[Johnny Lugnuts]

I'm having difficulty getting my Fly Porsche 917K to handle in an acceptable manner. So far I have shimmed the rear axle and replaced the two front axle stubs with a single straight axle.

The car handles as if it is equipped with huge off road knobby front tires. That is, the front end bounces up and down the entire way around, no matter what the speed. I've determined that it's not a fundamental chassis problem, as the car performs perfectly without the body. Rather, it's a weight distribution problem. It's simply too light in the front end. As many of you know, the body of the 917K is comparatively heavy. One solution is to remove the spare tire, but I prefer to run the car as it is. I thought the obvious, sure fire answer would be to add weight to the front end. Space is limited, but I was able to squeeze in about fourteen grams of lead on either side of the guide (two pieces, seven grams each), but the result is a marginal improvement, at best.

Do all Fly 917K's run this way, or am I just unlucky? If the former is the case, then I'll not be purchasing anymore, despite this being my all time favourite car. A true shame.

Fly 917K's are expensive, and becoming difficult to find. I don't mind the chase, or even having to spend a premium, but given all that, can't one expect a car that runs?

Perhaps Scalextric will obtain the license, and build 'em properly.

Thanks for any advice you may provide.

Johnny

 

[Mo55man]

Johnny, it's definitely not a problem with the model as the 917K that I use for racing runs rather well. All I did for mine was loosen the screws and just simply run her in. It took a few laps to really feel confident with her, but now It flies (pardon the pun).

In fact 2 to 3 years ago, a chap (name unknown) came to our club with a heavily modified 917 (different motor, stronger magnet, different wheels, tyres etc), and I just simply blew him out of the water with a box standard model.

I find the 917 a joy to drive as it drifts round the bend, with the magnet being that bit higher from the track. I think the important thing to remember her is not to drive it like other Fly cars.

M

 

[Wankel Ickx]

QUOTE Perhaps Scalextric will obtain the license, and build 'em properly.

Yeah, like the L88s!

Not.

Seriously, your Fly 917 should be a corker, straight out of the box.

Stating the bleedin' obvious here, but you sure you got your boots on correctly?

 

[JohnP]

My 917K runs fine too. Is the guide seated correctly - a cracked mount maybe?

 

[Jamie]

Rather embarrassingly never run one box stock, removed the magnet due to club rules and thought that it was pretty dreadful on Ninco track.

The car would deslot without any warning! This has got to be the most infuriating handling trait, try as I might, just couldn't drive the car confidently and so I sympathise!

I sooo wanted to provoke long lurid power slides (like the old Scalextric version

) but couldn't, ended up piling Nascar style into the barrier.

Never tried experimenting with the magnet nor weight (don't bother) must try it one day - sounds better than I thought!

James

 

[Gaugemaster Controls]

Seems you are in the minority Johnny, which would lead to the conclusion that your particular example has a problem, and I would first look at the area on ther chassis where the guide fits in - if there is a split or crack here, that would give the symptoms you describe.

Have a really close check on the chassis, and then email me with your name and address details and I will get a new one out to you.

QUOTE Perhaps Scalextric will obtain the license, and build 'em properly

No need - Fly already make the best ones around.

Drop me an email and we will sort your problem. Can you let me know which exact model you have too, just to give me a couple of options.

Aaron

 

[Mo55man]

Being a Fly fan, they do make the best 917 of any variant around.

By the way Aaron, is there any way you can persuade Fly to produce the long tail version when you speak to them next. Although it would be a tight fit in the box, they would need to re-position the screw fixing point slightly.

M

 

[Gaugemaster Controls]

I will pass your comment on mo55man and let you know when I hear anything.

Aaron

 

[Sidecar Steve]

QUOTE (Gaugemaster Controls @ 24 May 2004, 23:07)Seems you are in the minority Johnny
I too have had the problems you described Johnny. Nothing wrong with the chassis or guide flag, just an ill handling beastie.

Pity though, nice looking car.

Shimming the rear axle helped, fitting a solid front axle also improved things as did adding weight either side and behind the guide (tricky that). It still wasn't great and my Ferrari 512's and Lolas left it for dead.

I then swapped the entire rear axle for a spare Ferrari 512 one I had which made a huge improvement (

) The original axle seemed pretty straight.

However, since upgrading from standard scaley controllers to Parma 45ohm jobbies, it has become more drivable. Can't think why......

Cheers

Steve

 

[Wankel Ickx]

For the record, I've never so much as shimmed, replaced a front stub or added weight to any of my Fly cars.

Plain don't see the need.

I have however, and it was last night that I finally got around to it, 'sleeved' several of my the body cracked posts on various early Panoz GT-1 cars in my collection.

[Edited, seconds after posting.]

 

[Ken R]

Here is my 917 routine and a simple test for "understeering" slots.

By understeer I mean a car that tends to pop out of the slot and go straight on, usually on corner entry...and usually randomly or unexpectedly.

I have about 6 or 7 917's and at least 2 were what I would call ill handling beasts at first and the ill handling was front end and understeering related.

I also have a Lancia Beta with the same issue. Just wants to pop out and go straight.

NOTE: all cars a NON-Mag and I run on a permanent, Ninco track which I would categorize as slightly bumpy in places.

My standard maintenance/set up for the 917: take out magnet, add a spacer shim to rear axle to eliminate side to side slop, place a 1/4oz weight in the front end up between the stubs, a drop of oil on the brushings and gears and replace the body (don't tighten screws fully), true the rear tyres slightly with sand paper

After this routine the 917 is a pretty decent ride! Slides nice, good punch and looks GREAT...

As for the UNDERSTEER, try this with any car which suffers from this. Take off the front tyres and give the car a run. You will have just the guide and rear tyres in contact.

Most times you will notice the car dials right in.

If this is the case then you need to true and sand down the front tyre dimension or replace the fronts with smaller diameter tyres so the font end "ride height" is lowered ever so slightly.

This will keep the guide in the slot more and reduce if not eliminate the problem. Its amazing what difference 1 mm or 2 will have on this issue.

If the car keeps popping out with the fronts removed, then you likely have a guide or chasis issue...(one I've never encountered).

My 917's with the initial issue are now free of the understeer and I didn't have to bother with the front axle replacement.

Cheers, Ken R

 

[Harry Porsche]

Interesting post on the "understeer". I have found that The Slot-it screw-down guide works wonders on my Fly cars. They all had noticeable "guide wobble" and would barely stay in the turns. I used an altered thick plastic washer out of any Scaley case and adjusted all the wobble out. Worth .2 on my track. No need for front weight after this mod.

Cheers!