Before
Getting there
Primer done
Off to Stoneleigh to drool over Gary's S2R (in the new TKC) and help drink all of Andy's beer tomorrow
Hi
Just thought I'd say a quick hi and start a bit of a diary on something a little different. I pick up an Arion S2R kit from Andy Bates at AB
Performane in 4 weeks time with chassis number 002 which will be their first "customer" built S2R.
Having had a run out in the first car 001 with its owner Gary a couple of weeks back, and having built and owned several kits to date it's going
to be one pretty serious bit of kit and I can't wait to get started. Hoping it won't be a long drawn out build (only limitation should be
time as I've ordered about 80% of the parts already) so hopefully I can post up regular updates.
Anyway, plan is for a "racecar for the road" with just a few concessions to road use limited to IVA required bits and a slightly heavier
layup on the bodywork - so overall we're expecting a 480kg car rather than the 460kg of the race cars. Planned use includes track days and some
sprinting - so not planning on any real excess weight other than a bit of vinyl wrap / water transfer film here and there to pretty it up a bit.
Spec will be fairly standard Arion as per the race cars with a Honda CBR1000RR engine, but not limited by regs I'm planning a low miles 2016
CBR1000RR SP engine, which is essentially a factor blueprinted engine with ported and polished head. Hopefully we'll be around the 175-180bhp
mark so should be fairly quick 😉😉. Otherwise it'll be all new parts so will be aiming for a 67-plate later this year.
Anyway, hopefully some updates in 4 weeks time when I pick up the chassis and much of the kit. In the mean-time I'll be finishing off painting
the garage and getting ready for the new arrival.
For those going to Stoneleigh, I'd definitely recommend popping over to see the AB Performance / Aries stands - both inside and out. They are
putting a lot of effort into it this year and I'm pretty sure it'll be one of the highlights of the show
Cheers
Paul
[Edited on 9/4/17 by Paul_Arion]
Sounds good! Hope you don't get picked up on the intergrated engine/gearbox rule!
quote:
Originally posted by prawnabie
Sounds good! Hope you don't get picked up on the intergrated engine/gearbox rule!
That'll be a weapon on the road. If I was building again thats what I'd go for.
The "rule" prawnabie refers to isn't actually a specific rule at all. For a new reg all parts must be new, with the exception on ONE
that can be "reconditioned as new" (or words to that effect). The form you fill in to declare the source of the parts asks for engine and
transmission (amongst other things) separately. It's a bit antiquated in the way its worded and you have to be a bit creative to fill it in
anyway (front axle, for example ??). I put my engine in the engine section and the diff in the transmission. I also added a letter declaring that the
gearbox was integral to the engine/a combined unit. You'll also need an invoice or similar to say the engine has been reconned'.
quote:
Originally posted by adithorp
That'll be a weapon on the road. If I was building again thats what I'd go for.
The "rule" prawnabie refers to isn't actually a specific rule at all. For a new reg all parts must be new, with the exception on ONE that can be "reconditioned as new" (or words to that effect). The form you fill in to declare the source of the parts asks for engine and transmission (amongst other things) separately. It's a bit antiquated in the way its worded and you have to be a bit creative to fill it in anyway (front axle, for example ??). I put my engine in the engine section and the diff in the transmission. I also added a letter declaring that the gearbox was integral to the engine/a combined unit. You'll also need an invoice or similar to say the engine has been reconned'.
sounds like you've got a plan, will be nice to watch it come together
Quick update although still 2 weeks to collection day. Decided in preparation that i would make life as easy as possible by renovating the garage in
preparation for the new car. Emptied it out, fitted decent lights. more sockets and then painted the walls. Just started epoxy coating the floor
yesterday so just the sealer / primer done so far. Grey coat to go on next and then a clear hardcoat on top at some stage next week.
Before
Getting there
Primer done
Off to Stoneleigh to drool over Gary's S2R (in the new TKC) and help drink all of Andy's beer tomorrow
Collected the kit at the weekend but havent yet had time to do much other than mark out the floor outline and pedal locations and then cut the floor
panel out. Just awaiting a countersink bit set to turn up and also some cutting lubricant and then i'll make a proper start in earnest on fitting
the floor over the next day or two. Engine is also on its way to Andy at AB Performance - he has sourced me a low miles 2016 Honda CBR1000RR SP from
the States which we'll be running with a HRC ECU so hopefully i'll be collecting that in a few weeks complete with billet sump etc.
Some quick pics though of the chassis and shelf load of parts.
looks impressive, when I grow up I want a garage like that! Really looking forward to seeing the car, I am with Adi, it would be my choice of
car,..
keep the pictures coming 
Will be following this closely, good to see you got the garage sorted first how did you find the epoxy flooring ?
P.s. I found those parts shelves a right paint to put together on my own
Didnt find the shelving too bad myself really - once i started ignoring the instructions and put it together flat on the ground.
Epoxy floor paint was so easy to apply - did the whole garage in about 90 mins per coat including cutting in the edges. Ok so it takes over a week to
do properly - letting the primer cure etc but well worth it. The finished result is excelllent - seems very very tough. So glad i paid the extra cost
of epoxy over a standard garage floor paint. I guess time will tell how it does in the long term.
Progress has been a little slow so far - floor is now fitted (so much drilling and countersinking to do!) after I vinyl wrapped the interior surface.
Just got to put some clear paint protection film over the foot wells to protect the matte black vinyl now. Currently working on fitting all the
remaining aluminum panels so hopefully the weekend should see some decent progress.
Nice, Andy is a good guy I'm sure it won't disappoint! looking forward to seeing the finished product.
Tony
Well i'm afraid Andy did disappoint on multiple occasions with parts not delivered by post (courier repeatedly blamed for not collecting), parts
missing after i drove a 320 mile round trip to collect items etc.
I've now got to the stage where i've had enough and am looking to sell the car part built. I'll sort some photos out once i find a new
image host and then post it up on here. With over £20k spent on all brand new parts - i'm going to take a big loss but there we go.
To say i am unhappy is an understatement!!
Stick With it. Its usual with small business and resource levels to miss deadlines. I am sure it can all be resolved.
Oh dear 
Won't be long for one of Andys fanclub to tell him about this latest update on here! 
quote:
Originally posted by CosKev3
Oh dear
Won't be long for one of Andys fanclub to tell him about this latest update on here!
Seems to be the same with all the small manufacturer's judging by the experiences of members on here.
[Edited on 11/10/17 by CosKev3]