What's made you smile today?

[bugsymike]

Panda has a new MOT.

You are not meant to sound surprised, just say "Panda flew through MOT with no advisories just as I expected"

 

[The Panda Nut]

You are not meant to sound surprised, just say "Panda flew through MOT with no advisories just as I expected"

I've seen this Panda and its in fine fettle on top at least. Sthe brakes are a bit suspecto, jest aside, Im sure you are right.
I had such a load of old wrecks when I started out the MOT was and thus still is a real stress maker. It was the cable operated rear brakes on my first car -
A40 Farina- that caused 52 years of stress. In the end it was passed, but as he said, it isn't upto the standard, but there is nothing else you can do to improve it so here is a ticket,

"DON'T COME BACK NEXT YEAR"!

Just discussing this with Mrs PN.
She : If you have an old car where the brakes are a bit 'sus', you have to drive slowly. and should think twice about going into town at all.
Me : I always did!
She : A choking, guffaw!
She : All cars ought to have a compulsory test of some sort. I would be a bit miffed if I was knocked down by some old car whose brakes weren't up to scratch.
Me : Choking guddaw
Me : They should have to pass a test to teb standard of their year,
She : Or devise a differnt test specifically for old cars.
Me : I don't know when the MOT was introduced.
She : Well its was 1960. It was a voluntary tesr for vehicles over 10 years old. In 1961 it was mad compulsory as the pass rate was so low. 1967 it was changed to 3 years.

I remember my parents cars at the time failing and dad's ars were nearly always new as he got a car allowance from work and subsidised loans. We also often broke down so a large tool kit and spares were always carried. Fuel filters, plugs, condenser, points, fan belt, nuts and bolts, wheel bearings even brake parts. WHen I started driving around 1974 I had enough tools to change the engine and gearbox by the side of the road, even carried my engine hoist.... Noop must be an improvement because I carry a multi tool and an aux belt.

I still HATE the MOT and dont trust the equipment used. It finds brake imbalance where there is none and readings from one week to another vary by a factor of 10. Penny Panda emissions were 1/2 of the MOT HC figure when rechecked a month later. The brakes which are perfect as far as I can tell, in any event quite good enough to be able to emergency stop from er hm 70mph no hands and have no reaction in teh steering and pulling up in a dead straight line are supposedly 16% out of balance. ******** is all I have to say to that. At that level I would be able to tell, and, I would have the car off the road for a total strip-down. I suppose I need to take it somewhere else and have it checked on another rig. If the difference is more than 5% it gets attention. At least a clean and check. 16% would be new brakes, calipers, discs and pads and a really close check. Rubys brakes both look and feel perfect. I am on the point of changing the discs are they are worn and lipped. I suspect at the 10.2mm limit. I suppose this may jsust account for the figures but 16% would be evident, driving on muddy slimy wet roads round here, and it just isnt. I know the rolling road had just been checked as that day so who knows.

 

[bugsymike]

I've seen this Panda and its in fine fettle on top at least. Sthe brakes are a bit suspecto, jest aside, Im sure you are right.
I had such a load of old wrecks when I started out the MOT was and thus still is a real stress maker. It was the cable operated rear brakes on my first car -
A40 Farina- that caused 52 years of stress. In the end it was passed, but as he said, it isn't upto the standard, but there is nothing else you can do to improve it so here is a ticket,

"DON'T COME BACK NEXT YEAR"!

Just discussing this with Mrs PN.
She : If you have an old car where the brakes are a bit 'sus', you have to drive slowly. and should think twice about going into town at all.
Me : I always did!
She : A choking, guffaw!
She : All cars ought to have a compulsory test of some sort. I would be a bit miffed if I was knocked down by some old car whose brakes weren't up to scratch.
Me : Choking guddaw
Me : They should have to pass a test to teb standard of their year,
She : Or devise a differnt test specifically for old cars.
Me : I don't know when the MOT was introduced.
She : Well its was 1960. It was a voluntary tesr for vehicles over 10 years old. In 1961 it was mad compulsory as the pass rate was so low. 1967 it was changed to 3 years.

