Marine7 Posted July 20, 2010 Share Posted July 20, 2010 Greetings all, I thought it time I properly introduced myself. My name is Jason and this is my car. His name is Barry Bensen the Birkin (my kids love the "Bee Movie"). This is my third post. The first was to offer for sale my first Birkin which is now owned and vastly improved by Might Mike. I sold that car to make way for this car. It came to me as a roller that sat for a few years in CT before being sold to Bruce aka Budlight. Bruce then sold the car on to me after just a few months of ownership. Well that was right around the first of the year. So far I've cleaned the motor, fitted the T-9, and have finally fitted it into the car. Still a long way to go, but with each passing week a few more things come together. A few details on my Birkin S3: Serial No: 1986 Manufacture Year: 2001 Outlaw 4 pot front brakes Ford 2.0 Liter Zetec 3 Fidanza lightweight flywheel Spec 3 clutch Fidanza Adj cam gears Raceline sump To be fitted: Jevey Throttle bodies Emerald ECU Innovate Wide Band 02 Located in hot and humid Houston, Texas Regards Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted July 20, 2010 Share Posted July 20, 2010 Nice car, nice garage, nice tool chest, (very) nice bike (Triumph, 1950's?). You are making progress. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMike Posted July 20, 2010 Share Posted July 20, 2010 Jason, You've made a lot of progress since I last saw Barry Bensen. Thanks for the update. Sorry to hear about your problems with the alternator. My 10-year old daughter officially renamed my Birkin "Cheryl". Because of my injury, I cannot work on the car, but have a couple of friends helping out. I'll post photos shortly. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marine7 Posted July 20, 2010 Author Share Posted July 20, 2010 Mike, The progress is slow but I really enjoy the head scratching. I do miss being able to enjoy a blat when things at work get the best of me. You've really made giant leaps with Cheryl. I cant wait to see the finished product. Take care of that back. Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marine7 Posted July 20, 2010 Author Share Posted July 20, 2010 Kitcat, Thanks for the compliments. The bike is a 1953 BSA C10L. I bought it as a basket case about 10 yrs ago and did a total frame off on it. It's not much to ride as a 250cc side valve motor only makes about 5hp. Wouldnt want much more than that since it's got 4inch drum brakes and stopping takes a LONG time... I love the look of your car. So much so that I've obtained a set of clamshells and just ordered my brookland screens last week. I'd love to get a larger picture of your car if you have one avail. I might bother you in the future to get some rough measurements to help me locate my clams to the body. (I'm leaving them off till the end of the build) Cheers Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted July 20, 2010 Share Posted July 20, 2010 (edited) Thx, Jayson. I am a big fan of the clams too. They just look right to me on these old style cars. Never had the much-discussed and much-dreaded front end lift either, tho top speed on my horsepower limited car is abt 105-108 mph. Your Zetec will push you along much faster tho, esp if you go to Brookland screens. I recently posted elsewhere on the the availability of Brooklands on a site in England called "woolies trim", just google it. Called an "aeroscreen" on their site. Much (much) cheaper than the Caterham version (mite even be the same AFAIK). I am happy to send measurements re location, when needed. There was just a discussion on the usa@se7ens.net mailing list about excellent results people were having just gluing them on with some new product. I had a 7 hp Vespa that I bought new in '62. It had a stopping distance that rivaled your BSA. Was also the most unstable vehicle I ever rode, but loads of fun Mike Edited July 20, 2010 by Kitcat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiwiBirkin Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 Jason nice car and a great name too. Your lucky to be allowed clamshells as in NZ they are not allowed on any new cars any more in the Seven style of cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11Budlite Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 Nice looking car Jason. Where did you get the clamshells from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marine7 Posted July 21, 2010 Author Share Posted July 21, 2010 Bruce, I picked up the clams from Graeme Gee, a fellow board member who was parting out some of his extra Cat parts last winter. Cheers Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMike Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 How's your Birkin coming along Jason? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southwind25 Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 Sweet Birkin... