Citrojim's Ka, Saxo and Bike Tales

[CitroJim]

Thanks both, I'll be definitely be keeping it up

Will, this time I'm going to have to SORN as the insurance runs out the end of this month but the tax runs through to April and I understand it's illegal now to have a taxed but uninsured car?

I'll e looking for some 'laid-up' insurance whilst it's SORN'd too. I believe Adrian Flux does something like that.

[KP]

I can help with that if you want Jim

And yes of a car is taxed but not insured you can be fined. Not sure if the reverse is true though.

[Chris570]

I can help with that if you want Jim

And yes of a car is taxed but not insured you can be fined. Not sure if the reverse is true though.

Hope not, the Activa has been insured since July '12 with no tax

[citroenxm]

NO Its fine in the ORDER of service: Insurance FIRST, to get an MOT, then Tax.. But a car is perfectly legal being SORN with insurance running on it!

[Northern_Mike]

Thanks both, I'll be definitely be keeping it up

Will, this time I'm going to have to SORN as the insurance runs out the end of this month but the tax runs through to April and I understand it's illegal now to have a taxed but uninsured car?

I'll e looking for some 'laid-up' insurance whilst it's SORN'd too. I believe Adrian Flux does something like that.

I'd be willing to bet that "laid up"insurance isn't a great deal cheaper. Anyway, if it's taxed until April why not insure it then you can use it in case the weather isn't so bad? Seems a shame to waste £110 or so of tax unless you are refunding it.

[Northern_Mike]

I can help with that if you want Jim

And yes of a car is taxed but not insured you can be fined. Not sure if the reverse is true though.

Hope not, the Activa has been insured since July '12 with no tax

Long as it's SORN'd every year, no problem at all.

[CitroJim]

Thanks, now understood Excellent....

I can help with that if you want Jim

Tell me more Will

[KP]

Pm or text me sometime Jim as I'm currently on my travels back to rip off land!

[CitroJim]

Pm or text me sometime Jim as I'm currently on my travels back to rip off land!

Thanks Will, As it is, it's likely superseded by a decision I've been mulling for a while now and that's to reduce down to just two cars. I can't justify three any longer on cost and time grounds and after much deliberation it's the XM that has to go. The two Xantias I've had a long time and those are the ones that are staying and in truth the cars I'm most attached to.

As is say, the decision has been made after weeks, nay months, of agonising and finally, for better or worse, that decision is now finally made.

On the time front I just don't have the time now to devote to cars or the forums as much as I'd like. I'm gradually moving into other things and those are taking much time.

Money wise, I'll shortly have two daughters at University... I also have no intention of returning to work full-time even though my improving health is likely to permit it in the not too-distant future.

That the XM has rust made the decision a little easier as that aspect of the XM is causing me considerable stress and worry about seeing it fixed and through the next MOT. As soon as something causes me stress then basically now, that's it. It goes. It's possibly not a biggie but it is to me. I don't really 'do' bodywork and can't really see it as a skill I'm ever likely to become proficient in. Being heavily allergic to all kinds of solvent-based paints and coatings doesn't help either!

Anyway, I'm open to sensible offers for the XM. If it doesn't sell through here I'll be dropping it on the 'bay..

It's just been serviced and bar the rust it's pretty much spot-on in all other respects.

It'll be a shame to see the XM go as it's a lovely car and maybe one day if I can find a truly rust-free example I may once again have one.

On the personal front, all remains good and yesterday I did a job that's been waiting for me to be well enough for perhaps two years or more. I've go all three of my old clocks working again That took a bit of work and I still need to do a bit more. The two grandfather clocks are currently strung with strimmer line in place to the proper cat-gut so I must now go and find a source of the proper stuff as I'm told the strimmer line is abrasive and wears the winding barrels.

[addo]

Nothing to suit from suppliers of instrument "gut"?

[myglaren]

Nothing to suit from suppliers of instrument "gut"?

Indeed - harp strings might do the job?

[Hell Razor5543]

Would fishing line do? Not the nylon, but the twine. Possibly the 'fly' line.

[CitroJim]

I've found one supplier here in the UK.

That for 21 feet. Not sure if that's enough yet as I have two to do and that's four runs. I must measure up the last broken one and see if 21 feet will do...

Would fishing line do? Not the nylon, but the twine. Possibly the 'fly' line.

Many use monofilament and stranded stuff James but the same applies regarding wear to the winding drums...

Mind you, one of mine has been running on strimmer line since 1998...

Trouble is, if it breaks, and they always do with the weights at the top of the case, they have a long way to fall and they fall with a massive bang and crash. I recall several times it happened on these very clocks when I was a lad. It sounded like an earthquake!

The weights are heavier than they look. Lead-filled cast iron...

Funny thing is, they both have very loud hour strikes and having known these clocks since I was a baby I just filter it right out. I barely register when they strike the hour.

I notice one is gaining and the other loosing a bit. Got the tedious job of regulating them now..

[citroenxm]

Well, as the topic has lost, Jim, you will regret getting rid!

However, Im not sure about finding a COMPLETELY rust free example of these poor ole girls.

Prehaps this is my que when I finally restore my V6 SEi Series 1 Auto on LPG!!

[Hell Razor5543]

OK, would putting some cushioning at the bottom of the casement help? It wouldn't stop the lines from failing, but it would protect the case (and the weights) from damage (and your ears from unexpected noises). As an aside, I hope that the fireworks weren't too bad last night.

How thin do the lines have to be?