I remember my parents cars at the time failing and dad's ars were nearly always new as he got a car allowance from work and subsidised loans. We also often broke down so a large tool kit and spares were always carried. Fuel filters, plugs, condenser, points, fan belt, nuts and bolts, wheel bearings even brake parts. WHen I started driving around 1974 I had enough tools to change the engine and gearbox by the side of the road, even carried my engine hoist.... Noop must be an improvement because I carry a multi tool and an aux belt.

I still HATE the MOT and dont trust the equipment used. It finds brake imbalance where there is none and readings from one week to another vary by a factor of 10. Penny Panda emissions were 1/2 of the MOT HC figure when rechecked a month later. The brakes which are perfect as far as I can tell, in any event quite good enough to be able to emergency stop from er hm 70mph no hands and have no reaction in teh steering and pulling up in a dead straight line are supposedly 16% out of balance. ******** is all I have to say to that. At that level I would be able to tell, and, I would have the car off the road for a total strip-down. I suppose I need to take it somewhere else and have it checked on another rig. If the difference is more than 5% it gets attention. At least a clean and check. 16% would be new brakes, calipers, discs and pads and a really close check. Rubys brakes both look and feel perfect. I am on the point of changing the discs are they are worn and lipped. I suspect at the 10.2mm limit. I suppose this may jsust account for the figures but 16% would be evident, driving on muddy slimy wet roads round here, and it just isnt. I know the rolling road had just been checked as that day so who knows.

Cable front brakes as well on the "sit up and beg" Ford Pops we sometimes had come in, along with the Austin A30s,A35s and A40s. Probably the Frog Eye Sprites and MG Midgets with same running gear, but twin carbs to speed to to that next disaster.
Small wonder Moskvich and Lada didn't frighten me too much.
Where I have an issue is Modern Mot Testers failing king pins on old cars and steering links by comparing with today's standards.
My personal brake test is on a quiet road at around 30mph let go the steering and brake as hard as possible without skidding, that will show if any brake bias/inbalance.

 

[SB1500]

Replacing a bulb on my grandmothers Panda Pop. For such a basic car, thought it was cool that it can still tell you which light has gone wrong!

 

[The Panda Nut]

All the old farts on here. You can tell its raining. AInt you got no coats and wellies? In off soon to see how my wire chasing cement has set. I have about 12m more channels to cut and I will have broken the back of this rewiring, just the garage, kitchen and outside light to do.

As Jezza would say... POWER!!!

 

[SB1500]

All the old farts on here. You can tell its raining. AInt you got no coats and wellies? In off soon to see how my wire chasing cement has set. I have about 12m more channels to cut and I will have broken the back of this rewiring, just the garage, kitchen and outside light to do.

As Jezza would say... POWER!!!

 

[The Panda Nut]

But having Noop all 83hp (or did I hear Fiats say 90????) , and rewiring I have power over POWER. Now thats p o w e r!

 

[Cheest]

A really nice day weatherwise, albeit a tad breezy(45 mph gusts). I took the Fuji out for its first shake down ride this afternoon.

Good thing because what looks hunky dory on the repair stand doesn't always translate into life on the road. There is a Pucker Factor when you are honking uphill on a fixed gear bike and the chain decides to jump ship. Got it all taken care of and went for about a 1.5 mile ride. That's all Big Jim and the Twins could handle on an old Wrights Swallow saddle while wearing jeans.

 

[bugsymike]

A really nice day weatherwise, albeit a tad breezy(45 mph gusts). I took the Fuji out for its first shake down ride this afternoon.

Good thing because what looks hunky dory on the repair stand doesn't always translate into life on the road. There is a Pucker Factor when you are honking uphill on a fixed gear bike and the chain decides to jump ship. Got it all taken care of and went for about a 1.5 mile ride. That's all Big Jim and the Twins could handle on an old Wrights Swallow saddle while wearing jeans.

My "pucker factor" was riding my mates Cycle Master enginened1950s push bike with useless stirrup type brakes and an engine throttle stuck pushing 20mph plus, I ended up going down a grassy bank in a wide diversion after crossing a bridge that lorries use randomly.
He had ridden it 30 miles or so through France, but seems to revel in the risk factor.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Oh boy! have you ever heard anything like it?



