700newtons

Welcome and good luck to you, what model have you bought?

Simon

Thanks Ned, I'll reply.

How is the car? It must be on the road now.

simon

Ok 12 noon... (Thank you - my wife would like to come too)

By the way, Peter and I met up at today's Poole Quay meet.

There was quite a lot of interest in the 160s.

Yes, looks good to me. I look forward to it.

Simon

Ah good news!

Martin,

OK, It is in the diary. I hope the others can make it too.

Simon

Hello all,

I can can make he 13th (but not the 6th) Newbury sounds a good location. Perhaps we could have a pub lunch?

I look forward meeting everyone, if it works out.

Is anyone else going to the Poole event on the 21st?

Simon

I bought some better 'racetech' mirrors; I got fed up with the standard IVA ones flopping around.

I have not tested them in action yet, but with convex glass, the field of view seems much better.

Any news Ned, or is it too soon?

Simon

I'm open to suggestions...

From September on I can only do Sundays but I'm fairly free(ish) towards the end of This month.

Simon

Ah Ok, we all seem a fairy busy bunch. Let's bag it.

I look forward to seeing you with your cars at some stage. (After all we went through!)

Simon

Hello Ned,

ah I feel for you. My car also failed on a problem with the wiper fuses. This should be a known problem  

the very best of luck with the retest.

if others reply, and we do meet up, you should still come and hitch a ride.

i think I will probably go to the Poole event on he 21st, I understand that Peter will be there too.

Simon

Hello Folks...

We talked about a 160 owners meet up next weekend...

I'm quite keen to have a bite in a pub and kick 160 tyres if anyone else is.

I did suggest Somerset, but something more central might be better (Newbury?, Haynes motor museum on the A303?).

I'm free at the weekend or most days/evening this week.

any interest?

Simon

In the interests of science I took a sound recording of my 160 on the motorway.

The noise reached about 92dB (open top), and with the half hood up at around 40mph I also took similar readings.

A quick search on google showed that unprotected exposure to this level for prolonged periods (over an hour) is probably not the best.

I let you know for info....

I took advantage of the damp conditions in Somerset to test the limits of friction today (on quiet roads at slow speeds).

yep, it definitely locks up if you press hard enough! Also the back end comes out if you try.

Fair points...

(If you are reading this as a 'noob' (I'm down with the kids) then a suggested homemade tool for the gear and diff plug is mentioned in the blogs; mine was a sawn down square piece of steel and a spanner)

Have a great time at Goodwood Peter.

Simon

Watch out folks...

When I did my 1000 mile service yesterday I checked the whole car over. Virtually everything seemed ok (although the paint takes a hammering where things rub).

However, I did notice that the ventilation slot number 4 on the left hand side of the bonnet was slowly sawing it's way through the rubber air intake tube. I fixed it by gluing on a bit of IVA trim to the metal edge.

Simon

Hello Mike,

I did my number one service tonight too,

I first changed the diff oil. After reports from friends, I was expecting to see a mass of iron filings on the magnetic plug. However, not a whisker (either the Suzuki diff is well made or I wasn't trying hard enough). I also checked the torque on all the suspension bolts that I could get too, and visually inspected those that I could not. All bolts seemed in good order.

I then changed the engine oil (the Fram oil filter that you suggested fitted perfectly). I put just over 3L of the recommended oil in, and then had a lengthy OCD episode trying to establish the level from the dip stick ( very hard with such fine oil), I think I have just got it to the max level but not over.

Again, very little sign of any engine wear for the 840miles I have totted up to date.

Like you, I'm loving bombing around in it. tomorrow we are off for a drive and a run...

did I miss anything?

Thanks Mike, that's helpful.

i'm going to change the engine oil, diff oil and check the bolt torques.

We have got a big trip coming up. I just hope that, after all this, I don't break anything!

Simon

Thanks Martin.

I'm up to 700 miles now (and we did a great blast down to Woolacome for breakfast yesterday). I'm contemplating my first oil change before a big trip up To Scotland.

Please could someone let me know the code of the oil filter if you have it to hand. Mine is annoyingly pointing the wrong way, and I get a new one lined up before removing the current one. (Not a big deal, I'm being a bit lazy).

Simon

Hello Martin,

your trip sounds awesome (it would be great to see pictures),

we are planning a Scottish trip fairly soon.

Have you driven it in the wet yet? how was it?

Simon

My brakes definitely getting better with time....

Another happy side affect of the Caterham; my Mrs loves it (which is rather good news).

Off to Woolacombe on Sunday.

Sounds a good trip.

i think that my squeaky brakes are getting better....maybe.

unfortunately I have got snowed under with work...one more week and I'll be able to spend a bit more time bombing around.

Speedo confirmed fixed (at least it more or less matches the sat nav).

The Silverstone classic looks good, I don't think we can make it though.