Bring that Beat back... 1991 Honda Beat

[seiben]

Hell yes!

[Rocket.]

Superhoop said:

Does chopping the screen pillars mean that this will now require an IVA to get it registered, as surely this is a structural change to the body shell ?

It's a tricky one, my research suggests that the screen surround/frame purpose is to a) house the windscreen b) offer protection in the event of the car rolling. Most of the people I have spoken to tell me it offers little or no added rigidity to the chassis itself, this includes people who build low volume sports cars for a living and know a thing or two about chassis design.

Thereafter we are in a grey area with the DVLA without anyone willing to fully commit so far. Does the windscreen surround on a 'convertible' constitute part of the monocoque ? Does removing it deem the car to be 'radically altered' and hence require an IVA test. At present it appears this is open to interpretation, but what is clear is my desire to remove it so going forward we will find out if the car is deemed 'radically altered' and then needs an IVA test as a result the car may end up reregistered on a 'Q' plate, I would prefer not but then we are talking about a toy with relatively low value so im not that fussed. We will finish it then see, where there is a will there is a way and all that... Worst case I have a slow track day car or expensive paperweight

[daniel-5zjw7]

This is looking brilliant keep it up!

[Kitchski]

Rocket. said:

It's a tricky one, my research suggests that the screen surround/frame purpose is to a) house the windscreen b) offer protection in the event of the car rolling. Most of the people I have spoken to tell me it offers little or no added rigidity to the chassis itself, this includes people who build low volume sports cars for a living and know a thing or two about chassis design.

Thereafter we are in a grey area with the DVLA without anyone willing to fully commit so far. Does the windscreen surround on a 'convertible' constitute part of the monocoque ? Does removing it deem the car to be 'radically altered' and hence require an IVA test. At present it appears this is open to interpretation, but what is clear is my desire to remove it so going forward we will find out if the car is deemed 'radically altered' and then needs an IVA test as a result the car may end up reregistered on a 'Q' plate, I would prefer not but then we are talking about a toy with relatively low value so im not that fussed. We will finish it then see, where there is a will there is a way and all that... Worst case I have a slow track day car or expensive paperweight

If the windscreen surround is part of the body, it'll be classed as part of the monocoque and land you in the realms of the IVA. That's a place you really don't want to be.

Kudos on the car, though. Love it!

[Rocket.]

With the screen now gone we can now let our 'go faster' mentality fully off he leash and add a few styling quirks I think Pininfarina might have been up for if they were creating the Beat Barchetta

Peter is working on a small lip spoiler for the front which is work in progress



We have also thought about adding a rear scoop to aid getting air to the aftermarket air filter we will fit and because we are boy racers at heart, Peter is someone who loves to experiment so below are mock ups

The Zonda





The 'Jordans' foam filled domes ready to be shaped into something more akin to double scoop over the existing vents, but we ended up with comedy breasts



and finally the one I think we will go for a classic hand rolled aluminium scoop made by Pete on his English wheeling course





At one point we toyed with the idea of 2 scoops to go over the existing air vent holes but then decided a large single went hole would be better so Pete cut a hole in the boot



Part of me would still love to go 'full Zonda' but I think perhaps subtle is the key here ?

The engine is proving to be a bit of a PITA, it needs a rebore and bigger pistons or new liners. There are basically no oversize pistons available outside Japan for the Beat so it looks like a set of bespoke 0.5mm larger pistons and rings will have to be made at substantially more than the cost of the car but it may mean we get to 700cc !

[daniel-5zjw7]

Loving the creativity with this, can only lead to good ideas! This maybe a little to 'standard' and subtle for you, and its hard to get a real sense of size with this car, but a bonnet scoop from a subaru impreza may also work and would cover the vents too, theres plenty of styles available from factory to aftermarket so wouldn't be short of options either!

[InitialDave]

Well, does it need to be custom pistons?

Might be worth seeing if anyone can dredge up a suitable equivalent t from something else with the right bore, gudgeon pin diameter, height etc. Honda have made a lot of stuff, it wouldn't surprise me if there's something in their catalogue.

Failing that, my dad had new pistons (and rods, I think) made for the engine rebuild on one of his cars, I can ask him if he knows the company if you like. May have been something the engine builder arranged for him though.

[Rocket.]

Cheers chaps.

We did toy with the idea of a Subaru scoop but I think this one should work just fine and looks right.

Thanks for offer on pistons I think the engine shop will source for me, I investigated as thoroughly as I could for alternative Honda engine pistons which may fit pistons but so far no joy.

In reply to earlier query wheels are 14 rear and 13 front.

[Pericoloso]

For the air intake ,should've gone full periscope ,like the Italians have done in the past.

[ferrisbueller]

[Rocket.]

[james_tigerwoods]

Pericoloso said:

For the air intake ,should've gone full periscope ,like the Italians have done in the past.

Are they actually effective??

[Rocket.]

Quick update, sticking with the small scoop it looks made to go there.



Seat bases now repaired in some expensive 2nd hand imported Zebra fabric.



Bonnet is properly rotten but lack of 2nd hand availability means we will try to repair





Also now working on a shape for a cover where the hood mechanism used to be with some small humps behind the headrest







May have found a source in Japan for aftermarket oversize pistons. Ordering stuff from Japan is a bit of a lottery though, most recent package with clutch and engine parts got as far as UK customs then sent back to Japan without explanation...

[sausage76]

Excellent project and fantastic work.

On the getting parts into the UK have you contacted one of the UK importers of jap car parts?

Might make it alot easier for you to get parts into the country that way. You might have to pay a little more for their help but would mean you actually have no worries about the parts turning up.

[Jossman]

I love the ideology behind these cars! Some sticky rubber, good geometry and they're a hoot.

I recommend using Jesse Streeter (https://jessestreeter.com/) for help sourcing parts. My friends and I all use him to source obscure japanese parts for our obscure japanese cars, he's been reliable and competitive for years, just drop him an email and he's happy to help, he has lived in Japan for a long time and has lots of contacts.

UK agents tend to charge a premium and aren't very reliable/don't offer much customer service if it all goes wrong, I can think of plenty to avoid...

[fatharris]

Sounds like you're having as much fun with your Beat as I am with mine, I'm still tackling rust.

[Rocket.]

Thanks for replies and suggestions regarding parts supply.

I am actually using someone who is recommended for Honda Beat parts and I know from others has been reliable which makes it all a bit odd really that the package got sent back, anyway another package from him is now in UK customs, no doubt there will be duty to pay but fingers crossed.

To be fair on my Beat the bonnet is the only real rust issue (so far) floor has already been welded at some point and sills look good.

Still deciding on colour for the respray, latest contender : Kawasaki candy lime green metallic

[L100NYY]

I think one of the original factory colours on the Beat was not dissimilar to that shade of green

[Rocket.]

The top one might well have been a factory colour I am not sure, the pic below is a Japanese track day car, something 'Hot wheels / Matchbox' about the Kawasaki green metallic though which I think lends itself to this little car.

[Rocket.]

Peter been busy working on the rotten bonnet replacing steel and trying to build up a new edge.










A lot more work to be done but coming on well. Also more work on the shape for the rear cover where hood used to be, template in wood for shaping first then into GRP or Ali.




Throttle body back from vapour blasting.



Working on a shape for perspex sides screens



Height adjustable Gaz shocks now arrived.

Edited by Rocket. on Sunday 23 December 20:04