LocostUSA.com

January 10, 2011

Well, gotta jump in somewhere.. went out from 9-11p and started cleaning dirt/junk/loose nuts and bolts- so far no rust!?! A bit of surface rust here and there, but no 'true' body rot yet.. Seller included a 'better' driver door and fender (but he wants the red ones back due to rarity.. / ALL rubber is brittle-rock hard / finding the glass I have has unusual pitting from the inside of the car (???)- / almost afraid to pull the carpet for fear of a rotten floor and the extra work that would take- fingers crossed..

January 11, 2011

More cleaning and teardown- very surprised to see car as 'solid' as it is.. I still haven't found any rust through/rot- woo hoo!.. Working from back of car forward- pulling emblems-trim-lights-etc.. Again, most items I need are salvagable- even some interior plastic is ok..

January 12, 20011

Still pulling parts- slow going as all of this little bits are a bit rare and someone will need/want them down the line../ there is as much as 2" of pure silt in parts of this floorpan.. must have been years of dessert dust in the wind that found it's way in there.. I can't believe there's not more (any?) rust.. Turned the engine (w/ a socket) and it's free/ pulled small bits from under the hood/ pulled front bumper (and car looks much better without it!)/ aligned hood enough to open and close../ stock grille is so nice, clean and straight that I may just use it/ front lower valance is a bit of a mess ((this would later end up being a blessing))- it's been cut out and booger-welded back on. I will try to salvage it- should work/ engine has oil (dirty of course)/ pulled valve cover- no sludge- looks good..

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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

1959 Berkeley (#2) SE328 (170 HP-DCT bike motor in a wee car..) "Slow Build Berkeley (ccrunner)"

January 13, 2011

Pulled rear bumper; it's not perfect, but is pretty nice! Someone will put it to good use.. / swept out the truck and rear seat area (where the seat mounts) and it looks really, really good- no rust! / I still need to pull the front seats and carpet, but really I'm running out of places to find the rot I've been dreading finding.. I may have gotten lucky; the original pics of this car sitting on the desert floor on its hubs had me thinking I'd have at least some rust issues..

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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

1959 Berkeley (#2) SE328 (170 HP-DCT bike motor in a wee car..) "Slow Build Berkeley (ccrunner)"

That Is going to be a great little car my wife had a 600 coupe. I have worked around Bakersfield and have a friend from there but I never thought that it was in a time warp. You do work in January and it's posted here in December?

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John - Slow and Steady. . . Well slow anyway
Build Loghttp://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=6245

Much less from 22 months ago! This is fun. Like watching a movie you've recorded with all the commercials removed.

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-Keith

I was afraid there would be confusion.. I'm just now getting around to posting work that was done nearly 2 years ago to this car... In 'real time' (right now- Dec 2012) this little car is running and the VFR is parted and mostly gone-- I actually met my goal and got this N600 on the road this past summer (2012)... at some point in the next few months I'm hoping this build log catches up to real time.. Think of it as a show you've DVR'd, but can't fast forward


You wouldn't believe what what kind of a warp many people in this little gas-stop town are stuck in

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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

1959 Berkeley (#2) SE328 (170 HP-DCT bike motor in a wee car..) "Slow Build Berkeley (ccrunner)"

January 16,17,18, 2011

Vacuumed car.. Finally found a small amount of rust under rear lower seat cushion (water trap).. it surface rust and most will be cut out anyway to mod for Miata rear subframe.. Also rust at driver's footwell.. this will require cutting and replacing a panel about 12"x11" and fabbing a stiffening rib to replicate OEM design.. Otherwise, the entire car is rust-free- totally unexpected as most of the japanese imports of the era have at least some rust.. // sifted through parts into NEED and DON'T NEED piles // Pass rear wheel was siezed (hung up brakes)- now freed // learned that Miata rear clip needs its front leading edge trimmed as much as possible to tuck behind rear seat- also need to cheat rear seat back forward about .75" to clear Miata clip.. // ordered rubber/weatherstripping catalogs today // stock door panels are trash (other than chrome strip on them) / with mixing/matching, I have one good set (all I need) of doors/door glass/regulators/latches/hinges etc.. / Switched Dr fender and door to 'yellow' set (best I have)- beginning to line up nicely- pulled door hinge pins (were frozen), lubed and reinstalled..

