jlumba81 Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 I had 7 gals in 3 gas cans and was getting an unexpected ~35mpg. Roadside bathroom breaks and gas fillups were a good chance to stretch my legs. I had the full weather top and doors on. I used an mp3 player w/ etymotic mc5 earbuds, they do a good job keeping road noise out. General rule that I don't really drink much on drives but have a couple bags of jerky to munch on. Oh btw the caterham seats tend to keep a bunch of water if you ever get caught in the rain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpcooper Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 I've got a set of black leather Caterham seats that were used for about 1,500 miles. They came out of an 2009 SV. I think they are bout 16" wide at the base, but can measure them if you are interested. Karl I could probably use those for a project I'm working on. Do you have a picture and could I get an idea what you'd like to get for them? Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notakit Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 I subscribe to the philosophy if you're thinking that much about your butt, you're not driving hard enough! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBEARDEN Posted October 21, 2011 Author Share Posted October 21, 2011 I may have a line on some Caterham seats...just wondering if there are any special installation issues...putting them into the Birkin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlumba81 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Other than clearance on the sides it should be pretty straightforward to install. The bottom cushion is removable and it exposed the seat frame and mounting points. Are you installing it w or wo the seat rails? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biquet1957 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Hello It is necessary to buy the seats with the rails. The rails birkin are dismountable thus, to remove the rails, to weld two steel 50mm/4 mm by seats between the cross-pieces. Then to place the seats to trace, drill the 4 holes by seats and to fix the seats. I put 1 hour to place the seats in Birkin. bye Peter from Belgium Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBEARDEN Posted October 23, 2011 Author Share Posted October 23, 2011 The seats I thought might work...will not...still looking for seats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBEARDEN Posted October 24, 2011 Author Share Posted October 24, 2011 I have two choices, the Birkin Sport Seats which come highly praised or a set of velour Caterham seats. Both come with bases. I have not pulled out the Birkin seats yet. I am quessing that the Birkin sets will not be difficult to install....but what about the Caterham seats. Someone mentioned welding? Not me. Both sets are new. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 There is no welding on my Caterham SV seats as far as the mounting goes. Just four bolts on each seat frame that go through the floor and some U shaped channels that are riveted to the underside of the floor. If you have the width to accommodate them it should be a no brainer. I really like the seats, more comfortable than any other Seven seats I have planted my butt in. Most first time passengers are surprised at the comfort of the seats as well as the ride of the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pksurveyor Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 The cloth Caterham seat is softer and hold you better than the leather Caterham seat. But it is harder to clean than the leather seat. Like Skip said, the seat is simple to install because the bottom is removable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Try sitting in the replacement Birkin seat before purchasing. I know the "improved" stock seats in my '09 Birkin are torture devices. I replaced (w/Cat seats) after abt 15 miles. No welding was needed, pure bolt-in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rzempel Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Mike, A trip down to Arlington, TX and a visit with Dick Brink at Texas Motor Works may be the best investment you can make in choosing a seat. He will probably have several options for you to try--though I'd call first to be sure. He'd probably also be able to help you fit new seats into your Birkin. Randall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biquet1957 Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Hello I spoke about sudures not to fix the rails on the aluminium bottom. The fact of placing U in lower part and of fixing them with rivets is a good thing but increases the risks to hang the bottom. the aluminium bottom is rivetted on the frame and the weight of the seats and the pilot pushes on the bottom. They are only rivets. I preferred welded two dishes per seat to reinforce I will place photographs later . Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biquet1957 Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 hello What you see on the photographs it is the seat assembled without the bottom. The bottom is photographed on the cap. And under the rails there is a weld steel part between the cross-pieces to reinforce the bottom. And for not that the seats go down with aluminium and the rivets. There are 6 screws to fix the framework of the seat on two rails 3 on each sides. And above to pose to you the bottom of the seat, simply deposited. the photographs are not very explanatory I did not have much light. Bye Peter http://nsa28.casimages.com/img/2011/10/25/mini_111025104428562646.jpg http://nsa28.casimages.com/img/2011/10/25/mini_111025104538260789.jpg http://nsa28.casimages.com/img/2011/10/25/mini_111025104618359454.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBEARDEN Posted November 3, 2011 Author Share Posted November 3, 2011 From the photo it looks like you mounted the seat runner to the front and welded a steel filler in to extend the runner to the metal crossbar...making the seat welded in at the front. Both of my seat have adjusters ...I cannot see how to get more than a bolt at each end of the base. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biquet1957 Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 Hello When the rails are placed on the wrought iron reinforcement as onto the photographs, it is possible to fix the bolts of front while drawing on the rail behind. On the other hand for the bolts of behind, it is necessary to place the bolt in the rail before positioning it on the bottom. The lower rail is right to receive the bolt for key of 13. And when you to tighten by lower part it does not turn. My English is very bad, but I have to dismount the seat and the photographs speak. There are 4 bolts by seats but the seat is fixed on the new steel cross-pieces. Peter http://nsa27.casimages.com/img/2011/11/05/mini_111105071602599861.jpg http://nsa28.casimages.com/img/2011/11/05/mini_111105071704681718.jpg http://nsa28.casimages.com/img/2011/11/05/mini_111105071752614284.jpg http://nsa27.casimages.com/img/2011/11/05/mini_111105071834955558.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biquet1957 Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 Still some photographs http://nsa28.casimages.com/img/2011/11/05/mini_111105071948830138.jpg http://nsa28.casimages.com/img/2011/11/05/mini_111105072416425617.jpg http://nsa27.casimages.com/img/2011/11/05/mini_11110507245488351.jpg 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