Custom Throttle Cable

[SimonH]

) ashm
2) dapinky (1)
3) rip
4) Breed
5) LGM (LHD)
6) saska
7) dapinky (2)
8 ) alexg
9) Monty
10) Ailwyn
11) Woody.
12) John_W
13) Dico
14) Dunnlor (LHD)
15) Gazza
16) inkitin (black)
17) Dave Eds (1)
18) Dave Eds (2)
19) Paza1
20) Nige (1)
21) Nige (2)
22) Specky (1) (red)
23) Specky (2)
24) Router
25) Exbury
26) BFG in the BRG
27) muley (1)
28) muley (2)
29) Max & Andy
30) daveA
31) Elanlover (LHD)
32) whippit
33) Nobby
34) AndyT
35) Matt RI (LHD)
36) G UK
37) markv (red)
38) SimonH {Black or Stainless Steel}

[ashm]

Ok, latest news:
I spent some time at the cable workshop today, checking out the various materials and fixings. The heat sleeve fits the cable conduit like a glove, so it's all looking good.
The stainless braided conduit is purely for appearance, apparently - the motorcyclists like it because it matches the other shiny bits on the bikes. I think the standard conduit and heat sleeve is a better option for the throttle cable, as the clear PVC outer on the SS conduit will still melt if it gets too hot.
We're getting teflon conduit lining. Most control cables use a nylon lining which degrades quickly when cooked, the teflon is a better low-friction lining and isn't easily damaged by heat. All in all, the cables should be very robust.
I'm getting my prototype next week, so I'll be back with another update when I've given it some abuse.

Adam

[MattDon]

2) dapinky (1)
3) rip
4) Breed
5) LGM (LHD)
6) saska
7) dapinky (2)
8 ) alexg
9) Monty
10) Ailwyn
11) Woody.
12) John_W
13) Dico
14) Dunnlor (LHD)
15) Gazza
16) inkitin (black)
17) Dave Eds (1)
18) Dave Eds (2)
19) Paza1
20) Nige (1)
21) Nige (2)
22) Specky (1) (red)
23) Specky (2)
24) Router
25) Exbury
26) BFG in the BRG
27) muley (1)
28) muley (2)
29) Max & Andy
30) daveA
31) Elanlover (LHD)
32) whippit
33) Nobby
34) AndyT
35) Matt RI (LHD)
36) G UK
37) markv (red)
38) SimonH {Black or Stainless Steel}
39) Mattdon (red)

[maz_r]

2) dapinky (1)
3) rip
4) Breed
5) LGM (LHD)
6) saska
7) dapinky (2)
8 ) alexg
9) Monty
10) Ailwyn
11) Woody.
12) John_W
13) Dico
14) Dunnlor (LHD)
15) Gazza
16) inkitin (black)
17) Dave Eds (1)
18) Dave Eds (2)
19) Paza1
20) Nige (1)
21) Nige (2)
22) Specky (1) (red)
23) Specky (2)
24) Router
25) Exbury
26) BFG in the BRG
27) muley (1)
28) muley (2)
29) Max & Andy
30) daveA
31) Elanlover (LHD)
32) whippit
33) Nobby
34) AndyT
35) Matt RI (LHD)
36) G UK
37) markv (red)
38) SimonH {Black or Stainless Steel}
39) Mattdon (red)
40) maz_r (red)

[ashm]

Ok, now that they've made one I've got a price from Venhill for the cables including fabrication. This involves me providing them with some of the components from 3rd party suppliers, and gives a final all-in price (including standard conduit, teflon liner and heat/fire protection sleeving in red or black) of £22 per cable (actually about £21.90, but I'm rounding off).

If I made them up myself it'd probably be about £16, but to be honest I don't really want to do so many, Venhill will probably do a better job and £22 is pretty good compared to the Lotus part anyway. Venhill's suggested retail price for the cable would be around £32 including the bits I've sourced, although I'm not sure whether or not they'll be prepared to supply them to order in future.

Everybody still in?

