Nuvite II

[mickrick]

Hi DDq, a 7 x 13" Force Racing wheel is 3.4kg and an 8 x 13" wheel is 3.6 kg. But the centers are CNC machined billet, not cast magnesium.
I tried to get Mike Barnby to make me some in cast aluminium, as I didn't want to send magnesium wheels back to U.K. every year for crack testing.
I spoke to Mike a couple of times, and he was supposed to come back to me when he had some centers cast. He never did.
The fellow at Force Racing went out of his way to make the wheels package my brake setup. Considering the quality and the fact they are bespoke, they where extremely reasonably priced IMO.

Regards,
Mick.

[snapper seven]

mickrick said:

SS, ... The pictures of your nice gold wheels made my mind up for me, as I was torn between that and black. Thanks for the inspiration!

Glad I could be of help Mick! A couple more snaps for you.
Actually on this subject, I think the gold is too dark on mine and like the lighter 'straw' gold like yours. I think once the paint has fallen off I will get them powder coated a lighter gold.


SC-001 by snapper seven


SC-002 by snapper seven

Cheers
SS

[mickrick]

Very nice! Very team Gold Leaf

[Farlig]

mickrick said:

Hi Farliq, where's "Sabby"?

Sabinillas - I believe it's what all the expat riff-raff call it these days ;-)

Loving your wheels... I've been on the hunt for a decent set of lightweight 3-piece minilite replicas and came across Force Racing and all their titanium porn... (I used to be well into my Minis so it really is porn) They've really got me dreaming of a collaboration with SP Components for a one-off Ti rear English axle c/w Ti driveshafts, ally pig's head & Quaife ATB drool )

I must confess your wheels are very tasty indeed & if I can't source some decent looking (& light) minilite reps. I may indulge in a set of these ;-)

[mickrick]

Farlig, have a word with Carl at Force, he can split one piece wheels and make them two piece. He's done it with 10" Minilites here.
http://www.force-racing.co.uk/wheels-10/

He may be able to help you out there.
Here's a 10" minilite he did. I don't think he'll mind me nicking the picture from his website.


I looked into Ti driveshafts, and I don't think it's the way to go. It's only stronger than steel "wieght for wieght" So you're not really gaining anything.
Better going for 300M. If you want to save wieght and reduce rotational inertia then get them gun drilled.
You need to speak to these people about driveshafts. They'll re-make your shafts in 300M.
http://www.drivelink.com/index.cfm
They wont gun drill them for you though.

Ah I thought you meant Sabinillas. But I didn't live on a yacht there. I lived in an old bling gypsy caravan on the beach at Camping Chullera!
I later upgraded to a fishermans house on the beach, with a cane shade in front, where I parked my Vokswagon Van.
There's a promenade in front of that house now!

Cheers,
Mick.

Edited by mickrick on Friday 27th January 14:38

[Farlig]

Hi Mick - I saw those wheels but not convinced of a hybrid like that - I'd prefer the true nature of a 3 piece ;-)
I'm in no rush this season for the wheels so will bide my time... I saw that these dudes on the other side of the pond do a nice one and of course there is the Image RM1, but but I'm not really so keen on the look of these.... I've heard nothing but bad news on Ultralite & not even sure they're still trading...

Wrt Titanium vs steel, actually a titanium alloy is stronger than steel in terms of ultimate tensile strength, but it has a lower modulus of elasticity so is not as stiff. In effect, for a given load and similar geometry object, it will distort more - ie it's more springy and (Edit!)weight for weight size for size it will give you a lighter, but less stiff design.
I guess in terms of drive-shafts then they will be stronger, but will wind up more. This may or may not be beneficial.

To obtain more rigidity would mean increasing the size (or to be more correct increase the distance between the load carrying surfaces / planes). As most of the strength in a driveshaft is in the skin, this could even involve moving to hollow shafts. I'm talking from the hip here - I've never designed a driveshaft in my life but I do have a small understanding of materials engineering ;-)

What I was thinking really was to reduce the complete weight of the whole live axle, but retain some originality of the car - it is a Lotus after all and I don't want to deviate too wildly from original & certainly not into cutting anything ;-)
Like for like, Ti in place of steel & with an alloy diff nose, I should be able to shave some 15kg off the total assembly which is a lot!

Fisherman's hut on the beach in the sun with a cool beer sounds the ticket just now!!
Cheers from sunny Norway!!

Cheers,
Neil.

