Too Heavy?

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Ross
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Too Heavy?

Postby Ross » Fri Sep 01, 2017 3:18 pm

So,
after the talk of shiny copper shift knobs, I got to playing with a lump of brass and the lathe :twisted:
It's 50mm round and 60mm tall, Drilled the first 20mm out to 16mm, the next 30mm is tapped M10x1.25 so should sit nicely down on the shifter.
Ended up with this :shock:

Image

I really didn't think about the weight before I started, but is 780g too heavy for a shift knob?
Cheers
Ross

1990 BRG V-Special, NB Koni sport with King springs, MS-03's

forcedfive
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Re: Too Heavy?

Postby forcedfive » Fri Sep 01, 2017 3:24 pm

Good work but I think you would loose too feel with that much weight. May as well give it a go though.
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Lokiel
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Re: Too Heavy?

Postby Lokiel » Fri Sep 01, 2017 3:52 pm

- definitely goes against the "adding lightness" philosophy but would look awesome in a dark green MX5 with full-on retro-interior or steam-punk interior
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hks_kansei
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Re: Too Heavy?

Postby hks_kansei » Fri Sep 01, 2017 6:01 pm

I'd be concerned about it causing wear to the detents and lower bush.

Since when it's in anything other than neutral it's going to have some side loads constantly (like holding your hand on the knob always)


In saying that, I prefer lighter knobs in the mx, I find even the oem one to be a bit weighty for my taste.
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The American
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Re: Too Heavy?

Postby The American » Fri Sep 01, 2017 6:01 pm

Might mean a quicker death to the shifter tip bush

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Alex 2550
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Re: Too Heavy?

Postby Alex 2550 » Fri Sep 01, 2017 6:22 pm

hey mate you will be fine, check out the modiction anvil and Blox shift knobs all around 500gr, and been used for years. mine is 487gr stainless.
you can flick the knob into gear with little effort due to inertia and i love it, i think it would be great with a short shift kit that sometimes get a little notchy. yes it adds weight but i believe with something that weight you will never miss a gear so that makes up for the 500gr, one missed gear would cost more time.
it possibly would wear the bush quicker but even on the U.S forums no one can answer that, ill brass bush my shifter turret next time it gets a rebuild but to date no ill effects to speak of.
my gear knob is similar size to factory and i tapped the shaft lower to get it down to standard height, the factory NA8 was about 200gr i think but don't quote me on it.
oh and its a nice piece of kit you have ended up with there :D

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KevGoat
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Re: Too Heavy?

Postby KevGoat » Fri Sep 01, 2017 7:14 pm

Only way really is to try it. I have a Blox about 450 odd grams and used a Skunk before that around similar weight and both felt great and never caused wear issues. Not sure that the extra weight in yours may be too much, but no way of telling unless try it. I think as mentioned may take too much feel away. Be an interesting exercise.

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Ross
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Re: Too Heavy?

Postby Ross » Fri Sep 01, 2017 7:30 pm

I think 780g is too much :frown:
Just put it back in the lathe and brought it down to 530g.
Hopefully it looks good in the Tan interior :D
Cheers
Ross

1990 BRG V-Special, NB Koni sport with King springs, MS-03's

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ManiacLachy
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Re: Too Heavy?

Postby ManiacLachy » Sat Sep 02, 2017 12:25 am

I had a Blox knob, at ~400g it was great, though it wasn't counter sunk which is why I replaced it. I think at 780g it would be too heavy, the 580g or so you've brought it down sounds better, though still kinda heavy. I guess put it in the car and see how it goes.

Either way, I think it's pretty awesome you did this! :BROADY:

wasp47
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Re: Too Heavy?

Postby wasp47 » Sat Sep 02, 2017 10:57 am

I'm yet to weigh my knob :lol:

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Lokiel
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Re: Too Heavy?

Postby Lokiel » Sat Sep 02, 2017 4:36 pm

wasp47 wrote:I'm yet to weigh my knob :lol:

- that took nearly 24 hours, must be a slow day!
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Alex 2550
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Re: Too Heavy?

Postby Alex 2550 » Mon Sep 04, 2017 10:22 am

yer i saw that and thought.....no i'll leave that be hahaha.
i think being closser to the 500gr mark will be safe, as i have a fetish for retro MX's i do hunt around for ideas ect fairly often and i saw a car somewhere with a pitcrew front but lots of brass and copper in the engine bay and the interior, it looked fantastic.

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LiteIsRite
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Re: Too Heavy?

Postby LiteIsRite » Mon Sep 04, 2017 6:45 pm

Ross wrote:I think 780g is too much :frown:
Just put it back in the lathe and brought it down to 530g.
Hopefully it looks good in the Tan interior :D

FWIW, my stainless steel custom knob is very comfortable at 450g - with no obvious ill effects on the shifter shift bushing after 3 years of use.
”How you get there is the worthier part.” - Shepherd Book, Firefly
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