After the IVA, I had sent away the paperwork, but it took 6 weeks to get my registration documents through so I used the time to make a few improvements. These are the ones I can remember!
I fitted my new wheels and tyres. This should have been really easy, but the gaps between the cycle wings and front tyres is very small, so it took A LOT of tweaking and spacing to get correct. The rear appeared fine, but did rub very slightly when cornering.
The remaining problem was the speed sensor so I made a new bracket and moved this to the diff output which works much better.
I fitted a central brake light (cable ties are only to ensure the double sided tape stuck and are now removed)
I wanted to make sure the cooling was as effective as possible, so I added some ducting around the radiator to ensure the air goes through the radiator rather than under or over. This is formed from bent aluminium with a door seal to press against the nose cone.
I bought and fitted a new steering wheel to make it easier to get my legs in and out.
I also bought another sump and took it to Mulberry Fabrications (http://www.mulfab.co.uk/) to have it shortened by around 20mm. The standard sump is the lowest part of the car and scrapes on the ground leaving my garage as well as on bumpy roads.
Finally the registration documents arrived so I got the number plates made and went for a drive. This looks like the seaside, but is Burton Dassett, about 4 miles from my house. The people from the BMW were sitting on the floor in the other parking spaces eating a picnic, so I quickly stopped here for a photo!
The first problem I found was one of the handbrake bolts rubbing on the propshaft. I resolved this by cutting down the bolt slightly.
I went for a drive on one of the hottest days of the year. McDonalds has speed bumps, so I had to settle for a cold drink from the Costa drive through.
My helmet before and after cleaning off the dead bugs:
The next problem was the standard sump. I had noticed a small spot of oil in the garage so lifted the car up to find where it had come through. After looking around for a while and cleaning off the oil, I found that it was coming through the middle of the sump which had either worn through or cracked. (Wear shown below). I had been intending to change the sump over winter, but decided to do it now so I could use any remaining dry weather.
That brings things up to date. I have completed about 700 miles in just over a month including a trip to Stotfold and the Cotswolds, and am making use of any dry weather we have before winter sets in. Hopefully I still have a few more weeks to enjoy!
Kit's Kit Car 