MadCat52

Slip of the fingers, edited to hasn't!

See https://www.lotus7.club/forum/techtalk/failed-throttle-cable-again for one I did a couple of years back. Cable hasn't failed since ... or is that tempting fate!!! Bob

Link to ebay item https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Caterham-Road-Sport-2016-2018-right-driver-side-convex-wing-mirror-glass-818RS/391957855106?epid=10005286094&hash=item5b42823b82:g:0DwAAOSwYNxaU3sw (Just to confirm I have no links with the ebay seller). Yes, also fitted driver side: (For some reason can't load photo right way up!!!)

Yes they were the ones off eBay. Process is: a) remove mirrors from side screens; b) separate the clip on bezel from mirror housing using two small screwdrivers - start in a corner underneath in case you leave a slight mark on the bezel c) unstick the old mirror glass from the housing d) this is were I went wrong the first time and broke two mirrors! Instead of putting the new glass in the mirror housing, place the bezel upside down on a table, site the new glass in the bezel - make sure it's fully in the bezel, then still on the table take off the sticky backing from the new glass before offering the mirror body to the bezel to click into place. e) refit to car

Thanks John. I really wanted to keep the original feature of being able to open the door fully onto the bonnet. Best £15 / 20 mins upgrade I've done ... although it actually cost me £30 as my initial ham fisted attempt managed to break the first two mirrors - lessons learnt available if anyone else wants to try. Bob Original Convex

Just returned from the clubs Dutch Delights tour - my first european driving experience in a Seven. A great tour on great roads - no pot holes! One thing I'd like to do for any future foreign adventures is to improve the mirrors - the standard near-side mirror is practically useless when pulling onto motorways. Has anyone replaced the standard mirror glass with convex mirrors? Failing that, I do remember back in the 80s I could purchase stick on mini convex mirrors to stick in the corner of the standard door mirror. Bob

Update on my post #88 above. Having run both the Uniroyal Rain Experts and the Toyo R888Rs over the past year, I have to say I've been very impressed with the R888Rs. They have much more grip in the dry and surprisingly (given the limited tread in comparison to the Uniroyals), have very good grip in the wet including standing water - close to the A021s I use to run. Whether the wet grip declines markedly as they wear down, I'll have to wait and see. Bob (Car is Roadsport SV 1.8K/140bhp)

Order placed with Tanya - thanks both

I need to replace my aging (and ailing!) banner battery - prefer to do a like-for-like swap. Suggestions please for mail order or SE supplier. Couldn't see any club member special offers (link to Battery Pitstop no longer working) or anything in the recent archives. Thanks Bob

After a tip off from Redline, I've had a couple of sets done at TyreMark in Caterham (http://www.tyremark.co.uk/). They used to do all the tyres for Caterham cars when they were based in Caterham town. If, like me, you buy/supply the tyres yourself it's £15/tyre. Ask for Anthony. Bob

My thanks also to James and the team for the significant work that has been put into updating the trackday safety requirements. Particularly grateful that temptation has been averted to update the TSSR with even greater mandatory restrictions (e.g. compulsory side impact bars), and that these have been confined to a 'recommendations' section. Slight concern that at some point in the future the 'what if/liability' argument could put pressure on these to become mandatory requirements? It's a similar concern to the now mandatory requirement to use halo's on F1 cars - how long before that becomes compulsory on lessor formulas? Great sympathy with Emma and others who are looking to try before committing to considerable expense and hope the club can find a way to help those making the transition - invest in a couple of club owned trackday cars that can be booked out maybe? Novices could use non L7C trackdays, but I've avoided these for a few reasons: a) you miss out on the club/ownership comradery and assistance b) the standard of driving i.e. avoiding the 'enthusiastic' GTi youth c) When/if things go wrong, I've marveled at how well our cars survive in car to car crashes I've seen watching caterham racing on TV or at trackside - I suspect mainly because of the similar masses involved. Not sure I'd want to be T-boned by another trackday car weighing 2 or 3 times more! Bob

Silverstone this year, 12 yo ZV3's, felt like I was driving on ice, span twice - proof here (watch from 14:52 for the horror show!). Never again. ZV3's gone and replaced with sticky R888Rs

That was us - on our way out to Bewl Water to enjoy a picnic in the sun

I've just purchased a set of Toyo R888Rs to replace my AO21s and reckon they're as good as if not better in the damp stuff.

