The grumpy thread

[dollywobbler]

At Kings Lynn auction yesterday, narrowly missed out on a tidy red Series 2 Visa Spécial (the 652cc version).  It wouldn't start - wasn't pulling fuel through to the carb.  Auction bloke said it'd have to be pushed through, then the auctioneer came through on the radio saying leave it where it is, we'll sell it without bringing it through.  The Visa was right over the far side of the compound to the auction hall.  I ran back to the hall (literally - first time I've broken into a run in over a year), and got there just in time to hear the hammer fall at £400.  Gutted is an understatement.

 

Gutted. Did the poor Isuzu Impulse sell? That thing seems to be struggling to find a home still.

[Des]

Irritating cyclists?

 

Piano wire.

[Timewaster]

There was utter outrage in the local press after helmet (both definitions) camera footage was released of a motorist in a Corsa who had enough of following the Lycra mob and so undertook them on the new million pound cycle route that they were all ignoring.

There have been loads of these new cycle routes laid in the last few years.

Massive disruption while they close lanes to build them and the cyclists still ride on the road.

[Captain Furious]

What I object to is how the onus is put on me, as a car driver, to 'Think Bike'.  Its all my responsibility apparently to be on the look out for motorcyclists and bicycles and if there is an accident its automatically presumed to be the car drivers fault for not seeing them.  Meanwhile, despite their protestations on the matter, I see cyclists routinely blowing through red lights and junctions and motorbikes riding as though they've just been granted eternal life.

 

Oh yeah, and the fucking "POLITE" high-vis brigade...

[RayMK]

Most of the grumps against cyclists simply reflect the decline in common sense.  The rules of the road are there to give some sort of discipline and hence safety to road users, whether you are cycling, driving, riding a horse or walking.  If you ignore the rules, risks increase.  Following the rules should not be a cause of self righteousness.  Common sense suggests that one has to anticipate the actions of the other idiots.  Cyclists are generally ok around Northants.  The school run ladies in 4x4s are not.  I don't care if you are late picking up your darlings from school.  This does not entitle you to take a racing line on blind corners or pilot your CT at the statutory limit on country lanes.  FFS read the road and conditions, improve your judgement of the width of your vehicle and drive accordingly.  That way, we will all have a chance of getting on nicely.

[wuvvum]

Gutted. Did the poor Isuzu Impulse sell? That thing seems to be struggling to find a home still.

Don't think it met its reserve - only made 700 quid IIRC.

[alcyonecorporation]

Don't think it met its reserve - only made 700 quid IIRC.

 

I test drove that very car the first time Stondon wanted rid. They were asking something daft like £3695 for it. 

Low spec but a nice engine (4XE1, or the Elan M100 1.6), rubbery gearchange, not all that quick. 

 

Weird one piece back seat. Dashboard satellites more like a Frontera/Mu's. 

[Timewaster]

I don't want to start a cyclists vs drivers war (especially as I am in both camps and would have to punch myself in the face if it got nasty)...

But a lot of the time I ride my bike on the road, ignoring the nice wide cycle paths running alongside. Main reason being there are always cars parked on the cycle paths so I'd have to go onto the road then back onto the path (without a drop curb) anyway.

Found it.

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=suuuqyv8hng

[Stanky]

Thanks, fair play they were brilliant. Really really helpful and even re-sent me the receipt via email. Just got to find a fuel cap for it now

 

Cavcraft, what does it look like? I have a massive stash of mower fuel caps of varying diameters and thread pitches. You are welcome to one posted gratis if it looks like it might fit?

[Negative Creep]

Or be like this dickhead I saw earlier

 

 

[alcyonecorporation]

Bit harsh calling someone a dickhead for buying an MG3. 

[Kiltox]

Thanks, fair play they were brilliant. Really really helpful and even re-sent me the receipt via email. Just got to find a fuel cap for it now

Seriously doubt they'll care - it'll be a straight swap for a new one anyway and they won't test it

[yellowperil]

It's a knackered 80s or 90s Suffolk Punch that eats starter pulls.

Having rebuilt the original, that failed. Rebuild kit from eBay, that failed. New starter pull fitted. Lasted 1 pull before it fell apart.

Had enough. It was a piece of shit before all this started.

Can't remember the last time I managed to get the whole garden mowed in one go without it conking out.

Can you bumpStart it...