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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

1959 Berkeley (#2) SE328 (170 HP-DCT bike motor in a wee car..) "Slow Build Berkeley (ccrunner)"

January 23, 25, 2011

Took 2nd (replacement) rear hub/upright/axle and FINALLY got axle pulled after soaking in penetrating oil for last 2 weeks.. Cut 2" off of Miata 'leading' edge- will allow it to move forward under N600 and center wheels in the arches// Plan to trailer car to DMV next week and reg non-op (title history/reg is almost 25 years old.. not looking forward to this process..) / glovebox hinge is frozen // need to find a way to get OEM sound deadener (tarpaper) off of floor-chipped out / Pulled dash/ cut cables-wires-- dash is rough but likely salvagable./ pulled gas tank- yuk! 1/2 full of carmel-like goop, but there's no rust in/on the tank.. someone can use it../ pulled exhaust (firewall back)/ looking for new fuel cell location- maybe up over engine 'above' firewall(?) or tucked behind Miata rear clip.. room for it is a problem.. fuel wieghs 6.1 lbs/gal.- likely the rear down low is best if room..

January 27, 2011

Temporarily reassembled Miata rear susp.. rim lip to outside lip is 62"; aprox 5.5 to 6.5" too wide.. plan to narrow rear clip by needed amount and leave control arms stock length to keep coveted Miata geometry.. Obviously I'll have the same trouble w/ width up front, compounded by fitting around the engine/ placing the rack.. -seems the front upper "A" arms will need to become "J" arms to avoid interfering in the footwell area- that's for another day.. / Took a few hours, but separated the glovebox door without ruining it..

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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

1959 Berkeley (#2) SE328 (170 HP-DCT bike motor in a wee car..) "Slow Build Berkeley (ccrunner)"

February 12, 13, 2011

Had ankle surgery after the Jan 1/2 marathon- it's been injured for awhile, but I wanted to get the race in before I lose the 2 months of training/fitness post-surgery.. Surgery went well. doc had me walk on it same day.. amazing.. I think I'm like a drugged racehorse that doesn't know it's hurting

--With a tender ankle, doing easy stuff for now.. Pulled front fenders and straightened some small dents- looks like someone hit a hedge or grocery kart or something on each side / cut lower front valance off (where someone hacked it up before- straightened it into 'ok for now' shape and tacked it back in.. welding this body will be tough with flux core wire- this stuff just blows right through- need a gas setup.. / sut out, straightened, and re-tacked upper radiator support bar.. front end is fairly square now/ got an email about the stock N600 engine/drivetrain; a guy in Kansas might want it rotor to rotor.. / found a bondo patch on blue hood over pass side headlight- about 8" round area needs to come out.. / Ordered tires from discountedwheelwarehouse.. bought Sumitomos, even though it seems they're discontinuing their 13" series.. I really want to stay on 13s: 14s are just too big for this tiny car .. 175-50-13 front and 215-50-13 rear- paid 282.00 shipped

_________________
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

1959 Berkeley (#2) SE328 (170 HP-DCT bike motor in a wee car..) "Slow Build Berkeley (ccrunner)"

February 16, 17, 2011

Got new front brake pads for the VFR- ride it to work daily (36 degrees this am- brrr!) and with just 40.00 and 20 minutes work I have nice, quiet, effective brakes again..

Went to DMV to start N600 paperwork (did not bring the car).. it actually went pretty well! Next step is to bring the car and have it verified/inspected for VIN- from there, in the future I simply go to DMV when the car is running/ready and truly 'register/plate' the car should be about +77.00 to do this..

February 19, 20, 2011 (Prez w/e)

Debbie is in town (sis in-law)= extra time in the garage .. Pulled the front clip/600 engine- took motor and tranny off of subframe.. cleaned up subframe and put back in car (to get front wheels back on)/ blew out entire car and engine- blew silt out of every crevice/drainholes, etc.. cleaned out fuel tank and feed line (this was a process).. nice tank- no dings/rust/leaks- it's perfect! cleaned/straightened spare tire pan- good for someone going all stock.. / body is now basically totally stripped and 'clean'- pretty nice, square little body- very little rust and minor dings/dents..

