The new news 24 thread

[dollywobbler]

Looks a good turnout. I've never been to that one.

 

In XM news, I decided to tackle the horrible trim rattle that has slowly been driving me mad since that very first test drive back in October. I stripped the door card out and wiggled things until I heard 'that' noise. Though I'd got it with one of the locking rods, but I hadn't. Got about 20 yards until the car confirmed it was still there. Ugh.

 

So, started prodding all around the B post, as the noise is pretty much in my hear. There's a bit of trim behind the seatbelt, intended to hide the bolt that holds the trim in. Poking this made the noise. Simple solution. Remove said bit of trim!

 

Oh, it's glorious now! Though of course, I can now detect other, quieter rattles that I hadn't noticed before...

 

Compared to a BX, an XM is much better, but it's still bloody horrible plastic in places. Some luxury car.

[Fabergé Greggs]

My BX is strangely rattle free, as confirmed by another faultless blast up to Scotland and back to check up on the rest of the fleet this weekend.

 

[hairnet]

Never heard of him. Listened to two tracks on you tube.  I have not missed much.  My taste in music is varied but not beige  .  The Stellar's usual cassettes include Queen, Fergal Sharkey and The Travelling Wilburys, with an occasional airing of The Anti NoWhere League, while the 205 has a CD by Metric.  I have not found a stereo powerful enough to overcome the engine noise in my 1961 Reliant.

ive just bought a folk cd but it came with a free mp3 version through amazon music

 

went to it get them off to put onto my phone and its put 17 albums on with it

 

only my entire history of purchase from amazon

 

undertones fleetwood mac kaisers jimmy somerville irish stuff 80s pop

 

fek!

 

and this

 

[Bren]

Brought the little beauties back from Devon

 

 

I like collecting the obsolete stuff I had as a child - unfortunately it is getting quite expensive.

[red5]

It's a thing.

 

It's neither an Impreza nor a Legacy, somewhere inbetween.

 

Grovelling apology for a name...

[wuvvum]

Well I'm back from Orange County with my new motorcycle - or at least most of it, the lad had taken off the front mudguard to respray it and I forgot to pick it up when I left because I r mong.

 

475 mile round trip in the Peugeot van, used 70 quids' worth of diesel, which I work out to be 34.5mpg - not brilliant considering I was cruising at 60 most of the time, but then I did get stuck in a nasty traffic jam on the M6 on the way home which won't have helped.

 

Fair bit of chod on the road, including an immaculate burgundy ZB Magnette, an UMM with camper-type body parked up on the opposite side of the A14, and an OMGRATLUK Daimler DB18 (?) hearse on the back of an AA truck going the other way on the M6.

 

I did pap these two beauties though:

 

This was doing surprisingly well - must have been rolling along at 50 or so. 

 

 

I passed and repassed this fine machine whilst stuck in traffic on the M6.  A pink Sherpa - Pogweasel would have had an accident in his keks if he were still alive.

 

 

 

And this is the bike.  It's a Hyosung GT125 Comet - I've wanted one of these for ages, and this is the first time I've been successful in nabbing one (hence why I was prepared to drive to the other side of the country). 

 

 

It's one of the few 125 V-twins that isn't a wannabe Harley - the other possibility I was looking out for was a Sachs Roadster, but it seems they're even rarer.  There's also a sports version of the Hyosung, which looks great but is a bit "all mouth and no trousers" for my tastes.

 

It's fucking huge for a 125, and heavy too.  It does have a much better turning circle than the Cagiva did though, which makes it easier to get in and out of the garden.  It needs a bit of work - the brakelight isn't working and the rear brake caliper is binding like feck - twatting it with a wheelbrace freed it off, but I'm probably going to have to strip it down and grease it up (fnarr) before I start using the bike in anger.

 

I took it for a quick spin round the block earlier.  It ain't quick (180kg and 15bhp so the power to weight ratio is dismal) but it's comfortable to ride and sounds horny as hell for a 125.  The front brake is adequate - the disc is quite large but there's only one and it has to stop quite a lot of bike.  Once both brakes are working properly I'll re-evaluate the situation - apparently the twin disc front end from a 650 Comet slots straight in.  I'm pretty pleased with my purchase thus far though - it feels like a "proper" bike to ride, apart from the lack of acceleration, and while Hyosung maybe aren't quite up there with Honda, they're certainly a feckload better screwed together than a Chinese bike.  Hopefully I'll be able to hang onto this one for a while.

 

Oh, and yes, that is a fake snakeskin paint job on the tank. 

 

 

[dollywobbler]

 

 

I passed and repassed this fine machine whilst stuck in traffic on the M6.  A pink Sherpa - Pogweasel would have had an accident in his keks if he were still alive.

 

DSC_0278.JPG

 

 

 

That'll be Parcgwyn of this parish (who lives a few miles from me), on his way to your part of the world. He brought it to Shitefest last year, but couldn't make it this time.

[wuvvum]

I did wonder whether it might belong to somebody on here.

