Lotus Boy

Worn out CR322's...well done . From what others have said about these tyres, it was deemed near impossible. Can't answer your question specifically but would Yoko A021's not be the way to go? I believe these are/were for Formula Ford wet tyres and still offer great amounts of grip in the dry and other great thing about them is that they are cheap. ...or do you need a specific control tyre? Dave

Interesting point! My R888's are replacing A048R's which were medium all round. Having an HPC, so a tad nose heavy, I was originally going to get another set and go soft front and med rear but decided I was getting tired of the fidgeting that comes with the 48's which prompted the R888's. Not sure why I didn't consider soft fronts, guess it never came to mind not having experienced these yet. I'll stick with my GG (meds) all round for now and see what happens. Edited by - Lotus Boy on 12 Aug 2007 20:38:20

Steve at Simply Tyres really is the place to go. Great guy ...and the prices, well I paid £235 delivered for 185/60R13 x2 and 205/60R13 x 2. Doubt you will beat that anywhere. There appears to be two compounds. GG which would appear to be similar to a Yoko med and SG which is the soft version. Cheers

Right! After more digging and some measuring this morning I currently have 32mm studs and about 5-6 turns of thread with these superlites so fitting spacers wouldn't be a good idea at present. 2 options: 1. Buy new superlites with different offsets. My wheels don't have any ET stamped on them, just the PCD. Will e-mail Superlite but anyone have any ideas? 2. Fit longer 40mm studs with 2-3mm spacers. Would seem my Prisoners will still fit if I use open ended nuts. Will post up what I end up doing in case anyone else comes across this problem in the future. Cheers

Aww I would have been up for that today...and since I am also a member of the BEC club (that's BIG engined car/Caterham ) surely I qualify?? 😬 Hope you boys had a good run.

OK have done a bit more digging into the BC archives. As I understand it then the spacers sit on the hub and move the wheels outwards from the centre line of the car. Soooo...another question if I was to do this...the studs don't look particularly long and if I put spacers on I will lose more thread. Will the standard threads be sufficient? If not, can you fit longer studs and how easy? Would longer studs still allow me to fit the Prisoner wheels and their hub caps...questions questions arrgh why isn't anything simple 😬 😬 Cheers Dave

Thanks for all the replies guys. I already have a set of minators which are fine though again the n/s front clearance is much less than the o/s to the point where you couldn't get a rizla between. As Powder Puff says - think it is just very tight anyway. These superlites have just come off another Seven and offset is fine since I have no probs with the o/s wheel. It just seems to be that the left calipers sit slightly differently as it were. It's only marginally catching the wheel. Graham - what are these pink spacers you talk of? Where abouts are they located and what is their role? Didn't build the car or fit the calipers so a bit in the dark. Did wonder if I could bend the pipe in a little but didn't want to start playing with it till I knew was it all was. I'm guessing that there is a fair chunk of metal on the wheel where it is catching on so should be ok to smooth off a little though do you not think?? Thanks Dave

Hi, Recently bought a set of Performance minilite style wheels. All fit fine bar the n/s front. The wheel catches on the pipe that runs at the bottom of the brake see here. The arrow is just pointing to the pipe not where it rubs by the way. It rubs on the other side of the pipe and its touching the wheel here. On the o/s front wheel there is a good 4mm clearance so not a design or incompatability issue with regards to wheel offset for example. What is this pipe? Does it contain the fluid that runs to the other caliper? Is there any adjustment on the unit in relation to how it sits on the hub i.e. can I slightly alter it to give clearance ? (my feeling is no otherwise it could touch the discs I suppose but thought I would ask). I guess my best and safest solution would be to grind off a mill or two from the wheel on that edge where it rubs?? Thanks for any help and advice. Dave Edited by - Lotus Boy on 11 Aug 2007 12:02:53

I also have the AP big brakes and standard m/c on my HPC. Funnily enough I have just got home from my local meet where I took a ride to it in a friend's road converted Vauxhall race car. We were talking about brakes and he had the big m/c but hated the wooden feel of it so switched back to a standard one where he got so much more feel back. It's each to their own perhaps.

Well I guess that depends on how you have your car set up...or if you have a X flow 😬 I think there was some local guy that had to watch out for cats eyes (but I'm sure that was just a story he liked to tell!) I can't say I have had any problems running 13's on 60 profile.

