Mark's 1.0LX

[markbognor]

The wheels arrived yesterday, but I was out all day with some kids at a competition, so first thing this morning I got on with some measuring. They have a 101mm backspacing, exactly the same as the current wheels, which is a shame, I had hoped that they had a bigger back space to move them in a bit, this equates to an offset of -13, the current 6x13s are +13.

Here's how they compare on www.willtheyfit.com

The fronts are going to need a little spacing, just to even the poke up a bit.
They are pictured here with the 5th 6x13 with the backs/mounting faces level. I currently need to own some 7x13s!

 

[Shaun]

one word Jealous! (Y)

 

[djtweaker]

dammm that is big

 

[markbognor]

A Bit more research has shown that 175/60 is probably a better size to run,

The re-drilling is underway, I'll get some pics up but basically it has involved the manufacture of a jig to show the stud hole positions, which has been centered on the wheel and used to center drill a pilot for the stud holes, which are then drilled out using larger and larger bits, with a final 25mm bit used to form the taper. I hoping to get a wheel completed before the end of the day today to trial fit a wheel.

 

[markbognor]

Drill jig,

In place,

First two stud holes drilled.

 

[markbognor]

Got Poke?

Well who could resist a little trial fit after the drilling was completed?

Shonkey ass photos, taken in a hurry as the kids arrived this morning!

 

[markbognor]

There's been a very interesting development in this Micra's story. One of my presents was the V5 made out with my details in the new owner section. This is a hugely symbolic gesture from my lovely wife, because she is giving me free reign with the car now. I'm not going to go mad and arch it, but it does mean that I can get on with the thigs that I want to do without debating, discussing and stropping (her) about it first.
I'm very much looking forward to 2010.

 

[MicraFish]

Glad to hear it mate, congratulations! (Y) I look forward to seeing what you do in 2010!
Shame I'm selling my car, otherwise I would have had your old alloys off you in a second!

 

[markbognor]

The machining on the wheels is completed, re-drilled to 4x100, with a 60 degree taper.

I tried to get some tyres fitted the other night but I needed to head home and sort out some drama at home instead.

I've been playing with gear leavers some more.

I've turned up an adaptor to take the thread from 10x1.25 to 10x1.5, and an extention rod with a 10x1.5 thread on each end. I changed to 10x1.5 because I oly have a x1.25 tap and no die. The rod is about 300mm long, however making another is easy so I can go as long as I want at a later date.

The gear knob is currently an old skateboard wheel, which sits about level with the top of the steering wheel, but there is a plan afoot for something that fits in better with the general theme I'm aiming for.

There's also one of these,

hanging in the window, not really appropriate for a narrow wheeled, stock height granny chariot, but I like to think it shows my intentions and inspiration.

 

[mihtymicra]

when you cut your springs will you be using a pan hard rod as am cutting my springs soon just wondering

 

[markbognor]

I'm not definately cutting my springs.

I will definately be requiring a shorter, or adjustable panhard rod because the drop I want will throw the back axle off center.

 

[markbognor]

I had an idea for a new gear knob. The plan was to layer up alternate colours of acrylic disc, then machine and polish to form a nice shiney bar.

Here it is after a first pass on the lathe

And done, after the tapers were machined and many grades of wet and dry were worked through.

It has not worked brilliantly, there is some residue from the polish that has worked its way between the layers. The machine screw in the top is because I made it with a hole all the way through so that I could support it on the tail stock. I tapped both ends so that one end can screw onto the shaft, the other has the machine screw. I might swap this for something more interesting, maybe an allen or torx head bolt.

 

[Shaun]

looks nice bar the top screw but still looks good! (Y) jealous of all the school equipment they have nowadays in the school i work at they have the cnc laser machine the usual welding kit and drills/lathes/ everything! you lucky man you!

 

[markbognor]

Yeah, I will have to do something about that, I'll maybe put an m10 grub screw in there so that it just sits flush.

