Ivaan

I tried the old "spoon" trick with a dent in mine. Didn't get rid of it, but made it passable.

Hi John, I've carefully inspected the wheels / tyres and recently had the balancing checked, so I don't believe it's that. I need to dismantle the hubs to see if the discs are flat and true against the hubs as they sit between the hub and the wheel. I also need to check the A frame bushes where it meets the chassis. It's just a question of checking and eliminating the possible causes. Elie, I assume the studs are a bugger to fit into the hub then? Cheers, Clive

Hi Elie, I've regularly replaced the bushes below the axle diff, but never the chassis end. Do they wear much? I'll get under and see if there's any movement there. I agree with you about the bearing play, the movements definitely only in the front - back plane, so probably not bearings. You've got me wondering if it's something to do with the disc conversion. Perhaps the backplate or the disc/ hub not sitting quiet right. I'll dismantle and check. Have you had a bent halfshaft? I believe you've done the Rakeway conversion. Might be time to shell out? Thanks, Clive.

My car has a vibration similar to that of a wheel out of balance. It comes on at around 70mph. It's of a similar frequency, but not as strong amplitude. It's not wheel balance as I've recently had them checked. I think it comes from the rear, as it doesn't effect the steering wheel. It's a Ital live axle, so I'm wondering if it could be a bent half shaft? There's no run out on the wheels, but if I hold the wheel at 9 - 3, there's play in the bearing. There's no movement 12 - 6. The play is only a mm or so, but it's enough to produce a slight clonk.It's the same on both sides. Don't know if it's related to the vibration. It's a TRT prop with a flexible centre bearing in the tunnel approx level with the driver's knees.The UJs are in good condition and it's all marked to keep the same alignment when the engine is removed / replaced. The vibration has been there for quite a while ( a couple of years ), but it's only noticeable on flat A roads. On winding B roads it's no problem, but I'd like to trace and cure it. Open to any suggestion you may have. Is there an easy way to trace a cause of vibration? Thanks in advance. Clive

I've just bought a Lithuim Iron battery for the R1. Can't believe how light it is. 0.7kg v 5.1kg! It seems to hold at just over 13 v, and has plenty of poke to turn the engine over. It also has a handy built in charge indicator, which is re-assuring. I also had to buy a new charger, so all in it was 4 times the cost of lead acid, but a cheap weight reduction measure.

Thanks all. Mine's like Adams with no steering lock, so it seems like an easy job to do after Christmas dinner

Do you have the correct mounting blocks for the rack? Sounds as if yours is raised higher than usual?

Are these for the mounting at the bottom of the dash just below the steering wheel spline? I've got quiet a lot of play here. Easy to change?

Hi Tom, It was me and SWMBO in the blue car ( R1 BEC ). Good day out and an interesting destination. Shame about the M6 crash that clogged all the routes home. Regards Clive.

Congratulations !! Finally, I can stop torturing myself,that I should really buy it!

I guess if you're racing you'd have a cool down lap. On track days, you tend to head straight to the pits whilst going at full chat for most of the lap.

I would go with the R888Rs on the back. Will be fine with the 888s on the front. When they wear out, get R888Rs for the front. The really big difference will be comparing the new rubber against the old. If you're out in the wet the 888's won't handle standing water quiet as well as R888Rs.

The YC Plastics ones are as light as the CF and about 1/10th the cost!

R888Rs

Loads of 7s, Westies, track prepped MX5s, a Fury, Locosts etc all heading North. Going to Anglesey?

I think cam timing has a big effect on emissions, especially with the high lift SS camshafts. The overlap on exhaust valve closing and inlet opening can mean un-burnt fuel going straight into the exhaust.

Hi Martyn, Can I take the S3 car cover? It'll be a bit loose without a screen, but hey-ho. Malcolm was interested in the roll bar. Is it FIA or Caterham standard? Clive

Hi Jonathan, Do you have any photos of the tonneau? Clive.

Thanks Roger. According to that, the alternator output should be able to cope with the load, so I'll carry out a leakage test and output check before doing anything further. I'll also check the headlight bulb wattage, as it could be marginal if too high. The loads are similar on the bike, with twin headlamps, tail and stop lights. The fan is also from the bike, so if everything is in good order the system should cope. However, on the bike, I'm not sure if both headlamps light when on dipped beam, or just on high beam which may make quiet a difference during night time driving. Clive

I upgraded the headlights on my R1 powered car last year, but I think they drain more juice than the bike engine generator produces. Normal use and shortish blats don't cause a problem as the battery is usually kept on a conditioner in the garage. However, on long night runs, after a few hours the lights begin to dim and eventually the car comes to a halt as the voltage drops ( only a small bike battery ). In the recent hot weather, battery went flat after using lights and cooling fan together for a short time in slow traffic. Battery is 12V 12ah. Alternator nominal output is 12V 26a @ 5000rpm. Headlights are 55W, I can't find a spec for the cooling fan. I think these LEDs will help solve the problem and improve lighting. Can anyone help confirm? Thanks, Clive.

If we're talking front tyres, I dialed out quiet a lot of the camber on mine to reduce wear on the inside edges ( now running less than 0.5 degrees ). Also 0 degrees toe in/out. But then mine's not typical being a very lightweight BEC.

Cheers Martin, YHBM back.

Hi Martin, Can I have these? If you pm me, I'll sort out payment / collection. Thanks, Clive.

Preferably to fit a S3 with Aeroscreen, but anything considered. Cheers, Clive.

Fantastic day to be in the Welsh hills.