It's an EU3 but I'll double check the cover tightness and the alternator bracket next time. Yep, using 5W-50 as spec. Still have the standard electrical (hopeless!) oil pressure guage which has always shown low oil pressure - red to 2 bar max. Is there a way/piece of kit to reliably test the oil pressure at the top end without resorting to the full mechanical guage conversion?

2005 K Series 1.8 with about 26K miles. Top end light noise, almost a rattle, under light load conditions; occurs when both cold and hot; disappears when under heavier loads. No appearance of loss of power. My first thoughts are something around the hydraulic tappets - do they fail? Before diving in, grateful for thoughts on what else it might be? Thanks Bob

Quick update on my tyres. I previously purchased a set of Uniroyal Rain Expert 3s (185/70 R13) - initial comments in post #29 above. As I have two sets of wheels, I've now also purchased a set of Toyo R888Rs (185/60 R14) in preparation for a couple of track days. First blat out today and the difference to the Uniroyals is marked. The R888Rs inspire a lot more confidence than the Uniroyals in all areas (braking, turning in, accelerating) - and I haven't yet pushed them to their limit as they're new and I'd like to 'run them in' before testing their limits. Will be interested to see how they perform in the wet given the limited tread pattern. One really interesting aspect is that the R888Rs (at 15kg/wheel) weigh a lot more than the Uniroyals (11.5kg/wheel). Even allowing for the difference in wheels size (both sets of wheels are standard Minators KN) that's still quite a difference - 14kg per set of 4. Personally, I'm happy that the performance/weight advantages favour the R888Rs. Just need to return the bathroom scales before the missus finds out what I've been using them for Bob PS - Edited as I've now driven in the wet on the R888Rs for a couple of days and am very impressed for what are essentially a semi-slick tyre. No problems at all on damp road surfaces and even when driving through standing water, no major dramas - yes car floats a little, but that's to be expected with a light-weight car and standing water at speed. Dare I say it ... as good as if not better than the Yokohama AO21Rs I had previously! Highly recommended for anyone wanting a 14" tyre.

Had my Uniroyal Rain Expert 3's for about 2 months. They're fitted to 13 inch wheels (185/70 R13). Haven't had a chance to try them in the wet yet, but generally good grip for general road use. When subjected to extreme braking/acceleration/steering etc they tend to lose traction a lot easier than my old AO21R's, so maybe not a performance tyre that I'd use on a track day? They are still relatively new so maybe with a bit more running they'll improve? Bob

Green with yellow strip Spotted Tuesday 27/6 at the Whyteleafe roundabout with half-hood and full luggage - going to Donnington?

About to put the 7 in for it's MOT having done the Aeroscreen conversion. Any advice on things to look out for if going in with an aeroscreen e.g. mirror requirements, whether the remaining wiper spindles need covers etc?

Order placed, thanks Simon.

Anyone?

Anyone know where I can source an SV aeroscreen? I know Meteor do a clear one (https://www.meteormotorsport.com/shop/caterham/aeroscreens-carbon-mirrors/clear-aeroscreen-sv-csr/ ), just looking for good quality alternatives, clear or otherwise. Thanks Bob

Made my own (see https://www.lotus7.club/forum/chitchat/help-anyone-welding-gear-caterham-area). To be honest, although happy with the build, I was disappointed with the results as found minimal reduction in buffeting - placing my hand around my head whilst on the move to detect the airflow suggests the airflow/backwash from the turbulence caused by the windscreen isn't coming from behind the car as first thought, but coming down before it reaches the draft excluder. It could be that the long cockpit/SV configuration doesn't lend itself to this positioning and I need to think about something much closer to the headrests ... or drive faster ... or go aeroscreen Bob

I was going to go for the Toyo R888R's then Stephen posted https://www.lotus7.club/forum/techtalk/nankang-ar1-track-day-tyre-compared-wth-r888r-and-zzr and now I'm dithering again!!!