Adam

[BFG in the BRG]

Yep, still in - if you want I can buy a second one and hold on to it for the inevitable person who wants one after the list is closed

2) dapinky (1)
3) rip
4) Breed
5) LGM (LHD)
6) saska
7) dapinky (2)
8 ) alexg
9) Monty
10) Ailwyn
11) Woody.
12) John_W
13) Dico
14) Dunnlor (LHD)
15) Gazza
16) inkitin (black)
17) Dave Eds (1)
18) Dave Eds (2)
19) Paza1
20) Nige (1)
21) Nige (2)
22) Specky (1) (red)
23) Specky (2)
24) Router
25) Exbury
26) BFG in the BRG - Still in
27) muley (1)
28) muley (2)
29) Max & Andy
30) daveA
31) Elanlover (LHD)
32) whippit
33) Nobby
34) AndyT
35) Matt RI (LHD)
36) G UK
37) markv (red)
38) SimonH {Black or Stainless Steel}
39) Mattdon (red)
40) maz_r (red)

[muley]

Yes, and yes

Jim

[ashm]

Yep, still in - if you want I can buy a second one and hold on to it for the inevitable person who wants one after the list is closed

Feel free to order as many as you like. I was thinking I might order a few extras myself for the same reason, and possibly to stick on eBay for the poor misguided souls who don't pay attention to LEC.
After the group buy I'll upload the CAD drawings & component specs to the wiki in case anybody wants to rip off the design later

I'm receiving the prototype tomorrow (Venhill had a large order to clear before they had time for me to tinker). I'll put some photos up comparing the new cable to the original, then get on with testing and checking fitment etc. over the weekend.

Ad

[dapinky]

Come on, come on - Jim, you've been here long enough to know better!

SO WHERES THE UPDATE LIST


2) dapinky (1) - CONFIRMED (black)
3) rip
4) Breed
5) LGM (LHD)
6) saska
7) dapinky (2) - CONFIRMED (black)
8 ) alexg
9) Monty
10) Ailwyn
11) Woody.
12) John_W
13) Dico
14) Dunnlor (LHD)
15) Gazza
16) inkitin (black)
17) Dave Eds (1)
18) Dave Eds (2)
19) Paza1
20) Nige (1)
21) Nige (2)
22) Specky (1) (red)
23) Specky (2)
24) Router
25) Exbury
26) BFG in the BRG - STILL IN
27) muley (1) - CONFIRMED
28) muley (2) - CONFIRMED
29) Max & Andy
30) daveA
31) Elanlover (LHD)
32) whippit
33) Nobby
34) AndyT
35) Matt RI (LHD)
36) G UK
37) markv (red)
38) SimonH {Black or Stainless Steel}
39) Mattdon (red)
40) maz_r (red)
41) Geoff (he was the one missing from my earlier statement of people who would get on the list, but has no current LEC access - so I'll underwrite his order if he doesnt want it! - Pinky)

[Nige]

I'm still in for the 2 please.

2) dapinky (1) - CONFIRMED (black)
3) rip
4) Breed
5) LGM (LHD)
6) saska
7) dapinky (2) - CONFIRMED (black)
8 ) alexg
9) Monty
10) Ailwyn
11) Woody.
12) John_W
13) Dico
14) Dunnlor (LHD)
15) Gazza
16) inkitin (black)
17) Dave Eds (1)
18) Dave Eds (2)
19) Paza1
20) Nige (1) - CONFIRMED
21) Nige (2) - CONFIRMED
22) Specky (1) (red)
23) Specky (2)
24) Router
25) Exbury
26) BFG in the BRG - STILL IN
27) muley (1) - CONFIRMED
28) muley (2) - CONFIRMED
29) Max & Andy
30) daveA
31) Elanlover (LHD)
32) whippit
33) Nobby
34) AndyT
35) Matt RI (LHD)
36) G UK
37) markv (red)
38) SimonH {Black or Stainless Steel}
39) Mattdon (red)
40) maz_r (red)
41) Geoff (he was the one missing from my earlier statement of people who would get on the list, but has no current LEC access - so I'll underwrite his order if he doesnt want it! - Pinky)

