CitroJim's AX, C3 Picasso, Cycling and Running Tales

[CitroJim]

but if my memory is correct, the Xantia instru bulb holders make the electrical connections at the flange, not at the other side of the PCB like the ones you showed.

That's it exactly Martin Oddly, only three bulbs are of that pattern in the AX pod, all the others are the same as Xantia instrument pod bulbs and I have tons of those!!!

Why, oh why do Citroen do this

One of the true joys of having Daffodil warm and dry in the workshop is that I can work on her whatever the weather and whenever I have a few moments spare without having to make elaborate preparations as I would if she was outside

Today is another wet one here so after I enjoyed a virtual bike ride around Innsbruck in Austria I set about looking into the oil leak at the top of Daffodil's engine. I was keen to determine if iot was from her rocker box or her cylinder head... I stripped off all that was needed for full access (coil and induction mainly) and was happy to confirm it was the rocker box. A nice pool of oil had gathered in a blind hole in the end casting just under where the coil sits...

Oil Leak 1

Another view with the oil 'pond' now drained...

Oil Leak 2

I spent some time cleaning up where the oil had made a mess and cleaned up all the bits I'd removed to gain access. very satisfying work

The rocker box gasket has definitely seen better days! A replacement is on order

Cracks in rocker box gasket...

When I replace the rocker box gasket I'll take the opportunity to check the valve clearances...

[ksanturion10]

Why, oh why do Citroen do this

Ahahaha, don't ask me

One of the true joys of having Daffodil warm and dry in the workshop is that I can work on her whatever the weather and whenever I have a few moments spare without having to make elaborate preparations as I would if she was outside

Generally, I'm OK out only with something water and... hell proof

Today is another wet one here so after I enjoyed a virtual bike ride around Innsbruck in Austria

If you have the opportunity to cycle somewhere into the Austrian country side, you will see how respectful are most, if not all, of the drivers there towards the cyclists and motorists

The rocker box gasket has definitely seen better days! A replacement is on order

Definitely it will require a new one

[CitroJim]

Today is another wet one here so after I enjoyed a virtual bike ride around Innsbruck in Austria

If you have the opportunity to cycle somewhere into the Austrian country side, you will see how respectful are most, if not all, of the drivers there towards the cyclists and motorists

It's somewhere I'd love to ride Martin I've heard good things about the place

One of my friends asked if I was now going to self-isolate for 14 days after having taken a trip to Austria

I've already broken that today by going for a ride in a place called Watopia

Another of my friends sent me this picture today, suggesting it might be a good next project for me and good company for Daffodil...

vegetating BX

It would actually be rather lovely to have a white AX and a white BX in the stable

And then, to complete the set, a white CX

I suppose for a true full set I'd also need a white ZX too!

But as another of my friends remarked... "That BX would need a TREEmendous amount of work..."

[NewcastleFalcon]

So you have been to a couple of fictional islands in the Pacific Ocean!

Watopia is a course in Zwift. ... While the geography of Watopia is loosely based on a pair of islands in the Pacific Ocean, many features of the location are largely fictionalized, making it the only Zwift course not modelled after a real-world location. The location includes 9 individual routes and 41.64km of road.

Regards Neil

[CitroJim]

So you have been to a couple of fictional islands in the Pacific Ocean!

Watopia is a course in Zwift. ... While the geography of Watopia is loosely based on a pair of islands in the Pacific Ocean, many features of the location are largely fictionalized, making it the only Zwift course not modelled after a real-world location. The location includes 9 individual routes and 41.64km of road.

Regards Neil

That's a perfect description of Watopia Neil... I'd say Hawaii is a big influence... Watopia has areas of jungle, desert, an area populated by dinosaurs, a very active volcano, an undersea area where you ride a road in a glass tunnel amongst tropical fish and high snow-capped Alpine-like mountains. In one (hard) ride you can ride from sea-level to the summit of the mountain on a long and torturous 12% average climb via the fiery volcano and back down again it's a real magical fantasy land and always full of interest and surprises...

Today it was raining in the part of Watopia I was riding at the time

Moist Watopia

First time I've seen rain in Watopia but it regularly rains when riding around virtual London... No surprise there

[ksanturion10]

OK, still haven't taken non of the two pills
But this Watopia thing... are you sure you didn't accidently drank both

[CitroJim]

A proper ride on a real road today, complete with a nice reimagined traditional fingerpost

Beachampton and MK is that way!

And no rain, just gorgeous autumn sunshine all the way

It may be the last time this year bibshorts can be worn... It was pleasantly warm!

[mickthemaverick]

Jim, I am toying with the idea of getting a bike for leisure and trips to and from my workshop. My wants are: full mudguards, lights, comfortable saddle, rack, straight handlebars, chainguard. As such I have found this which looks to fit the bill and is pretty local. It says the gears need indexing and I have no idea what that means or what might be involved and I was hoping you would be able to tell me and give me your opinion as to how much this bike is worth. hopefully it won't be a pain for you
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Used-mens-to ... Swcd9faOrH

[RichardW]

Mick,

Are you big enough to ride that? Unless you are 6'2" then you won't be able to get your leg over!

