Discussion
Hi,
Just acquired an early Mk1 Atom 120 - with the untuned 118bhp K-series motor.
Guess there are two obvious questions:
1. What were the main problems - if any - that people had with the early cars ...and any suggested solutions?
2. I'm based in Warwick / Coventry ...so are there any other Atom owners nearby?
I've had the car for a fortnight, and done about 600 miles in it so far (mostly in the rain ...ahhh, saved by the traction control so many times!) ...but not seen another one on the road yet? Any reason?!
Andy
Just acquired an early Mk1 Atom 120 - with the untuned 118bhp K-series motor.
Guess there are two obvious questions:
1. What were the main problems - if any - that people had with the early cars ...and any suggested solutions?
2. I'm based in Warwick / Coventry ...so are there any other Atom owners nearby?
I've had the car for a fortnight, and done about 600 miles in it so far (mostly in the rain ...ahhh, saved by the traction control so many times!) ...but not seen another one on the road yet? Any reason?!
Andy
Mine's chassis 25. Only just been SVA'd, so has come with 54 plates.
Been using it on a daily basis for doing customer delivies and things at the moment - though I'm guessing that's not what most Atoms get used for! Also planning on fitting a tow-bar so I can tow a trailer with a few cans of extra fuel, track-day tyres, etc. Anyone else done with / got any advice?
Also had it round Whilton Mill kart circuit, which was fairly amusing - beat their corporate kart lap record, but is going to need some serious suspension alterations to get anywhere near the pace of a race-prepped Rotax Max or TKM.
Andy
Been using it on a daily basis for doing customer delivies and things at the moment - though I'm guessing that's not what most Atoms get used for! Also planning on fitting a tow-bar so I can tow a trailer with a few cans of extra fuel, track-day tyres, etc. Anyone else done with / got any advice?
Also had it round Whilton Mill kart circuit, which was fairly amusing - beat their corporate kart lap record, but is going to need some serious suspension alterations to get anywhere near the pace of a race-prepped Rotax Max or TKM.
Andy
You, Andy, are a total nutter - and perfect for Atom ownership! I have no idea how you would fit a tow bar - but there are ideas for rear panniers on the shelf at the rear and strap on saddlebags. I think your best bet would be to spend some time going through the 180 topics on here, the Atom bit of the Pistonheads site, with postings going back two years - pre Honda - and see what other owners have said/suggested. Your other port of call should be Ross who had chassis 10 with a 120 K series in it (I had chassis 18 with a 165 Rover in it, now owned by Peter)
Looking forward to meeting up with you soon.
>> Edited by Bruce Fielding on Friday 14th January 22:07
Looking forward to meeting up with you soon.
>> Edited by Bruce Fielding on Friday 14th January 22:07
Is yours the car on the Used section of the Ariel web site Andy? Sounds like it may well be from what you have said.
My other puzzle is whether you are the same Andy Smith as notts?
If not it might be considered something of a co-incidence to have two of you posting in the small but beautifully formed PH Ariel forum!
My other puzzle is whether you are the same Andy Smith as notts?
If not it might be considered something of a co-incidence to have two of you posting in the small but beautifully formed PH Ariel forum!
Different Andy Smiths ...there are quite a few of us around ...parents with little imagination!
Yeah, mine's one of the 120s in the used section on the Atom site - I say one - there were actually four of them. They're the circuit cars used up at Bruntingthorpe as part of their BigThunder operation ...at which point you're all going to make me cry by telling me that you've seen them abused, crashed into walls and rolled into ditches while you've been on track days up there!!
Biggest plus point is that its had the ECU replaced with a traction control version - adjustable with 4 settings from fully on, to fully off. Mine's also yellow, and still carries the BigThunder sign-writing, which makes it stand out even more on the road ...my fears of blending into the background in Sainsbury's car park proved unfounded...
Yeah, mine's one of the 120s in the used section on the Atom site - I say one - there were actually four of them. They're the circuit cars used up at Bruntingthorpe as part of their BigThunder operation ...at which point you're all going to make me cry by telling me that you've seen them abused, crashed into walls and rolled into ditches while you've been on track days up there!!
Biggest plus point is that its had the ECU replaced with a traction control version - adjustable with 4 settings from fully on, to fully off. Mine's also yellow, and still carries the BigThunder sign-writing, which makes it stand out even more on the road ...my fears of blending into the background in Sainsbury's car park proved unfounded...
atom120 said:
Different Andy Smiths ...there are quite a few of us around ...parents with little imagination!
6 according to the PH members list iirc, which I agree is not a surprise really, but to have two (of six) in the Ariel afficionados section is not something one might predict statistically ...
Thanks for the feedback!
notts said:
I got the Atom bug after trying to destroy one at a Big Thunder day!
Which colour was you car? If it was the yellow one, then you've driven my car!!
I know the green one had a "coming together" with a Legend once, but as far as I can tell, mine's been reasonably well loved...
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