[Alan_Green]

What kind of Peugeot van? My '05 Expert 2.0 Hdi costs £85 to fill and does 725 to 750 miles with air con always on.

[wuvvum]

It's a Boxer, also with the 2.0 HDI.  It's only 84bhp in the Boxer though, and I think it has its work cut out.

[RobT]

Today I met up with Gary Cox at the Forest Row classic gathering in East Sussex. He brought the Simca which is fixed (more or less) so good news on that front. No pics from the meet but I did spot this on the way home. I normally can't be arsed with papping spots but I nearly drove into a hedge when seeing this.

 

 

 

Datsun Stanza! Giffer owner no doubt seeing the grille badges and various trinkets inside. There was a sheet covering the back seat so was probably out walking their dog. Look at those frickin' wheels, hot or what!

 

Here's a crap photo of the Granada that Gary sort of liked after taking it for a spin, he wants an estate one though, fussy sod.

 

[ruffgeezer]

I did a bit of wood replacement on the trash trailer today...

 

It used to look like this:

 

  

 

But the sides had been hastily and badly replaced with some skip salvaged plywood, and on each journey everything became that bit looser and I was forever checking the mirrors to see what was about to fall off...

 

So about 5 minutes saw it restored to this:

 

 

I then went through a selection of "scaffold boards" I bought a couple of years ago off of ebay for a quid, with them I had enough for replacing the sides, and using some other scavenged wood, I made a new front panel too.

 

 

Unfortunately, the 4x2 sections I was going to use to finish the tops off had badly bowed during storage, so I will have to resort to spending actual money on it.

 

I do still need to come up with a better plan for the lights as I'm hoping to have a removable rear panel, if anyone has any ideas that'd be great.

[trigger]

That Dirty Stanza is nice, current owner since 2012....

 

I finished the Sierra today, fitted the new rad fan switch which means the fan actually works now, took the auto choke apart and cleaned all the crystallized shit of the inside of it, It then fired straight up and ran better then ever, result!. Fitted some spacers to the front wheels so they clear the shocks and then ran it up the road and back, It drives really nicely now although it's a bit slow!.

 

Next week i hope to have it welded up and moted and then I'll decide what I'm going to do with it, I got chatting to a lady earlier who selling her father in laws old Triumph Dolomite 1500 SE and I've expressed an interest, She's going to get back to me in a few weeks and i doubt much will come of it but i really hope it does.

 

In other news i took the Cortina out for a drive this evening for the first time in ages, It's a really good car really, always starts and drive nicely even if left for a few months, I still can't help but feel I'd like to change it for something else though, I'd like a nice pre facelift Mk2 Granada 2.8i Ghia at the moment!.

 

 

[vulgalour]

That Stanza is unbelievably gorgeous.

[Noel Tidybeard]

maybe its time to change the go-faster stripes ét vóila new car

[purplebargeken]

Dolly SE is a nice thing with unique silver-grey trim and nicer dash/door cappings. Nice wheels too. Check the engine isn't grumbly.

[drum]

I might have mentioned my disco before. It was a cat d write off at some point. A previous owner had 'modified' it for off road use. It has a two inch lift and coil conversion and a winch bumper fitted. It has dents where no disco should have dents. It must have been on its side.

 

I drove it for a couple of years then sorned it after it sprung a major power steering leak and the three amigos lit up the dash.

 

For 16 months it languished on the drive - I have series land rovers and a diesel estate that fulfil all my driving needs.

 

A couple of weeks ago I grasped the nettle and tackled the issues. Radiator out and new pas pipes fitted. After much faffing about, I replaced the pas pump. The local friendly Land Rover specialist cleared the fault codes and it passed its mot.

 

I'd forgotten how much I like this disco. It's such a capable machine and I want to drive it everywhere.

 

Untitled by john boath, on Flickr

[Ghosty]

Triumph Dolomite 1500 SE

 

 

Black, silver double stripe down the sides, square headlights, HL/Sprint front spolier, steels similar to the Acclaim ones. No vinyl on the C-pillar IIRC.

 

Lookers!

[NorfolkNWeigh]

Right! I've had enough,the BMW is still languishing at the engine menders , I've got no work booked in this week and Mrs N is making noises about ripping the bathroom out as I can't work.

Fuck that! Just booked a Dover- Dunkirk crossing for 18.00 tonight, £26 AXA Euro cover on Mrs N's Gaylander and we're off for a week at Fatha N's French hovel.

Family and friends think this is hilairious because I hate holidays and this will be our 3rd this year, apparently Brittany is like Wales in the 70's except the natives speak English and don't try and burn your house down.

No Oui-fee though, so radio silence from me for a week ( who said hooray ?) but I'll be on a mission to spot some horny frog chod in the lanes and byways of the last Century.

I know Dunkirk is in the wrong direction but £45 instead of £600 Portsmouth - LeHarve and no immigrant problems ( that sounds a bit UKIP). And I'd like to see the beeches etc .

[J-Rod]

Went out on Sat to take the bus out for a bit of exercise. Found this nice spot, so loitered there for a bit.. 

