Halfords Trade

MICK 56

Legendary Knight
It was registered as a new vehicle in 2015 on a 15 plate.
The plate I had on it made it look 11yrs older but I reckon it suited the vehicle.
As folk often asked "What the hell is it?"

I'd imagine an R1 engine is lighter than a Hayabusa. Plus it'll probably rev higher & faster. But the Hayabusa gives more torque so it's better suited to the extra 300kg of an average kit car plus whatever the driver/passenger weigh?

At a small local kit car owners club night. I had a guy try to tell me that the 900cc Fireblade engine is garbage. His reasoning was that he was on his 3rd in 2yrs.
However he'd failed to acknowledge that all three engines came from breakers yards. He was asking them to propel a 500kg+ vehicle plus the weight of him & his Mrs. And he was using it for track days every other weekend! 🤔
Grunt would be a good thing for road use. Are they really 500kg ? I would have thought they were lighter than that.
 

DD67

The Peace Keeper
Staff member
Grunt would be a good thing for road use. Are they really 500kg ? I would have thought they were lighter than that.
The guy moaning about the Fireblade motor had something called a "Locost"
They are basically a cheap as chips 7 replica kit car.
Some get finished to a nice standard. But the majority are bare bones cars. No carpets, seats with no padding etc etc. But they still tip the scales at around 500kg.

If you were talking about my TR1KE (Reverse trike)?
That was only 325kg wet.
That 175kg weight saving made an enormous difference in how it accelerated/cornered Mick.

BUT!...It also made it a bit of a handful.
Virtually unshakable on a bone dry road with super sticky Toyo R888R tyres, a bit of respect & a large helping of bottle.
But try the same antics in 15°c or add in a bit of water on the road & it was a totally different kettle of fish!

Or it was even more fun, depending on how little regard you have for your life? 🤔 😉
 

MICK 56

Legendary Knight
The guy moaning about the Fireblade motor had something called a "Locost"
They are basically a cheap as chips 7 replica kit car.
Some get finished to a nice standard. But the majority are bare bones cars. No carpets, seats with no padding etc etc. But they still tip the scales at around 500kg.

If you were talking about my TR1KE (Reverse trike)?
That was only 325kg wet.
That 175kg weight saving made an enormous difference in how it accelerated/cornered Mick.

BUT!...It also made it a bit of a handful.
Virtually unshakable on a bone dry road with super sticky Toyo R888R tyres, a bit of respect & a large helping of bottle.
But try the same antics in 15°c or add in a bit of water on the road & it was a totally different kettle of fish!

Or it was even more fun, depending on how little regard you have for your life? 🤔 😉
Yes , i was referring to your contraption. :) 325 kg is more like i was thinking. My old Nomad weighs about that. And there is no lightweight bits on that at all. :) It has nothing like the sort of power yours has though. It's all about the V twin grunt. I can flop it into top at 20mph, and forget the gearbox for the rest of the day..
 

DD67

The Peace Keeper
Staff member
Yes , i was referring to your contraption. :) 325 kg is more like i was thinking. My old Nomad weighs about that. And there is no lightweight bits on that at all. :) It has nothing like the sort of power yours has though. It's all about the V twin grunt. I can flop it into top at 20mph, and forget the gearbox for the rest of the day..
Cool!
Having read through your car ownership history.
I suggest you stay well away from fibreglass kit cars.
Just like your old 60's/70's motors. They have no ABS, traction control & airbags etc.
But they also have an NCAP crash safety rating of -5 😳
You'd be better off stacking a bike. At least there's a chance that you'd be thrown clear 🤣
 

DD67

The Peace Keeper
Staff member
I was driving the missis' car today (A1 with the 150 brake 1.5L tfsi lump) and not for the first time it dawned on me that whilst it has 30% or more power than my old MK2 Golf GTI it's a fucking boring car to drive.
I've just spent an hour looking at reviews of the latest 2.0 ND MX-5 on YouTube 😗

As the price of used vehicles has rocketed in the past few months. It seems that I could trade our 4yr old, uber quick, German intercontinental missile. For a nearly new MX-5? With little, or no money changing hands? 🤔

Might have to book a test drive through Mazda?
As I've said before. Although they are undoubtedly great vehicles. The one I sat in was fine once I finally got in. But getting in wasn't easy & getting out was extremely undignified! 😗

Our previous modified 2006 2.0 NC model MX-5 was old but an absolute hoot to drive 😃
 

Sarky B’stard

Legendary Knight
I get the impression modernising sports cars over civilises them. I also admit heavy sports cars are that much more of a handful to drive at the limit. I just think you need to realise when you are slipping into flat cap and string back pigskin glove territory - and maybe some us have been there a while? Keep the Merc. Your hairdressing days are over.
 
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