Edited by Farlig on Friday 27th January 19:12

[mickrick]

I didn't have much luck with Harry at Image either, and I found the fellow at Superlight a total waste of time when I contacted them about the ultralight wheel.
It's not easy when you want something out of the ordinary. Either your not taken seriously, or they'd rather supply something that's easier or off the shelf.
It takes a long time to sort the chaff, and find someone on the same wavelength.

As for living in Spain, well it sounds glamorous, but civilised it aint! Those days are long gone.

Anyway I look forward to your thread about yout Ti axle. You've got the idea, now just do it!

[Farlig]

Spot on - lot of ar3eholes floating about out there... BUT there are a few gems - Ammo of Raceco & Simon of Meteor to name a couple that immediately spring to mind - they bend over backwards to help you!

Ti axle - it's probably a pipe dream and there are a load of areas the money woud be better spent, but if I ever manage to coordinate one - it will be here in detail!!

Cheers,
Neil.

PS enough chit chat from me - lets get back to more pics & info on your beaut ;-)

Edited by Farlig on Friday 27th January 19:38

[Farlig]

Bump - come on Mick, been almost 8 months, something must've happened

[Ult-Jim]

He's a busy man....

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

and

reading the train planes and boats gig he's been pulling on ropes!

We are both in the same business and so understand... the mind can spin on what project to work on what day! I believe my mate the Captain on MY Utopia is in town, mentioned Disco Jimbo if you are walking along the strip!

[mickrick]

Hi Farlig,

Still sorting out rear brakes. The idea has been fine honed, and some parts should be made very soon

I'm also waiting on news of 2-1/2" 10 gauge seemless Ti tube

These things take time.

Hi Jim, the blisters have healed Not sure I understand your banter regarding the strip and disco Jimbo old boy

[Farlig]

mickrick said:

....news of 2-1/2" 10 gauge seemless Ti tube....

Hmmm... me thinks Ti dedion is in the offing - waiting impatiently ;-) !

I spoke to Force about a bespoke Ti English axle - Carl's immediate reply was "I see no way to fabricate a case without a great deal of work and time"...
So my interpretation of this was mega$$$... I did suggest a collaboration attempt with SPC as he mst have access to tooling for the banjo, but I fear I'm pi$$ing into the wind here without financial commitment...

Oh well, back to the std 5 link to remove the brace bar and I'll fit it out with an ally diff nose, Quaife ATB, and floating axles ;-)

Looking fwd to your next Nuvite update & well impressed with your Nimbus resto too - where on earth do you find the time!?!

[mickrick]

I also think an English axle in Ti would be a lot of work ! And very expensive !
At the end of the day, a de-dion tube is basicaly just that, a tube with a couple of flanges at the ends.
Fingers crossed, the material will, er, materialise Hopefully it will be a stock size. If not, it'll be a no go.

As for my free time, it's precious. I've had the boat 8 years, and I've been collecting stuff for my car since 07.
I got a couple of hours in on the boat last night, by putting the tools in my car first thing in the morning, then going straight from work and doing what I can untill it gets dark.
I've also managed to fit in a total house re-furb (Two houses into one) in the last 6 yeasrs too.
My next project is a 12m x 8m garage... (with a very shiny floor )

[Farlig]

Goodness me you must live in another time dimension...!

Don't make that floor too shiny, you'll want some grip when it's wet

[simonpa]

Hi Mick,
I know someone who is in the middle of fabricating a Ti deDion.
He has already made some other components for his Caterham S3.

Let me know if you are interested.

BTW - I'm hoping to do a similar thing with my current rebuild (SV as well)- you have done a lovely job!

Cheers - Simon

[mickrick]

Hi Simon,

I'd be very interested to know where he got his stock from. Still looking for some 2 1/2" 10 gauge tube...
I hope you'll be starting a rebuild thread on your SV ?

I now have some drawings for some of my rear brake parts, and some progress has been made !
5" brake shoes from a motorcickle have been found Should be able to shave a bit more weight from them.
Can anyone guess I wonder?.....

[DaveK-S1]

Are you making an internal handbrake drum, with a bigger 2/4 pot caliper on a disc ?

[mickrick]

Good guess!
267mm solid float in the bell disc, and two pot AP CP3676 calliper. The shoes will fit inside the alloy disc bell. That's what I have the drawings for now.
With the backplate for the shoes, (which will use the original hub mounting bolts) I recon we can get it below the 540g of a Hi-Spec spot calliper, and it'll look much prettier and less cluttered IMO.

BGD came up trumps again!

[Farlig]

DaveK-S1 said:

Are you making an internal handbrake drum, with a bigger 2/4 pot caliper on a disc ?

I'll second that vote

[mickrick]

Must type quicker !