Slippery When Wet

Luke is also restoring a 1.3 Mark I We're in Suffolk if you are ever over this way gimme a shout, give you a tour of the garage

I'm no mechanic, but if fans are kicking in at same time sounds like coil (what's the engine temp ?) When I first got mine I had a similar problem, but that was because I kept knocking the kill switch when I blipped the throttle

Yup

OK Few things: Most classic car policies are for age 25+ You cannot be a young named driver on a classic policy You can insure a classic car on a normal policy as a named driver providing the car is no more than 25 years old (some policies are 20 years old) Norwich Union do a policy whereby you can be a named driver providing your dad is the legal owner and they do a deal if he has another car insured with someone else and switches it across to them, Dad gets a better deal on his car and you get a very reasonable quote on your car PLUS (big plus here) Dad's no claims will not be affected if you have a accident ie he keeps his record intact on his car, only the insurance on your car would go up next year. My partner's son is 18 drives a mark II capri (1.6 litre with Pinto engine) and got it insured (in style just described) for about £750 fully comp. You are going to struggle to get an Old Skool Ford for under £1000 that does not need some work doing, having said that, if you're willing to do the work you could end up with a very collectable car. Problem with capris is the the 1.3 and 1.6 engines are in high demand by young drivers. That doesn't mean you wont find one, just keep looking as it may take some time. If you can squeeze a couple of extra hundred quid out (eg if your Dad can help sort out the insurance and release some of those funds) you should be able to get a Mark II thats on the road and just needs a bit of TLC. Oh and if you do get a Capri, join the Capri Owners Club, well worth the subs and gives you access to a wealth of parts and advice The Sunbeam Alpines (Simon Templar style) will be too pricey for you and are prone to major rust issues. Another option on the Ford front is an Orion, yup I can hear the groans, unfashionable in their day as a new car, but these are becoming quite collectable classics with growing popularity in the modified scene. Also gaining street cred is the Vauxhall Viva (was my first car ) , get a 2 door model and they look really smart when done up in true coupe style One more suggestion - Triumph Herald, or the more sporty Dolomite. Roite I'll shuddup now and let your fingers do some web surfin. See if you can track down retro-rides forum, I looked for it but seems to have disappeared Feel free to PM me if have specific questions, we have a collection of classic cars, otehr half and his son do all their own work and we have lots of knowledgeable mates

Congrats Jimmy ! .... and excellent choice of bike

Oh well, if we're doing Vatican jokes ..... The seven dwarfs go to the Vatican, and because they are THE seven dwarfs, they are ushered in to see the Pope. Grumpy leads the pack. 'Grumpy, my son,' says the Pope, 'what can I do for you?' Grumpy asks, 'Excuse me your Excellency, but are there any dwarf nuns in Rome?' The Pope wrinkles his brow at the odd question, thinks for a moment and answers, 'No, Grumpy, there are no dwarf nuns in Rome.' In the background, a few of the dwarfs start giggling. Grumpy turns around and glares, silencing them. Grumpy turns back, 'Your Worship, are there any dwarf nuns in all of Europe? The Pope, puzzled now, again thinks for a moment and then answers, 'No, Grumpy, there are no dwarf nuns in Europe' This time, all of the other dwarfs burst into laughter. Once again, Grumpy turns around and silences them with an angry glare. Grumpy turns back and says, 'Mr. Pope! Are there ANY dwarf nuns anywhere in the world?' The Pope, now really confused by the questions, says, 'I'm sorry,my son, there are no dwarf nuns anywhere in the world.' The other dwarfs collapse into a heap, rolling and laughing, pounding the floor, tears rolling down their cheeks, as they begin chanting...... 'Grumpy shagged a penguin! Grumpy shagged a penguin!'

The 127 Diner opened on Saturday and I missed the free grub D'oh! http://www.127diner.co.uk I'll be popping along there in the near future and will report back

Crikey mate, if you're bad as this now, you'll be in the loony bin by the time you reach my age ! Seriously though, worth a trip to the bank, check for any unknowns on the account (unless they're deposits of course!)

If anyone wants to go, M&P are doing a deal on tickets... 2 for £20 you can also get a parking voucher for £10 so if 4 of you are going in a car it's quite a saving

Hi Joe, What bikes have you got (especially the smokies ) Oh ... and where abouts on the A14 ? I'm just outside Ipswich

I've got an Oxford tank bag/mapreader, it's magentic but also has quick release straps which go around the headstock.

Glad you managed to get something . Looked at the site above, love the R6 sweater but cant see any prices where do you actually place an order ?

Happy Birthday ! Best of luck today, shame you cant fit the test in before Easter, new one comes in end of March (if it actually happens )

Paul, have you tried these guys... Call us on 01482 35-55-35 ext 2 and ask to speak to Tim Our Address is: 5-WAYS Motorcycle Centre, Walton House, Walton Street, Hull, East Yorkshire HU3 6JB They are advertising on Ebay, no 4X's (48 inch chest) on Ebay but they may have one. Worth a try.

I'll have a look at eXcel for you

Hiya Ken and welcome So was this a planned breakers business ? or did you just set up shop in your back yard once you couldn't any more in the garage Love to see pics of RD projects

If it's a 2003 bike it'll be fuel injection. However .... if it's a late carb model with an 03 plate you could be getting some carb icing, try some redex or dry fuel additive. Are they the original plugs? You may have warm weather plugs in which won't work so well in recent freezing conditions, but this is a longer shot, I'd try the fuel add route first though. Mines an injection model and can be a bugger to start if it's been sitting outside in very cold conditions for a couple of days, but once it's going it's fine, I do let it warm up (mid 70 degrees at least) before heading off though. I'll have a scout around r6er's site see if I can come with any more ideas.

Looks great Fosters (worth waiting 5 mins for the pics to load ) Dont forget to post the ebay link so we can watch in awe when the bidding begins

Hi Clivey and welcome. S2's a cracking bike, bet you're feeling 'born again'

Well done Fluffy Bunny As the OG said you will have loads of fun on the MT 03

Sad news Goff, but her ledgend will live on. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7778963.stm

FZ1 would be my choice, know a few guys who have them, they all love em. It's a de-tuned R1 in a tourable sports bike. You can ride them naked or faired up with full panier kit. Plenty of power, decent tank range and mpg, tour-friendly suspension and for the size of bike relatively light at under 200kg. You can make them look and sound as mean as you like yet ride in Divi-style comfort. Sorted

Hi UE, I'm a 5'4'' female, ride a few different bikes but having read through this thread I think you will love the MT03. I nearly bought one as a daily commuter (6 mile from country into town, park at station) and for nipping around town at weekends. For town work, twisties, urban and rural A and B roads, its the dog's danglies. Nimble, fairly light, very manoeverable (certainly out U-eys an R6 ) and as you say an upright riding position, best for your wrists. The only thing having read the last bit you wrote above is comfort on motorways .... not it's strong point. You will feel the full force of the wind on your chest, it's a totally naked bike so will be a colder, nore exposed ride than a faired bike. It's also a single, and a bit underpowered, I'm not talking about being able to do 150mph, but with top speed around 90mph, it's not the bike for motorway work. If you're just concerned about maintaining nat speed limit for 20 mile stretch of dual carriageway, then it would be fine, but not the best long haul work. Now for the best bit .... you should be able to pick up a nearly new second hand one with a few extra goodies on, pretty cheap.

It's also worth a post on www.r6ers.co.uk

Hiya, love the name Has the exup been removed perhaps?