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

[CitroJim]

Seems my Activa MOT is about to expire and I was only reminded about it via a Facebook memory from this time last year where I was discussing the last MOT..

Although I'm very busy with a non-automotive project at the moment - a big revamp of my garden - I'll be going over her this weekend with a fine-toothed comb and submitting her for a test next week... All being well

Then she'll be going on SORN as soon as the insurance expires next month for a winter rest. She'll not then see the road again until just before the 2017 X Rally...

I will maintain basic insurance cover on her. I believe one can obtain 'laid-up' insurance to cover such circumstances...

[Stickyfinger]

yes you can Jim, normally that needs a locked "secure" garage however.

[CitroJim]

normally that needs a locked "secure" garage however.

That's a problem. Unless I can shrink my Activa to the size of a Matchbox toy

[Hell Razor5543]

It might be worth looking into a secure storage company. Some of them do have lockups large enough to store cars. I know that Safe Storage (in Reading) did have cars in storage.

[CitroJim]

It's a nice thought James but that will be beyond what I can afford sadly...

[CitroJim]

I'm half-way through checking my Activa over for an MOT but yesterday the work was interrupted to take part in a mini-triathlon involving a 3 mile run around the lake, a kayak paddle from one end of the lake to the other (around 1.5 miles) and an open-water swim across a narrow bit of the lake... I cycled to the lake and back (around 18 miles in all) so in effect it was a quadathlon!

The kayak paddle was done in failing light and the swim in almost total darkness! The swim was an experience indeed but very much enjoyed.

I got this, very proud of it I plan to do some proper triathlons next year.



Later this morning I'll resume my Activa work. So far, no issues found but today will be the biggie where I check over the suspension, steering and braking bits...

I'll also be washing her as she's again looking very dusty and spidery

I will report back.

[Stickyfinger]

Strange looking MoT certificate that

[CitroJim]

Strange looking MoT certificate that

It's an MOT certificate to show that I'm in pretty good shape Alasdair


I find what I did yeaterday was an official sporting activity... A Quadrathlon - Cycle, run, swim and kayak

[Stickyfinger]

for me it was a CutTheGrassaThon and a StripaRadaThon

Dinatrol the car before you SORN it Jim.....ramps are here for you.

[CitroJim]

for me it was a CutTheGrassaThon and a StripaRadaThon

New events for future Olympics there Alasdair

[Stickyfinger]

Chase-the-FrackingChicken-a-Thon will never catch on however

[CitroJim]

Chase-the-FrackingChicken-a-Thon will never catch on however

Yes, but it's great for fitness

Activa checks complete... All OK but I'm a bit dubious about the O/S P Bush and forward wishbone bush... I may just swap as a precaution as I'd definitely give it an advisory...

I have a wishbone in stock and will rebuild it tomorrow so I can just swap over...

Must have been muddy the other Saturday at the Chevrons as there's plenty of mud on the car... Will be washed tomorrow but now it's such a lovely day I'm off out for a gentle bike ride...

[Zelandeth]

Well done Jim! I'd be dead in a tenth of that I reckon! Was always a sprinter rather than endurance runner!

Nobody in school could come even close on the 100-400m sprints though.

[CitroJim]

Thanks Zel

I'm just the opposite; I'm not fast at anything but I can keep going and going and going...

Pleased to say we raised over £1200 for the Hospice

[CitroJim]

I have just enjoyed a thoroughly excellent afternoon of Activa spannering replacing the dodgy OS wishbone bushes ready for the MOT

I began by refurbishing a spare wishbone I had in stock by fitting new bushes to it.. Here it is alongside another wishbone I keep in stock as a template for bush alignment:



I then set about removing the old wishbone... The old 'P' Bush came off in two bits so I reckon it was just a tad past it's best!



I'm hoping that was the cause of a bit of vibration under braking rather than it being down to warped discs.. A decent road test in a bit will soon tell... Not worried if it is discs still as I have all the bits in stock to uprate them to V6 spec.

The disassembly job was easy and years of having plastered copper grease over everything really did pay dividends; nothing was hard work and even the drop link disconnected easily...

As usual the Activa bits got in the way of the job but once the Activa system had lost most of it's pressure the ARB could be tilted low enough - with the drop link disconnected - to slip the new wishbone in..

Job done and lots of fresh copper grease applied



And as a bonus I've got away without having to reset the levelling Any Activa owner knows what a miserably horrible job that is

Really, really enjoyed. I'd forgotten - almost - just how much I enjoy a good old spannering session

MOT will be booked tomorrow... Hopefully will be able to get it done on Friday - my next day off...