LOMAX 223 - slow max the right kinda trike

LOMAX 223 - slow max the right kinda trike

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slomax

Original Poster:

6,677 posts

193 months

Wednesday 1st July 2015
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Thanks. If you can pick up a ratty one, they are generally very easy to tart up for very little money if you know what you want and how to get there. Mine has probably just about reached the price plateau unless I spend silly amounts of money on a guzzi/bmw conversion. I honestly don't think the chassis/safety/suspension are really up for this. Down a b road you can really push on with the standard engine and whilst uphill and on straights would be better, cornering would be exactly the same.

I keep eyeing up Grinnall scorpions but currently just don't have the spare cash to spend on one. Ive always said I wanted one at the age of 25. Which gives me 16months or so to raise the dosh and take the plunge before I turn 26.....

slomax

Original Poster:

6,677 posts

193 months

Wednesday 1st July 2015
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Steffan said:
Excellent example of a genuine, unadulterated, very well finished Lomax and very well presented indeed. But not ruined by silly gimmicks and flash non original nonsenses.

The car not only looks the part it is obviously giving the OP good service.

Excellent result, Sir!
Well done indeed
Thanks steffan!

Interestingly this one does have a few odd ball features. Ive never seen another in the original factory black gel coat, there are only a handful (of any colour) with doors, and a floor change conversion.

One of my best additions (and probably also cheapest) was the chrome trim strip down each side. It really makes a huge difference to the appearance. Another neat purchase was the new oil filler with inbuilt reed type breather valve. This was replaced after my modified diaphragm/foofoo valve combo blew up on me and deposited oil absolutely everywhere. It's worth its weight in gold. A definite recommendation for anyone with a 2cv/variant.

One day I will sell it, and that day will probably be looked back on with regret at some point in the future. But I have too many itches that need scratching.

slomax

Original Poster:

6,677 posts

193 months

Thursday 2nd July 2015
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Nice! What colour was it?

Ive seen two down here so far! One brick red/brown colour and one in BRG. Unfortunately both times I was travelling the opposite way in the daily so I couldn't stop and speak to the owners. Its nice to compare notes

slomax

Original Poster:

6,677 posts

193 months

Saturday 25th July 2015
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Well the mot was impending on the old girl and I needed to fit a brake fluid level light.

To get it through I drilled a new hole and bunged it pretty much the only place it would easily go. I had the wiring all there in behind, so it was simply a case of drilling it and connecting.

Driving over the past couple of weeks has made me realise that a clock in a car is actually quite a handy thing to have, and the asymmetric light formation was annoying me.

I bought a "bike clock" off ebay and set about butchering it so u could use it in the Lomax. I also managed to get a small bit of plexiglass from work that was destined for the skip. I painted the reverse side black and set up my layout to drill...









Much better.... smile

Tune in again soon for more updates!

slomax

Original Poster:

6,677 posts

193 months

Saturday 25th July 2015
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Steffan said:
Excellent job! Detail finishing on kit cars often lets the appearance down. Wrong screws, nuts, fitting etc. that really is now, one of the best Lomaxs' I have ever seen. And I have seen a great many. Used to frequent the old Lomax factory along with the Vindicator,, Westfield, Rickman and most of the other small manufacturers in the heyday of kit cars years ago.

Superb detailing I do admire your continued efforts! A lesson to all of us!
Many thanks for your kind words Steffan!

As you can imagine, I have a list of "things to do" longer than my arm! These projects are never finished, just slightly more complete! hehe

There are many things that irk me about it that most people would never even notice!

The brown seat belts, the fact that the fuel filler is not rotated exactly to centre line, the slightly blowing exhaust etc.


slomax

Original Poster:

6,677 posts

193 months

Monday 17th August 2015
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I changed the wheel bearing this weekend. For anyone who has changed a wheel bearing on a 2cv, you will know the pain. For anyone who hasn't, let me paint a picture...

First off you need to remove the split pin and castle nut that holds the hub/shaft assembly together. With a 32mm socket and a 30" breaker bar this came off with relative ease. Then you need special tool for removal of the wheel bearing retaining ring. This is essentially a 44mm socket with an 8mm square bar across. I first tried removing this with my big torque wrench... Nothing. Then upgraded to my aforementioned breaker bar, with me (110kgs) jumping up and down on it.

