LocostUSA.com

Does anyone have any first person experience with this style seat?


Ron

_________________
"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." - Mark Twain
In my defense the moon was full and I was left unsupervised

I drove my friends Caterham with those seats. They are certainly more comfortable than the Kirkey or SafeRacer seats many of us are using. On the other hand, I like that little extra metal between me and that SUV trying to T-Bone me that racing seats provide. Doubt it would save me, but it does make me feel better.

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Parts left out cost nothing and cause no problems!!

JPS Europa,

You're right about there not being much to these.



But would they be comfortable after say 6 hrs on the road?

Ron

_________________
"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." - Mark Twain
In my defense the moon was full and I was left unsupervised

I think what would make the comfortable is the great leg support. I plan on adding some padding to my Kirkey seat ho much who knows, just enough to make it comfy I guess.

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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

They'd be comfortable if they actually fit you. I love my fiero seats but an early miata seat has my back hurting in 30 minutes. I found cutting the bottom foam and removing the pad in the center of the back worked wonders.

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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

Miatav8,
From what I can tell these seats work best for skinny people!
My 1994 Honda Accord seats are a good fit when my weight is 165 lbs or less. When I'm at 180lbs, I have a very hard time getting comfortable. The padding in the seats lumbar support is to much for the additional body mass. The plan has always been to be 155 lbs to 160 lbs by the time the 7 is ready to drive.

If someone were to build these themselves, the foam in that area could be sized to fit.
This site details the rebuild of the back section.
http://website.lineone.net/~dmch2/seats.htm
This pic shows how the lumbar foam piece is fitted to the back panel.

I believe the original foam is being reused.
Anyway... as I figure out measurements and methods, they will be posted here.
The plan is to develop plans for the seats, the forms to use to bend the tubing, and patterns for the upholstery, that are easily "Tweak-able" to fit individual needs.
...And will comfortable for "the long haul".
FYI
The folks on this site drive their Caterham year round. They have the same style seats!
http://www.mycaterham.com/15083/index.html?*session*id*key*=*session*id*val*
This page in particular brings a big smile
http://www.mycaterham.com/117516/162193.html

Just sayin,

Ron

_________________
"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." - Mark Twain
In my defense the moon was full and I was left unsupervised

Uh, Ron, my own experience tells me that 155 is not the most realistic goal for gentlemen of our ages. I wish you the best, but hope you don't beat yourself up with that one.

On the plus side, I have an excellent ergonomic technical reference that I can share with you. It's a 3MB, electronic copy of a extensive paper from the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute that covers pretty much all areas of auto seating and summarizes past research results. Best of all, it gives very specific ranges of dimensions for all aspects of seating and the trade-offs between various factors. It is long and technical, so takes some effort, but is info packed. PM me with your e-mail address if you'd like it.

You might also want Google the H-Point concept if you're not familiar with it. Try searching in the images portion as well as the web section.

I applaud your efforts. I may design my own seats too because I don't find many ready-mades comfortable and my wife has some special needs I'd like to satisfy, so she'll enjoy the Locost too. Do publish your efforts and results.

Best,

Lonnie

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Damn! That front slip angle is way too large and the Ackerman is just a muddle.

Build Log: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=5886

Lonnie,
PM sent!

I'm more trying to make that design my own. meaning, adapt it to fit my person and the space available. It may end up looking just like it, won't know until I can sit in a mock-up.
I'll start with as close to an original copy as I can manage and then work from there.
The frame sitting on 6" tiles gives some idea of the measurements.
The seat is almost level with the rear bulkhead in height,

I'm taking the frame height measurement and the rear bulkhead angle from a SketchUp Model of a Caterham frame.

When I gather more info I'll attempt a SketchUp model.

Ron

_________________
"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." - Mark Twain
In my defense the moon was full and I was left unsupervised

After looking at a large collection of images, I think I'm close to having a height for the replica seat.
Some pictures show top of the seat backs (w/o headrest) level with the rear bulkhead, while others show it sitting above!
This appears to be the reason why.

Some models have a dropped floor (green Cat) that results in the seat back level with the bulkhead.
The seat pan is about 2" below frame bottom.

If a rail assembly adds 1" the seat height should be in the neighborhood of 1" taller than the distance from the bottom of the frame to the top at the rear bulkhead.
This SketchUp drawing is of the smaller ,current Caterham fame,

Using that measurement, and approx. values taken from the frame on the tiles pic This sketch was assembled.

Then, because The STRanger 7 height was increased to match the skuttle height needed for the Cologne V6, 1 3/8" was added.

The first dimensioned SketchUp drawing will be of 14" wide, 21 5/8" tall replica/copy. The drawing for mine will be 16" wide and 23" tall.

Not altogether unlike the difference between the Cat Roadsport ,and the Roadsport SV size.


All for now,

Ron
181.2

_________________
"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." - Mark Twain
In my defense the moon was full and I was left unsupervised

Not quite Caterham seats...But definitely DIY'able.
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=8877

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-Justin

"Orville Wright did not have a pilots license." - Gordon MacKenzie

Driven5,
Both seats are great options for home made solutions.
The step by step details provide excellent insight into the techniques used.
How about that Locost style space frame inside the Spridget body shell! Looks right at home.

Ron

_________________
"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." - Mark Twain
In my defense the moon was full and I was left unsupervised

To date:
First model was a little off compared to the picture,


To long and the dia. for the back bottom curve was to small.

This last one is closer.


A few tweaks here and there and it can be uploaded to the SketchUp warehouse.
The dimensions for the headrest receiver were taken from a MGB unit.

All for now.

Ron
180.2

_________________
"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." - Mark Twain
In my defense the moon was full and I was left unsupervised

Ron,

What are you going to use to bend the tubes?

Looks goo by the way.

Cheers,

_________________
Damn! That front slip angle is way too large and the Ackerman is just a muddle.

Build Log: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=5886

Lonnie,
Using plywood forms,

Take a 1/4" round router bit to 2 matching pieces.
Because of spring-back two forms for each curve.
The under size form to make a curve just a little to small and a full sized form
so I can take a rubber mallet and tap it out to the correct size.

With the tube securely clamped at the top of the curve,

I'll clamp the form in a vice and bend away.
The 1/2" tubes will be packed with oven dried fine playground sand.

I'm guessing heat will be necessary for the bends at the top of the side tubes,

and along with heat the rear corners, where the back curve meets the right and left horz. tube, will need to be indented.
This is the finished 14" wide model

I'm in the process of learning how to upload models to the SketchUp Warehouse
I'll provide a link if I can.

This is 2 15" wide seat "place holders" in my frame model




Tight in front at the sides but I can make them fit.

Ron

_________________
"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." - Mark Twain
In my defense the moon was full and I was left unsupervised

Here is a link to the" SketchUp 8 " model of the 14" wide seat.
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=f241052482435234a6e628a50277d033&prevstart=0
I'll post the dimensions here or the can by taken from the model.
Here are a few images.




More to come! I have a few things to do before the storm hits

Questions?...

Ron

_________________
"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." - Mark Twain
In my defense the moon was full and I was left unsupervised