Foo - I just put a bicycle computer on my car

The speedo in my car is not to accurate and the odo does not work, so I installed a Topeak Panoram. gives mph, total mileage, total run time, trip time, current run time, max average, and has two service reminders.

It is tripped off of the right axle.

The speedo in my car is not to accurate and the odo does not work, so I installed a Topeak Panoram. gives mph, total mileage, total run time, trip time, current run time, max average, and has two service reminders.

Two fire extinguishers? Expecting something catastrophic?

Two fire extinguishers? Expecting something catastrophic?

I thought the same thing at first as well. It is 2 pictures side by side.

What kind of car is that?

One big fire extenguisher, this a twenty two year old car with mechanical fuel injection and a reputation for electrical "issues"

It is an '81 Scirocco, pictures are here:
http://www.grmotorsports.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=2925
and here
http://www.grmotorsports.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=4114

Yeah, Volkswagens from the mid 70's thru the late 80's did have all sorts of electrical "issues". It made me think that the Germans were taking lessons from an English company; Lucas, Prince of Darkness.

Ooo- MkI Scirocco. I had an Alpine White 87 'Rocco 16v for quite a while. Had to sell her a couple years ago. Faster four cylinder I ever owned, but the Rabbit GTi's handled better, IMHO, which made them more fun. Never owned a MkI Scirocco, though.

Remember how the soldiers in WWI called the Germans the 'Bosch'? Look at the electricals in your VW, Bosch took revenge :D

One big fire extenguisher, this a twenty two year old car with mechanical fuel injection and a reputation for electrical "issues"

I drive a fairly modern vehicle (1998 Jeep ZJ) and I carry a fire extinguisher onboard too. 'Course that sort of thing is highly recommended for offroad driving.

I love the styling of the old scirocco. Classic, still looks great.

I remember an old bumper sticker I saw
"Why do the British drink warm beer? Because they have Lucas refridgerators!"

It is tripped off of the right axle.

Is it accurate?

I've owned two Corrados, successor to the Scirocco. Engine caught fine in one of them.

I think cateye actually says that their 186mph bike computers are designed so they can also be used on a motorcycle. I doubt any normal street car can even reach 155+ mph. Actually not a bad idea.

If only your bike computer had cadance, you'd have a tach too. ;)

I think cateye actually says that their 186mph bike computers are designed so they can also be used on a motorcycle. I doubt any normal street car can even reach 155+ mph. Actually not a bad idea.

If only your bike computer had cadance, you'd have a tach too. ;)

I was on the solar car team during college. We used an old CatEye computer for a speedo and it worked well all the way up to our car's top speed of 70MPH.

I was on the solar car team during college. We used an old CatEye computer for a speedo and it worked well all the way up to our car's top speed of 70MPH.

While a truly solar car's probably a pipe dream, would a car still be solar if you line your house with solar panels that separate water to fuel the car? That'd be a bit more fesible. I suggested that in college and they laughed at me.

I still say the rev attach a cadance sensor to the crank for all out geekiness. Hehe.

While a truly solar car's probably a pipe dream, would a car still be solar if you line your house with solar panels that separate water to fuel the car? That'd be a bit more fesible. I suggested that in college and they laughed at me.

I still say the rev attach a cadance sensor to the crank for all out geekiness. Hehe.


okay,, i'm not understading... if i line my house with solar panels and seperate my water i get a solar car?

I still say the rev attach a cadance sensor to the crank for all out geekiness. Hehe.

N'ah. Total geekiness would be to use a computer with a power meter. While an SRM, PowerTap or Polar system might be hard to mount because their sensors are particularly bicycle component-specific, there are some computers such as the Ciclosport HAC4 that derive wattage. The HAC4 also displays HRM and temp, inclination and altimeter information.

I vote he also rigs his brake and transmission to a STI shifter. Nice.

okay,, i'm not understading... if i line my house with solar panels and seperate my water i get a solar car?

Well solar energy gets converted to electricity which separates water into H and 2 O's. These just get stored till you need em. Then when you drive, H and 2O combust back into water vapor to power the car. Technically the energy comes from the sun.

I vote he also rigs his brake and transmission to a STI shifter. Nice.

And clipless pedals to his brake, accelerator and clutch pedals... err... on second thought... :D

I understand the fire extinguisher - My '83 golf had a small fire in the engine compartment, I put it out with a bottle of sparkling scottish spring water. The wiring loom was burned through but since it is a base model with no electronic crap it was a couple of hours' work, and it's still going.

Well solar energy gets converted to electricity which separates water into H and 2 O's. These just get stored till you need em. Then when you drive, H and 2O combust back into water vapor to power the car. Technically the energy comes from the sun.

is your idea possible? it sounds good. i could make my own fuel! :)

Now you need a heart-rate monitor... Hey, I hear driving really sends up your heart rate and blood pressure.

I understand the fire extinguisher - My '83 golf had a small fire in the engine compartment, I put it out with a bottle of sparkling scottish spring water. The wiring loom was burned through but since it is a base model with no electronic crap it was a couple of hours' work, and it's still going.

Two of my friends had their old Rabbits catch fire in a similar manner.

"Is it accurate?"

-Yes near as I can tell. I used the radius with the car on the ground, centerline found with a piece of welding wire and a level. I had a problem with doubling, the magnet tripping the pickup twice as I had mounted it sideways to compensate for suspension movement. There was also a problem with it not reading at all in a hard left. I have since welded up a new bracket and I think this will cure the problem.

"I think cateye actually says that their 186mph bike computers are designed so they can also be used on a motorcycle. I doubt any normal street car can even reach 155+ mph. Actually not a bad idea"

-This model, the Panoram, is also marketed as a motorcyle computer. There also used to be a trials motorcycle (Fantic?, Gas Gas?) with an Avocet computer mounted in the tank. It is geared pretty low as a (potential) autocross car, it winds out around 120.

"N'ah. Total geekiness would be to use a computer with a power meter. While an SRM, PowerTap or Polar system might be hard to mount because their sensors are particularly bicycle component-specific, there are some computers such as the Ciclosport HAC4 that derive wattage. The HAC4 also displays HRM and temp, inclination and altimeter information."

-I can't afford a Power Tap and I have already doubled the value of the car by installing the bike computer :)

is your idea possible? it sounds good. i could make my own fuel! :)

If you have enough money, yes.

Sciroccos are cooler, but Corrados are cooler. :)

Sciroccos are cooler, but Corrados are cooler. :)

Exactly.

And all KINDS of 'normal street cars' can hit 155mph.

I thought most new cars sold and manufactured were electrically limited to 155.
I mean the volkswagen beetle 'can' hit 200mph too but it won't last long.

I thought most new cars sold and manufactured were electrically limited to 155.
I mean the volkswagen beetle 'can' hit 200mph too but it won't last long.

If most new cars means Mercedes and BMWs then yes, most are limited to 155. Otherwise most won't get close. For example I know from experience a 2002 Accord V6 coupe tops out around 130. This seems about average for most reasonably powered new cars. I would like to see a Beetle hit 200mph stock or modified in any way, I just dont see it possible.

HPA has a twinturbo GT6 beetle kit that's been tested 0-60 in 3.9sec. Not sure about the top end but pony up a beelte + $16000 and I'm sure it'll give most sports cars a run for their money.

I was actually wondering about USXSid's comment about most cars being able to reach 150mph. Friend of mine had a decent 1995 car and the doors and windows start rattling at 90mph.

Sciroccos are cooler, but Corrados are cooler. :)


Uhh, what time did I write this? And did I have my coffee yet? *confused* ;)