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

[CitroJim]

Bluebell's new V5C in my name arrived today along with a VED refund cheque for when Daffodil changed keepers...

So that was just under a month from start to finish to re-register Bluebell... And no mention on the V5C of her once being permanently exported from the UK...

I'm now just waiting for DVLA to cash the cheque I sent for her first year of VED... It's not showing on my on-line banking as having been presented for payment maybe I've got away without paying it Worth a hope!

I've now seen the official photos from yesterday's Wendover Woods Wicked Duathlon... Unusually, they're free - most events charge a lot for them - but as a downside, one has to search through several hundred to find them... Chargeable ones usually have a search facility... Spending a few tens of minutes searching and a small watermark is a small price to pay, especially for quality like this

(c) ActiveTrainingWorld.co.uk

(c) ActiveTrainingWorld.co.uk

The one of me on the bike was taken whilst descending a steep hill, hence me not being on the tribars and covering the brakes... The run picture was taken about 250m into my second run...

[CitroJim]

I did a bit of work to get the thermostatic hot air intake arrangements working on Bluebell this afternoon... It was originally disconnected. A piece of (temporary) clear pipe to the flap vacuum actuator up to the vacuum thermostat above the air filter and after getting the vacuum connections the right way round got it working beautifully...

Before piping it up I'd tested the system using my vacuum tester - part of my vacuum brake bleeding kit - and found it good.

With the carb drawing warm air heated by the exhaust manifold the warmup time is a lot more rapid and less choke is needed...

However, I was dismayed to discover there was still a bit of a flatspot when cracking the throttle open, even with the engine nice and warm. Not as bad as it was but there was a distinct hesitation and a slight misfire at around 2000rpm...

I checked the distributor vacuum advance capsule with my vacuum tester and all good...

Then I checked the choke pull-off vacuum capsule... Punctured and unable to hold any vacuum... This capsule is intended to pull off the choke under high vacuum. In case the driver forgets to push the choke fully home... It's not really needed and can be lived without easily...

The choke pull-off vacuum capsule sits on the back of the carb...

I blocked off its vacuum supply and there's now no sign of any flatspot or hesitation anywhere... The engine runs even more clock-like now...

[CitroJim]

Bluebell's first long trip since recommissioning was a great and most enjoyable success She runs very sweetly and her seats surprisingly comfy...

Here she is with her younger sister and some old jerrybuilt thing

It cold down this way and I'm currently working to breath life into a proper classic Mini living in the tent behind the red thing...

[Dormouse]

Mini stuff - pleeease!!!!

[CitroJim]

Mini stuff - pleeease!!!!

Later today And hopefully with a report of success. Currently it will barely run. Yesterday I saw the choke control was not working properly due to a gummed up sliding main jet stuck in the choke fully on position. Despite a full clean and rebuild of the carb it's still not happy. Attention today turns to the ignition system. Proper points and a condenser!

I feel very at home working on cars of this ilk and free of technology of all kinds This Mini, despite being roughly Bluebell's age, is really from a much earlier era.

Except for their love of rust I still love the and would love to own one - a rust-free one, but my pockets will never be deep enough...

[CitroJim]

The Mini is now running sweetly

The carb overhaul certainly helped - it was mucky and well gummed up..

The real problem was with the ignition. It's proper points and whilst these were OK, almost new in fact, deep suspicion fell upon the coil or condenser. To eliminate the condenser I temporarily wired the radio suppressor capacitor in parallel with it...

That nicely proved the condenser duff...

This Mini is a long-term restoration project and whilst it has a great interior...

The exterior has a few issues... Such as this...

Whilst I had the tools out I tightened Daffodil's alternator belt as it was squealing on full load last night..

Daffodil seems very happy under her new custodianship...

And one of Bluebell and friends this morning...

[CitroJim]

And Daffodil looking very good on this cold and bright morning

[Dormouse]

Magic!
I see the jerrything is LHD and Cabrio.

[Zelandeth]

Problem I have with Minis is that I'm too lanky to fit! Finally had a shot of one a few months back and found I was driving while solidly wedged against the driver's door. It was really quite uncomfortable. Think I just need the little extra room the Metro offers.

Looks like that one is quite crispy, though at least repair sections for most bits should be available - at a price anyway.

[Dormouse]

I always extended the driver's seat backwards (and fitted better seats) as well as lowering the steering column. It transformed the driving position and comfort.
I agree about the Metro being a better driving position. Have you ever driven an Allegro?

[Zelandeth]

I always extended the driver's seat backwards (and fitted better seats) as well as lowering the steering column. It transformed the driving position and comfort.
I agree about the Metro being a better driving position. Have you ever driven an Allegro?

Never had the chance (yet), though I do have a friend with one so sure I'll have a shot of that at some point.

[Stickyfinger]

The Golf Cab is a temporary resident in for a winter re-commissioning and clean/polish etc to bring it up to A1+ condition......it has a grand total of 8500 miles on it ! having spent most of its life in long term (climate controlled) storage with starting/checks etc as the owners decided the Far-East was more attractive than the UK.

[CitroJim]

Many readers of the Club-XM forum will be aware of the work of Russ Wallis and his bespoke automotive portraits...

I have several of my past cars immortalised this way, including my red Activa and two of my XMs...

Bluebell has now sat for her Christmas portrait and today I received the proof

(c) rjwcreativedesign.co.uk

Spot the little bunch of bluebells by her rear wheel

Postal strikes permitting I hope soon to receive the A3 print ready for framing and display alongside the Activa and XMs...

Russ's website can be found here: https://www.rjwcreativedesign.co.uk/

Bluebell, after her epic trip this week is now tucked up up in her cosy garage... She'll not be emerging again any time soon unless the weather is very amiable...

Or I get an insatiable urge to take her for a drive

[Zelandeth]

I'd not known about them before, I may need to send some business their way...

[Michel]

Jim,

what sort of gloves are you wearing in the running pic up there? ^^ I have a friend who's just been diagnosed with Raynaud's and has been looking for decent gloves. Like you, she runs a lot.