[addict]

just spotted this im in
1 ) ashm-----------------------------------------------------------this guy has been left off the list in the last few posts
2) dapinky (1) - CONFIRMED (black)
3) rip
4) Breed
5) LGM (LHD)
6) saska
7) dapinky (2) - CONFIRMED (black)
8 ) alexg
9) Monty
10) Ailwyn
11) Woody.
12) John_W
13) Dico
14) Dunnlor (LHD)
15) Gazza
16) inkitin (black)
17) Dave Eds (1)
18) Dave Eds (2)
19) Paza1
20) Nige (1) - CONFIRMED
21) Nige (2) - CONFIRMED
22) Specky (1) (red)
23) Specky (2)
24) Router
25) Exbury
26) BFG in the BRG - STILL IN
27) muley (1) - CONFIRMED
28) muley (2) - CONFIRMED
29) Max & Andy
30) daveA
31) Elanlover (LHD)
32) whippit
33) Nobby
34) AndyT
35) Matt RI (LHD)
36) G UK
37) markv (red)
38) SimonH {Black or Stainless Steel}
39) Mattdon (red)
40) maz_r (red)
41) Geoff (he was the one missing from my earlier statement of people who would get on the list, but has no current LEC access - so I'll underwrite his order if he doesnt want it! - Pinky)
42) addict (black or ss)

[daveA]

1 ) ashm-----------------------------------------------------------this guy has been left off the list in the last few posts
2) dapinky (1) - CONFIRMED (black)
3) rip
4) Breed
5) LGM (LHD)
6) saska
7) dapinky (2) - CONFIRMED (black)
8 ) alexg
9) Monty
10) Ailwyn
11) Woody.
12) John_W
13) Dico
14) Dunnlor (LHD)
15) Gazza
16) inkitin (black)
17) Dave Eds (1)
18) Dave Eds (2)
19) Paza1
20) Nige (1) - CONFIRMED
21) Nige (2) - CONFIRMED
22) Specky (1) (red)
23) Specky (2)
24) Router
25) Exbury
26) BFG in the BRG - STILL IN
27) muley (1) - CONFIRMED
28) muley (2) - CONFIRMED
29) Max & Andy
30) daveA (1) - CONFIRMED (black)
31) Elanlover (LHD)
32) whippit
33) Nobby
34) AndyT
35) Matt RI (LHD)
36) G UK
37) markv (red)
38) SimonH {Black or Stainless Steel}
39) Mattdon (red)
40) maz_r (red)
41) Geoff (he was the one missing from my earlier statement of people who would get on the list, but has no current LEC access - so I'll underwrite his order if he doesnt want it! - Pinky)
42) addict (black or ss)

[maz_r]

1 ) ashm-----------------------------------------------------------this guy has been left off the list in the last few posts
2) dapinky (1) - CONFIRMED (black)
3) rip
4) Breed
5) LGM (LHD)
6) saska
7) dapinky (2) - CONFIRMED (black)
8 ) alexg
9) Monty
10) Ailwyn
11) Woody.
12) John_W
13) Dico
14) Dunnlor (LHD)
15) Gazza
16) inkitin (black)
17) Dave Eds (1)
18) Dave Eds (2)
19) Paza1
20) Nige (1) - CONFIRMED
21) Nige (2) - CONFIRMED
22) Specky (1) (red)
23) Specky (2)
24) Router
25) Exbury
26) BFG in the BRG - STILL IN
27) muley (1) - CONFIRMED
28) muley (2) - CONFIRMED
29) Max & Andy
30) daveA (1) - CONFIRMED (black)
31) Elanlover (LHD)
32) whippit
33) Nobby
34) AndyT
35) Matt RI (LHD)
36) G UK
37) markv (red)
38) SimonH {Black or Stainless Steel}
39) Mattdon (red)
40) maz_r (red) - CONFIRMED (still red)
41) Geoff (he was the one missing from my earlier statement of people who would get on the list, but has no current LEC access - so I'll underwrite his order if he doesnt want it! - Pinky)
42) addict (black or ss)

[SimonH]

1 ) ashm-----------------------------------------------------------this guy has been left off the list in the last few posts
2) dapinky (1) - CONFIRMED (black)
3) rip
4) Breed
5) LGM (LHD)
6) saska
7) dapinky (2) - CONFIRMED (black)
8 ) alexg
9) Monty
10) Ailwyn
11) Woody.
12) John_W
13) Dico
14) Dunnlor (LHD)
15) Gazza
16) inkitin (black)
17) Dave Eds (1)
18) Dave Eds (2)
19) Paza1
20) Nige (1) - CONFIRMED
21) Nige (2) - CONFIRMED
22) Specky (1) (red)
23) Specky (2)
24) Router
25) Exbury
26) BFG in the BRG - STILL IN
27) muley (1) - CONFIRMED
28) muley (2) - CONFIRMED
29) Max & Andy
30) daveA (1) - CONFIRMED (black)
31) Elanlover (LHD)
32) whippit
33) Nobby
34) AndyT
35) Matt RI (LHD)
36) G UK
37) markv (red)
38) SimonH CONFRIMED BLACK
39) Mattdon (red)
40) maz_r (red) - CONFIRMED (still red)
41) Geoff (he was the one missing from my earlier statement of people who would get on the list, but has no current LEC access - so I'll underwrite his order if he doesnt want it! - Pinky)
42) addict (black or ss)

