Hairy Bikers and Other Petrol Heads
- Thread starter Eastsidepilot
- Start date
Max M
Western Thunderer
IMO most vehicle nowadays perform well and any difference is usually down to personal preference or prejudice against a particular marque.
I agree with Genghis that it is the dealer that makes the difference and makes buying and running a vehicle a pleasure or a pain.
If the latter then no matter how good the car is I wouldn't have one.
I agree with Genghis that it is the dealer that makes the difference and makes buying and running a vehicle a pleasure or a pain.
If the latter then no matter how good the car is I wouldn't have one.
Osgood
Western Thunderer
As a generalisation I feel that for some time each new generation of vehicle has incrementally removed the driver from the feel of what the power plant and transmission is doing, and from how the vehicle is interacting dynamically with the road.
Small wonder people don't seem to understand much about cars nowadays.
Now the driver has the option of becoming increasingly isolated from the interaction of their vehicle with other road users, to the extent that (maybe) the sooner we get to all driverless vehicles the better.
As an example someone said to me the other day -
"I don't have to be concerned about the vehicle in front of me - if I get too close the car brakes automatically to maintain distance".
Now - I wonder if they might have been the same %^$£@ in front of me the other day who, on approaching a roundabout on a dual carriageway with perfect visibility all around and across the roundabout and absolutely no other traffic in sight, slowed to an almost stop before checking for traffic, deciding that the coast was clear and venturing ono the roundabout.....
Small wonder people don't seem to understand much about cars nowadays.
Now the driver has the option of becoming increasingly isolated from the interaction of their vehicle with other road users, to the extent that (maybe) the sooner we get to all driverless vehicles the better.
As an example someone said to me the other day -
"I don't have to be concerned about the vehicle in front of me - if I get too close the car brakes automatically to maintain distance".
Now - I wonder if they might have been the same %^$£@ in front of me the other day who, on approaching a roundabout on a dual carriageway with perfect visibility all around and across the roundabout and absolutely no other traffic in sight, slowed to an almost stop before checking for traffic, deciding that the coast was clear and venturing ono the roundabout.....
simond
Western Thunderer
perhaps better than the young lady who didn't seem to be stopping/giving way to me on my large & quite visible blue and silver motorbike as she approached the roundabout about which I was travelling this morning.
I couldn't decide if
a) she hadn't seen me
b) she had seen me and thought that motorbikes should give way / are irrelvant (like pushbikes, perhaps)
c) she had seen me but hadn't thought at all (I'm betting on this one - no signs of consciousness)
d) she just didn't give a... hoot.
I simply slowed down until it was obvious that she was going to give way, which slowed her, and everyone else down - it would have been so much easier if she'd made her intentions obvious.
I couldn't decide if
a) she hadn't seen me
b) she had seen me and thought that motorbikes should give way / are irrelvant (like pushbikes, perhaps)
c) she had seen me but hadn't thought at all (I'm betting on this one - no signs of consciousness)
d) she just didn't give a... hoot.
I simply slowed down until it was obvious that she was going to give way, which slowed her, and everyone else down - it would have been so much easier if she'd made her intentions obvious.
alastairq
Western Thunderer
All a bit of a mystery to me, this stuff about new cars!
I have rarely done 'dealers'....So any problems I have are usually just down to me..[Or what a previous keeper has, or has not, done? But , though I may curse, I don't 'blame' them!]!!
As I've got even older than I once was....I look for criteria in a motor quite ''differently'' to what I did 20 years ago or more.
Firstly, how much loss of dignity will I have to endure, simply getting out of the thing?
Then, how much further after the 'point of no return'' does my backside have to go to hit the seat, getting in?
How easily can I swing my legs in [& out?]? [More depends on how adjustable, up or down, the steering wheel thingy is?}
I care little about 'performance', being of the type of driver who prefers to get a lot out of a little, rather than the other way around.
Smooth rides or rough rides, I care little, either.
Can I take to a grass verge without fear of ripping bits of plastic off, for example?
Hence, if I were given the wherewithal [and the desire??} to buy a 'new' car, I'd plump for one of the Dacia range...Preferably the one with the least gubbins.
That Sandero seems to me to be an ideal compromise between simplicity [I don't need help from electronic whizz kids, thank you]...and useable space.
