Resto-Mod Micro Car w/Sport Bike Power

More work on fitting the spicer 1310 series flange yoke to the Miata diff. The stock driveshaft has a male pilot bushing built in but the spicer is a female. This bushing will get sandwiched in between to serve as the pilot. It is machined down from 2" round bar stock.

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/437/31...9d9e1915_b.jpg20170117_151933_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/410/31...477076e5_b.jpg20170117_172443_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/614/31...976da80c_b.jpg20170117_172521_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/639/31...b59f728d_b.jpg20170117_172532_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

http://www.BenModified.com

You make this look so easy , Thanks for the updates !

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 53 Chevy5

You make this look so easy , Thanks for the updates !

---

Ditto on the above!!

I really appreciate the craftsmanship in this post - You truly are a master at fabrication and when ingenuity is added it results in just awesome work!

Nice work on getting what you can to make it work. Posts like this make me want a nice lathe even more!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by glennsexton

Ditto on the above!!

I really appreciate the craftsmanship in this post - You truly are a master at fabrication and when ingenuity is added it results in just awesome work!

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 40FordDeluxe

Nice work on getting what you can to make it work. Posts like this make me want a nice lathe even more!

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 53 Chevy5

You make this look so easy , Thanks for the updates !

---

Thanks, I appreciate the encouragement! That lathe was the best $600 I ever spent. It was originally sold by Montgomery Wards back in the 40's, I believe

Todays progress...

Finished fitting the rear yoke

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/330/32...30b1ebeb_b.jpg20170118_173012_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

Trimmed down the outside edge

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/279/32...a5e825f3_b.jpg20170118_180101_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/707/32...09082ca2_b.jpg20170118_180431_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/514/32...1193db5e_b.jpg20170118_181356_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

http://www.BenModified.com

I agree with the other guys, nice work, and a great old lathe! When in comes to heavy tools I find the quality from the past much supperior to what you will pay for anything new these days. I do wood working and really like pre-chinese stuff!

Progress on suspension. Made upper spring/shock mounts from 1/4" thick 6" wide flat bar. In the front, tubing comes up from the subframe to a brace that will bolt in place. It will be removable to extract the struts without separating ball joints and tie rods.

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/361/31...6044fcba_b.jpg20170119_093043_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/435/32...68438606_b.jpg20170119_094333_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

The brace will be clamped in place temporarily to determine proper ride height.
Once determined, a flange nut will be welded into the top of the trimmed off tube. Will also weld a plate over the 1 1/2" hole thru which the bolt will go.

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/599/32...fd823110_b.jpg20170120_093328_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/453/31...3f251d2e_b.jpg20170120_102302_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

Heated and bent the ends of the tubes to match the strut angle

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/782/31...50013ab5_b.jpg20170120_123356_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

Started on the rear supports also. Mostly done, just need a couple of gussets.

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/299/31...a3bbe055_b.jpg20170120_171918_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

The supports are out from under the car. The front is on its wheels and the rear in on a floor jack waiting for the gussets.

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/483/32...dac0866d_b.jpg20170120_124742_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

http://www.BenModified.com

Part 3 is on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h25zc-lF1bc

The steering is coming together. I wound up using a center steer box from a sand rail with the steering arms from the gen 1 honda crx and the tie rod ends from the miata. Here is the original sand rail setup

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/276/31...ea8b38f9_k.jpg20170123_145418 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]


The new arrangement

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/528/31...2bc479ba_k.jpg20170123_145415 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]


Had to open up the holes in the ends of the rack and rethread to fit the honda pieces.

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/392/31...a6cdbfa1_k.jpg20170123_145438 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]


Assembled with the beginnings of a mounting bracket. I believe that shock boots from a golf cart shock will work on this unit.

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/349/32...2be7d123_k.jpg20170124_151839 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

The joints are in the original miata location. With any luck, no bump steer. I will cycle the suspension thru its range before welding everything in

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/260/31...b5377a98_k.jpg20170124_125238 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

Also machined some collars to splice the rear axles

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/380/32...d74452d5_k.jpg20170124_161452 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

And welded in a couple of pieces of tubing for the cage

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/700/31...b54eb7e6_k.jpg20170124_160122 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

http://www.BenModified.com

Took the body off again today to get to a few spots for welding and steering work.

