Dollywobbler's Dead Rover 600 - Replacement sorted

[dollywobbler]

Open windows are generally fine, but get a bit much at 70-80mph for hours on end. That's the only reason I've persevered. Gosh did I miss the XM when I was trying to get the bike into it though! It just wouldn't go due to those ruddy suspension turrets. And the fact it's a saloon.

 

Oh well. Adds a bit of drama. I'll try and update as the day goes tomorrow, but the need to cover miles (and the fact we haven't packed yet) means I probably won't get chance to for a while.

[dome]

Rover looks great.

 

That bike less so...

[dollywobbler]

Oh don't start. I've been getting abuse for the bike on Facebook. I was given it free. Like I give a shit that it's dreadful!

[bub2006]

I agree with the windows open noise. I wear hearing aids and the whistle is immense. That's why I prefer ac.

[dome]

Sorry. I used to work for halfords and it was depressing selling this sort of bike to people who wanted to take up cycling.

It's only £100 with SUSPENSION! It must be good! Why would I spend MORE on a bike with LESS features you silly salesman?

They'd ride it once, realise how shit it was and then it would get stuck at the back of the shed having put them off cycling for life

 

Anyway, back to Rover shenanigans.

[dollywobbler]

Yeah, sorry for snapping, but I'm starting to feel a bit like I've turned up at an MG meeting in a tatty Maestro. It seems Bikeshite is not a thing.

 

Gosh my arse is sore today though. I only cycled 4.6 miles! Well, I pushed the bike for probably the 0.6. And half of the rest was downhill...

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I cycle to work twice a week (36 mile round trip) on a shonky 20-yr old eBay special mountain bike, I would say bikeshite is a real thing.

 

Mega props to you for persevering with the AC though, like IanL I just expect it to be permanently bust.

[M'coli]

Nowt wrong with a free bike - free bikes are always good (see below for mine!).  I use it for commuting and getting around Bristol during the week, anything up to 70 miles or so.  The sore arse is to be expected too (sore wrists/palms too), it takes a few rides when I've been off the bike for anything over a week to "get my arse back into gear" so-to-speak.

[dollywobbler]

Enough bike talk. The Clio has been swapped for a 600 - with working air con! Not sure how long for, but by heck it's cool now! Agricultural too.

 

We're loading up now. Let the holiday commence!

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Well done Wobbler!

[egg]

Have a good trip. Look forward to pics of Rover 600 in pretty French villages.

[taxi paul]

Cool running's. Like the film.

[purplebargeken]

They have bikes in France

 

Enjoy the break mon ami. Bon voyage

[dollywobbler]

Sussex reached. Air con was LOVELY until we hit the M25. Then I noticed that the fan speed was right down and smelling of hot electrics. Turned it off and resorted to windows. Frustrating! Think I'll be needing a new fan motor then. May investigate this evening. May not.

[dollywobbler]

Otherwise, the Rover has been brilliant. 500 miles since I filled it up in London almost a week ago. Down to quarter of a tank and hoping that'll get me to cheap fuel in France...

[chaseracer]

I agree with the windows open noise. I wear hearing aids and the whistle is immense.

 

The pretty audiologist with the VOICE OF SEX advised me to take mine out while I was driving.  I assumed she meant my hearing aids, but you never know your luck.

[bub2006]

I can't do that,passenger think that I'm ignoring them. Hang on......

[Skizzer]

Good luck, bon voyage and enjoy your hols Mr Wobbler

[dollywobbler]

Fan still struggling. France is muggy. 48.5mpg. Fuel not much cheaper. Still four hours of driving to do today.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

that's our Brexit-flavoured worthless currency for you

[dollywobbler]

Made it. Now just need to rip the blower motor out and have another go at fixing it. Dream holiday!

[holbeck]

Have a good holiday DW, That colt will be as good as roffled* by the time you get back.

 

All of our bikes have come from the local house clearance auction, My other half cycles to work everyday so I spent a whole £6 on hers.

 

 

 

 

 

.... (* or it might not).​

​

[chaseracer]

Made it. Now just need to rip the blower motor out and have another go at fixing it. Dream holiday!

 

But what an articular opportunity! 

[dollywobbler]

Some pics. Here we are not yet in France, but on a train.

 

Here we are at the father-in-law's lovely gaff.

 

The heater fan has not been the only issue. Had to get the gaffer tape out. I also made headlamp 'adapters' out of gaffer.

 

Had a quick drive out today, and spotted this WAGON DE WIN.

[dollywobbler]

Yesterday, this happened.

 

We discovered that the motor internals are pretty well knackered, so we cleaned things up with meths, re-assembled and oiled the bearing we could access. Now works perfectly! I'll class that as a result.

 

Today, we went out to test the air con. Perfect! As were the spotting opportunities.

 

More here. http://wp.me/p1jtbd-Om 

 

Needless to say, I'm having a marvellous time and Mrs DW is being remarkably tolerant.

[chaseracer]

...Mrs DW is being remarkably tolerant.

 

As with Domestic Management, she gets plenty of practice! 

[dollywobbler]

Currently under the sea. Air con packed up today. We're very, very hot. Pump is kicking in, but no colds. Gah.

[RobT]

I'm afraid there's no respite over here Ian, 30 degrees in London today...

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

I was saddened by the almost complete lack of Merde when we went in Feb. A couple of 2CV's, but not a single GS, DS, CX, 504................nothing.

[Pillock]

At least you had icy air for most of the trip, and when it did vanish it wasn't with a large explosion and escaping gas noises. That would have been thrilling for everyone in your Eurostar carriage.

 

I'm starting to think working Aircon is the holy grail of a shite car. Between different and incompatible gases, high pressure vs old pipes, and the way it goes 9 months of the year without being used, it's a bloody miracle when it works.