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Messages - Mac

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Build journals / Re: 1899 La Jamais Contente
« on: 02 Nov 25, 12:13 pm »
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Quick Sunday morning knockup on Sketchup...

Bodywork might get scaled down to the minimum height required for size 10's to keep the illusion of a torpedo on wheels.
Old metal ladder has been accosted for the chassis so I'll start building the drivetrain as a working "skateboard" before worrying about the body.

Need to sit down with a tape measure and work out the space required for the drivers cell and position that on the skateboard - I'm guessing a 50/50 weight distribution is most desirable? Works for Ferrari I guess...

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Build journals / Re: 1899 La Jamais Contente
« on: 01 Nov 25, 11:41 am »
Quote from: NewbieNick on 31 Oct 25, 05:06 am
Hi Mac, good inspiration car, are you sticking with the tiller type steering? It’ll be nice to see a working electric kart at an event.

Good luck with the build 👍

Thanks, I’ll probably stick to a steering wheel as I’m hopeful it’ll be competitive eventually!!

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Build journals / Re: 1899 La Jamais Contente
« on: 01 Nov 25, 11:38 am »
Quote from: Ian Fletcher on 31 Oct 25, 11:13 am
Hi Mac, thanks for starting a build diary, it will be very interesting to see how the project comes along.

The current handbook is essentially written for cyclekarts using internal combustion engines, consequently some of the regulations may need to change or have additional clarification.  A typical example would be the fire extinguisher regulation as dry powder fire extinguishers may not be suitable for fires that some batteries may be prone to.  Therefore, when designing your propulsion system please can you also investigate the arising risks and possible mitigations, because these may need to be agreed by the committee and then written into the regulations.

Please also bear in mind that the committee are all volunteers who meet once per month, subsequently it may take a meeting for the query to be presented, then one or more meetings for further investigations, discussions and finally a decision.  Therefore, the more information you can provide, the shorter this process should be.

Good luck.

Thanks Ian, as a starter for ten I’m planning on using the Formula 24+ tech regs as a guide (bulkheads separating batteries from driver compartment, quick disconnects, etc.) I’ll plan to source off the shelf components for the benefit of the committee and to (eventually) evaluate real world performance vs petrol. I’m looking at bench testing a 24v setup but with a view to experiment up to 48v. Batteries possibly situated up front with the motor driving the rear axle.

This is about as far as I’ve gone as I need to order the wheels, axles, brakes - the standard bits - before tackling the powertrain.

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Build journals / 1899 La Jamais Contente
« on: 30 Oct 25, 08:30 pm »
It's been over 3 years since I first started procrastinating over building a CycleKart - then I started a degree (at the age of 40!) and life, work, kids all sort of took over all my free time and mental capacity...

But I see the error in my ways! I was hesitating because I knew something wasn't quite clicking with my build thoughts - what I really wanted to do was electric! So back to the drawing board and I think a more fitting tribute to my "enthusiastic" endeavours is the 1899 La Jamais Contente; the first motorcar to clock over 100km/h!

Now the twist/punchline... Its going to be electric!

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now even I can see that isn't going to stay upright past the first corner, so I'll likely sprinkle a little creative swarf and make it more like so:

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Looking at a relatively simple first pass following a similar formula to F24+ with some inspiration from the Hacky Racers.
2x 12v AGM batteries, a suitable motor/modified alternator and an off the shelf controller board. Longer term I'll probably look at a DIY controller build, LiFePO4 cells, enabling regenerative braking and maybe a push to pass function?? That last one will likely cause the regs to be adjusted before its even been soldered  ;D

I'll be documenting and sharing as much of the build on here as I can and am happy to share all experiences and data for the greater good of the community.

Now I just need to order those wheels...

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Events / Re: 14th to 15th JUNE - BROOKLANDS RELIVED
« on: 17 May 25, 07:32 pm »
Hey, I’m still collecting ideas, knowledge and questionable influence regarding my Fiat SB4 build - so I’ll try and make it up for this event to say hi and maybe “poke around” the cars if I may?

Mac

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Off Topic / Re: Transporting a CK
« on: 14 Aug 24, 03:25 pm »
Quote from: Phaeton on 11 Aug 24, 02:36 pm
Here's one idea, which depending on what car you have isn't as daft as it first seems.

(Attachment Link)

Now a plan is coming together! I'm happy to change cars on a whim, may even look at long bed pickups...

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Off Topic / Transporting a CK
« on: 10 Aug 24, 09:26 pm »
I’m back,
I’ve finished my degree as a mature student and now have a thing called “free time” again!
So it looks like my eagerness for a CK hasn’t waned in the last couple of years so it looks like this is a go! But before I go off half-cocked again, I don’t currently have a trailer - how does everyone here transport their karts to and from events? Van? Large estate? Roof rack??
Or is a trailer the best option?

