Won't be doing that again....
Discussion
The weather yesterday was certainly interesting. Without checking the forecast (or hearing the severe weather warnings) I decided to commute to work (circa 50 miles) in the 7. The way in was quite fun despite some rain, however the way back was a different story.
My observations from driving in severe weather:
1) The half hood does a very good job of keeping 'most' of the rain out.
2) Driving (even slowly) through puddles that must be near the depth of the door seals is quite worrying.
3) Visibility due to the wipers not coping is not good.
4) Visibility due to oncoming car headlights through the rain covered windscreen is dire.
5) Visibility out of the doors due to condensation (despite heater, half hood etc) is non-existent.
6) The angle of visibility on the road means that spotting standing water is near impossible.
7) The headlights are terrible.
8) Any benefit from having full-beam on is negated by the super-bright blue dash LED shining right at your head.
9) The Avon CR500 tyres are impressively grippy even in the wet.
10) The laws of physics still somehow managed to permit a puddle of at least 10 litres find it's way through the rear opening of the car and drench me, my back, my lap and my head half-way through my journey. A nice ice-cold bath I wasn't expecting.
Lessons:
1) Check the weather forecast when driving any decent distance in advance.
2) I still like driving the 7 in the rain (I have today) but not extreme rain/wind.
3) I need new headlights, so I've ordered some super-bright H4's from Amazon. (Philips)
On point 3, I'd like some matching sidelights but I cannot find any reference to the bulb anywhere on PH or the net. Can anyone advise on what bulb this is and what is a good replacement?
My observations from driving in severe weather:
1) The half hood does a very good job of keeping 'most' of the rain out.
2) Driving (even slowly) through puddles that must be near the depth of the door seals is quite worrying.
3) Visibility due to the wipers not coping is not good.
4) Visibility due to oncoming car headlights through the rain covered windscreen is dire.
5) Visibility out of the doors due to condensation (despite heater, half hood etc) is non-existent.
6) The angle of visibility on the road means that spotting standing water is near impossible.
7) The headlights are terrible.
8) Any benefit from having full-beam on is negated by the super-bright blue dash LED shining right at your head.
9) The Avon CR500 tyres are impressively grippy even in the wet.
10) The laws of physics still somehow managed to permit a puddle of at least 10 litres find it's way through the rear opening of the car and drench me, my back, my lap and my head half-way through my journey. A nice ice-cold bath I wasn't expecting.
Lessons:
1) Check the weather forecast when driving any decent distance in advance.
2) I still like driving the 7 in the rain (I have today) but not extreme rain/wind.
3) I need new headlights, so I've ordered some super-bright H4's from Amazon. (Philips)
On point 3, I'd like some matching sidelights but I cannot find any reference to the bulb anywhere on PH or the net. Can anyone advise on what bulb this is and what is a good replacement?
long thread on Blatchat with strong recommendation for these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B007RZ2RG6/ref=aw_...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B007RZ2RG6/ref=aw_...
kalibre46 said:
8) Any benefit from having full-beam on is negated by the super-bright blue dash LED shining right at your head.
Annoying isn't it? I keep meaning to put a bit of tape in front of mine.
You'd have stayed drier with the full hood, but the visibility issues would be much the same.
I keep a cloth tucked between my seat and the side panel for wiping the inside of the screen/mirror/sidescreens.
Well done for going for it.
BigCol said:
long thread on Blatchat with strong recommendation for these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B007RZ2RG6/ref=aw_...
Ordered, thanks!http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B007RZ2RG6/ref=aw_...
Now I just need to figure out how to fit them. I got as far earlier as removing the surrounding plate and retaining clips, however I'm not sure if the glass is meant to come away from the reflector or if the rubber needs to come off the back and the bulbs inserted from the rear....?
downsman said:
Annoying isn't it? I keep meaning to put a bit of tape in front of mine.
You'd have stayed drier with the full hood, but the visibility issues would be much the same.
I keep a cloth tucked between my seat and the side panel for wiping the inside of the screen/mirror/sidescreens.
Well done for going for it.
downsman said:
I thought, if you undo the screw at the top, the light unit and chrome surround drops forward and access to the bulbs is from behind.