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marine7 Posted April 1, 2012 Author Share Posted April 1, 2012 Over the past year, Barry Benson (aka 2002 Birkin No 1986) and family have relocated to Fairfield County, Connecticut. Its taken me months of piddling (15 minutes here, 15 there) but I've finally reached the point that I can say the car is finished! Yesterday I installed the wideband 02 sensor, successfully talked to the ECU and laptop so now its time to get some road miles (and closed loop motoring for those of you with Emerald ECU's). I've temporarily abandoned the clamshell idea due to issues with brackets (long story), but kept the brooklands and solo style roll hoop. Ultimately I'm trying to get the look of a old school raceer... I've still got to clean up my wiring a bit, mount an oil catch can and install the passenger seat. Looks like I'm just in time for spring! I am not looking forward to the Connecticut DMV. If anyone has advice, I'm all ears. Here are some shots from today: Happy motoring! Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marine7 Posted April 1, 2012 Author Share Posted April 1, 2012 photos did upload, here goes again: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 Nice. I like the single roll hoop look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wemtd Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Looks great Jason, now you just need some road dirt - you should check in with budlite. As i understand he's got the necessary bumpers and inspection bits... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Congratulations on the move and getting your car finished. Like me you will be heading north and west for your seven driving. Hudson River valley has lots of nice roads for sevens. In your area, apart from Bruce (Budlite) with his Birkin there is also Bryce (Bster) who has a Stalker and Andy (Pinballking) who has 2 Westfields and a Locost at last count. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiwiBirkin Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Nice Birkin love the Yellow/Green combo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marine7 Posted April 2, 2012 Author Share Posted April 2, 2012 Yep, I need to meet up with Budlight (Bruce) in person. I purchased the car as a roller from him about 2 yrs ago. He's a true gentleman and has been a wealth of info during my build. Rural connecticut is a drivers paradise compared with SE Texas. Nice cool temps arent bad either. In fact, I've just about talked myself into a blat (with or without plates) this next weekend... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11Budlite Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Hi Jason, The Birkin looks great! Here's a thread documenting what I went through when I registered my car back in 2007: [/url]http://usa7s.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1395&highlight=bumper&page=2 Some things have changed since 2007 but hopefully you won't have to go through emissions. Here's some info from the CT-DMV: http://www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view.asp?a=804&q=244898 See the note at the end of the following paragraph: "Effective August 1, 2008 all composite vehicles (except motorcycles) presented for a composite inspection will be required to be equipped with the following emissions systems based on the year of manufacture of the engine used in construction. Emissions controls must match the year of the engine used in the composite vehicle. Documented proof of engine year must be provided by the applicant. This information will be verified for accuracy and the presence of all required components will be verified during the inspection. Note: This requirement will not apply to vehicles with engines purchased prior to August 1, 2008. Documented proof of engine year and purchase date must still be provided at time of inspection." I'm sure when I bought the car from Pat P. he had a receipt for the purchase of the engine from the junkyard. I think it was an engine from a 2001 Focus with 29k miles if I remember correctly. I should have given you all that paperwork when I sold you the car. Here's a link with composite vehicle inspection requirements: http://www.ct.gov/dmv/LIB/dmv/20/29/R-157.pdf Other people have registered their Sevens without bumpers so I think I just got an inspector that wanted to be a PITA! How are you going to get it to the DMV? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marine7 Posted April 2, 2012 Author Share Posted April 2, 2012 Bruce, Thanks very much. I'm hoping the paperwork I've got will suffice in proving the engine was purchased prior to 2008. What I dont have is a receipt for the tranny specifically, so I'm bracing for the worst. According to the DMV, I am required to make an appointment with an inspector and am required to tow the vehicle to the only inspection site in central Ct. The DMV regs specifically say that "no wheel of the vehicle may touch the ground until an inspection is completed..." So now I need to procure a trailer for my inspection. This should be a real adventure! Cheers Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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