beko1987

Had a lovely day yesterday. Xsara took me to Birmingham to pick up a friend, then Wakefield to a vacuum cleaner collectors mini-meet at a place some of the northern lads rent out and use above a gym (literally the first time in my life I've ever 'been to a gym') 

Someone bought their early 1910's Hoover 103/5 (I can't remember), that was cool to see! 

Xsara smashed the lot at either 30, 50 or 80. Bar a couple of times the turbo didn't kick in occasionally it took the drive and the hellish journey back into brum at 7pm to drop my mate back off. 

Pah I did that for shitefest_Scotland in a £150 laguna 2! And slept in it, and it jump started a green goddess
My balls are bigger than his... 

Had a lovely day yesterday. Xsara took me to Birmingham to pick up a friend, then Wakefield to a vacuum cleaner collectors mini-meet at a place some of the northern lads rent out and use above a gym (literally the first time in my life I've ever 'been to a gym') 

Someone bought their early 1910's Hoover 103/5 (I can't remember), that was cool to see! 

Xsara smashed the lot at either 30, 50 or 80. Bar a couple of times the turbo didn't kick in occasionally it took the drive and the hellish journey back into brum at 7pm to drop my mate back off. 

The Royale had a 2.8 — the facelift ones had a choice of 2.5 or 3.0, by which time they were all Vauxhall Senators and the Royale badge was reserved for a burger with cheese.
The 3.0E Opel probably was worth the extra, tbh, but to me the Royale was better looking with its chunky bumper overriders and neater rear end treatment (fnarr).  The facelift ones are even more handsome of course.
Have a couple of bonus pics of my Royale.

Will give that a try.  I definitely wouldn't be throwing the original one out anyway given I know a lot of people are very particular about originality on these cars, so it would always have been kept in a box in case someone wanted to use it for something later.  
 
Actually had a bit of a hiccup in the Trabant couple of days back.  Was about a mile from home, came to a stop at a junction and found it bogged down when I applied throttle.  Was able to coax things back into motion by adding choke, suggesting to me a fuelling issue.  I immediately headed for home (which thankfully was mostly downhill so little engine power was needed) keeping the revs kept as low as possible.  Knowing how quickly a lean condition can become catastrophic in an air cooled two stroke, this wasn't something I was taking chances with.  Car was parked up and I grabbed the Partner to continue the tasks I was heading out for.  I was working around other appointments at the time so didn't have time to immediately investigate.
Later on I checked the screen in the fuel outlet at the tank (pretty clean), and confirmed there was good fuel flow to the carb.  Next step was to pull the cover off the float bowl (which you can *just* do in situ), to confirm the needle and seat were working properly and to see if there was any crud in there.  
There was a little bit of sediment in the bottom of the bowl but nothing particularly major.  What I don't know (and this does make me kind of wish I'd pulled the carb) was whether there was possibly a bit of water in there as that could definitely have explained it prior to me cleaning it out.
With everything put back together normal service appears to have been resumed.  I do need to actually look up a proper diagram for this carb anyway as I'd really like to turn the idle speed up a touch, it  has always felt like it's a little on the slow side.  Especially if you've got the lights on.
Today I had another crack at changing the gearbox oil.  I jacked the car up a bit this time to give me better access to the drain plug, and was successful in getting it removed this time.
What came out both looked and smelled like absolutely ancient EP90.  Which given that the correct HLP68 fluid is a light golden colour isn't great.  Definitely well overdue a change either way.  A little bit of swarf on the drain plug magnet, but nothing I'd not expect and certainly no chunks.


Area around the filler was cleaned up to ensure no chunks of anything fell in during refilling.

I really do need to go to town on this thing with the degreaser and pressure washer one day as the entire power plant of this car is a greasy slime ball at the moment.  This is pretty common for these cars, but I'd like to get it all clean at least once so I've got half a chance to see where any new leaks are coming from in case they do need attention.
Getting to the gearbox filler required me to remove both the hot and cold air ducts for the heater to make access easy as it's otherwise a bit buried.

Have only been fora brief run out today, but it definitely feels like the gear change is cleaner, changing down into second in particular it feels like the sycro is having an easier time of things.  Is it any quieter?  Maybe?  Still sounds like a tumble drier full of marbles at idle, but I get the impression that's not exactly unexpected.