At this point I will say that the ring should be tightened to 210ftlb. I have no doubt that this was tightened properly.... In 1981, that has since been painted over.

This nearly led to me killing myself. The socket pinged off and I smashed my face off the bonnet. A bit lip, but no broken nose, made me rethink my tactics.

I retried after soaking in the trusty old wd40, but it still wouldn't budge. A trip down to machine mart (my favourite shop) and I came back with the most powerful electro impact gun I could reasonably afford - with assurances from the salesman that if this wouldn't work, id have to cut it out and clean the threads.

After about another 45mins, it finally loosened. Beast. If you have any impossible nuts id thoroughly recommend the 450nm 240V gun from machine mart (its around £65).

To remove the hub I got my largest and heaviest "persuader" and managed to smash out the first part of the bearing with the help of a smaller claw. The second part was slightly more tricky and I ended up having to cut the inner bearing off the hub with a dremel.

Annoyingly it was all put back together and re-assembled in about 45mins.








slomax

Original Poster:

6,677 posts

193 months

Tuesday 18th August 2015
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I did, I drilled these out with a 4mm drill bit, as recommended in the trusty Haynes manual

slomax

Original Poster:

6,677 posts

193 months

Saturday 24th October 2015
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Bit of a blustery day to today, but it did mean the clouds cleared away for a quick evening spin!



I don't know how much longer I'm going to be in Devon, so need to make the most of it while I can!!

slomax

Original Poster:

6,677 posts

193 months

Saturday 13th February 2016
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Well I've decided to let my lomax go as I have just found a beautiful replacement. The seller is happy to keep it for me for a few weeks while I sell the Lomax and make room (only a single garage here).

Its a day of mixed emotions. Very pleased to have found such a beautiful replacement, but sad that I will have to sell the Lomax.

The new car will will have a new thread of course.

slomax

Original Poster:

6,677 posts

193 months

Sunday 14th February 2016
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Steffan said:
Enjoy the replacement. I bet it has four wheels!
How much are you willing to bet?! tongue out

slomax

Original Poster:

6,677 posts

193 months

Sunday 14th February 2016
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jaik said:
It's the end of an era! Your car was always the coolest thing at the South Manchester meets, no matter what else turned up. What are you moving to?
Thanks jaik!

I always felt bad in case I was slowing anyone down! Haha.

Something more shiny! But still lacking in the wheel department!

You'll have to keep your eyes peeled for the thread when I get it!

slomax

Original Poster:

6,677 posts

193 months

Sunday 28th February 2016
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Just getting ready for the last spin out in the old girl before she goes to her new owner in France on Wednesday. Little bit sad. Will get the new toy by next weekend... Will keep you posted!


slomax

Original Poster:

6,677 posts

193 months

Thursday 3rd March 2016
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Bye bye lomax. You've been a trusty friend over the last 7 years and we've had a lot of fun. Hope you enjoy your new home in France.



There will be a new thread started tomorrow when I take delivery of the new car - Victoria (as named by my fiance).

slomax

Original Poster:

6,677 posts

193 months

Thursday 3rd March 2016
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Yazza54 said:
What have you bought?
You'll need to stay tuned!

slomax

Original Poster:

6,677 posts

193 months

Friday 4th March 2016
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New thread here

Ambleton

Original Poster:

6,677 posts

193 months

Saturday 11th June 2016
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I still feel sore that I sold the Lomax, It was such a good car.

We will eventually get there with the new one! I keep telling myself that I had the Lomax for 7 years, and that was far from perfect when I started!!


Ambleton

Original Poster:

6,677 posts

193 months

Tuesday 4th September 2018
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gwenael said:
bonjour, je suis le nouveau propriétaire du lomax noir , il est maintenant en bretagne (ouest de la France) il marche tres bien ,je vais souvent a l'ace café en cornouaille ,a jersey ou Guernesey ,a bientôt sur la route
guena
Brilliant! Thanks for letting me know! I'm glad that the car has gone to a good home and is getting used! My french is not good I am afraid!

I would love it if you either added to this or created your own with pictures and travels!

Next time you are in the UK please let me know as I would love to meet up with you and the car! I will try and bring my next Pembleton to France when it is completed.

This is one of my favourites when I owned it.