and dirty!

[11Budlite]

Looks nice Robert!! :cooldude:

[southwind25]

Alrighty, project 1 completed!.. geez polishing big bits of aluminum is such a mess, lol.

Funny the most expensive thing here was those fancy wing nuts.

the whole windscreen including supplies and the 2 bullet mirrors cost me about 175$.

 

Might have to wear some better sunglasses now though.

 

 

 

now onto painting the wheels..

Edited February 16, 2010 by southwind25

[Mike Rohaley]

It looks capital BEA....utiful! Very nice workmanship.

 

Painting the wheels huh? What color? We may not recognize it without the eX-D logos.

[southwind25]

Once again, being a copycat..

i am planning on a charcoal black color.

theres nothing really bad about the existing silver, but i think the brake dust black would be bad azz. especially if i keep the chrome knock offs.

 

I REALLY want a set of panasport/minlite style.. but humbly just not in the budget.

 

now dont get me wrong...we are not just making her purdy.. we hope that windscreen cuts the air a bit better at higher speeds. if anything it IS several pounds lighter!

 

Oh and THANKS Mike.. that day in your shop really helped!

[JohnCh]

Wow, that does look great! The skill level of people on this forum never ceases to amaze me.

 

-John

[S1Steve]

Robert,

That looks great, looks like Birkin made it in the factory. Very well made.

 

 

 

MADE IN THE USA !!!!!!

Hope you and your lovely wife can make it to Carlisle this year, Steve

Edited February 16, 2010 by S1Steve

[DeanG]

You have as much surface area in the mirrors as in the windscreens. Are you planning on being passed much?

[11Budlite]

Nice job Robert, it looks beautiful!!

[southwind25]

You have as much surface area in the mirrors as in the windscreens. Are you planning on being passed much?

 

Well thats a good point actually.. i deperatly looked for some smaller "bullet" style mirrors but couldnt find anything. These are the same type that were on my original windshield. I saw the nice small carbon fibre ones but they looked out of place to me. i also looked at possibly some billet style motorcycle ones but again they were all funky shaped. Also played with the idea of converting a bullet shaped side marker into a mirror..

 

If anyone knows of small bullet mirrors i am VERY open to changing them.

 

now it can also be said with that little 1600 kent crossflow and rock rubber tires i go so slow anyways i NEED those big mirrors..because i will be getting passed quiet often!

[southwind25]

hey Mike R.

 

Would buying you and Jen a dinner..be a good trade for some scrap aluminum sheet and perhaps roller-bender time at your shop?

 

I need to start another aluminum project. I need to build myself a set of seats.

if we are going to do this British reliability run.. i MUST do something. My old arse wont take it in that distance in the terrible seats i have. And since Mary can sew some upholstery.

[Mike Rohaley]

Is this what you are thinking of building? Sure, send me some info on what you are looking for. We should be able to accomodate nicely.

[southwind25]

Mike who's seat is that? havnt seen that one.

But yes.. something like that.

I have also been looking at some of the "kirkey" designs.

 

I dont know how to roll the edges, but a door edge would do fine.

maybe out of .1 thickness? or something close?

 

I cant afford what i want, and have it fit, so might as well make my own.

Thanks Mike, Will talk to you more about it at the CALL march lotus meeting.

[Mike Rohaley]

That seat can be found at http://www.vintage31.com.

 

I don't have the tooling to tightly edge-roll 12ga. so either annealing and hammer forming or welding round stock to the edges will be needed. I have a couple pieces that may make a nice foundation, I will bring them Sunday.

[BMW RACER]

Those Vintage 31 seats look interesting. Does anyone have any experience with them?

[Mike Rohaley]

No, but I bet they are colder than any leather seat on a Cleveland winter morning and will brand you on a hot summer day. The price we pay for style I suppose.......

[southwind25]

Well, ocassionally when we wear our clothes driving, the freeze-burn isnt much of a problem.

sorta dont stick your tongue to a frozen flag pole...

 

Anyways.... =)

 

Mary will do her part and sew up some really nice covers/upholstery for whatever shell i can come up with. Maybe even do some custom embroidery into it. nice black with yellow piping would be sharp!

(besides i gotta do something to make mine look diffrenet than yours now!)

[Mike Rohaley]

I was just about to add knock-offs too! If I did that one of us might accidentally jump into the wrong car on the next drive.

 

Hmmmm......yellow piping? I think I like the sound of it.

[powderbrake]

When looking for seats, check out

http://www.ultrashieldrace.com

 

Prices are reasonable, lots of widths. I have the Drag seats in my Ultralite