Westfields in Winter - Advice Please

[Fer]

Hi folks, looking for any hints, tips or guidance on driving a Westfield throughout the winter.

I have a SEI for my daily drive, including a 17 mile commute across the A/B roads to Woking. I am getting a little chilled in the mornings, and was wondering if anyone had any advice on keeping dry/warm through out the winter.

Madly I got a car without heater (thought the engine would do that) and also sans sidescreens. I have already placed a [url]wanted ad|http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/54369.htm[/url] in the classified to see if anyone has some "spare", but what else would you suggest.

I am hoping to find some time this weekend to do the screen in "Rain Wizarrd", I have already put the lining in my coat, and found some waterproof trousers, but any other suggestions that will stop the wife trying to get me to buy a "sensible" car greatfully accepted.

TIA,
Fer

[studog]

Ditch the hood, go for a half tonneau and half side screens ala Caterham superlight.
That along with a full face helmet works wonders for me at keeping a little warm in.
Putting some fresh air vents in the bottom of the foot wells helps with free heat too.

[Fer]

Dont have a hood, have the half tonneau and the full face. Tell me more about those half side screen...

[dern]

Ditch the screen and get a bike jacket, gloves and helmet.

Mark

[Fer]

I would like to try side screens first, before I chop the screen. I already have the lid & gloves, but that does not keep me dry.

[ninemill]

Hi Fer, are you using the rain wizard as an alternative to wipers?? I have none on my car and am wondering if something like this will do the trick - anyone with any experience???

[Fer]

I thinking of putting RW on both sides (and the visor on the lid). I have used it in the past, and as long as you start with a nice clean screen it is pretty good at keeping fog away and being able to drive without wipers.

Fingers crossed.

[ninemill]

Ideal! - gotta be better than poking my head out at the side and doing an impression of a dog on the motorway!!

[studog]

Have a looka t a Cat superlight to get the idea.
They are basically a fabric door. A side screen without the upper clear bit if you like.
Don't half keep the wind off your legs.

I had mine made at work. But I'm sure a company called Soft bits for Sevens (or something like that) makes them for a Westy.

[Fer]

How effective do you find the half screens? I have seen them on Soft Bits, and will contact them and get a price... but not sure if they will be as effective.

[Fer]

Anyone out there know if I am going to need new mirrors if I get sidescreens? Trying to keep the costs down, but it is either side screens or a replacement car.

[.Adam.]

Fer said:

Anyone out there know if I am going to need new mirrors if I get sidescreens? Trying to keep the costs down, but it is either side screens or a replacement car.

Wouldn't have thought you would need new mirrors. Are your mirrors on the windscreen pillars? The sidescreens on a Westie aren't like the ones on a Caterham which have the mirrors on the sidescreen(I think).
Just in case you haven't found the WSCC, it might be worth keeping a lookout here, and if you are a member of the club, you can also post a wanted ad.

>> Edited by .Adam. on Friday 21st October 22:10

[studog]

I find the half doors make a huge difference to the amount of air moving in the cockpit.
Depending on your seats they come up to nearly shoulder height.

[Wacky Racer]

Just get some sidescreens, problem solved.

(ex Westfield builder/owner}

[jon1800]

When you say side screens, do you mean DOORS or HALF DOORS?

Eitherway you should not need new mirrors and at the very least you will have to relocate them.

I agree with a tonneaus cover for the car which you can then un-zipp to get in.

Do you have an RAC roll bar?.......... if not GET ONE!

Get over to the WSCC forum as discussed above......were a friendly bunch

[RazMan]

Advice for winter driving?




Eat porridge ........... lots of porridge

sorry - too much wine this evening


>> Edited by RazMan on Sunday 23 October 01:08

[Fer]

Ignoring any references to Ronnie Barker.

Why a RAC roll bar? What difference would that make?

I was thinking about the full doors, but had hoped to find a cheaper set rather than the new ones from Westfield. Just have to convince the wife it is cheaper than a winter car!

[Kiltie]

Fer said:

Why a RAC roll bar? What difference would that make?

click



>> Edited by Kiltie on Monday 24th October 12:36

[Fer]

Kiltie said:

Fer said: Why a RAC roll bar? What difference would that make? [url] http://boardroom.wscc.co.uk/cgi-bin/i|click[/url]

Hmm, thanks for the link... More expenditure.

[dern]

Fer said:

I would like to try side screens first, before I chop the screen. I already have the lid & gloves, but that does not keep me dry.

If you're going to wear a lid anyway then you'll get buffeted a lot less with an aeroscreen than you will with a normal screen and you'll only have one layer of 'screen' to look through - your visor.

I found with my old car that I couldn't drive very far with just the screen and not the side doors because of the buffeting and the side screens made it a lot better. However, having recently got a car with an aeroscreen I'm now considering ebaying the roof/screen/doors that came with it to finance some fibreglass seats in an effort to waterproof the interior - carpets are coming out this w/e.

The bike jacket idea was a serious one. I have a hein gerricke jacket that kept my dry while sitting on the bike for 6 hours on friday while it pissed it down. Alternatively, if you already have warm clothing then you can save money by buying a bike waterproof oversuit which is designed to keep water out while riding a bike at speed but be warned, they are not all equal and you could do with finding the appropriate Ride magazine (bike mag) for the suits. If you're near newbury I can loan you a one piece bike waterproof suit for few weeks if you want to try one out.

Regards,

Mark

>> Edited by dern on Monday 24th October 12:47