Bamby P50

[1bubble10 (paul smith)]

Today went well - the fuel gauge is now doing what it is suppose to do and also manage to cure a couple of the rattles - so  smiles all around.

[Big Al]

Someone once described driving a P50 as like driving a spare fuel tank, it even had a handle on it. Think his unmarked grave is in the Corswolds just off the Foss.

[1bubble10 (paul smith)]

Well thought I would bring you upto date on progress. Picture below shows the volt meter installed a couple of weeks ago.

[1bubble10 (paul smith)]

Tonight I though i would start the re-upholstery of the seat. Stripped the seat back to the frame, cut and sowed the webbing ends and fitted to the seat frame - that was my evening gone!!

[1bubble10 (paul smith)]

I have done some more work on the seat this evening - upholstery foam now added to the equation. Was going to start making some piping but decided that I was not happy with the quality of the vinyl I had purchased off line so out shopping on Friday to see if I can find something more suitable for the job.

[1bubble10 (paul smith)]

Not sure if I mentioned on a previous post -  whilst the car was being tested by vosa he commented on the horn being less than adequate for the job - He did pass the car on a promise that the horn situation would be rectified. I purchased a 105db horn from good old ebay which should hopefully exceed the audibility requirement. Decide to mount it on the chassis beneath the car so that I can still hear myself think (should I need it) and also so I can retain the existing chrome one on the front for aesthetic reasons (be it disconnected). Now bolted in position but not yet wired in. I have quite a bit of wiring to do so will probably do the lot in one hit.

[1bubble10 (paul smith)]

Just received this through the post today - a much better arrangement to what I already have - seams good quality too.

[1bubble10 (paul smith)]

Progress has been slow on the seat due to sewing machine problems. Finally up and running again today so managed to get 1/2 day of sewing - hope my choice of colours are not going to look too busy or garish!!

[1bubble10 (paul smith)]

seat now finished - what ya think then?

[Rusty Chrome (Malcolm Parker)]

Looks pretty neat. 

[plas man]

that seat looks great , want to borrow a bum to try it ?   

Alan

[1bubble10 (paul smith)]

Thanks chaps for the positive comments!

The V5 came through the post yesterday - thought I would not take a drive until I had finished doing all of my mods and improvements. That Idea lasted all of 15mins before I went to my local wilco to get a number plate made up.

The first trip was about a mile just around the block. I can only describe the drive as the ultimate in physical abuse. The noise levels are like none other that I have experienced (I shall definitely invest in some plugs)!! I went over several bumps that sent me cascading into the roof nearly breaking my neck. When I got out of the car I felt like I had been a victim of an GBH attack. regardless of the abuse the car is fun and the attention it draws makes it worth the pain (satisfying the needy side of my personality). I shall report more later.

[Big Al]

Does the phrase 'driving a fridge' fit? As we know fridges are cool. It is, however where my naughty name for small French cars comes from.
Maybe there are adjustments that can be made. Hard to have the set up right first go. The important thing is it works! So its worth final fixes to improve the range.

[1bubble10 (paul smith)]

I think a fridge would be more spacious. I definitely think there is room for improvement with tweeks here and there to make a greater range as you say. The biggest problem is the noise level. I have already isolated the engine from the body and frame with rubber which is a very small improvement - I need to do the same with the exhaust pipe and deal with anything that vibrates or rattles of which I have a few. At 30m/h (not convinced the clock is accurate - in fact massively out) the steering is twitchy but I think a can improve on this by setting up the camber and tracking (I believe it to be out), play with tyre pressures to get the best setup and perhaps get some more weight in the front with some code 3 or 4 builders lead beneath the carpet.

I guess it will be a case of play and experiment for a while!!

[Big Al]

Indeed, circuit and bumps. Be handy if there is some smooth surface to use nearby. Need someone or a sack of sand in the car to set it for your bodyweight, ideally. Tuff on anyone else, but its your car.