[Breed]

1 ) ashm-----------------------------------------------------------this guy has been left off the list in the last few posts
2) dapinky (1) - CONFIRMED (black)
3) rip
4) Breed (1) - CONFIRMED (black)
5) LGM (LHD)
6) saska
7) dapinky (2) - CONFIRMED (black)
8 ) alexg
9) Monty
10) Ailwyn
11) Woody.
12) John_W
13) Dico
14) Dunnlor (LHD)
15) Gazza
16) inkitin (black)
17) Dave Eds (1)
18) Dave Eds (2)
19) Paza1
20) Nige (1) - CONFIRMED
21) Nige (2) - CONFIRMED
22) Specky (1) (red)
23) Specky (2)
24) Router
25) Exbury
26) BFG in the BRG - STILL IN
27) muley (1) - CONFIRMED
28) muley (2) - CONFIRMED
29) Max & Andy
30) daveA (1) - CONFIRMED (black)
31) Elanlover (LHD)
32) whippit
33) Nobby
34) AndyT
35) Matt RI (LHD)
36) G UK
37) markv (red)
38) SimonH CONFRIMED BLACK
39) Mattdon (red)
40) maz_r (red) - CONFIRMED (still red)
41) Geoff (he was the one missing from my earlier statement of people who would get on the list, but has no current LEC access - so I'll underwrite his order if he doesnt want it! - Pinky)
42) addict (black or ss)

[ashm]

Comparison of new & old cables:

Old: PVC cover.
New: Silicone rubber / glass fibre abrasion & heat resistant sleeving (good idea LGM!).

DSC02100.JPG (88.43 KiB) Viewed 8249 times

Old: Stretchy inner cable, nylon conduit liner.
New: Strong 2mm cable, low friction teflon liner, increased cable adjustment, rubber boot for conduit joint.

DSC02096.JPG (64.65 KiB) Viewed 8249 times

Old: Plastic ferrule, annoying rubber grommet, plastic pedal clip.
New: Steel ferrule & adjuster, secure & easy-fit rubber rivnut, steel clevis pin assembly, extra ~15mm of cable adjustment, rubber boot for conduit joint.

DSC02098.JPG (99 KiB) Viewed 8249 times

Ad

[ektrolleyboy]

Being a mechanical numpty. Why would I want one of these when my cable is still attached and working?
What are the benefits? Sell it to me...

[inkitin]

What are the benefits? Sell it to me...

I didn't join in Bob Brown's group buy for the handbrake cables (£63-25 pair). Didn't think I needed them at the time.

Then found out that I did need them so, thanks to Bob supplying the info, ordered them direct from his supplier. £90-85 pair including delivery. Boy, did I feel like an idiot !!

[dapinky]

Being a mechanical numpty. Why would I want one of these when my cable is still attached and working?
What are the benefits? Sell it to me...

You sound like you don't NEED one - so the choice comes down to do you WANT one?

I need one (outer cable a bit kinked) and it seems reasonable to change both!

(but then, I don't have to worry about labour costs )

[ashm]

Being a mechanical numpty. Why would I want one of these when my cable is still attached and working?
What are the benefits? Sell it to me...

My honest opinion: if your existing cable is intact and working don't fiddle with it!
Particularly for anyone who doesn't plan on holding onto the Elan indefinitely...

My outer conduit had broken in several places and the inner cable had stretched so much that I couldn't adjust the slack out. If you're heading towards either or both of these situations then it'd be an idea to think about getting a replacement, and the OE part is a pain due to the grommet.

I think my replacement has various benefits - it's sturdier, more heat resistant and has a very smooth action due to the low friction liner. But if your existing cable works fine already I wouldn't tear it out.