Unfortunately, unless I go for 'used', I don't seem to be able to buy a new car which doesn't have all the electronic shoyte, like 'touch' screens, etc....
Hence I struggle on keeping oldies going, year after year.
I won't run out of petrol , in my lifetime, at least.
I have rarely done 'dealers'....So any problems I have are usually just down to me..[Or what a previous keeper has, or has not, done? But , though I may curse, I don't 'blame' them!]!!
As I've got even older than I once was....I look for criteria in a motor quite ''differently'' to what I did 20 years ago or more.
Firstly, how much loss of dignity will I have to endure, simply getting out of the thing?
Then, how much further after the 'point of no return'' does my backside have to go to hit the seat, getting in?
How easily can I swing my legs in [& out?]? [More depends on how adjustable, up or down, the steering wheel thingy is?}
I care little about 'performance', being of the type of driver who prefers to get a lot out of a little, rather than the other way around.
Smooth rides or rough rides, I care little, either.
Can I take to a grass verge without fear of ripping bits of plastic off, for example?
Hence, if I were given the wherewithal [and the desire??} to buy a 'new' car, I'd plump for one of the Dacia range...Preferably the one with the least gubbins.
That Sandero seems to me to be an ideal compromise between simplicity [I don't need help from electronic whizz kids, thank you]...and useable space.
Unfortunately, unless I go for 'used', I don't seem to be able to buy a new car which doesn't have all the electronic shoyte, like 'touch' screens, etc....
Hence I struggle on keeping oldies going, year after year.
I won't run out of petrol , in my lifetime, at least.
Eastsidepilot
Western Thunderer
Trouble is that with all the technology available and being put into cars, bikes etc. YOU STILL NEED TO KNOW HOW TO DRIVE...and I'm afraid there are people out there young and old who shouldn't be within 10miles of a steering wheel or pair of handlebars ( unless it's a wheelbarrow).
They pass a test but never learn !
They pass a test but never learn !
About 20 years ago, I remember several people I knew who had early Hinckley Bonnevilles having the odd spoke on the rear wheel break; fortunately without catastrophic consequences, but still not great. IIRC, Triumph issued instructions to dealers to check that the (stainless steel) spokes were tightened to the correct torque as part of routine servicing.
On the other hand, in my brief period as a courier riding BMW R850Rs, we were told to be careful going on and off kerbs as the cast wheels were prone to cracking if abused. Also, a few years ago, a friend had the cast rear wheel of his Suzuki 1200 Bandit fail at speed for no apparent reason. Both his legs were very badly injured, though he has pretty much recovered now.
I do worry sometimes about the cast wheels on my '97 CB500, especially given the parlous state of the roads now.
Osgood
Western Thunderer
I might save the calculation of how many 18V Li batteries would be needed to replace a typial EV car battery for when I really don't want to do the task in front of me!
Eastsidepilot
Western Thunderer
I must admit the Comstar wheels on my Honda 750 F2 did make me wonder about the alloy riveted design at the time but never had any problems then. But if I was buying one of these classics now you might think about corrosion after 40 odd years.
Max M
Western Thunderer
I seem to recall (but don't know if true) that the Comstar wheels were glued together and the 'rivets' were only cosmetic because riders of the day would not trust only adhesives to keep everything together.
Eastsidepilot
Western Thunderer
Comstar wheel - Wikipedia
Col.
simond
Western Thunderer
wikipedia suggests rivets, and I always assumed that to be the case. Comstar wheel - Wikipedia
these boys don't mention adhesive Home
I imagine one of our pilots will be along soon with tales of glued together aircraft (thinking full size, Heather
)
POSTSCRIPT
I hate it when I write a post and forget to hit “send”. My excuse was that it was breakfast time..,
these boys don't mention adhesive Home
I imagine one of our pilots will be along soon with tales of glued together aircraft (thinking full size, Heather
)POSTSCRIPT
I hate it when I write a post and forget to hit “send”. My excuse was that it was breakfast time..,
Eastsidepilot
Western Thunderer
If I recall correctly the Honda was the only bike I've owned that had non-spoked wheels, well yes they're all spokes of sorts but you know what I mean 
. Re-built a few when putting basket cases together as I preferred alloy rims to chromed steel.