Read that earlier, such a shame. He was a wonderful guy, messaged me alot when I had my xm 😥 was practically begging people to come take the spares he had over the last few months too so they went to a good home

Oh it looks lovely*. Forgive me if I pass on sitting in it when we clean it out and assess it/you have a little cry 

I also had this. All for free from the building opposite Bourne End train station when it was refurbished in (checks exif data...) 4th April 2014
I remember i loaded it badly and the bloody tailgate didnt shut, then smashed my finger removing it and adjusting and re-loading it. Also got some clutch slip on the way home (did it at 7am before work in Marlow up the road) which was one of the only times it ever did it (and was reasonable enough of it do do so I recall thinking at the time as I was driving probably too fast for the weight, just didnt feel it
 
Theyve been in the loft ever since, ceiling hasnt collapsed yet 🤞

Oh it looks lovely*. Forgive me if I pass on sitting in it when we clean it out and assess it/you have a little cry 

Enquired about 2 birds needing rescuing yesterday 

Off to see them tomorrow after work 🥰🥰 
It ticked some boxes, the house is so lonely and quiet without Phoenix and the outside cage will soon start to fall apart if I just ignore it another 6 months. Did (and do still) fancy a pair of white doves, but the advert above got Wafted my way and budgies were on the list! 
A pair was key as I did feel phoenix wasn't terribly happy on his own, and 2 females which is good as 2 males can fight as they age, and 1 of each will be eggs and babies and I don't want that. 
The lady at the service said if I like them tomorrow bring something to get them home in so I've taken that as a sign to reassemble the cage after sloshing a small bit of rust converter here and there right at the bottom

And realised I can fit 4 wheels from a scrap hoover base mega easily so it won't be such a massive wanker to drag out for cleaning (which I didn't do as often as I should...) 

I’ll stick another poll up to see what people think 👍

Welding schmelding.  MOT exempt innit - get it running and drive it as it is.  You won't even need to worry about the brakes - just stick a foot through the floor and stop it that way.
That must be one of the last of those with 10" wheels - my B-plater was on 12", which made tyres easier to find.  Mind you I'm sure you could borrow* a couple off the Invacar if need be.

We were disappointed that we could not get a spark from the Royale's ignition system so yesterday I put the bat Royale symbol in the sky to summon a local retired Auto sparks. 
9am this morning at the FoD he spotted the problem in 5 minutes. The coil feed wires, both run ballast and starter fed 12v had been cut off and we had plugged in an unknown alternative wire.
He added a wire to repair the damage and get the feed to the coil and we have good healthy starks.
Next stage is a bit of testing with easy start to see if it will run.

Oooh that's good then, would it be worth removing it all, cleaning and putting it in the container? 
Would the bolts even need undoing it would Charlie just be able to lift the seats out runners and all😂

It's going to be a longer one. 4hr15 or so on the train and similar driving back. 
First chariot of choice

Fast golf bros

Split ticket nonsense 

Next chariot 

Has just arrived. Early!

Oh it looks lovely*. Forgive me if I pass on sitting in it when we clean it out and assess it/you have a little cry 

As an utter Mini licker this looks like my idea of fun!
The front end looks pretty solid despite the colander in the rear. I would put money on the scuttle closing panels being non-existent despite the solid scuttle though. Looks like its going to need the waist rail as well as the rear quarter panel on the passenger side.
M-Machine in Darlington is a great source for panels. Good prices and good quality panels http://preview.m-machine.co.uk/
Id be happy to tinker at a FoD event! 

Thoughts and prayers. 

I have had a peak under those seat covers and I am hopeful the luxury Mayfair Raschelle upholstery can be saved.
The headlining needs antibac as well.
I need to get the seats out as soon as possible as there is no drivers door and side window. They will have to come out for the welding anyway.

Oh it looks lovely*. Forgive me if I pass on sitting in it when we clean it out and assess it/you have a little cry 

The Past!
The Dream!
The Reality!
Mrs6C said don’t do it, but I gave into peer pressure and bought a black 1984 Austin Mini Mayfair.
The trouble is that it is a project that needs a lot of welding and as yet I have no idea if the engine and gearbox are any good. As it has not been on the road for 24 years I have to assume the brakes and exhaust will need attention and the interior has been exposed to the weather.
Yes this car is a full restoration project and I said no more projects. If you can spare a few working brain cells please put them in a jam jar and send them to me!
Now what, first off is to see if I can get it started which I am looking forward too.

There's got to be an interesting story behind this.
https://www.gumtree.com/p/ford/2000-ford-mondeo-1.8-lx-td-5dr-11500-miles-estate-diesel-mondeo-classic-with/1473877788