LocostUSA.com

Learning how to build Lotus Seven replicas...together!
It is currently March 28, 2024, 4:34 am

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 11 posts ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: October 14, 2018, 10:36 pm 
Offline

Joined: October 14, 2018, 10:14 pm
Posts: 3
I've got a Honda CX650 that I've decided to build into a "what if the Japanese had built Morgan 3-wheelers instead of the British?" or a Morganori or call it what you will. I'm looking for suggestions for front suspension kits. My requirements are:

a) light weight
b) disc brakes
c) ball joints
d) cast not billet

I'm trying to maintain the look of components that might be produced in the mid 50's to 60's were they actually built.

I like the VW Type 1 ball joint spindle/disc brake kits. The Mustang 2 kits are okay, but may be a bit heavy. I've also considered MG Midget spindles and rotors to accommodate wire wheels. Each of these have their own pros and cons. What do you think? What cars have I overlooked?


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: October 15, 2018, 1:11 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: June 8, 2010, 8:02 pm
Posts: 621
Location: White Rock, BC, Canada
I'd guess you're going to end up with british knuckles for the look you want. Japanese started using struts early, and most other available knuckles will be as big or bigger than pinto. RX7 maybe?

_________________
Build log: viewtopic.php?t=9291


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: October 15, 2018, 8:35 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: September 22, 2005, 8:12 am
Posts: 1879
Location: 4AGE in S.E. Michigan
The Brits typically use Cortina or Triumph spindles on their Morgan replicas. Here in the USA, I would look at some of the ATV spindles/disc set-ups. DaveW


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: October 15, 2018, 10:07 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: December 17, 2010, 1:24 pm
Posts: 1580
Location: Gainesville, Mo.
Agree with Davew on checking out atv sources. You mentioned light weight and then expressed a desire for wire wheels. A little contradiction there. The V-dub parts you mentioned may be your best shot. Years ago, my Dad built a VW based Bugatti kit-car using Karman-Ghia underpinnings. He managed to find wire wheels that were a bolt-on to the K-G hubs.


You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

_________________
Mike - Read my story at http://twinlakesseven.blogspot.com/


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: October 15, 2018, 1:21 pm 
Offline

Joined: October 14, 2018, 10:14 pm
Posts: 3
Thanks for the comments. By light weight, I just meant, don't point me to a set of Buick disc brake conversion spindles because they are cheap or something. Both the MG and VW spindles will support wire wheels and they are both lighter than the Mustang spindles and certainly than the rotors and calipers in that setup.

ATV parts won't have the strength or they are billet and the wire wheel options are probably nonexistent.

I'm really interested in cast spindle/disc brake options from smaller passenger cars. The RX 7 is a new option I hadn't considered. Any other ideas?


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: October 15, 2018, 6:48 pm 
Offline
Automotive Encyclopedia
User avatar

Joined: December 22, 2006, 2:05 pm
Posts: 8037
Chevette 4lug /fiero 5 lug which are used on many dwarf legend bec cars with datsun b210 hubs. 2 bolt ubj, press in lbj.
Miata is another light option.
rx7 has struts but could be modified to fit a ubj and probably a good choice with a skinny wire wheel for minimal scrub.
Most triumphs have trunions rather than lbjs.

_________________
Miata UBJ: ES-2074R('70s maz pickup)
Ford IFS viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13225&p=134742
Simple Spring select viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11815
LxWxHt
360LA 442E: 134.5x46x15
Lotus7:115x39x7.25
Tiger Avon:114x40x13.3-12.6
Champion/Book:114x42x11
Gibbs/Haynes:122x42x14
VoDou:113x44x14
McSorley 442:122x46x14
Collins 241:127x46x12


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: October 16, 2018, 10:57 pm 
Offline

Joined: October 14, 2018, 10:14 pm
Posts: 3
Fiero sounds interesting. Anyone know if this is really $500 for the entire front suspension/steering/brakes?

https://www.wholesalegmpartsonline.com/ ... 01235.html


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: October 17, 2018, 6:55 pm 
Offline
Automotive Encyclopedia
User avatar

Joined: December 22, 2006, 2:05 pm
Posts: 8037
That is $500 just for the left spindle. There is nothing wrong with used spindles as long as there is no wear on the spindle from the bearing trying to seize and spinning from lack of mx. They make new, lightweight fabbed chevette spindles for dwarfs at about $130 each.

I suggest you locate a junkyard with an 84-86 fiero to source the spindles with all the brake hardware. Should cost $50-100 for both sides combined and they will likely torch them off for you (cutting the control arms).

_________________
Miata UBJ: ES-2074R('70s maz pickup)
Ford IFS viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13225&p=134742
Simple Spring select viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11815
LxWxHt
360LA 442E: 134.5x46x15
Lotus7:115x39x7.25
Tiger Avon:114x40x13.3-12.6
Champion/Book:114x42x11
Gibbs/Haynes:122x42x14
VoDou:113x44x14
McSorley 442:122x46x14
Collins 241:127x46x12


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: October 19, 2018, 12:39 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: July 17, 2008, 9:11 am
Posts: 6414
Location: West Chicago,IL
Sure looks like the full knuckle-hub rotor and caliper in the pic. I think the pic is deceiving. I agree with MV8. I think it is just the spindle casting that hey are selling. You might want to verify that with the seller if you think otherwise.

_________________
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


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: October 19, 2018, 7:06 pm 
Offline
Automotive Encyclopedia
User avatar

Joined: December 22, 2006, 2:05 pm
Posts: 8037
I thought you were looking for spindles but you want a complete suspension kit. I used a vw beam with drums for my trike. It will likely be too stiff but the torsion springs can be adjusted for rate by using adjusters that can load one beam while unloading the other, making it a progressive rate. viewtopic.php?f=36&t=11384

You might find this interesting also (kz1000, datsun diff upside down for fwd, custom spindles, knee shocks, 80s ford 15" aluminum spares):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-pbvUaki48

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1AYuN-LR7w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jieBC_bsm58


You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

_________________
Miata UBJ: ES-2074R('70s maz pickup)
Ford IFS viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13225&p=134742
Simple Spring select viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11815
LxWxHt
360LA 442E: 134.5x46x15
Lotus7:115x39x7.25
Tiger Avon:114x40x13.3-12.6
Champion/Book:114x42x11
Gibbs/Haynes:122x42x14
VoDou:113x44x14
McSorley 442:122x46x14
Collins 241:127x46x12


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: November 24, 2018, 10:59 am 
Offline

Joined: November 24, 2018, 10:45 am
Posts: 1
Hi Kamakazi - What you want to do has been done before. One of the trike kits available from England is the JZR. I can use an assortment of powerplants including the CX650 - I built the second one in the US. I used Chevette rack and pinion and Pinto hubs but modified with the mounting plate of a VW Rabbit rear axle. I then bolted up complete Rabbit rear axle and complete hub assembly. I cut out the axle mount of a pair of Moto Guzzi front wheels and drilled them to fit the VW drum. This provided 4x18 rims on which I mounted motorcycle sidecar type tires. I later changed to complete pinto spindles and hubs after wrecking it slightly. Found a pair of Lincoln space saver spare alloy wheels and mounted 16 car tires on them. A lot of advice can be found in the JZR-USA web site (https://www.freewebs.com/jzrusa/), including where to find Chevette/Fiero spindles - brakes and all can be bought at your local parts house. I'm scratch building another using a Guzzi drivetrain but have a CX650 in the corner waiting for the next build. If you need any additional links or info that I could help with, please let me know.


You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 11 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 15 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
POWERED_BY