DB6 Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Are clams going the way of flared trousers? I just noticed that cycles are becoming the norm now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 I hope not. My car came with cycle wings but I love the look of the clams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinnyG Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Build it the way ~you~ want it. Others' opinions be damned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 I have run clams, fenders and just plain old exposed tires. Looking back, I miss the look of the clams from the driver's seat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DB6 Posted March 12, 2009 Author Share Posted March 12, 2009 I guess there are pros and cons to both, the reason I raised this point was that I noticed (and I could be wrong here) that all newer 7,s seem to be running cycles.I do not even see a full wing option buying new on the CatUSA site. Some say there is more lift at speed on a clam, I have experienced that, plus if you have clams from stock you will always have the bolt holes to deal with if you decide to switch. I think it really is a close call, I think there is def a classic look to a full wing but there is also something about watching your front wheels turn and bounce up and down. Is there more road crap thrown up via the cycles ? Any other pros and cons to consider? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 road crap is an equal opportunity offender in my opinion. I think the best way to stop it is to put mini mud-flaps on, like John CH has on his car, or to have the rear fender slightly slanted to the outside, instead of square - so the rocks bounce to the outside. You're right... not many new car options with clamshells. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 According to what I read, Germany required cycle fenders on Sevens, so they were offered as an option by Caterham for that market. Then they caught on and, finally, so few clam fendered cars were sold, that the only choice from Caterham now is cycle fenders. I have clams and prefer the look to the cycle fenders. I have not had any problem with front end lift, probably because my car doesn't go fast enough for it to be an issue:). I have driven clam fendered Sevens and love watching the front suspension work. Grit lands in my car if the side screens are not attached. When I went from regular tires to a much softer race compound tire, the amount of grit in the cockpit went way up. As did the amount or road rash on the rear fenders. It's worth the trade off to me because I see the Seven as being all about handling and grip. The car is so light that tire wear is minimal, even on race tires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowss7 Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 When I ordered my car in 2000, I wanted the clams, but I also wanted the Wide Track front suspension which at the time was only available with cycle wings. Althought they said they had never done one that way they compiled. I understand that in 2000 or 2001 that they only made a very limited number of cars (less than 5 I think) with clams. But I haven't heard that they no longer offer them. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanG Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 For me, watching the front suspension and wheels move is a great part of the fun of a Se7en. It helps me dream of F1 in the 60s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DB6 Posted March 13, 2009 Author Share Posted March 13, 2009 (edited) I have the ole clams, I guess I like em. Kinda funky late 50's Brit racer look, but they are a bitch for stress cracks on the hanger points, plus when you are working on the car it is all too easy to forget they are papier-mache, (so do a lot of ppl near the car, I had one girl sit on one last year... well I should re-phrase that..I did not have a super model that wanted to pose'''it was a heifer at a car show who felt she could sit on it while her pic was taken by her even heavier boyfriend. I have to say, even tho I like the MG TD look ,(Mr Chapman you little Tea Leaf you) ] By the way, I get rock chips in my hair everytime I go out, damn they put so much grit down this year it,s nasty. I really do not even think about it in my beater but pulling into the center lane to take a left on a little used road feels like I am the target of a group of hidden Japanese snipers. I think if I prefer cycles. Edited March 13, 2009 by DB6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 (edited) ....road crap is an equal opportunity offender in my opinion. I think the best way to stop it is to put mini mud-flaps on, like John CH has on his car..... I have had such mud flaps for a few years now and I have split feelings about it. I believe they may reduce the debris thrown directly onto the rear wings. However, I suspect they do 2 other things...... Although these thick rubber flaps (cut-down truck flaps) are pretty stiff and practically touching the ground they lift just enough while driving to still throw rocks onto the wing protectors, maybe even bouncing off the ground. At least my originally polished stainless wing protectors are pretty much sandblasted after a few years. Once a while I can see small rocks flying from the *front* edge of the wings and yes they do hit the windscreen and cause pits. I am not sure if these are just released from the tire while going around under the wing or if the mud flaps even contribute to this effect. In any case, I end up with a pretty good rock collection after a blat (or a nice rubber collection after a track day) even with the mud flaps. Gert P.S.: I am not exactly sure where I took this pic. But it appears (and funny enough) that John Ch.'s red Westfield is right behind my car. Edited March 13, 2009 by slomove Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DB6 Posted March 13, 2009 Author Share Posted March 13, 2009 Hi Gert, Yeah I here ya, but the flaps look ugly hey? By the way, you have a lot of slots in your bonnet, is that stock? Regards David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powderbrake Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 road crap is an equal opportunity offender in my opinion. I think the best way to stop it is to put mini mud-flaps on, like John CH has on his car, I added a set of mudflaps to the bottom of the front fenders. It didn't do much to stop the gravel in the car, and actually made it worse. The gravel would hit the flap, bounce around between the tire and fender, and come SHOOTING out the FRONT of the fender. Now the gravel would hit me in the face. I removed the flaps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DB6 Posted March 13, 2009 Author Share Posted March 13, 2009 Jerry, If I come across a pair of WW2 pilot goggles and a helmet and face mask, damn even a warm leather flight jacket I think I will buy one; I mean if we cared how we looked we would not be driving "roller skates" right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Hi Gert, Yeah I here ya, but the flaps look ugly hey? By the way, you have a lot of slots in your bonnet, is that stock? Regards David Well, don't know, they are black and barely visible anyway.... The many louvers in the bonnet are probably stock nowadays with Birkins. Originally the car did not have that many but after I lost the bonnet on the freeway I got this one as replacement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 I added a set of mudflaps to the bottom of the front fenders. It didn't do much to stop the gravel in the car, and actually made it worse. The gravel would hit the flap, bounce around between the tire and fender, and come SHOOTING out the FRONT of the fender. Now the gravel would hit me in the face. I removed the flaps. Interesting....confirms my suspicion. Maybe I should take them off, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskossie Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 The Caterham fiberglass clams are just barely wide enough to cover a wide-track suspension, so I think most people with the w/t go with cycle fenders. Also, as noted, several European countries require the cycle fenders. So clams are not common now. Years ago, I rode in a Seven in D.C. that had clams, with a 1-inch square aluminum spacer tube to move them outward a bit. Rif (Richard in France), the carbon fiber guru, has designed the molds to make carbon fiber wide-track clams, but he says he hasn't got time now to actually make them up. I think he'd find a ready market. If he ever does produce them, I'll be first in line! I definitely like the "Prisoner" look of the clams, and the lines of the Seven with clams, and the top up and the spare tire out back, is definitely super-retro -- just what I'm looking for! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 The mud flaps definitely made things better in my car. Powderbrake, I suspect part of the reason you had increased debris thrown out the front may have something to do with the size and location of the your WCM cycle wings. If you look at where the front ends on this picture of your car, it is just forward of the vertical centerline of the wheel, whereas the front of my car's wings extend much further forward and covers more of the tire. Regarding cycle vs swept wings, I’ve had both. Although I love the more vintage look of swept wings, I was sold on the cycle fenders the first time I drove down a winding road with them in place. For me, seeing the front wheels rise and fall with the bumps and turn into the corners adds to the driving involvment. http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070112_150149_5.JPG -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowss7 Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 You guys that are watching your cycle wings go up and down are either not looking far enough ahead or you are driving waaay too slow. ;>) Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Or we have outstanding peripheral vision -John 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