 

 

Then out of nowhere, this old guy appeared, who told me all about the local 'louts' (who sounded about as 'louty' as a pack of custard cremes) and how a V2 came down at the bottom of the hill during the war. 

[Honey Badger]

Went out on Sat to take the bus out for a bit of exercise. Found this nice spot, so loitered there for a bit.. 

 

 

Then out of nowhere, this old guy appeared, who told me all about the local 'louts' (who sounded about as 'louty' as a pack of custard cremes) and how a V2 came down at the bottom of the hill during the war. 

 

Mmmm Stagea, always fancied one but have a job finding one that hasn't been dicked about with or isnt as rusty as a 1984 Montego in my price range.

 

Does that cost much to run and what are the parts like to get hold of if you need something?

[J-Rod]

Mmmm Stagea, always fancied one but have a job finding one that hasn't been dicked about with or isnt as rusty as a 1984 Montego in my price range.

 

Does that cost much to run and what are the parts like to get hold of if you need something?

It's no different to any other big car to be honest - managed to source a bit of a peach of one there, though (and also, wouldn't have touched it if it hadn't been. It's a 2001 car and had only done 16.7k when I bought it in Feb, so practically unused and when I deciphered the Japanese service book, totally over-maintained). The M35s are much easier to get hold of bits for than the WC34 - Euro Car Parts hold most things and also, so many components are out of the Nissan parts bin too. Oil service needs doing once every 6k. 

 

However, that one's not the turbo version - so I can't speak for them. My one doesn't have the performance (and fuel guzzling ability!) that they do but it is very quick for a big car and can give a John Lewis Mobile a nasty surprise. Doesn't drive like a big car either and you can get lost inside (it's a bit like the Tardis!) and for long motorway journeys it's brilliant. 

 

If you do want to find a decent one, go have a look in Goodmayes Autos in Dartford. He usually has a few in stock and this one's coming over in a few weeks - http://www.goodmayesmotors.co.uk/used-car-nissan-stagea-estate-1546. The guy who runs it is a bit of a cold fish at first but they do source all their cars themselves and also, don't just deal in exotica (like some import garages do). 

[trigger]

Yes mate. It's the one in Shingle Street near Aldeburgh.

[andy18s]

Right! I've had enough,the BMW is still languishing at the engine menders , I've got no work booked in this week and Mrs N is making noises about ripping the bathroom out as I can't work.

Fuck that! Just booked a Dover- Dunkirk crossing for 18.00 tonight, £26 AXA Euro cover on Mrs N's Gaylander and we're off for a week at Fatha N's French hovel.

Family and friends think this is hilairious because I hate holidays and this will be our 3rd this year, apparently Brittany is like Wales in the 70's except the natives speak English and don't try and burn your house down.

No Oui-fee though, so radio silence from me for a week ( who said hooray ?) but I'll be on a mission to spot some horny frog chod in the lanes and byways of the last Century.

I know Dunkirk is in the wrong direction but £45 instead of £600 Portsmouth - LeHarve and no immigrant problems ( that sounds a bit UKIP). And I'd like to see the beeches etc .

So what are you bringing back then ??

[junior44]

This beauty is joining the fleet on Thursday, Turbo diesel with MOT until February and it also comes with another Perkins Prima, all for Ã‚£550. Only problem is I wont get to see her until the 29th.

 

[Petrolize]

This beauty is joining the fleet on Thursday, Turbo diesel with MOT until February and it also comes with another Perkins Prima, all for Ã‚£550. Only problem is I wont get to see her until the 29th.

 

Very jealous! Saw this for sale in Inverness. Glad to hear that it's going to someone on here

[Bren]

Other half ordered a summer house - guess who has had to lay the base?

 

Naturally she picked the most uneven section of garden, which meant some flags were on sand and the others have been laid on sand, then on top of each other.

 

I used 2'x2' 2" thick - heavier than Eric Pickles after an all you can eat westminster buffet.

 

My back is fooked - I am walking like Julie Walters in the "two soups" sketch.

[anonymous user]

Just so you know I'm not liking that you have knackered your back, but I do like the "two soups" sketch. I once visited a café in Stow on the Wold on which I think it was based. They couldn't do hot food as the chef had gone to lunch and the three coffees were brought to the table one at a time by the 900 year old waitress who spilled most of it into the saucers.

 

My diy has been limited to managing to free up and open five of the sash windows, so that I could clean up, fill and paint the rotting window sills; despite wearing my glasses and not working above head height I still managed to get paint in my eye. Never mind only another twenty-three windows to go.

[fred]

Whilst watering my blooms - had a hooligan wasp fly up my shorts - and very vindictively stung my right testes, My bollock is now glowing like a Vesta boil in the bag curry

and I am quite uncomfortable - said wasp will be found and chucked into shed which lurks spider bigger than a cat land - fecker .  

[Bren]

Funnily enough while laying base I took a brew outside and put it down for less than 10 seconds.

 

A wasp went straight in and died an agonising death.

 

I don't know what it is with wasps this year - stopped at Telford services on Saturday and left without going for a piss there were so many of the bastard things - one even got in the car.