What an absolute idiot. So, lesson to us all and especially our less experienced members, as a general rule don't attempt to go through flood water which at it's deepest point takes it above the bottom of your car's sill and remember to go slowly as the bow wave can build up enough to allow water to get into the air filter intake - some vehicles have their air intake just behind the front bumper so much lower than you might think and, especially if a turboed engine, they can really suck - just a teaspoon full of water, or less, can completely ruin a turbo! Also, although, in theory, electrical connections in modern cars are supposed to be pretty much waterproof, I don't want to put that too much to the test. If I owned an electric car I just wouldn't go through flood water at all - bearing in mind it's usually murky and you can't see if there's a ruddy great pothole lurking in there somewhere.

By the way, turn the volume up after he's out of the water with it, The noise is impressive!

By the way, doing this with a nice hot cat, maybe after a bit of motorway or just normal "spirited" driving can cause such a thermal shock it has been known to crack or shatter the internal matrix! - expensive!

 

[bugsymike]

Oh boy! have you ever heard anything like it?



What an absolute idiot. So, lesson to us all and especially our less experienced members, as a general rule don't attempt to go through flood water which at it's deepest point takes it above the bottom of your car's sill and remember to go slowly as the bow wave can build up enough to allow water to get into the air filter intake - some vehicles have their air intake just behind the front bumper so much lower than you might think and, especially if a turboed engine, they can really suck - just a teaspoon full of water, or less, can completely ruin a turbo! Also, although, in theory, electrical connections in modern cars are supposed to be pretty much waterproof, I don't want to put that too much to the test. If I owned an electric car I just wouldn't go through flood water at all - bearing in mind it's usually murky and you can't see if there's a ruddy great pothole lurking in there somewhere.

By the way, turn the volume up after he's out of the water with it, The noise is impressive!

By the way, doing this with a nice hot cat, maybe after a bit of motorway or just normal "spirited" driving can cause such a thermal shock it has been known to crack or shatter the internal matrix! - expensive!

Some poor sod will buy that at top retail after a dodgy repair.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Some poor sod will buy that at top retail after a dodgy repair.

Very probably Mike. Even when you know what you're about, buying a used car is a very real lottery. The possibility of a recovered flood damaged vehicle always has worried me. Probably work fine for quite some time then the electric gremlins start appearing!

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Started at approx 9am this morning washing both cars. Started by hoovering the carpets and into the nooks and crannies then wiping down the interior trim then Mrs J wanted the Panda to go to the supermarket so I washed the Scala. It was filthy after several trips out to my boys south of the city over the last 10 days but she's come up very nicely and the water is still beading very nicely so doesn't need any waxing yet. Disappointing to see one very small corrosion blister already on one of the alloys. It's hiding right at the base of one of the spokes so you don't notice it but I'll give it a wee rub down and a "dod" of paint just to stop it. Just as I was finishing Mrs J very conveniently came back with Becky (Panda).

It was about 12.30hrs so I made a quick ham sandwich - Roma Cured and sliced ham from Aldi and it's very nice indeed - Taking a cup of Lidl Cuppaccino with me into the garage I had a good look at Becky's paintwork. I've not washed her for a while and the Artillery Fungus is reappearing so I knew I was in for a battle. It likes to get a hold on horizontal or slightly sloping surfaces like door cappings and tops of bumpers, the bonnet is particularly affected this time. Luckily the roof is glass so wipes down easily. Last time I tackled it I found the back side of my Halfords wash mitten has a slightly abrasive quality to it - probably meant for getting bugs off windscreens? I found that with a strong solution of car shampoo, which lubricates, and light but firm use of the mitten seems to shift it, surprisingly without marking the paint surface. It worked this time too but it took me over 2 hours of gentle rubbing - in a straight line, never do this sort of thing in circles or you'll get swirl lines - I've not done so much physical activity with my arm muscles in a long time and they're aching now! The plan for tomorrow is a very light "T" cut mixed with liquid car polish and then apply a wax polish. Let's see how the fungus likes that!

I'm looking out the window at her sitting on my wee off road parking place and she's looking absolutely brilliant in the sunshine - sun's just come out after a pretty dull day with a little drizzle from time to time. Something very satisfying about a "properly" clean car! Damn it, no matter what it costs me to have the rear axle replaced I'm going to have to do it, she just looks so good!