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/711/32...e640443a_b.jpg20170125_172248_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

Added a few gussets to the uprights that support the front spring upper brace.

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/651/32...46898898_b.jpg20170125_172209_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

Center steer mount

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/719/32...9f2feb7c_b.jpg20170125_172216_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

I bolted in the rack system and ran the front suspension thru its travel range with no perceptible bump steer! Sorry, no photo

http://www.BenModified.com

Very nice work!

Very cool; great fab work!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 40FordDeluxe

Very nice work!

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by falconvan

Very cool; great fab work!

---

Thanks! Here is todays progress
Temporarily installed the rack today. Still need to find some properly sized bellows.

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/545/32...a72cb484_b.jpg20170126_084449_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/421/32...ccaf0583_b.jpg20170126_084711_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

Also did some work on the braking setup. I am taking advantage of the extra room with the body off to locate and install the pedal assembly. I am using the originals from the car and adapting a 1970 VW Bug master cylinder. This mc is intended for four wheel drums, but I have used them before on 4 wheel discs with good results.

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/748/31...bf5cba37_b.jpg20170126_085456_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

It only required elongating the mc mounting holes and a little filing to open up the opening on the pedal assembly.

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/599/31...b7fde561_b.jpg20170126_085506_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/364/32...92052e6b_b.jpg20170126_085515_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

I sandwiched a piece of 3/16" metal plate between the two to create a mounting system

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/275/32...ec4a098c_b.jpg20170126_140805_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

Only needed slightly longer mounting studs

Also cut a couple of strips of metal to sandwich the body sheet metal. The roll cage tubing is located beneath these strips. The holes are for welds to the tubing. The uprights that hold the upper strut mount come up thru these strips and will be welded together.

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/537/31...638da7f4_b.jpg20170126_152624_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

http://www.BenModified.com

You are rollin on this thing, thanks for the updates !

Nice rack! Never seen one so tiny. You're doing some wild engineering on that thing.

Here is todays progress

Welded in the master cylinder brackets

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/310/32...4996e4be_b.jpg20170127_144303_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr

Finished the upper strut brace

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/490/32...10618c7d_b.jpg20170127_165958_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

http://www.BenModified.com

Started piecing together the steering column. Welded on some heim joint mounting bosses.

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/570/32...ded5c929_b.jpg20170128_184956_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

I am using a piece of 3/4" shaft with a keyway temporarily. I left it very long and made up an adaptor to the steering wheel so that I can slide the wheel to different positions on the shaft for the best position

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/730/32...ee61cfbe_b.jpg20170128_182418_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/491/32...a1025346_b.jpg20170128_182324_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/732/32...7f7abb89_b.jpg20170128_182310_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

http://www.BenModified.com

Part 4 is on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gSnb3W55wo

I put the body back on the chassis today and started welding the two together.

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/392/31...b47f5216_b.jpg20170130_175810_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

The front braces are welded together with the cage tubes under the dash

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/598/32...5865ceca_b.jpg20170130_143112_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/443/32...b68cb0d1_b.jpg20170130_143054_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

Working on connection on the rear of the car

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/396/32...a9598ef3_b.jpg20170130_175844_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

http://www.BenModified.com

"I put the body back on the chassis today and started welding the two together."

Uh oh, now your commited for sure, cant wait to see this thing in motion !

More body to cage connections

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/423/32...0fec9081_b.jpg20170131_175814_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/744/32...1fd3155f_b.jpg20170131_180441_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

http://www.BenModified.com

Love your post - kinda like going to a combination exotic car show crossed with a museum and an art show. Your work is truly amazing!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by glennsexton

Love your post - kinda like going to a combination exotic car show crossed with a museum and an art show. Your work is truly amazing!

---

Wow, thanks so much. I appreciate it!

Very nice thinking and fab work!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 40FordDeluxe

Very nice thinking and fab work!

---

Thanks! Here is todays progress
More body to cage connections

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/385/32...0797d6d3_b.jpg20170202_163000_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

There are enough connections now that I was able to remove most of the temporary bracing.

