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I've been browsing the BEC forum here for a bit and figured I would post up my build. I live in Tulsa, OK and my wife and I are working on a 1960 Austin Mini which will be the recipient of a 2003 Yamaha R1 motor. We purchased the bare shell in April of 2014 and haven't really done much in the last two years other than gather parts for the build. It's currently at the body shop getting some attention and hopefully will be painted and ready to come back home in the next couple of weeks. Earlier this week I purchased an R1 swap kit from LynxAE in the UK which should be delivered in the next several weeks (exchange rates were too good to pass up). Things are moving forward now so I'm hopeful we can start piecing this car back together soon! I'll try to keep this build updated regularly. Here are some pics so far...

We drove to Atlanta to pick up the shell and various other parts 2 years ago. The body was pretty straight, had a custom floor welded in



We had the shell blasted which uncovered a few rust spots but over all we were happy with where we were starting


Various stages of body work














We really struggled with what seats to use. We have these right now but they need a little tlc. We may end up with something else. Who knows.


My wife testing out the seating position. This is originally a LHD car that we are converting to RHD



Here is the engine. 2003 Yamaha R1


We had a custom 4 pt roll bar welded in. Also working on fitting the sportspack flares, which is taking a little time. For the fronts, we are filling in the side marker indents along with the front bumper indents.





Here are some better pictures of the roll bar




I bought the motor online from a salvage yard and watched a video of it running so hopefully it works out when it goes in. So far what I've done to prep the motor includes:

-Gutted the stock airbox for trumpets and sensor, since stock airbox won't work on a BEC (bike engine car) Planning on using pipercross px600 filter and bank backing plate
-Pulled clutch to see what kind of shape it was in. Have a replacement clutch pack ready to go in
-Pulled the AIS (air injection system) module off the motor to install Graves Motorsport block off plugs. The AIS causes issues when you try and dyno tune these motors so we trashed it. Have a power commander for tuning.
-Added oil pan baffle plate to ward off oil starvation
-Purchased exup eliminator








Here is everything that comes with the Lynx Racing R1 swap kit

Wow! You may win the Most Massive First Post ever award! Very cool.

Not that it has a whole lot in common with your build other than the shell but I presume you're familiar with Project Binky? https://www.youtube.com/user/badobsessionmsport

Welcome.

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-Keith

Very cool, my first ever car was a Mini, I will follow the closely.

Graham

Everyone loves pictures, right?? Yeah I'm pretty familiar with Project Binky. Love the build!




Thanks. They are pretty cool little cars.

Update on the Mini. The roof and interior have now been painted. Exterior should be finished up later this week. The roof is Wimbledon White and the rest of the car is 1995 Thunderbird Blue. So far I think it looks great and can't wait to see the finished product

I want a ride in this thing soooooooo bad!!!!! Russ

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You meet the nicest people in a Locost Se7en.

Finally got some color on the outside of this shell. Totally thrilled. Anxious to see the color contrast with the white on the roof! They are going to put the rest of the shell back together at the body shop (arches, bumpers, doors, windows, etc) and then I'll take it home and start working on the suspension and engine swap. Hopefully I'll have it home in a few weeks. Also, it's been 8 weeks since I ordered the Lynx swap kit. I talked to them earlier this week and they should ship it out next week. Hopefully not by boat lol. Anyway here are some pictures:

Looking good. Have you watched project Binkey on YouTube? They are building a mini just like that but there using a 4wd Celica engine.

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2015 & 2016 EMod Florida State Autocross Champion
2013 & 2014 DSP Florida State Autocross Champion

Scrap Metal Build Log viewtopic.php?f=35&t=14558

Yes Project Binky is pretty wild! Definitely enjoy watching

Paint is dry and the tape is off. Here she is in all her glory.

Currently trying to decide whether the flares should be teal or white...

I vote teal. The white would look too busy for me I think.

BTW, Nice work!

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Chuck.

“Any suspension will work if you don’t let it.” - Colin Chapman

Visit my ongoing MGB Rustoration log: over HERE

Or my Wankel powered Locost log : over HERE

And don't forget my Cushman Truckster resto Locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=17766

Thank you! Yes, I agree. Flares will be body color. White would probably be a little too wild.

Longtime lurker, finally registered just to post to this thread (no pressure!)

Keep up the awesome updates, looking forward to seeing this build

I've been sketching / budgeting a similar style locost (only with a modern mini). The main hurdle that is stopping me from going all in is the title / registration process. Do you mind me asking what state you're in? I'm struggling to see how to get that done (currently in NJ: soon to be CA...) with a motorcycle engine and a modern car that has to pass emissions. I'm assuming you're titling it as a '60 Austin Mini and therefore are exempt from all that baloney?

Welcome! And glad this thread helped get you here. Yeah...no pressure

I am in Oklahoma. I will be titling/registering this car as a '60 Austin Mini, although you could probably title a cardboard box here in OK. There are very few rules about registering cars and we also don't have any inspections or emissions tests to mess with. Basically if it somewhat functions and has some lights you will be able to title it and drive it on the street. I don't know much about NJ but CA may be tough with a bike engine car, but I'm sure there are some ways around it.

Good luck with your build!

Love the color

I'm a big fan of pastels on the right model/make/year, and it certainly works on this one.. the white roof is a perfect accent.. Please keep us updated with all the pics and detail- loving this build


--ccrunner

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Dean

1972 Honda N600 Restomod "ccrunner's N600 VFR800 repower"

1963 Volvo P1800 Restomod
http://locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=16309

1959 Berkeley SE492 Restomod...
viewtopic.php?f=36&t=19397

"ccrunner's 1960 MGA coupe Restomod" found on MGExp.com