Possibly, both options seemed to require a degree of force as the next step, so I bottled it rather than break something on Christmas Eve and get annoyed with myself. kalibre46 said:
8) Any benefit from having full-beam on is negated by the super-bright blue dash LED shining right at your head.
Simple solution, and one that I have lived with since the early 70's, is to simply swap the warning lamps around.I use the red for high beam and the blue for ignition.
Another advantage of the red warning light is that your eyes don't have to become re-adjusted when it goes off (back in the 60's the operation rooms (not medical!!) on Naval ships were all lit by red light during hours of darkness).
Dorchester said:
Simple solution, and one that I have lived with since the early 70's, is to simply swap the warning lamps around.
I use the red for high beam and the blue for ignition.
Another advantage of the red warning light is that your eyes don't have to become re-adjusted when it goes off (back in the 60's the operation rooms (not medical!!) on Naval ships were all lit by red light during hours of darkness).
Neat idea, might look into doing that if it continues to annoy. Thanks.I use the red for high beam and the blue for ignition.
Another advantage of the red warning light is that your eyes don't have to become re-adjusted when it goes off (back in the 60's the operation rooms (not medical!!) on Naval ships were all lit by red light during hours of darkness).
kalibre46 said:
Now I just need to figure out how to fit them. I got as far earlier as removing the surrounding plate and retaining clips, however I'm not sure if the glass is meant to come away from the reflector or if the rubber needs to come off the back and the bulbs inserted from the rear....?
Glass lens and envelope are all one, and usually attached to the front bezel by very strong spring wire clips.No need to separate the glass from the bezel.
just prise off the rubber shroud at the back: the main/dip H4 lamp is held in place by a spring wire clip; the sidelight lamp is in a push/twist plastic socket.
Of all the 7's I've been in, the best option for winter driving I've found is no windscreen, proper waterproof clothing and a bike crash hat. Whilst it's not for everyone, it stops the windscreen becoming impossible to see through, there are no side doors to fog up and you're already wrapped up ready for the inevitable bucket of water that comes either from behind of up from the front wheels. Granted, this takes some preparation before going out, but it's worth the hassle.
But most will just SORN the car and so it won't matter.
But most will just SORN the car and so it won't matter.
Good advice.
Drill drain hole in Tillet seat base and floor too.
Drill drain hole in Tillet seat base and floor too.
Snake the Sniper said:
Of all the 7's I've been in, the best option for winter driving I've found is no windscreen, proper waterproof clothing and a bike crash hat. Whilst it's not for everyone, it stops the windscreen becoming impossible to see through, there are no side doors to fog up and you're already wrapped up ready for the inevitable bucket of water that comes either from behind of up from the front wheels. Granted, this takes some preparation before going out, but it's worth the hassle.
But most will just SORN the car and so it won't matter.
But most will just SORN the car and so it won't matter.
Yellow 7 said:
Good advice.
Drill drain hole in Tillet seat base and floor too.
My cars have always been there to be driven not worshipped so I'll be using it in all weathers. The 7 is turning out to be quite fun in the wet. Drill drain hole in Tillet seat base and floor too.
Snake the Sniper said:
Of all the 7's I've been in, the best option for winter driving I've found is no windscreen, proper waterproof clothing and a bike crash hat. Whilst it's not for everyone, it stops the windscreen becoming impossible to see through, there are no side doors to fog up and you're already wrapped up ready for the inevitable bucket of water that comes either from behind of up from the front wheels. Granted, this takes some preparation before going out, but it's worth the hassle.
But most will just SORN the car and so it won't matter.
But most will just SORN the car and so it won't matter.
I see the merits of the drainage hole idea though as after my soaking last week the water sloshed around in the footwell until I got in there to dry it.
Yellow 7 said:
Def agrree,, i drove 300,km in the pooring rain and pitchblack, just put the tonneau cover over passenger side, door cards both sides, warm coat and gloves, and most importantly crash helmet full face.all i could think of was that nutter in the cannonball run on the black bike thats what i must of looked like.Drove to the track, spent the day on it, and drove another 300km back great day, next time on the trailer though.
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