Bumble

Saw you coming the other way, I just had my tyres checked at central tyre and exhaust. Glad to see someone else out in -2 degrees ! Matt

One for the Ali brigade such as MOCA2CV: do any of you have any tips on keeping Aluminium clean at all, can you wax it or anything? I last cleaned the car with fine wire wool and then Autosol - it took ages, but looked great. - can anyone recommend whether a cheap orbital polisher would do the trick - I have a rear panel with dents in, and someone cut out the racing stickers on the bonnet with a stanley in situ any local recommendations on specialists in the area who can help without me having to go to Arch or suchlike? Thanks, Matt

Ok I finally got round to looking at the wipers at the weekend. You were right, something so simple turned out to be quite complicated. Scuttle off, rivets drilled, got everything done and put back in place. Turns out it was just a loose nut between the wiper gear assembly and the 'tube' rail holding all the worm gears. The worst part was actually not connecting the wiper squirter tube before reselling the scuttle - cue spending a couple of hours upside down in the footwell! Thanks Bumble

Hi, after a recent blat to Germany and Belgium in the rain, my wipers failed. It was like the motor and arm had become free, and rather than the wipers moving, the whole assembly moved. When on the road, the quick fix was to wedge a broken bit of wooden pallet between the side of the scuttle, which meant the wipers worked properly. Does anyone have any detailed drawings of this section at all. To describe what happens, the main bolts are in place, but it's almost as if the hoop holding the motor in place has broken on one side. PS the motor also has some rotational movement between itself and the gearbox. I think the motor is ok, but just need to know easiest way of gaining access, or taking the assembly out. Hopefully the wood may get it past an MOT on Saturday (if I spray it silver!) Bumble

1 viewing already planned this weekend but more available!

Posted on behalf of a friend: Race winning Roadsport A spec car for sale, £10,200 ono Ready to race in such championships as Magnificant Sevens etc. With minimal cost can be converted to "Super" spec for Graduates ch'ship or with some gearbox and engine upgrades to Mega spec for Graduates ch'ship. 2005 Academy car, competed in Roadsport A championship by previous owner in 2010 and by myself in 2011 until championship cancelled earlier this year. Car is quick and ready to race. Took 2nd and 4th in first two rounds at Silverstone GP (my first races for nearly 18 months) at start of season. Then 2 victories in Caterham trophy race at Cadwell Park and a podium in the wet at "Motors TV" live races from Mallory Park. Last race at Donington GP with the Caterham Graduates club where it qualified 8th out of 29 against the more powerful Mega Grad spec cars. Alternatively as panels, paintwork, wheels and wings are in very good condition can be converted to road use as road / track day car. Happy to discuss supplying car with MOT if needed. Happy to include set up notes, some support and track day tuition for novice drivers. Car stored, transported, prepped and fully maintained by SPY Motorsport during 2010 for previous owner - including gearbox rebuild and full respray. Car prepped at start of season by SPY Motorsport. Maintained by myself (professional engineer) for rest of season. Spec includes: Triple pass race radiator with Samco hoses Fully adjustable platforms (currently set up for 70kg driver) Gearbox rebuild 2010 Full respray 2010 Widetrack front suspension Bag tank for improved safety Quick release Momo steering wheel FIA harness (in date) Transponder T200 Laptimer MSA engine seals SPA convex rear and side mirrors Lowered floor Caterham half doors Tillet seat available Car supplied with black 8 spoke alloys in excellent condition with part worn CR500s or anthracite 8 spoke alloys in good condition with nearly new Y048s. Brian James Minno trailer with high level tyre rack, jerry can holder, front storage box and 5 good tyres available. Buyer will have first refusal on trailer and the additional set of wheels. Car and trailer located 5 mins from Jnc 4 M25. Full set of photos on Pistonheads or contact Adam 07739087280, adambettinson@hotmail.com Edited by - Bumble on 25 Jul 2011 20:32:25

I've always been wary of this happening, sorry to hear it's happened to you - does anyone have a fix or work around to keep the lid attached at all like in a normal tin top?

Well, what was it then?? Glad it's resolved, M

Hi all, thanks very much for the tips and help, all sorted (hopefully for many years to come). Matt

Hi, a bit of spanner checking during servicing revealed the steering column grub screw had, or was about to shear. I've got a new clamp and grub screw, can anyone advise on torque for the 2 bolts from the underside please. I've read about tightening these part way first, then grub screw, then back to the 2 bolts, then tightening the securing nut, just stuck on torque. Thanks, Matt

Wow, how did you keep the Ali so lovely and shiny???? ATB for your next purchase, Bumble

Thanks Nick, I'll try Steve T. Best Matt

Hi, my grp seats which are plain black and a couple of years old could do with a little tidying up. Does anyone know if it's possible to buy the covering for the 'new' Caterham seats? They are a little like short pile carpet with an adhesive back - they also offer a little more grip (hopefully for less than £650 for 2 new seats?)

Right, it's time for the 12k mile service, and also to get the car flat floored for my leaner marathon honed body. I've been trying to get hold of some guys near brands hatch, who also happen to sell in-board suspension setups, but can't get hold of them . Does anyone have any other good options available in or around Kent at all who they could recommend please? Thanks, Matt

Hi, may have been me

Nice morning for a blat, saw you past A21, sadly I was on foot - training for the marathon at the moment, it rained when I got back to get mine out nice paint job

Hi, thanks for the advice, I'm going to wait and decide after the car has it's 12k service - after that it's booked in with a friend to tidy up the bodywork. He resprays Bentleys, so am sure he'll do a good job of restoring the black and ali to it's former glory, and fitting the carbon fibre. Never thought I'd get so house proud over the car 😬

Hi, I've got an ali and black ex racing car, and have just got bought some carbon stone guards off the bay at a pretty good price . I've got to check out what size rivets were used previously (need some with black heads), but was wondering whether I should put some protective edging around the guards or not - I think I've seen some on other Caterhams. Also, any views on whether just the carbon on the black would look better?

Job done, worked a treat, switched on and off a few times, must have been a bad connection. Thanks!

Hi my car definitely has a very quiet alarm fitted to it, which is supposed to warn that you've left your indicators on. Just now, it started making a really bad buzzing noise when the indicators weren't on, when they were on, it was well behaved. I removed the fuse which i think is also the buzzer, it's a Wehrle 54 201 101. Does anyone have any previous knowledge of this happening, is it an easy replacement part, or a can of worms to sort out - is the Wehrle part the bit that makes the noise? the car is an 06 academy, last of the 1.6 K series Thanks, Matt

Hi, a rather enthusiastic mate of mine came to brands that evening, and took a good few 00 mb of photos, I'm sure you're all in there somewhere, if anyone can recommend a site which will low res images, or can take the strain of high res ones, I'll upload them somewhere. It was a fantastic afternoon off work, many thanks to all! Matt (bare ali black nosed K series)

Hi Karl, I'm over in Petts Wood I've just noticed a very small leak between the gearbox and engine, and need to get someone on the case, did you have the engine examined locally? I've got a 1.6 k series, but the mystery is that I was also at Brands. The leak (as garage floor will testify) happens when cold, not when hot. I blame Brands! Matt

What's puzzling me is why there are so many HGFs on Elises, but there seem to be very few on 7's. Is this something to do with cooling at all? I've just bought a 1.6 K series - ! All I did was make sure the engine was well attended to, and that previous owner had one of those attitudes/frames of mind that they let the whole system warm up before going for it.

Late message I know, but is it possible to reserve a space in a pit garage at all?

Shame, but I think a car helmet may be better £££ - trying to get to a few tracks this year, and also passenger a lot too.