. Re-built a few when putting basket cases together as I preferred alloy rims to chromed steel.In the late 1990s/early 00s, the reconstituted MZ (MuZ) made some bikes with British designed, glued frames. Never heard any reports of problems with them, but on the other hand, you rarely, if ever see one on the road nowadays...wikipedia suggests rivets, and I always assumed that to be the case. Comstar wheel - Wikipedia
these boys don't mention adhesive Home
I imagine one of our pilots will be along soon with tales of glued together aircraft (thinking full size, Heather
POSTSCRIPT
I hate it when I write a post and forget to hit “send”. My excuse was that it was breakfast time..,
Tim Hale
Western Thunderer
I have a weakness for odd vehicles, especially of the non-sporty type from Continental Europe, I am happy to desire a 2CV but would readily forgo an Alfa. However the two saloons that would undoubtedly set my pulses are the DS19 (another Citroen) and the Tatra 87, the latter especially so if only for its sheer quirkiness. Anything that is rear engined, air-cooled with OHC V8 is definitely worth a second glance and I have only even seen one at a rural tractor/old car rally in the mid '80s, it was definitely in use, not trailered to the event.
Anyhew, the layout is a child of the early '50s in Oberfranken and a model Tatra is possible but not plausible however if the same Tatra seen in '86 was a long term local, then why not? Wiking made an HO model that works reasonably well and it does buff up rather nicely.
On DSO, a nicely reworked example by Achim Detjen has just surfaced.
He improved the bumpers, added the twiddly flags and replaced the clunky wheels with those from a Brekina EMW, not a particulary cheap but worthwhile upgrade.
Maybe, it might appear on Pottendorf when when have visitors, until then, it will sit in the cabinet.
Tim
Anyhew, the layout is a child of the early '50s in Oberfranken and a model Tatra is possible but not plausible however if the same Tatra seen in '86 was a long term local, then why not? Wiking made an HO model that works reasonably well and it does buff up rather nicely.
On DSO, a nicely reworked example by Achim Detjen has just surfaced.
He improved the bumpers, added the twiddly flags and replaced the clunky wheels with those from a Brekina EMW, not a particulary cheap but worthwhile upgrade.
Maybe, it might appear on Pottendorf when when have visitors, until then, it will sit in the cabinet.
Tim
Morning all
Nothing here for some time so this photo.
The BSA Bantam was purchased my my father in autumn 1948 from Copes of Dudley just after they had been released. One of the first on the road. I think this photo was the following spring. I am in charge with my little brother on pillion.
Regards
Allen
Nothing here for some time so this photo.
The BSA Bantam was purchased my my father in autumn 1948 from Copes of Dudley just after they had been released. One of the first on the road. I think this photo was the following spring. I am in charge with my little brother on pillion.
Regards
Allen
My broker says that it's the dealer's responsibility. It's going to be a large claim. I am guessing that there must be in excess of 100 cars affected, including new and unregistered Range Rovers, Land Rovers and Jaguars. So probably £5-10M for the vehicles plus the damage to the buildings and contents. I am expecting to be told on Thursday when I can expect to be told what's happened to mine.
Osgood
Western Thunderer
What happens to an electric car when it gets waterlogged?
I was told that if one gets bumped, e.g. bumper panel requires replacement, there is a possibility insurers will write it off as there is no way to ascertain whether the battery pack has sustained loss of internal structural integrity from the impact.
That was from an independent auto electrician I known for a long time.
I’m inclined to accept there is some basis of truth in this although replacement of battery pack would resolve the uncertainty. And even if a car was worth less than the battery pack, with a new pack its value ought to be at least the value of the replacement battery pack?
It’s all going bananas…….
I was told that if one gets bumped, e.g. bumper panel requires replacement, there is a possibility insurers will write it off as there is no way to ascertain whether the battery pack has sustained loss of internal structural integrity from the impact.
That was from an independent auto electrician I known for a long time.
I’m inclined to accept there is some basis of truth in this although replacement of battery pack would resolve the uncertainty. And even if a car was worth less than the battery pack, with a new pack its value ought to be at least the value of the replacement battery pack?
It’s all going bananas…….