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/561/32...6b6a6e6d_b.jpg20170202_165451_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/301/32...bffbde16_b.jpg20170202_165441_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

First major tube is bent

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/691/32...5428cab8_b.jpg20170202_074725_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

I went to the salvage yard yesterday and picked up a crank pulley which will be part of the electric reverse. I first had to remove one of the belt grooves.

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/583/32...7f588a10_b.jpg20170202_085445_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

This will be sandwiched between the rear yoke and the diff. I needed 4.25" inside the pulley for the flange yoke so the inner portion had to go

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/480/32...c7581298_b.jpg20170202_085520_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

http://www.BenModified.com

You've got skills.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by firebird77clone

You've got skills.

---

Thanks!

cage progress

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/519/31...d326c15d_b.jpg20170203_163244_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/666/31...4652ac69_b.jpg20170203_113357_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

View from the rear..nicely tucked

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/439/31...3fd6ee16_b.jpg20170203_113605_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

http://www.BenModified.com

That looks really nice. You may have mentioned it before, but what kind of tubing bender do you have?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 40FordDeluxe

That looks really nice. You may have mentioned it before, but what kind of tubing bender do you have?

---

The bender that I am using for the cage came from a custom bike builder company that is out of business. Sorry, don't recall the name. The dies come from a company in tampa. They make good stuff. It is used for tight bends

https://pro-tools.com/

I also have a bender from Eastwood for long sweeping bends. It looks like it is no longer on their website, but here is something similar from Harbor Freight. It works well, but is a heck of a lot of work. This is what I used to make the steering wheel for the VW Truck

Tubing Roller

Cage is mostly done and all of the temporary supports are out.

Part 5 is on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybilEHjpnhg

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/358/32...46b7cc7c_b.jpg20170204_164236_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/774/32...8e73d851_b.jpg20170205_112442_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/369/32...99891f2c_b.jpg20170205_112508_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

http://www.BenModified.com

That cage looks nice, I'm not too good at those kind of cuts.

Very nice work! It really makes me wanting to be working on my car instead of trucks! :LOL:

After searching unsuccessfully for an R1 engine, I finally moved forward and installed the cbr600 engine instead. Plenty of leg room for the driver and a sufficient amount for the passenger.

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/625/32...c04b3db9_b.jpg20170206_152511_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/630/32...c7b6afff_b.jpg20170206_152535_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/316/32...69b93481_b.jpg20170206_152656_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

As soon as I got it into place I ran across this for sale.

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/615/32...7e14a8c1_b.jpg20170207_140242_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

A well worn but good running 2001 Yamaha R1. 150hp (cbr was 100) with much better dimensions for the Autobianchi. It will allow more passenger room and has a much better output shaft placement and will also give me more ground clearance.

http://www.BenModified.com

Now that the 3 day Caffeine and Octane show is over

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3698/3...2d86b66a_k.jpg20170317_101512_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

I can get back to work on the Autobianchi. I removed the 100hp cbr600 engine today

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2855/3...6ae8d3ab_z.jpg20170322_152547_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

and started stripping down the 150hp R1

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3762/3...bcfa3dfd_k.jpg20170322_152552_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

The engine is ready to be separated from the bike

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3672/3...ec191915_k.jpg20170322_164758_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

http://www.BenModified.com

At least you found one before you had the CBR engine all fit up and done in there!

Motor is out. Very compact!

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2861/3...d394f049_k.jpg20170323_162434_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

http://www.BenModified.com

Made some progress mounting the R1 engine today

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3679/3...710ea3fe_k.jpg20170324_160647_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

http://www.BenModified.com

motor is small but it sure fills up the car quickly:LOL:

The driveshaft is finished. The slip joint is to allow for the rubber mounted engine

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2938/3...e98c17dc_k.jpg20170325_101213_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2873/3...839538bd_k.jpg20170325_102254_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

http://www.BenModified.com

Engine is properly positioned. Driveshaft is bolted in and engine mounts are coming together

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3850/3...627ef42a_k.jpg20170327_170951_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2918/3...d6513b73_k.jpg20170327_174837_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

http://www.BenModified.com