Wanted: Clamshell Wing supports

[Croc]

The nice thing about clamshells is they do save a lot of unsprung weight.

 

-John

 

Eh? Every clamshell I have seen attaches to the chassis/body which attaches to the suspension which is attached to springs before attaching to wheels. Did you mean cycle wings?

 

Have you had another big night on the town drinking ....again? :toetap05:

[JohnCh]

No drinking last night, and despite no more than 4 hours sleep any night last week, I still don't see the inaccuracy in my statement. The wheel assembly is considered unsprung weight. A cycle wing and its associated bracket attach to the wheel assembly, therefore they increase unsprung weight. The clamshell and bracket attaches to the body which is considered sprung weight. They don't add any unsprung weight. Therefore, all else being equal, a car with clamshells has less unsprung weight than a car with cycle wings -- i.e. comparatively there is a reduction/savings in unsprung weight

 

 

-John

[supersportsp]

John is right. Unsprung weight is the mass of the vehicle not supported by the springs. The clamshells are sprung weight, the cycle fenders (unless somehow attached to the body and not the suspension) are unsprung weight.

[Croc]

Ok - I was misreading your original statement and heading off in a different direction to what you were thinking. I needed expanded logic to get my brain into gear.

 

However, I don't think you are advocating taking a substantial sprung weight (and aero) penalty in a seven by installing clams in exchange for a slight weight advantage on an unsprung basis? Its like saving a penny in exchange for paying a dollar.

[yellowss7]

Clams are way cooler looking and definitely babe magnets. Plus they are a big help in High speed braking. :smash: Tom

[JohnCh]

However, I don't think you are advocating taking a substantial sprung weight (and aero) penalty in a seven by installing clams in exchange for a slight weight advantage on an unsprung basis? Its like saving a penny in exchange for paying a dollar.

 

Never said nor implied that. I just pointed out that if you are looking at the weight savings from the swap (which was the original question) that number comes with an asterisk. So Mike, exactly how much did you have to drink last night/this morning? :jester:

 

 

-John

[Croc]

Not enough drinks to keep up with you John! :jester:

 

 

 

oh and Tom....how come the babes all wanted to get in MY seven at Gettysburg?

[yellowss7]

Maybe because I was standing next to it? :smilielol5:

[JohnCh]

oh and Tom....how come the babes all wanted to get in MY seven at Gettysburg?

 

Maybe because I was standing next to it? :smilielol5:

 

I was thinking they all lost bets, or perhaps it was just pity, but I guess Tom's answer works too. :rofl:

[Kitcat]

Well, on the clams/babes issue, when I was at Gettysburg (with the above 2 reprobates) I had a "professional" woman literally beg for a ride (in the car I think). And Tom was nowhere around-it was all the power-of-the-clams:).

[Croc]

Professional woman? Power of the clams? I prefer wings thanks! :seeya:

[SevenAmerica]

I have an extra pair of new, unused original Caterham brackets... shoot me an email. Cheers, jd