Gnockoff

Ahh, usable, makes sense now!!

It's difficult to describe exactly what the Starcom Shortie look like, but they have a shaped bit which fits inside the folds of your ear, this together with the ear buds help to hold everything in place. Once you have established the best fit through using the extra bits they send with the thing, you don't have to adjust it any more. The different ear buds are either plastic or foam. Again once you have selected which is best for you, that's it. No more fiddling. As I said, difficult to describe, perhaps others may add whatever I've missed out. Brian Edited by - Gnockoff on 9 Nov 2011 19:14:09

Just as an add on, I bought some Peltor Optime 3s from Arco originally planning to put the speakers and mike on to them, but having tried the Shortie ear set I now mainly use that on it's own. However, when we went to France this summer I put the Peltors over the top of the in ear set when we went on the Autoroute. Definitely no wind noise, sound levels from mike wound right down, low levels on ipod and comfortable too. On N and D roads I just used Shortie set. SWMBO just used Shortie all the time.

I have the 'shortie' in ear phones with mike. They come with different size ends to put on the ear piece so they don't fall out plus different ear buds including half size foam plugs. I have adapted full size foam earplugs just for additional ear protection. They don't fall out and work perfectly

I did the B&Q thing as well when one of mine broke. Brian

There is a product around called K seal or something very similar which is specifically for K series engines, might be worth a go. If that doesn't work and you need a replacement matrix it depends on the age of your car for the supplier, pre 2002 is Clayton, after 2002 then you need to find KL Automotive.

Don't forget some hearing protection as well Brian

I was in France during August where most of the fuel stations had 95 and 98 octane pumps as well as the clearly labelled 5% ethanol pumps. As long as you have a good look at the pump before you fill up I think you should be ok. Brian

Have done a couple of long trips in my seven including over 1500 miles in France this year and have looked at your very long list with dismay. Apart from the legal stuff, warning triangle, bulbs, etc; I took, spare thottle cable, didn't need, cable ties, didn't need, BMW bike tool kit plus adjustable spanner (pretty comprehensive) didn't need, spare oil, didn't need. My reasoning was that anything apart from tightening and topping up was down to RAC. I'm definitely not into major rebuilds on side of road. My only concern was I had forgotten spare keys so was very careful about what I did with the set I had. Brian

Heading eastbound this afternoon near J15/16, lane one taking it very easy, R300 on trailer behind motorhome. Orange in Bath in queue coming into town. We had been to wedding on Sat so were having leisurely drive home. My pal had suggested going to Castle Combe for historic m/cycle meet only to find out when we got there it was on Saturday, Doh!!!!!

Saturday pm, on the diversion through the village.

Thanks for Cibie info, looks like a job for the winter. They do look the business!! Brian

From looking online, I take it they are a straight swap, easy to do? Brian

I personally don't like the DRL on a 7, but everyone to their own, what I do like are the headlights on that Belgian 7, what are they? (sorry for thread highjack)

I would do as has been suggested and just carry on with your trip. The senders on Caterhams are notorious for going wrong whether water or oil so as long as the fan is working as it should then it's unlikely you will overheat. Not long after I bought my seven the water temp gauge started going all over the place, I, like you are now, was seriously concerned, stopped the car, called RAC and after they had gone all over the engine with their fancy temp reader was told to carry on. On taking back to Caterham South for warranty work they said not worry that it was anything serious and the sender would be the first thing they would think of. Have a great trip. Brian

Yes! and don't I know it. When the guy on the phone quoted the price I said 'you said that without laughing' he replied 'I'm used to it' Brian

I've just had the exact same problem. As for suppliers It very much depends on the age of your car as Clayton told me that they stopped supplying heaters to Caterham in about 2002/3, (mines a 2005 car). Caterham wouldn't tell me their supplier so had to bite the bullet and buy a new one (wince). When we took the old heater out there was a sticker with the suppliers name on (same as the present new heater) which I now can't recall, but is KT or KY Components or something similar. Brian

Going west through one of the Trading estates, we passed you when you stopped in a layby. Brian

Many thanks chaps, just what I needed. Will have a look at it over the weekend. I had a big gulp when I saw how much a new heater was from Caterham, at least I have a different source to try now. Brian

I found a couple of drops of water in the passenger footwell and another about to drop when I got home this afternoon. The one on the scuttle was pink, so have a horrible feeling that the heater matrix is leaking. I had switched the valve to off not long after I set off this morning, which probably accounts for the tiny amount of water showing. When I looked on the Caterham website, heaters are shown as out of stock. Is there a fix for this (I don't want to junk the heater). I should add that I've checked all the hoses, and they all look and feel ok with no obvious leaks in the engine compartment. I've never actually used the stuff, but Is Radweld any good? Thanks Brian

Many thanks for the info, extremely useful. I had not heard of Car Builder Solutions before so will look them up. As you say the pedal is just not long enough and it drives me nuts. Yours is the best answer to the problem I've seen so far. Thanks again Brian

Anyone know the criteria for receiving these letters from CC? Only asking because I haven't had one and, from what I read above, the time limit for the money off deal is fast running out.

I'm probably going to open a can of worms here, but I some times think that one can get too anal over the type of oil in the engine. If you are only using your car on the road, there is no way you are going to be able to seriously thrash the engine to the extent that a good quality oil can't cope with it, especially if you are only doing 3000 miles between changes. I personally use Mobil 1 0W40 in my 1800VVC only because I put it in all my cars. am aware that it may be a bit thin, but that's a good thing on start up. The OPG reads a trifle low when the engine is idling when hot, but the gauge is the original Caterham electrical one which we all know is a rough guide only. IMHO as long as you buy either the recommended make and grade or a very high quality substitute anything will do. Brian

Heard you first from where we were parked up enjoying the sunshine. From the fabulous sound I think you must have a bike engine in that. Also on your return in the other direction. What a brilliant road and a fantastic day for blowing the cobwebs away. Brian

I'm with you Martin, right from the day I got my 7 i have had a problem with H & T. I've bent the throttle pedal, moved it backwards and forwards and it still comes down the fact that the damn thing is too short. I can't be the only one who drives with my heels on the floor and swivels my foot as required between throttle and brake. All it needs is to be about an inch longer, (thats funny, that's what my wife says!!!)