Clamshell fenders

[lagonia]

I have a 2001 De Dion with clamshell fenders. I'm tconsidering changing to cycle fenders. Any comments with pros and cons? Also, if I make this change I'd like to sell my clamshells. They're BRG and in excellent condition.

[slngsht]

first, locostv8 on this forum is looking for a set of clamshells for his locost build.



I'm in the process of changing right now.



What are you going to do with the holes left behind from your old fenders? I have a Rotus, so I'm not sure if your fenders are attached the same way, but I imagine they're bolted to the body at several places.



The only con I see is that it increases the chance of someone touching my exhaust.



Are you buying a kit to do this?



The common problem with cycle fenders is making sure the mounting is stiff.



I bought a set of aluminum fenders from Coveland. They sell Aluminum or fiberglass. They can custom make the aluminum ones to whatever your specs are.

[slngsht]

Here's a pic of my cycle fender. Not mounted yet.



http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/slngsht/CIMG1070.JPG





Moving this to the general section....

[lagonia]

I believe only one of the bolts is connected to the chassis. The others are connected to the shell. My plan is to put low profile bolts back in the holes (threads) and paint them BRG to match my car. I can't think of any other way to fill the holes short of bondo, which I do not want to do.



I will purchase the parts from a Caterham dealer. They're readily available. The parts are the fender (fiberglass or carbon fiber), cycle wing stays and headlight brackets. From a discussion with the dealer in Colorado the process is pretty straight forward.

[lagonia]

I'm new to this forum. How do I get in touch with that First Locost builder to see if he's interested in my clamshells?

[slngsht]

welcome aboard... there are several ways. You can search for him from the top menu, or in the "Other" menu item, go to member listing, and find him there. Here's a link to his profile:

>http://www.usa7s.com/forum/member_profile.asp?PF=97 (http://www.usa7s.com/forum/member_profile.asp?PF=97)



Click on PM or Email buttons to get in touch with him. I'm sure he will see your post and chime in http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/cheers2.gif

[xflow7]

I haven't spent much time in cycle-fendered cars (I have clamshells), but I gather the increase in gravel and crap that ends up in the cockpit with cyles vs. clams is something to behold (at least on Caterhams).<edited><editID>xflow7</editID><editDate>2006-10-26 15:56:51</editDate></edited>

[JohnCh]

My Westfield was originally fitted with clamshells, but I switched to cycle fenders when I did the rebody. Xflow7 is correct about the additional road debris in the cockpit, but installing small mud flaps cured this on my car. I love the cycle fenders and am very happy I made the switch. There is nothing like turning in to a corner and watching the fenders dive for the apex – fun stuff!



-John<edited><editID>JohnCh</editID><editDate>2006-10-26 18:03:44</editDate></edited>

[locostv8]

I'm doing 2, Put-Put is intended to be my wife's car and as such things kicked up by the tires would be a nono. The front tires are 215 60 14 so they should fit under most clamshells. The only negative I can think of is possibly at resale time.

[slngsht]

Forum member Catie can comment on this, but clamshells have problems with high speed aerodynamics - in case you race...

[locostv8]

Momma is no car person, hence the name Put-Put. This is an economy/fun car to put around town on nice days. I'm pretty sure she will only have lead foot once, hehe. I doubt she will ever have it over 70 more likely 50 to 60.

[Al Navarro]

I haven't spent much time in cycle-fendered cars (I have clamshells), but I gather the increase in gravel and crap that ends up in the cockpit with cyles vs. clams is something to behold (at least on Caterhams).



Forget "in the cockpit", try "in the driver's and passenger's eyes"!



http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/cryin.gif



In all seriousness, it's amazing the amount of gravel that ends up in the passenger seat when I drive solo.

[slngsht]

Forget "in the cockpit", try "in the driver's and passenger's eyes"!



http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/cryin.gif



In all seriousness, it's amazing the amount of gravel that ends up in the passenger seat when I drive solo.



That happened with my clamshells too. I routinely pick little rocks out of my hair later in the day.

[JohnCh]

The combination of small mudflaps and big wind deflectors has virtualy eliminated the rock-in-the-seat problem with my car. I will still find one or two small pebbles each week, but I haven't felt a direct hit since the mods.



-John

[stevet]

My first Caterham had clamshells, my current one has cycle's. I loved the look of the clams, but prefer the cycle wings - feel more stable at speed - but you definitely get more junk in the 'office' with the cycles!

[Crazy_Canuck]

Hey, if you swap them out, let me know, I may want at least one clamshell, drivers left.

[powderbrake]

Gravel in the seats is a common phenomenon with cycle fenders, which is why I always wear goggles.



Even though my front fenders are only 4 1/2 inches off the ground, I still got gravel in the seats. A word of cauition on the mudflaps. I installed a setof flaps, hoping to get rid of the "seat gravel" but the rocks hit the flap, bounced back against the tire, were then propelled around the inside of the fender, and exited the front of the fender on top of the tires. Unfortunately, this happens to be near eye level, and with "brooklands" type wind screens, I was dodging rocks. I removed the flaps, and live with the gravel.

[Keith]

slngsht, do you mind giving your impression of the Coveland aluminum bits? If you've already done so elsewhere, please let me know.



I always wear eye protection when driving my car due to the gravel. It's just a fact of life for those of us with cycle fenders, but they're just so entertaining to watch http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smile5.gif

[slngsht]

I think they are nicely done. There are marks on the sides where the aluminum is rolled. I'm assuming they can be sanded down and polished completely.



I mounted one of them, but my brackets weren't stiff enough. I'm going to take it off and come up with better brackets. At the moment work is going crazy, and the car is in the shop for a head/cam package.



I had clamshells, and I got rocks in the seat and my hair all the time.



For the last couple of months I ran with no fenders, and there was really not much difference (bad either way).



I think fenders mostly make a difference in shieling water if the road is wet.

[Keith]

Here's what my fender stays look like. They're 1/2 rod - flexible to bend cold, but stiff enough that they don't move. I took the idea from a Stalker builder and they've worked very well for me.



http://cheapsportscar.net/images/IMG_9428.jpg



http://cheapsportscar.net/images/IMG_9439.jpg



Keith