This is a read-only archive of the old Madabout Kitcars forum. New posts and replies are no longer possible, but every thread is still here to browse and read.
If you search on the Z3 forum or you tube it shows how you can re-set the service lights by using a wire across two terminals on the socket under the bonnet.
A good day out at the Historic Specials Day at Cotswold Wildlife Park today organised by the Fairthorpe Owners Club. Where else could you see three Lotus 6s together, or five Rochdale Olympics along with Turners, Bucklers and Tornadoes?
Needed to move the Z300S to get the Jago out this morning.
Got suspicious when the driver's door unlocked on the key without any other central unlocking noises.
Key in ignition- absolutely dead, no lights at all.
Pushed it out of the way, connected the battery charger and used Jago as planned.
A few hours later, went out to try and start it- still absolutely dead.
Disconnected the battery charger, disconnected the earth battery terminal and touched it back on terminal. There was a visible spark which suggested a higher parasitic drain than just the radio. Connecting a meter between showed 10A !!!
Disconnected the alternator as I've had those fail before- (you usually get a light show from the instruments when they do) but same problem.
Took the top off the fuse box and started to read the circuits trying to see what could use that much juice.
Honestly, I extracted fuse #19 first- driver's seat and... no more drain and car started OK.
Herself had driven it to the Historic Specials Show and adjusted the seat forwards. I'd adjusted it back afterwards- obviously too much for the old motor. Or is there a relay?
Only buggeration was that I broke the plastic radiator return pipe where it joins the rubber pipe whilst removing the air filter. It has a brass ferrule inside at that point so although I've remade the join and it doesn't seem to leak- I'll have to replace it.
So- see you at Weymouth Bike & Car Show tomorrow evening- Thursday 25 August.
Now... there's an idea! Make fake 'dents' so the GRP looks like an authentic metal body I remember many years ago an advert in one of the Kit Car mags for 'rust' decals to create a similar effect.
No apologies for this now being a "living with it and enjoying it" thread but well worth the 230 mile round trip to be at the seaside yesterday. Hood down all the way and when it rained a bit, I just wound the windows up so my elbow didn't get wet.
Now MOTed for another year and still saving up to get it painted.
Only 1240 miles in the last 12 months but that included some good trips down to Weymouth for the "last Thursday" car shows on The Esplanade. Have also done the commuting run a few times.
Keep it up Ian, loving the plate. I think I stuck about 10,000 on mine last year with only about 30 hood up.
Commuting Southampton to Stevenage bumps up the mileage. I have actually had a few drivers wind down their windows while sat on the M25 and saying they have seen me a few times and how good it was for me to really be using my 'classic'
Woohoo.lucky you. Hopefully I might be using mine by next year. Got some mechanical bits to sort and bushes and welding and paint . But it'll be worth it in the end. :-)
donnington management has just dropped out of/lost the motogp deal they were going to host it for 2 years while the circuit of wales was completed(never!) so there may be more to it moving then you first think
As circumstances contrive, when you have a few cars, to make some unavailable at the same time I had to ferry herself to work on 3 days this week in the Z300S.
The wist-wist-wist from the NSR that I was hoping was a dragging disc pad got louder. I had a close look at the wire wheel and it was obvious that the inner row of spokes was not happy with rust streaks emanating from the holes in the hub.
So I looked on eBay yesterday morning- there was a single wheel, super condition, as-new tyre of the right size and correct speed rating finishing in 4 hours. My snipe won it and I collected it last evening.
Cleaned the dust off it this morning, a quick coat of wheel silver paint- job done.
The existing wheel was a b@st@rd to get off. I would have said that I'd coated the surfaces with copper grease before fitting- obviously not enough as the splines were dry- where the Plus-Gas hadn't reached anyway. Be warned...
To you- £35.
Oh yes, the exhaust baffle made a bid for freedom during our commuting so I made a new bracket for that as well.
I had a bastard job getting one of my wheels off. Treated them all the same with generous copper slip but one wouldn't release. WD40 from both sides as best I could for 24 hours then a 4lb lump hammer sorted it eventually.
If you find a good solution then please let me know
I had a bastard job getting one of my wheels off. Treated them all the same with generous copper slip but one wouldn't release. WD40 from both sides as best I could for 24 hours then a 4lb lump hammer sorted it eventually. If you find a good solution then please let me know
I'd suggest Plus-Gas and a 5lb lump hammer.
Either that or remove and re-grease every 6 months or so.
There's currently a lot of discussion on other threads about why Tribute kits are so popular and what could be done to improve them.
Rather than hijack those threads- why did I buy a Tribute kit?
1. The shape- I'd always wanted an open Maserati. All but 1950 Fezzas leave me cold.
2. WCA's enthusiasm at the Stoneleigh Show.
3. Open the bonnet- it's full of engine and has Z3 performance.
4. Realistic price- donor, kit and build matched my budget.
5. Availability of a Tribute build- it was mine and driveable within weeks which matched my (non)availability to spend time building it.
6. Then being able to complete it whilst having it available to drive- wheels, bodywork, interior, etc.
7. I'd known Chris for a few years through shows seeing the MX250 so I knew he would deliver.
8. Improvements? They are kits so expectations vary- you pay your money... If you want a kit to fit perfectly- the only way you'll get that is if someone builds the car for you and then dismantles it for you to build again. This is not mass-production to close tolerances- that costs both time and money which small companies can't match. However- the end result is individual- it's the details that make my car unique.
There's currently a lot of discussion on other threads about why Tribute kits are so popular and what could be done to improve them.
Rather than hijack those threads- why did I buy a Tribute kit?
1. The shape- I'd always wanted an open Maserati. All but 1950 Fezzas leave me cold.
2. WCA's enthusiasm at the Stoneleigh Show.
3. Open the bonnet- it's full of engine and has Z3 performance.
4. Realistic price- donor, kit and build matched my budget.
5. Availability of a Tribute build- it was mine and driveable within weeks which matched my (non)availability to spend time building it.
6. Then being able to complete it whilst having it available to drive- wheels, bodywork, interior, etc.
7. I'd known Chris for a few years through shows seeing the MX250 so I knew he would deliver.
8. Improvements? They are kits so expectations vary- you pay your money... If you want a kit to fit perfectly- the only way you'll get that is if someone builds the car for you and then dismantles it for you to build again. This is not mass-production to close tolerances- that costs both time and money which small companies can't match. However- the end result is individual- it's the details that make my car unique.
The NSR shock was looking a bit damp so I picked up a pair of Sachs standard rear shocks 556214009 and some HD mounts 3003359102 and fitted them today.
Straightforward job- there's a good YouTube video. What he didn't say- no need to take the wheels off although it's easier if you remove the spare wheel. And when replacing the rear shelf liner- start at the ends and finish in the middle.
I couldn't resist adding a touch of copper grease to all of the threads (why did Ed China never do that?) as an "Ian Woz 'ere" touch even though they were all dry when I took them apart.
I did remove the wheels and give the splines another smear of copper grease whilst it was up in the air.
Then a nice test drive just before it rained- deffo firmer ride and hopefully a happy MOT man in a few months.
I know everyone rates Edd China but on a few cars that I have owned and know well, he didn't seem to know much about them and ignored well known problems and weaknesses which to me defeats the object of the programme.
I remember many years ago an advert in one of the Kit Car mags for 'rust' decals to create a similar effect. 
