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#Post#: 5248--------------------------------------------------
Alfa Romeo P3 Build
By: crosseyedlion Date: January 21, 2022, 12:31 pm
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Hi all!
I've posted on the Facebook page already but I thought I should
introduce myself and my build here...
I'm a former vehicle development engineer (JLR), who also was
formerly a vehicle technician - ultimately ending up owning my
own TVR specialist restorers mostly fabricating and fixing
Chassis sections.
I'm now the eCommerce manager for a vehicle parts business, but
miss fabricating, welding and getting my hands dirty! I
discovered a video on youtube last year after seeing a cyclekart
at one of the Late Brake Show live events (Leicester) and I was
totally smitten by them.
So now most of the stuff from a recent house move is sorted in
my home garage, I've started my Alfa Romeo P3 build.
I'm deviating from the Stephenson formula in that its
predominately going to be made of 38mm steel tube (I have lots
of it lying around from my old business) and as such the chassis
will be considerably more sturdy than the guidelines'
instructions. I'm building it this way as I do plan on road
registering it at some point for my 4 mile cross country commute
to work when the weather is good, so crash protection is very
much a factor (it will also have provision for 4 point
harnesses). It also may have rear suspension, however I do not
object to disabling for club events. I also may be installing
front brakes eventually (I also do not object to disabling for
events)
Outwardly it will fit the dimensions, have the GX200 (or clone),
look pre-war and be a similar weight to spec - so hopefully It's
accepted. Building something too rudimentary does not appeal to
me as much and development is very much in the pre-war spirit.
Quite frankly, I want to build something I'm proud of - that
actually pushes me a little.
I've made a start on the chassis (3 hours work so far) and its
lovely de-stressing after work, the welds may not be the
prettiest, and im not doing much prep - but its nice just to
crack on with it. Last night ordered a lot of aluminium tube for
the beam front axle, 4 link with watts linkage (is that
technically 6?!).
What are the thoughts on using 17 inch space saver tyres? They
may look more correct than motorbike tyres.
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
#Post#: 5251--------------------------------------------------
Re: Alfa Romeo P3 Build
By: StefanN Date: January 21, 2022, 1:38 pm
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I love the inspiration car and am looking forward to following
the build.
You might find that the space-saver tyres add a disproportionate
amount of weight (unsprung) to the weight of the CK. I found a
huge difference in the weight just switching down from 3.25 to
2.75 tyres.
If you're going for road registration then have a good look at
Geoff May's Wolseley Hornet Special because he has gone through
getting road registered.
#Post#: 5255--------------------------------------------------
Re: Alfa Romeo P3 Build
By: Carmelmike Date: January 21, 2022, 2:11 pm
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I have to agree: The tire profile is important, visually, but
don't get carried away. I am still running 2.50s on the Delage
(26 year old ones!), and a mixture of 2.50s and 2.75s on the
C-Ks in Texas. It depends on the visual needs, and also on the
car itself's feel. I REALLY like the delicate feel of the Delage
and the Type 59 Bug, as they are both the lightest, and running
2.50s.
The CycleKarts I drove at Laguna Seca in Nov. all had at least
2.75s and they felt VERY heavy to me, but a large part of that
was the live-axles (they had both wheels keyed). One was nearly
undriveable, I thought, and afterwards I could see the way the
fellow had to wrestle it around the haybales. (very much
convinced me to never run two keys in my cars, but then we
decided that in 1995!)
One question I had re. the spare wheel/tires is how do they fit
the motorcycle rims? We tried 19" motorcycle tires on MG TC
wheels for the Buffy-Porson project, but didn't like the very
poor fit to the rims and switched to as narrow/light-looking TC
tires as we could find.
Mike
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