Chris, Don't quote me on this but think from Caterham the standard road set up is 185/70R13. I only say this because in my build manual under section 2 it says that for 13" wheels they state 70 profile tyres only and go on to say for competition use they suggest 60 profile but due to the reduced ground clearance they cannot recommend for road use. My manual is from 1994 so whether things have changed or not I don't know. What year is your car? Although I have no direct experience of 70 profile tyres many say the ride comfort is better but for ultimate performance 60 is the only way to go. Also many say that 70 profile looks out of proportion, like balloon tyres, though I quite like the look, fills the arches a bit more. Funnily enough, this weekend I am picking up a set of 13's with near worn out A021's on which are 70 profile - think I will give them a quick go before putiing the R888's on. Toyo don't make the R888 in 185/70, only 185/60 - I say just go for them! Dave

Allister, If understand it all correctly your car will sit 1.4cm higher at the front with 185/60 and 1.1cm at the rear on 205/60 in comparison to your current set up. Guess your car will then sit about 1.2cm lower at the front than the rear as a result. if you want to play around (and check my calcs!!!) have a look... here All you need to know will be on here! Have no idea about what differences it could make, I haven't flat floored mine...yet...when I do I will set mine up for the 13's and just live with it when on the 15's. Dave

Good man, thanks for confirming Pete. Dave

Got the tyres - were delivered at 7.15am *eek* With regards to compounds they have GG on them so presume this is what you mean by '2G' ? Dave

Thanks guys. I called Steve this morning and the tyres will be with me tomorrow Have to say Steve was very friendly and helpful - can't believe how cheap he is...well his tyres is what I mean. Top fella indeed. Didn't mention compounds but assuming they will be 2G then. Thanks for info re the wet weather. I only use my car for the road and have never driven in the wet with my 48's. When running tyres of this nature I just pick and choose carefully and if things look iffy I stick my Prisoners and Yoko A539's on. Dave

Right I've dropped Steve a msg through his website - thanks guys. ...and how have you toyo boys been finding these in the wet?

OK so what are the compounds? Is there a 'normal' (what would be regarding as a medium) and a soft then?

Thanks for the info Pete, Northampton is a bit far but i'll see what he/we can do. Do you have his number? Glad you're impressed with them. I'm looking forward to getting shot of the 48's. Too twitchy for me. Have fun at the 'ring, hope the weather lasts for you. Dave

Hi Pete, Always nice to hear of good service. i am after a set similar to your request. Could you tell me where he is based and what he quoted you? Cheers Dave

A ha I stand corrected...said the man in orthapedic shoes (can I say that in this day and age? ) Surely pink and grey would look great 😬 You must remember that either way you will not actually be making a 'wrong' decision, which is what people seem to be worried about, I think at the end of the day it is down to personal preference and only you can decide. Just go with your heart on this. Dave

That is Bryn7 isn't it! Was it a darker metallic red rather that pillar box red?

Not being pedantic here (honestly) but geniune Minilites are mag wheels and very expensive. Caterham supply rep wheels called Minatours (sp?). Think George Polley sells the same wheels so you might be able to get a deal if you buy wheels and tyres from them. The minilite is a much copied wheel. KN, Superlite, Two Gates (though these no longer make them - if still going full stop), GB, Compomotive etc all do lookie-likies and pretty much all Sevens have either Superlites or the Minatours (are these made by KN anyone?). Visually there is very little difference between Superlites and Minatours - the only one I can see, which in my eyes does make a difference to the point that I have tracked down a set of Superlites to replace my 6 and 7 Minatours is that the spoke faces are more tapered to a point, the spokes on the minatours are more rounded. Don't know why I have just shared that pointless info with you (all) but there you go. I too would suggest you get 6" minatours finished in silver all round for that power as mentioned above, but then everyone has an opinion Dave Edit to add - didn't properly note that the car is all carbon - the new 13" graphite wheels would probably suit it better. Edited by - Lotus Boy on 1 Aug 2007 13:31:04

Ed, I have a VX HPC Inj. Bought mine for 12.5k two and a half years ago - one club owner from new in great condition. Good ones are out there if you look. I always wanted a 2.0VX - bullet proof engine, reliable, lots of torque, plenty of power as standard. Great for touring and hooning. I work in Ipswich so if you want a closer look one day, chat or help looking at a car just let me know. You can e-mail me through the forum by clicking on the 'e-mail poster' icon just above. You've already done the right thing by joining the club first and getting along to the meet is a good thing to do too. Cheers Dave

I was in a limo on a stag do *redface* pulled over in a layby for a pi(ss)tstop *redface* when a green 7 with HPC wheels went past. Hood up - and don't blame you given the heavy shower that we drovwe through.

Is there anyone who could deliver 4 minilites from Bristol to Thruxton village? For clarification the tyres are on the wheels Please e-mail me at davidcbateman (at) aol (dot) com Thank you kindly Dave Edited by - Lotus Boy on 30 Jul 2007 20:35:49