Indexing the gears is simply setting the cable length so that the various sprockets are selected cleanly. It's not hard in theory, but if there is a bit of stiction in it somewhere it can be trying! To me that bike looks like it needs a new chain - look at the close up photo of the chain rings - you can see that the chain is not sitting cleanly on the teeth on the ring - this means it is stretched. Likely as it has been ridden in that state that it will also need a new cassette of sprockets on the rear - and although it's hard to tell it looks to me like the teeth are well worn on the middle chain ring so that probably needs replacing as well. Not hard to do, and the parts are not that dear, but you do need a few specialist tools. Not sure what the frame is, but it might be heavy....! I wouldn't want to give more than about £50 for it, given it needs a few quid spending on it. Note the bit about the saddle - although that might look comfortable it's not necessarily. A narrower saddle that is the right width for your sit bones in your bum, with a slot in the middle to ensure no weight is taken on sensitive parts, is more comfortable!

[mickthemaverick]

Thanks for that Richard, I think it may be a tad too big for me then as I am 5'11" on a good day
I thought it looked as though both saddle and bars could be dropped an inch and a half or so and thus might suit me but as a complete numpty I'll keep looking! Iay decide against it altogether yet if I keep having so much fun on the road trips

[CitroJim]

Richard, thanks for answering Mick's question on the above bike so well I would not have been able to give the complete answer as such bikes are way out of my area of knowledge...

Mick, for what it's worth - and given the areas of wear Richard has pointed out, I'd be tempted to go to a place like Decathlon and buy one of their offerings brand new. Decathlon bikes are very good quality and excellent value for money. The cost of a second-hand one along with the costs of fixing it properly may exceed the cost of a decent new one. Gear indexing may be 'out' because new cables are needed...

Unless you can do all the work yourself, it can be expensive... Bike mechanics know how to charge and make the pips squeak!

Also, never buy a bike without trying it first. Bikes are very personal and if you get it wrong they're awful. Get it right by trying a few until you 'click' with one... It's a bit like choosing a life partner... You'll know instantly when you find the right one

Also, get properly fitted (set up) . I cringe when I see someone riding a bike they're clearly not fitted to. The difference in pleasure in riding a bike that fits you properly and one that doesn't is night and day.

And please always wear a helmet... I'm here typing this now because I do

Speaking of accidents...

Ouchy1

Ouchy2

I took an accidental tumble on my morning run

In the dark, running in the light of my head torch. next thing i knew I had something tangled around my ankles and down I went!

That something was two coils of fine piano wire that had been left in the middle of the pavement. Talk about a trip-wire

They were invisible and would have been even in daylight... I suspect it was some builder's detritus as nearby a house is being renovated...

Luckily, I'm absolutely fine and could carry on running for another four miles All I have is a nasty case of gravel rash on my arm and leg that needed attention from Nurse Robyn and a trip to Boots in order to obtain some dressings!

I was lucky and my first thought was that it was going to bring about a premature end to my run streak... Happily I'll be able to run day 25 in the morning

Whilst we were out and about visiting Boots I took the opportunity to acquire some more bits for Daffodil... I'm acquiring stuff for when I work on her during rainy days and cold winter days in a potential lockdown situation...

[mickthemaverick]

Thanks for that enlightening response Jim, I agree about wearing a helmet as a result of my motorcycling exploits. I have been thinking it through today and I am actually going off the idea of cycling for reasons similar to those which stopped me motorcycling. The reasons can be summed up in 5 words;

idiots on the road, vulnerability!!

Driving along in my big C5 I feel able to resist minor knocks and bumps without much more than a dent and scratch on the car. When I came off my motorcycle at 10mph due to wet leaves on ice in deep shadow on a roundabout, a passing golf driver missed my head by less than an inch. The thing is while I was creeping round the roundabout because of the conditions he was "straightlining" the roundabout at around 30-35 in a 40 limit and had he been 2 inches further to the left or got a touch of understeer my head would have been toast.

Add that to my ongoing weakness in the left ankle and I feel that I will see many more road trips in my iron horses if I stay off two wheels!!

Sorry to see your mishap this morning and glad to see it won't break your sequence. I wish builders in general would be more careful with the waste, not to mention the strap packaging which blows around and can be lethal!!

[Armidillo]

...
I took an accidental tumble on my morning run

In the dark, running in the light of my head torch. next thing i knew I had something tangled around my ankles and down I went!

That something was two coils of fine piano wire that had been left in the middle of the pavement. Talk about a trip-wire

...

Sounds like you've just taken an osteoporosis test Jim ! Glad to hear you passed it.

[CitroJim]

Sounds like you've just taken an osteoporosis test Jim ! Glad to hear you passed it.

Passed with flying colours

They do say that running is good for the bones... The impact of running strengthens them...

Happy to report I'm fine today and been for a lovely run on this beautiful clear crisp morning The wounds are healing well too

Run 09/10/2020

I shall be cycling later and then doing a bit more on Daffodil this afternoon... I have the new bulbs for the instrument panel now...

[myglaren]

Daffodil bulbs presumably?