 

[bugsymike]

Started at approx 9am this morning washing both cars. Started by hoovering the carpets and into the nooks and crannies then wiping down the interior trim then Mrs J wanted the Panda to go to the supermarket so I washed the Scala. It was filthy after several trips out to my boys south of the city over the last 10 days but she's come up very nicely and the water is still beading very nicely so doesn't need any waxing yet. Disappointing to see one very small corrosion blister already on one of the alloys. It's hiding right at the base of one of the spokes so you don't notice it but I'll give it a wee rub down and a "dod" of paint just to stop it. Just as I was finishing Mrs J very conveniently came back with Becky (Panda).

It was about 12.30hrs so I made a quick ham sandwich - Roma Cured and sliced ham from Aldi and it's very nice indeed - Taking a cup of Lidl Cuppaccino with me into the garage I had a good look at Becky's paintwork. I've not washed her for a while and the Artillery Fungus is reappearing so I knew I was in for a battle. It likes to get a hold on horizontal or slightly sloping surfaces like door cappings and tops of bumpers, the bonnet is particularly affected this time. Luckily the roof is glass so wipes down easily. Last time I tackled it I found the back side of my Halfords wash mitten has a slightly abrasive quality to it - probably meant for getting bugs off windscreens? I found that with a strong solution of car shampoo, which lubricates, and light but firm use of the mitten seems to shift it, surprisingly without marking the paint surface. It worked this time too but it took me over 2 hours of gentle rubbing - in a straight line, never do this sort of thing in circles or you'll get swirl lines - I've not done so much physical activity with my arm muscles in a long time and they're aching now! The plan for tomorrow is a very light "T" cut mixed with liquid car polish and then apply a wax polish. Let's see how the fungus likes that!

I'm looking out the window at her sitting on my wee off road parking place and she's looking absolutely brilliant in the sunshine - sun's just come out after a pretty dull day with a little drizzle from time to time. Something very satisfying about a "properly" clean car! Damn it, no matter what it costs me to have the rear axle replaced I'm going to have to do it, she just looks so good!

Now you have got the hang of it Jock, where do we start the queue?

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Now you have got the hang of it Jock, where do we start the queue?

Today alone has just about killed me Mike! Or, just a thought, do you mean a queue for the delicious ham sandwiches? I make it with 3 slices of the ham, a light skim of "English" mustard and fresh ground black pepper. Sometimes I even jazz it up with a very light skim of Batts tomato sauce. I see the going price for ready made sandwiches in the city centre seems to be around the £4 mark so mine must be worth that. Not so sure what to charge for a Lidl Cuppaccino?

 

[The Panda Nut]

Today alone has just about killed me Mike! Or, just a thought, do you mean a queue for the delicious ham sandwiches? I make it with 3 slices of the ham, a light skim of "English" mustard and fresh ground black pepper. Sometimes I even jazz it up with a very light skim of Batts tomato sauce. I see the going price for ready made sandwiches in the city centre seems to be around the £4 mark so mine must be worth that. Not so sure what to charge for a Lidl Cuppaccino?

THREE slices. Mrs Panda Nut would say thats your lost for the next days mate! I would be in such deep stuff.

 

[AnthonyH]

It was sunny and warm today, perfect for the first day of spring.

 

[bugsymike]

Today alone has just about killed me Mike! Or, just a thought, do you mean a queue for the delicious ham sandwiches? I make it with 3 slices of the ham, a light skim of "English" mustard and fresh ground black pepper. Sometimes I even jazz it up with a very light skim of Batts tomato sauce. I see the going price for ready made sandwiches in the city centre seems to be around the £4 mark so mine must be worth that. Not so sure what to charge for a Lidl Cuppaccino?

Glad it's English , not the girly stuff.
Not the tomato sauce, but yes to some slices of vine tomato.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

THREE slices. Mrs Panda Nut would say thats your lost for the next days mate! I would be in such deep stuff.

I should mention they are very thin slices, honest! By the way, over did it yesterday and now I've got a sore back and those biceps I tore a couple of years ago are protesting too. Was hoping to get started on the polishing today but I don't think I'm up to it. Getting old? Grrrrrrr, I hate it!

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Glad it's English , not the girly stuff.
Not the tomato sauce, but yes to some slices of vine tomato.

That's my standard snack when we do our Salisbury/Devon trip. Ham with sliced tomato and salt and black pepper but no mustard. I like combining the mustard and tomato sauce if I'm doing it that way.