Here's some of the other stuff I've made with the cool toys I get to play with.

 

[mintyfresh]

This is actually all i've ever wanted my car to look like, when you do lower it i will be very, very jealous.

I love what you're doing with it!

 

[superls]

good work with the gear knog, i tried something similar a while back but layering the plastic the other way, i was using transparent red and clear

 

[markbognor]

Minty' I keep going back to that pic. I sometimes get a bit bogged down with "tat", it keeps me amused while there's no propper modding going on. But that pic really sums up the purity of the original design for me, and how good it can look tidied up a bit, with a drop and some wheels. I think its the taller (standard 155/70's but taller than most with aftermarket wheels) profile of the tyres that really works with the K11's shape. Check out crocain's blog for it done really well in the metal, rather than just a shonkey photoshop.

SuperLS, cheers matey. It was a toss up between horizontal and vertical layering, I just decided to go with vertical this time, I will have a go at the the other in the future. I shyed away from using all transparent because I dont like the way you can see the glue between the layers.

I think the next job with this one is going to be to drill the centre out a little more and make a flashing light circuit to go inside.

 

[markbognor]

I've recieved a couple of parcels this week.

I'll get these on at some point after they have gone satin black. Removal of the UKDM handle leaves a couple of holes in the top of the number plate recess. I'll either fill these and paint the whole resess satin black, kind of inspired by Escort GT rear panels, or I'll just chuck a bung in the hole and leave it, with a veiw to getting some colour matched paint at some point.

And from Thiland,

So of course I went out the front this morning with a big ball of blue tack and gave the resulting photo a 'shop to remove the door mirror.

I think it looks ace.

 

[markbognor]

I played with some gold paint this morning.

Hammerite Smooth Gold. I've got some brush on to do inside the slots as well.

I'll be re-doing a pair of the 6" to match.

 

[nexussteve]

You certainly know how to do things Mark!

Massive thumbs up!

However, those wing mirrors look better on K10s!

 

[markbognor]

Yeah, I think you're probably right about that. I waited quite a while until I found some with a nice oval shape that I think works well with the blobby shape of the K11. I quite like that they will be a real "marmite" touch.

 

[fusca]

I think that lever that big is bad and not i see how is that so,the mirrors also did not understand why and the tires of 175/50 shoulds was better for the rims you have.

 

[markbognor]

Yeah, a gear leaver that long is pretty silly But its removable, and a couple of drives after the novelty wore off I'm back to using the polished ally knob at normal length. The long lever will go back on when its at an event or the feeling takes me.

The overall theme/idea for the car is pretty retrospective, hence the gear leaver which is inspired by old rod and custom mods and the extended knob from japanese bosozuko type cars. The wing/fender mirrors would have been an option on most models in Japan right up untill the demise of the K10 and that generation of cars and is just another example of the way the styling on this is looking back to the past.

175/50s would be a more convetional choice, but again not a particuarly retro one, also the 175/60s have a diameter very near that of the 155/70's that will be staying on the front, on the current 6" wide wheels, or if they get replaced with 7"s. I dont think there is a 155 with a profile that will match the diamerter of a 175/50, and it will have to be very low before the top of the tyre cant be seen.

 

[micras69]

carnt wait to see the car with these wheels on, ar they an origanal set of fox racing wheels they did for the fords? as a mate has them on his orion

 

[markbognor]

I don't think I've ever seen or heard of slot mags with Fox Racing branding, I'd be interested to find out more. These are Wolfrace, the 8"s are from November '74, these were 4x108 so were destined for a Ford or Hillman, the 6"s were cast in '78 and were 4x120 which i think is something honda and Mazda were using in that period.

 

[micras69]

yea shure mark i'll try and find out some more info and get some pics, i know they have a fox stamp on them with the logo on on the lip.....the car its self only had 20k on the clock from new and has only had one ownder and has been garaged most of its life, the car came with the wheels....lol

 

[markbognor]

Ooops I did it again.