Learned that the tires I ordered are out of stock and discontinued.. it was recommended that I change size as "No one is currently making what you want." I decided to chance it and assume someone somewhere will again stamp out my tires, so I located 4 more and ordered them- they're still available, but it seems getting hard to find..

_________________
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

1959 Berkeley (#2) SE328 (170 HP-DCT bike motor in a wee car..) "Slow Build Berkeley (ccrunner)"

February 21, 2011 (President's Day)

Winched N600 shell into our toyhauler to soon take it to DMV and prove its VIN.. should be an easy deal(?!) / got an email about my tires (set 2)- should arrive Feb 28th (Mon).. In my mind disassembly is complete and from here out it's either modding, fabbing, or restoring. Looked up "PVC-framed spray booth" on google.. will likely build a small 'booth' in the garage to paint this car(?)

February 23, 2011

Ordered a Power Commander III USB #101-411 online @ 310.00 total.. / received front tires last night with no problems.. Hooked toyhauler to truck Wed- to DMV Fri the 25th.. emailed N600 engine pics to Matt (potential buyer)

February 25, 2011

Took the car to work in trailer for DMV this afternoon- / stopped at America's Tire and got 4 rubber valve stems for free /// went through DMV- filed for title/non-op.. ok so far, but on my paperwork the inspector wrote "shell only- no engine".. I hope this doesn't come back to bite me as even though it's pre-1975 and smog exempt, I just don't want any issues down the line when I go to put this thing on the street- shouldn't be an issue though.. // took it home and it sat in the trailer until Sunday (27th)

_________________
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

1959 Berkeley (#2) SE328 (170 HP-DCT bike motor in a wee car..) "Slow Build Berkeley (ccrunner)"

February 27, 2011

Pulled N out of trailer- Pulled front and rear suspension out- Mounted 215-50-13 tires for rear and mounted 175-50-13's for front; set the car down to aprox ride height (pretty low) and set tires/wheels into arches to get a visual on desired stance.. I don't like the 215's in the back- too big; dang it! This car is absurd enough anyway, and the rake just made it look cartoonish.. I've orded 2 more 175's to give me the same size all around- Test fitted Polaris RZR seats into car, they're very narrow and should work well to help fit the T5 between them... a bit concerned with the needed fender flares; I'll be about 1.75" too wide on each corner- maybe source VW rabbit or Dodge Omni flares(?).. I'll leave that for another day.. still grappling with the problem of reverse.. could use a T5 with a BIG wieght penalty.. could use a Quafe box (reported lash issues and noisy).. could fab an electric reverse (starter and small fabbed 'flywheel' on the driveshaft.. not sure yet, but leaning toward the T5 ((which would later prove to be my biggest folley on this whole project so far))

a few pics along the way..

_________________
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

1959 Berkeley (#2) SE328 (170 HP-DCT bike motor in a wee car..) "Slow Build Berkeley (ccrunner)"

Darn it! I want to see a pic with the 215s in the back!

_________________
-Keith

February 28, 2011

Found a confirmed buyer (Matt) for the N600 engine- he wants it rotor to rotor shipped to Kansas.. these little motors are a bit tough to find complete and not siezed/trashed..

March 1, 2011

Finally decided on 49" wide hub to hub (mounting face to face)- this will result in small flares on each corner, but I don't dare go any narrower- already going to be motor/diff clearance issues as-is.. there's a fine line between big, gaudy flares, and too narrow- ideally 1.75 to 2" flares will be a nice looking, functional compromise. // Received Dynojet today and will install soon. Time to narrow rear subframe and mount it- WOO HOO, it's only been 3 months and I get to start actually cutting

March 2, 2011

Measured Miata rear hub to hub and was surprised to find it at 58.5" wide (I thought I'd read it was 56.5?? Maybe that's for the front clip? Stipped Miata rear subframe and marked out 9.5" to be narrowed; doesn't leave much!

_________________
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

1959 Berkeley (#2) SE328 (170 HP-DCT bike motor in a wee car..) "Slow Build Berkeley (ccrunner)"

I was so mad at myself at that point for even thinking they would fit that I refused to take a picture of it-- (although now I wish I had!)

_________________
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

1959 Berkeley (#2) SE328 (170 HP-DCT bike motor in a wee car..) "Slow Build Berkeley (ccrunner)"

Oh well.

It's so much fun having such regular updates. Glad you took good notes!

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-Keith