lowlander Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 Hi there, Still mulling over options for future Caterham ownership. In the unlikely event that I did decide to buy new how hard is it build the car? I think that all fuel lines and brake lines come plumbed in but what about the windscreen and wipers? thanks and all the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 Did you see the Top Gear repeat last Sunday - where they built a Seven. That's your guide. Probably downloadable on the internet from TG site ! ****************** And you run and you run to catch up with the sun, but it's sinking... And racing around to come up behind you again. photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiddy1 Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 If you the top gear team can build one then anyone can, really fairly simple and logical as long as you have some common sense and basic engineering knowlage, i.e how to use a spanner, basic wiring etc things like suspension set up are a little harder but there is always help in the club Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadsport06 Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 I don't think the topgear guys did it all themselves in 8 hours, that would be 24 man hours. Perhaps the more mechanically minded people here could get close to that. The Caterham elves might have helped. I started as a mechanical numpty, I still am but I got it done. I think the key is to enjoy it, I gave myself 5 weeks which was not enough time since I had some key parts missing so couldnt move on. The SVA test was getting closer so the enjoyment went a little as I had to work late to get it done. I would say take your time and ask questions here if you get stuck. The manual is not brilliant but have a tea break and it all becomes clearer. I kind member sent me a cd of build pictures as a reference and if you live within 50 miles of a member then I think they might need to charge up their battery with a drive to lend a hand if you needed it. BRG and Yellow nose VU06 XZX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Ryan Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 I rebuilt a used car from the chassis up, including rewiring and brake pipes. I was in the same position as you, but I got loads of help from blatchat, and one of the local members even came round with an engine crane and helped me put it and the box in. Don't underestimate the power of this forum for assistance. It's like having hundreds of knowledgable mates. So in summary, it stretched my abilities, but I learned an awful lot, I have a car that I know inside out, and it gave me a great deal of satisfaction to have done it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 I've done the same as John. What took the longest was making up the wiring loom, which you don't have to do if you have a starter kit. I'd say that almost anybody could do it! /regin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philwaters Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 Sad - Timetable I re-built mine over an Easter weekend, and this was from a more difficult starting point than the kit build was. The first time I built it it took a week - now I know te spanner sizes off by heart Phil Waters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Formston Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 Hi Lowlander a Caterham is very easy to put together if you are mechanicaly minded also if you are not sure of anything you can ask on this forum, me and my Son built mine in about two weeks then waited ten weeks for the Gems Engine management in the end we gave up and got Emerald, By the way the windscreen and wipers come fited on the starter kit Regards Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 Phil, How do you manage to get the power down to the road? It seems that the car has no rear axle at all /regin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Support Team c7trp Posted March 28, 2007 Support Team Share Posted March 28, 2007 I second John's point. As a newbie 7 owner, blatchat has been a massively useful resource for all things 7. The folks at the local meetings are also very helpful - so you wont be alone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilg Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 Lowlander, I can only speak for myself , having built a Westfield but bought my Caterham fully built. I would say that they are quite easy mechanically and you could do it no problem especially with all the help on here. The real factor is:- can you be arsed with the long nights in the garage with the missus grumbling about tools in the house, oily trousers, missing bolts etc etc. If you can,go for it, it is certainly rewarding . If you are the easily bored type ( a la Clarkson) you may become frustrated at the time it all takes to do relatively straight forward looking jobs. Cheers Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philwaters Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 Regin Axle was fitted at 2pm to 2.45pm on the Friday 😬 Piccy - It does one honest Phil Waters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickh7 Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 Hi I built mine with help from friends and it was a great for the most part but sometimes it gets you frustrated and down thats when your friend step in. Given the choice I would build every time, you have more ownership when you do. Talk to the local members there are bound to be a one or two who will lend a hand. If I can do its so can anybody. Nick h Its Yellow And Black and Makes me 😬here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnty Lyons Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 Go for it get some friends who own a se7en to help. We have a build team of six here in N.I. who appear at the new owners house early on a Sat and have the car running on the road by Sun Night. Lets face it if a group of Irishmen can do iy anyone can. 😶🌫️ 😶🌫️ 😶🌫️ 😶🌫️ 😶🌫️ 😶🌫️ 😶🌫️ 😶🌫️ 😶🌫️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisddl Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 No more difficult than putting an old Airfix kit together, just a little heavier and less glue. ChrisdL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alextangent Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 Lowlander, you're on the Scottish sevens board; there's a number of people on it pretty local to you who can help out -- whether you're stuck or not. Go for it ❗ ❗ Alex McDonald A loud 1700 SS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickh7 Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 Oh yes spend the money saved on upgrades 😬 Its Yellow And Black and Makes me 😬here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caligarinet Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 ditto Alex's comments. I had my hand forced, when I had to rebuild mine, not being very mechanically minded, I was dubious that I had sufficient skills in this area. However, with lots of encouragement and help from fellow Jock 7'ners, got there in the end. So, so worth it, for some many reasons. To know the car inside out, inspires a lot more confidence for routine maintenance. Also the feeling of satisfaction the first time you take it out on the track, thinking "I built this". And although frustrating, challenging, and yes at time a bit stressful, the building process in the whole was a very enjoyable one, and ultimately very rewarding. Go for it. Scottish Sevens ***new***ZX12R Rebuild Site***new*** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Sewell Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 If you are not absolutely sure of your mechanical engineering knowledge - which only needs to be fairly basic - you can ask the factory to provide a rolling chassis with the suspension, engine and transmission in place. This is roughly the first 20 hours of the official build time (70 hours) but can save a lot of aggro. Cheers, Graham --- Low tech luddite - xflow and proud! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WEL Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 It didn't take this guy long 😬 Gary www.LADS7.co.uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Perry Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Great Vid. See its easy 😬 I Can only back up what others are saying you don't need many specialised tools and folks on here are usually happy to lend. Access to Blatchat is like having loads of experienced mates as was said earlier. There are usually members nearby who will be delighted to pop by as well. The tricky bits such as the loom, dash and the pipe runs have been done for you so it really is just a clean hands assembly job Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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