Mac

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Build journals / Re: 1923 Fiat SB4 "Mefistofele"
« on: 10 Nov 22, 01:25 pm »
Quote from: Jimr1999 on 10 Nov 22, 07:37 am
Planning is key Mac.
I urge you to look at the Bloody Mary build on the gittrevillegp.com website, especially the chassis build page here... http://gittrevillegp.com/www.gittrevillegp.com/Blog/Entries/2011/1/22_BUILD_SERIES_no._4__Frames_(and_tubs).html
3/4" ply might be a tad too structural (and heavy?)
Perfect! The "tub" design is what I had in mind; with the base and strengthening ribs in 18mm (which in fairness, could be 1/2" to save weight) and the sides in 6mm - doubled up/strengthened where required (seat base, etc). The upper bodywork would be made of ally and plastic hoarding type materials (in my mind at this stage).

Quote from: RhysN on 10 Nov 22, 08:03 am
Or have a look at this link, if you click on the picture of any of the cars there is a huge amount of info. 70" wheelbase would make this car look  wrong IMHO.
https://gittrevillegp.com/cyclekarts-in-profile/
Thats a great resource I hadn't seen yet - thank you. I had shrunk the wheelbase to fit the 70" "standard" but I see the benefits of keeping the proportions more in line with the original...

Mac

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Build journals / Re: 1923 Fiat SB4 "Mefistofele"
« on: 10 Nov 22, 12:10 am »
Not much to update at this stage - been thoroughly enjoying myself in working out the build process on paper. I’ve decided to stick to the original CK guidelines and keep it non-road legal. I toyed with the idea to run it around to a few local events, maybe that’ll be for build #2 🤣
Sticking with a 95% wood build, 6mm/18mm plywood body with ally hood. Frame rails will be 3x2 timber (hopefully ash if I can lay my hands on some) with partially hidden angle iron bracing.

Just need a clear weekend to collect the ply and get it started…

Mac

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Forum Members / Re: New member Mrfixit
« on: 12 Oct 22, 04:57 pm »
Hi,
I’m not far from you (t’other side of Brighton) and just starting my own build too!

BW,
Mac

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Build journals / Re: 1923 Fiat SB4 "Mefistofele"
« on: 16 Sep 22, 11:13 pm »
Quote from: Konrad on 31 Aug 22, 12:15 pm
I found a pretty good sketchup model of a GX200 to use in mine, which allowed me to shuffle the axel and brake around to clear it, and make sure the ley-shaft will fit. Let me know if you'd like a copy of that file too, or my steering wheel.

Thanks Konrad,
Found a suitable model of a GX200 in the SketchUp warehouse (Wasn’t to scale, but sorted that quickly enough). I think I’m as close as I can on screen.
Mac

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Build journals / Re: 1923 Fiat SB4 "Mefistofele"
« on: 31 Aug 22, 11:00 am »
Quote from: Konrad on 31 Aug 22, 09:11 am
With mine, I brought the image into Sketchup, drew a rough wheel to the correct size, and then just re-sized the image so it matched the wheel sizes. That then allowed me to draw out the profile shape at the center of the image, them move down the length of the image, extruding each section, re-sizing the extruded face with each section, tweak the profile and repeat, down the length.
I hope that makes sense, but let me know if you'd like to see the tutorial video I used.

Thanks, that’s kind of what I ended up doing too!

I think my rear axle is a little close to the seat back, short of fitting the chain drive externally… a bit more tweaking then I think I’ll start on the CAD (cardboard aided design) stage

Mac

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Build journals / Re: 1923 Fiat SB4 "Mefistofele"
« on: 30 Aug 22, 05:15 pm »
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Knocked this up in Sketchup in my lunch break - looks about right although I'm gonna need to remeasure the workshop  ;D

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Build journals / 1923 Fiat SB4 "Mefistofele"
« on: 30 Aug 22, 02:11 pm »




I think I've found my muse  ;D

It's rather a long beast - any suggestions on how best to alter the proportions to keep in line with the general CK footprint?
Any suggestions on software that can quickly rescale an image based on, say wheel diameter??

Mac

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Forum Members / Re: New member Mac
« on: 20 Aug 22, 09:02 pm »
Hey all,
So I did an engineering apprenticeship when I left school and loved every moment of it. Im an engineer at heart even if I’m now in NHS middle management hell! I’ve wanted to build my own car (cobra replica) since I was a teenager, but with the costs going up, 3x kids at home and other priorities- I can’t see that happening this side of retirement.

So until then, why not combine my love of building things, driving too fast and mildly competitive attitude - and keep the budget in check; mostly!

Just need to find “the one” to base a design on/around. A good excuse to rewatch some Goodwood prewar events on YouTube 👍

I’m based near Brighton, Sussex

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