13x7 0 offset

The sensible option would be to use them on the back and keep a pair of 13x6 on the front.

Since when has messing about with old cars been sensible!

If the 155's mounted on the 7"s are close to being under the arch on the front then a little camber will make them spot on and the 8"s will continue as plan A for the back.

Which would mean that the 13x6 slots would also up for grabs at some point.

 

[Mojo Micra]

me want dibs on them!

 

[Manny]

sorry mate i dont like them wing mirrors on the wings. but i like the alloys and the other mods.

 

[welly]

would it be possible to make me a gear knob ? pretty please

 

[markbognor]

Thats cool Manny, I knew they wouldn't be to everyones taste.
I thought I was going to be able to get them on this week but alas it wasn't to be.

Welly, what sort of thing do you have in mind?

 

[micras69]

mark, you could do what im going to do with mine. ive used mx5 wing mirrors...blanked of the OE mirror with a blanking plate and im putting the mx5 morrors just under, all you need to do is drill a hole in the door for the mounting blot to go through and its held on with a 13mm nut. i did a test run on a door and it looks ace. im also useing the mx5 door handels too

 

[markbognor]

That sound good micras, kind of like the mirrors on the cabs, and there's quite a few Japanese builds that I've seen that have blanked the original fitting points and mounted on the doors, "that" yellow one particuarly.

Get some pics up of how you are blanking, I cant decide wether to try and fab something from scratch or cut up and fill the original mirror mounting plate. I've not had one in bits yet though.

New mini mirrors could be a good source for a simmilar job, or MX5.

I particuarly want it to have wing/fender mirrors, its part of the old school JDM look that is most of my inspiration for the car.

 

[welly]

something like this Mark

 

[micras69]

Mark, I've just used the 1L base plate, the one that doesn't have the adjuster inside so you don't need to faf on removeing metal from the inside, I just cut it as close as I could with the band saw, sanded the rest then fiberglass. I'm shure you know the rest of the process.

Strangly I got this idea from a dream :S and when I was getting them of a car at work I thought ooooo I could use them handels too, I've gone for the old school jap racer look and for me everything on the car needs to serve a purpose of the bare essentils if it's not got a purpose it's removed and I wanted rid of the handels without the smooth look, so that's why I went for the mx5 handels small and neat and I think I'm the first to do it

 

[markbognor]

I had a little time for the car today, so I drilled some holes in the wings.

I've panneled the original mirror mounting points with some thin plastic covered in matt black vinyl. This is only temporary, at some point I will vacuum form some covers with a bit more shape.

 

[Scouse boy]

Mark I love them mirrors on the wing, they are amazing. I love how all of your modifications are a bit crazy but yet it works... full credit to you.

Is it possible to make me one of those "Dr pepper" style gear knobs? let me know, keep up the awesome work mate

Craig

 

[markbognor]

Cheers Scouse Boy. Why not make your own, The small can of Dr Pepper will come from the supermarket, the resin from halfords and you'll get a tap for a few quid from e-bay.

 

[Mailys62]

Love ur 4x4 lol
Need spring
Good look !

 

[r-reg-sr]

very original looking neat ride

 

[micra_tom]

Just read all the way through your Blog...Loving everything your doing, its really good to see someone taking an original approach to things. The look your going with really reminds me of these cars: http://www.shiotsu-used-car.com/blogpics/crazy-mods.jpg not to sure why, but i could imagine you with one of those exhaust pipes that are like 8 foot long lol..Keep it up mate, will deffinatly be keeping an eye on this blog

 

[Manny]

your wing morrors could be a unique mod at jae (Y)

 

[markbognor]

Cheers Guys.

