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

[Hell Razor5543]

I remember once getting a UPS sent out to me (for a work related call). The UPS in question was about the size of an average shoe box (although, with a lead/acid battery it weighed a damn site more), but was in a box more suited for a 19" CRT monitor. That was not the main problem; that was reserved for the singular lack of packaging (about as much as in your box, Jim), which meant the UPS had a lot of territory it could travel in. That was interesting to pick up a box that suggested it had something heavy in it, but then have the contents go on a galloping Gertie around the box when you lifted it up at an angle!

[CitroJim]

Buy a puppy......puppies like to play in boxes. Maybe a Great Dane to match the size of the box.

Not bloody likely! As much as I love dogs there's no way I'm going to have one, at least until I retire and move out to the country Then I think a Springer Spaniel may join the family

That was interesting to pick up a box that suggested it had something heavy in it, but then have the contents go on a galloping Gertie around the box when you lifted it up at an angle!

A bit like trying to pick up and carry a spinning gyroscope!

[Zelandeth]

My father used to work in air freight handling up on Shetland in the early 80s. He recounted to me one day having had a particularly horrible morning taking out his frustration by kicking a box towards the side of the load bay in a somewhat more empassioned manner than usual. This box was probably about the size of two normal household bricks stacked on top of each other.

It turned out to contain an industrial (i.e. oil trade) drill bit. Suffice to say, it didn't budge in the slightest when kicked as it weighed somewhere north of 30kg. Apparently there were quite a few people in the Scottish Express International freight shed who came up with some quite inventive names for that particular package through that day before it was finally wrestled onto a helicopter out to whichever oil platform it was destined for...

[CitroJim]

He must have had some good boots on to kick that package around Zel! Else that very tough feet

As an ongoing part of her conversion into a van, I've just ordered in a roll of dark tinting film for Sally's side and rear windows so that the contents within will not be so easy to see...

It'll make her look a bit different...

[CitroJim]

It's been a lovely afternoon here today but sadly I'm unwell at the moment and have been unable to take any advantage to carry on with the Activa work

The good thing is that all parts have now arrived for the Activa now so once I and the weather is good again we can crack on

The packing for the wheel bearing was as opposite as could possibly be compared to the CV boot - a Jiffy Bag just large enough to contain it

I was delighted to find a full service manual for Sally's wireless on the Internet today and that enabled me to more or less confirm it is the power amplifier IC that's at fault after checking most of the passive components around it...

I drove Sally to work this morning and was delighted to find that she has adjustable dipped beam aim via a rotary control on the dash and that it still works Rather useful in a van

She's not quite as poverty-spec as I first thought, having key-operated central locking, electric windows and beam adjusters... Luxury!

[bxzx16v]

Jim I may have a Citroen badged Blaupunkt radio/CD out of my old dispatch if you require it . It wouldn't look out of place either as the dispatch was very nineties too . Let me know and I'll see if I can lay my hands on it .

Mark

[CitroJim]

Thanks Mark, if my present wireless does not respond to a repair I'll take you up on that...

[CitroJim]

Still not feeling up to any Activa spannering

I did however do a little on Sally today

Her spare tyre was flat and this was caused by a duff (split) valve stem where it seats on the rim. A trip to our local tyre fitters procured one for free

All fitted and good...

The jack was missing but luckily the Saxo and Xantia jacks are identical and I had one in stock

I'm never happy travelling any distance without a serviceable spare, a jack and a wheelbrace.

Finally, I installed a little security for the cargo Sally will be carrying....

Own Work

This will in turn attach to a 'D' Lock around the bike frame and wheels...

Whilst it won't save the bike from a very determined thief armed with a sturdy pair of bolt croppers, an angle grinder and a 19mm socket it surely will deter the casual opportunist...

The only times the bike will be unattended is perhaps a quick pit-stop in a services for a comfort break and during sign-on at bike sportives... At the latter the risk is very low and there are hundreds of bikes all over the place and often unsecured. The former is the biggest risk as I see it... The window tinting will help too as Sally will then just look like a Chavved-up Barry-Boy Saxo - especially if I treat her to some more little appropriate 'accessories' to complete the look

I'll be going to Halfrauds in the morning

Hopefully tomorrow I'll be well enough to crack on with the Activa - I hope so

[daviemck2006]

Big wheels, spoilers, stripes, annoying blue bulbs, and a back to front baseball cap is a start Jim!

[Michel]

Oi, I'm currently driving around in a Vauxhall Nova, and I resembled that remark earlier!

[Hell Razor5543]

Big wheels, spoilers, stripes, annoying blue bulbs, and a back to front baseball cap is a start Jim!

A few years ago my Brother got me one of these baseball caps for Christmas. Wearing it back to front would look somewhat stranger than CHAV normal!!!;

https://www.panthervision.com/powercap/ ... 6-sc1.html

[Hell Razor5543]

Oi, I'm currently driving around in a Vauxhall Nova, and I resembled that remark earlier!

I am STILL not laughing (but I will admit to a grin!)!

[Stickyfinger]

[Hell Razor5543]

I have never seen a picture of "Bloodhound" from that angle before!

[Michel]

On the plus side, the garage have found the cause of the oil leak on the Focus - a oil breather assembly has split, and is blowing oil all over the front of the engine. Googling shows it to be *the* main failure these engines suffer from eventually - it's a case of "they all do that sir". The part is not cheap, and is on order, to arrive tomorrow afternoon. The Corsa hasn't moved since you saw it yesterday! Horrible thing.

M3 Motors in Camberley . Best used car dealer ever. I (yes, me!) can offer nothing but extreme praise for them. First of all, I prepared myself for a row and a "discussion" about consumer rights, 30 day right to refuse, any fault within 30 days legally being deemed to have been present at time of sale and down to them to fix. I read up, got all the relevant bits printed off and called them .... I had emailed them first .

"Ah, yes, Mr. Pearson. Sorry about that oil leak on the Focus, we can get that booked in today to be sorted out for you. Most inconvenient, I'm terribly sorry"...

Damn, that threw me..

So, I took it down to the garage they'd arranged the repair with yesterday, who called me today to tell me the score. I rang M3 motors to check who was paying - was I paying, and I'd claim it back from them, were they paying direct, or was it warranty work?

"Oh, we will sort it direct with them of course, so sorry for the inconvenience again, it really shouldn't have happened..."

Threw me again, the swine!