scannon Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 Its a really nice day here today, nearly 70F and no wind so needing a new brake light switch I decided to take the Caterham and see what the new store looks like. It was the first blat of any distance with the new Brooklands screens on the car. The first blat was about 6 miles at 25F. Needless to say, it was not a pleasant experience. Today was great. The location is much nicer than the old place and they actually have a large sign that says "Caterham USA" above the entrance. Layout inside is much the same as before but the shop looks to be a bit smaller. There were three R500s and one SCR undergoing assembly in the shop. Jon wasn't there but Cody is back working there part time. The brake light switch is the cheapest Caterham part I have ever purchased at $8.20. Bessy is no longer there and Cody didn't know what had happened to her. Does anyone know the story? Al? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskossie Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 Skip, So is Ben W. no longer associated with Caterham USA at all? Did you wear a helmet for your Brooklands blat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted March 7, 2012 Author Share Posted March 7, 2012 Skip, So is Ben W. no longer associated with Caterham USA at all? Did you wear a helmet for your Brooklands blat? Ben and his father are no longer part of the business. I don't know just what happened. I wore my leather Snoopy helmet today on the blat. I used a crash helmet on Saturday when it was 25F on the way to the Cars & Coffee. I took the Caterham home after that and used the Miata for the Lotus club trip to the Bugatti shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klasik-69 Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 Taking interest in this since I'll be taking off the full windshield and puting on the aeroscreen in short order. I was wondering what I'd wear to protect my eyes/head. I was thinking goggles for the eyes, worried that sun glasses may not be enough if a rock or something like that were to fly up. Then I thought about the rest of my head, not that there's much inside to damage, but it could render me even more useless. Wearing my helmet may be a bit over the top. How many people are at the Caterham shop ? Being in Florida, I only talk to Jon, and if he's out, the phone just rings and rings, so I thought it was a one-man shop. While I'm asking a bunch of stupid questions, do these cars come assembled body wise (I know the buyer drops in the powertrain) or does the buyer have to assemble the components to the chassis as well ? I bought mine from a previous owner so I bypassed this phase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 Taking interest in this since I'll be taking off the full windshield and puting on the aeroscreen in short order. I was wondering what I'd wear to protect my eyes/head. I was thinking goggles for the eyes, worried that sun glasses may not be enough if a rock or something like that were to fly up. Then I thought about the rest of my head, not that there's much inside to damage, but it could render me even more useless. Wearing my helmet may be a bit over the top. On backroads I use a pair of polycarbonate safety glasses (over my regular glasses). However, on interstates, I tried the same and felt a little exposed and took a pebble in the forehead from a truck adding to my craggy good looks. Since then I have avoided interstates with the aeroscreen tending to use the windscreen for any long runs down the turnpike. It is easy to switch the windscreen and aeroscreen back and forth if you have the captive nut brackets fitted. Takes about 10 mins for me to do it by myself. I put socks over the end of the windscreen brackets to avoid scratching the paintwork. Do these cars come assembled body wise (I know the buyer drops in the powertrain) or does the buyer have to assemble the components to the chassis as well ? I bought mine from a previous owner so I bypassed this phase. The chassis comes out of the crate looking like this. No suspension, engine, transmission, axle, steering column, etc. The seats are just sitting in there not bolted in. http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/Colorado%20April%202011/DSC_5410_edited-1.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted March 7, 2012 Author Share Posted March 7, 2012 Taking interest in this since I'll be taking off the full windshield and puting on the aeroscreen in short order. I was wondering what I'd wear to protect my eyes/head. I was thinking goggles for the eyes, worried that sun glasses may not be enough if a rock or something like that were to fly up. Then I thought about the rest of my head, not that there's much inside to damage, but it could render me even more useless. Wearing my helmet may be a bit over the top. How many people are at the Caterham shop ? Being in Florida, I only talk to Jon, and if he's out, the phone just rings and rings, so I thought it was a one-man shop. While I'm asking a bunch of stupid questions, do these cars come assembled body wise (I know the buyer drops in the powertrain) or does the buyer have to assemble the components to the chassis as well ? I bought mine from a previous owner so I bypassed this phase. So far I have been using wrap around sunglasses made by DeWalt with the Brooklands screens. They are safety glasses and they make them with the bifocal area so I can read the gauges. They are safety glasses but I am planning on getting some aviator goggles. Those along with the leather helmet should do a pretty good job of protecting my face. I am looking through the Brooklands screens so I'm probably getting more bug and rock protection than if I had an aeroscreen. There are now two people working in the Caterham USA shop, Jon and Cory. Both are part time and when they are working on an engine or car they don't always stop to answer the phone although the two times I called yesterday Cory answered quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim F. Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 Hi, Skip; Two years ago I visited my son who lives in Wheat Ridge, and we drove to Caterham/Denver on two consecutive days, Tue. & Wed, finding it closed with no indication of anyone around or any crates on the property. With no visible signage on the exterior of the building, I wasn't even sure I'd found the right address. The phone rang but no one answered, not even an answering machine. Can you give me their new address, as we're probably going to make another trip there this year? Also, Skip, would you mind if I gave you a call when we're there to meet you and see your Caterham and workshop that others have visited? Seems like a hub of "7" activity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted March 7, 2012 Author Share Posted March 7, 2012 Hi, Skip; Two years ago I visited my son who lives in Wheat Ridge, and we drove to Caterham/Denver on two consecutive days, Tue. & Wed, finding it closed with no indication of anyone around or any crates on the property. With no visible signage on the exterior of the building, I wasn't even sure I'd found the right address. The phone rang but no one answered, not even an answering machine. Can you give me their new address, as we're probably going to make another trip there this year? Also, Skip, would you mind if I gave you a call when we're there to meet you and see your Caterham and workshop that others have visited? Seems like a hub of "7" activity. Hi Jim, The new Caterham USA shop is located at: 14700 W 66th PL, #4 Arvada, CO 80004 66th Place is just off Indiana. Phone is the same as before: 303-765-0247 Please do give me a call when you plan to be in the area. We might even be able to scare up a few Se7ens and go for a blat. My number is 303 661 9914. This goes for anyone on here, I always enjoy meeting the good people on this forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breezy7 Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 Klasik-69: here is a link that will show you what the build process is like. I used a few times when I had questions during my build. http://thecaterhamproject.com/ The California Caterham Club site and Caterham UK used to have a build guide available for down load if you are interested. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klasik-69 Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 (edited) Hey guys, thanks for all the info. I apologize for the stupid questions but I really know very little about these cars and how they get to be what they are. I sure do enjoy driving the little bugger. I've already gotten a ton of help from this forum and its members. Skip clued me in the use of wheel adapters so I could use my Miata wheels. Many others have helped me with gearing and how to get more speed, and other ways of doing things I hadn't thought of. If I could find a snoopy type of leather helmet, coupled with a good set of motorcycle goggles, I think it would protect me enough to keep me from going blind and having any further brain damage. Edited March 7, 2012 by Klasik-69 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobone Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 I bought a good set of Halcyon driving goggles off ebay UK. They look like WW2 fighter pilot goggles. Good coverage, nice seal and a nice vintage look....mad dogs and englishmen! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 (edited) Check out this site... the helmets & goggles would go perfect with the Brooklands http://www.british-classics.com/Goggles.html Edited March 8, 2012 by Mondo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanG Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 The trouble is find cool looking (and cool temperature wise) goggles that fit over glasses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pureadrenalin Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 The trouble is find cool looking (and cool temperature wise) goggles that fit over glasses. No need.... http://prescriptiongoggles.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rnr Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 The trouble is find cool looking (and cool temperature wise) goggles that fit over glasses. I use Wiley X prescription sunglasses and find them fantastic. They are ballistic rated and with the facial seal attachment they do not let any wind or dust in. http://www.wileyx.com/motorcycle/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wemtd Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 http://www.flying-jacket.com/accessories.aspx or http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.ca/goggles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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