Tom, I love Bosozuko and would really like to build a a full on ride, but thats not for this Micra. Its more of a Shakotan influence - basic translation is very low ride height car, obviously i'm not there yet but the small wide wheels and soon to be achieved ride height will be getting there, it will then wear its subway ring with pride, dangling just off the tarmac, and I might go as far as hanging an oilcooler (unplumbed of course) off of the front bumper. And there's no ruling out something interesting happening with the exhaust.

I'm going to try and get to JAE this year Manny, however I think it falls on the first weekend that I'm back to school for the new year, and my wedding aniversary.

 

[markbognor]

I picked up the pair of 7" slots that I bought a while back at Wheels Day.

The pic is one next to one of my 8s.

Although advertised as 4x100 I had pretty much expected them to be 4x4". A quick measure has shown that they are, so it looks like i need some wobble bolts, and to turn up some spigot rings to keep 'em nicely centred.

Of course a trial fit has happened,

Lol, got poke?

Nikki has ok'ed the car going on a modified policy too. So shes comming down! The renewal is the end of may, so I've a couple of months to sort out how I shall be doing it, and to fab an adjustable panhard rod.

 

[Manny]

them wheels will look good on it, your cars bodywork looks immaculate.

 

[martinb]

looking good mark, any idea on the offset for the fronts please, that looks like a perfect amount of poke??

what you going for tire wise mate? 175/50 i think on the rear 8j to tuck the tread inside the arch??

like this

but 175/50 on a 7j may not be enough

like this

but a 165/55 is perfect for the front

also found a cheap place selling these tires(nankang (165/55/13)

http://camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m4b0s376p13084

only 27 quid, cheaper than a part worn

sorry for all the questions just your doing exactly what i want to do but i get to see the offsets you put up. so much trouble trying to find 13 x 8 or 13 x 7 4x100pcd so might have to do what you do and re drill them!

cheers bud and please let me know your plans for tyres!!:grinning::grinning:

 

[markbognor]

Cheers Manny, It's pretty tidy but its still got plenty of supermarket carpark knocks, and a football dent in the bonnet. I think the colour hides its faults well, and I keep my camera set to flatter

Martyboy, the ofsett on the 7" wheels is 0. I'm planning a pair of 155/70's for then, with some 175/60's on the the 8" rears. I like the taller tyre look with stretch. That combination should give about the same stretch front to rear and about the same diameter.

175/60 on an 8,

155/70 on a 7

 

[markbognor]

You shouldn't be having that much trouble finding wide 13"s Martyboy, its finding them affordably thats the problem!!

I recon that the ideal fitments would be 7's on the front and 8's on the rear but with half an inch (13mm) more offset to bring the wheel in slightly. so 8's with 0 and 7's with 13. Which I'm pretty sure is the ofsett of a staggered set of 7 and 8 inch ATS classics.

Ah just checked, 7" are 20 and 8" are 01.

http://www.rimstyle.com/products/wh...anufacturer=ats;model=401;size=13;additional=

 

[martinb]

its true what you say mark about price,ebay use to be good for a bargain, years ago you could probably pick a set of 13x8 wellers rusty and in need of tlc for less than 30-40 quid but these day you get rapped because of all the dubbers wanting them.
I've looked on yahoo japan, really nice sets of ssr mark 1's or 2's but same again its the cost. If i got some in ford fitment could u redrill for me at a cost mate?

 

[markbognor]

I've not even run mine, I shan't be offering my services just yet. It can differ quite dramatically between wheels how easy they are to re-drill too. I bet you could find a local firm who would do the drilling for you on a propper indexed bed. It shouldn't be too costly either if you can cope without having the original holes plugged and welded - but this can be the only way the re-drilling is possible. The other option of course is to find some wide mini wheels, but of course there is the demand from the mini folks. I know people who have run 4x4" on 4x100 without issue, but having seen how wrong it looked with mine the other day its not something I'd fancy doing with regular nuts.

You can buy wellers brand new from polley motorsport in 4x100 for less than some are asking for second hand sets on e-bay!