[LostnotFound]

When did key cutting start getting so expensive? I only had one half bent key, which given it operates 3 'locks' on the bike, the ballache if I snapped it didn't appeal so I thought I better get another one cut.

 

Wandered into my local useful place to double check they didn't have any blanks for a turn of the century motorbike (they didn't unsurprisingly) but confirmed they were happy to cut them if I supplied the blank.

 

Ebay came up trumps, went in this morning, Ten bloody pounds, I was also going to get a couple of sets cut for the house, but with them supplying the keys it would have been sixty quid for 4 to be cut.

 

I know I'm being tight, but really.

[Timewaster]

Always been a money maker but you have to cut hundreds of £2 keys to cover your rent, wages etc.

 

We did it at my old place. About 1988 The machine cost £1600. A cutting wheel was about £35 and a basic key blank about 35p.

[Captain Furious]

Kin ell, I had a new key cut for the petrol cap on the 205 at my local hardware store, £4.50 with him supplying the blank.

 

It's a fuggin ace little shop, Indian guy runs it and it sells absolutely everything

[Cavcraft]

Bike shop rang before, 'did you know your frame was cracked?'  

[DodgeRover]

Last one I had done was FOC as I supplied the blank, I stuck £4 in their charity box maybe I should have done more.

[andy18s]

Bike shop rang before, 'did you know your frame was cracked?'

Fireblade ?

[richardmorris]

Bike shop rang before, 'did you know your frame was cracked?'

 

Presumably not, or you'd have mentioned it. Carbon?

[Cavcraft]

Fireblade ?

 

Thankfully not.

 

Presumably not, or you'd have mentioned it. Carbon?

 

 

Yep.

[chaseracer]

20% premium hike AND a £25 'fee' to renew? That's why Swinton isn't getting my car insurance business again.

Ever.

[richardmorris]

Thankfully not.

 

 

 

 

Yep.

 

That's a big problem with carbon, you often can't see the damage. Especially after any accidents. What are you going to do?

[Cavcraft]

There's a place in Warrington who repair them '£85-£400' but if it's anything over the bottom estimate I'll just get another second hand frame.

[rainagain]

I had two keys cut recently at the bargain price of £2.99 each. The only problem is none of them work!

[eddyramrod]

I just took one of my tablets (or in fact capsules) that are supposed to help me feel better.  Took it with a cup of coffee, bear this in mind...

So the capsule got stuck in my throat, I think.  Cue choking and coughing and a horrible bloody taste of "medicine" in my mouth.  Tried to wash it down with the coffee and burned my top lip, oh and failed.  Tried some more with the remains of a bottle of Pepsi.  Not sure if it's worked but I've still got the taste.  Went in the bathroom and flooded it with water, all that does is make me retch.  Fucking marvellous.  Still feels like either the capsule is still stuck, or my throat is now torn.  Still finishing the Pepsi but my lip is buzzing and the taste isn't going.

 

Also, bought a 1/43 Cadillac on ebay, and MrsR spotted an incoming email telling me it's been sent.  Both her shoulders are positively arctic now.  "Not another one!"  FFS woman, it's only ONE, and not even a very big one at that.  Also, it was only the price of a magazine.  And if that wasn't enough, it isn't even coming straight here, it's going to my mate's house, from where I was, er, hoping I could sneak it in....  All she can see nowadays is "more mess for our Paul to sort out when you've gone."  Well ok, but I haven't died yet, despite the best efforts of my medication.

[strangeangel]

20% premium hike AND a £25 'fee' to renew? That's why Swinton isn't getting my car insurance business again.

 

Ever.

 

Any company that asks me to pay a fee for the privilege* of renewing my policy will be told to FOAD in very short order indeed.

[MarvinsMom]

 Eddy, i shouldn't really like that.... but i kinda do (the whole mess after we've gone thing, not choking on prescription medication!)

[chaseracer]

Any company that asks me to pay a fee for the privilege* of renewing my policy will be told to FOAD in very short order indeed.

 

Ironically, the best quote thus far has been from Privilege... 

[Cavcraft]

To give Swinton their due, when it comes to looking after you as a(n insurance) customer, I've never known better. Their pricing policy is crazy though, couple of times at least now I've rang for a price, been quoted lots cheaper on comparison sites and Swinton have told me they can't match it. Except the better quotes have been with them on the web.