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1 more member for usa7s, four more tires for the twisties!


notakit

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I'd like to thank everyone who has complimented my 7 project, especially Martin Keller (MHKflyer52) for Oregon's registration advise! He probably save me 24 hours of headache!

 

As soon as I shovel the snow from my driveway I'll role the operating table out and take a few more progress photos. Its a good thing these are such tiny cars because I'm building this in a tiny, condo sized garage! Technically I'm not allowed to "work" on any car according to my rental agreement. My translation its not technically a car until its been officially registered as a car, right?

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I've decided to build my 7 with its steering rack behind the front axle for three reasons; 1. because it cleans up the look of the car by eliminating rubber boots sticking out of the body and the tie-rods up front 2. it shifts that weight to behind the front contact patch 3. it shaves a little more weight off the car because said rack and its housing must be shortened at least 10". (This is the same way early 7's were built.)

 

I picked up a Morris 1000 steering rack yesterday which is a mirror image to the late year MG Midgets, identical in length and travel. The only difference is the pinion is located below the rack when the rack is behind the axle i.e. Morris and the pinion is located above the rack when the rack is in front of the axle like Midgets. Disassembling the steering rack shows the shortening process won't be too difficult. These racks have a threaded hole at each end where the tie-rod attaches. Simply cut, thread and machine the keyway slots for the original lock-ring on the non-drive side. I'm unsure if the housing is a press fit or threaded into the cast ends. Either way it shouldn't be too hard to disassemble it.

 

The next challenge will be designing the steering assembly NOT to have any bumpsteer. I'll work that out tomorrow.

 

I added a few more picts on my album pertaining to this steering rack.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I love that philosophy Mondo! I remember a scene from the old movie Gumball Rally where a guy with an Italian accent rips the rear view mirror from the windshield, tosses it over his shoulder and calmly says "whats behind me doesn't matter". If thats where you're getting it from we're both officially old!

 

In all seriousness, I don't have any plans to put a rollbar in the car but I can always bolt one in latter.

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Yep, old enough to remember that movie... just figured with your two-wheeled experience it would be difficult to not push a car this fun once in a while.

 

Keep up the good work, anticipating a very nice 7

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You're right Mondo. I'm wise enough to know my personality when it comes to anything with wheels. A really good friend I grew up with said it best "you still have a competitive hatred towards anyone in front of you." This started with road racing bicycles in the early 80's and continued through several sportbikes. The superbike era ended in the late 90's then I returned to bicycles. I raced single speed mountain bikes in Oregon 2002 before learning how to ski and play rugby. Several broken bones wiser, I've decide to take it easy with a humble Lotus 7. How much trouble can I get in with such a little car? (I'm thinking about potential mounting locations for a roll bar.)

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