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Is there a 'seen on eBay' thread here yet? I haven't seen one so I'll kick off with this one. Don't forget to check out the pix.
cgi.ebay.co.uk/1970-MK2-CORTINA-LOTUS-REPLICA-TAX-AND-MOT-FREE-TAX-/170508980154?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item27b3208fba
I try and make it a rule never to browse eBay classic cars...
Last edited by: VxFan on Thu 25 Nov 10 at 18:55
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*Needs tidying up* good grief, did this geezer used to work at The Sun!
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A MOT Until 2011 according to the Q&A, please!! - how on earth did that get a MOT within the last 6 months?
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Perhaps it was the other half of JBJ's original motorcycle tester's split personality. Maybe he alternates between unjustified failures on one day, and unbelievable lenience the next. ;-)
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Reminds me of my Cortina 1600E (replica)
wood effect Fablon on the dash & tops of doors,
Twin Choke + 4 branch, I sprayed the wheels Silver and fitted PVC wheel nut covers,
oh - and mustn't forget the Mota-Lita steering wheel :)
Last edited by: Dog on Mon 5 Jul 10 at 16:27
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>>Reminds me of my Cortina 1600E.
>>
It does NOT remind me of the genuine 1969 1600E I had for years
The advert says 1970? but it has the pre 1969 gearbox / central consol / seats
So another big question. A very late registration? Veery iffy all round.
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>> Veery iffy all round.
Nah i doubt even he'd defend this one :-P
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I love some of the quotes - :-
"ITS GOT PLENTY OF FILLER IN IT" - said like it's some kind of feature
"IT PULLS SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT AND THERE IS SOME OTHER NOISES FROM THE SUSPENSION, ALL PART OF THE FUN" - er no its not part of the fun
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it's an F reg - 1968 it would be a H plate to be 1970 - One thing for certain it's a load of crap.
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The photo I liked was the one of the suspension tower. All part of the fun, I thought...
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Lotus replica? Nah - how about this one, 427bhp, 'a bit of a hand full to drive' - really? :)
cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200489451040
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The handling, ride quality, fit & finish, interior quality and so many other areas of the Mk5 Cortina was so far behind others of the day it is the last car I'd want to drop a powerful engine into.
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Cortina handling - like most rear wheel drive Fords of the day - was great fun.
Easiest car in the world to drift around a roundabout on opposite lock.
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The rust at the base of the windscreen makes me worry about roll over protection.
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No wonder the gearbox is giving up.
I wonder if he ever got round to telling his insurance company?
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In my opinion, with the McPherson strut like that, the garage issuing the MOT were criminally negligent...
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>> In my opinion, with the McPherson strut like that, the garage issuing the MOT were
>> criminally negligent...
>>
It probably looked mint there when it went for the test
remember your modern tester would not have a clue where to look on an oldcar like this
not a clue
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Get thee behind me Satan!
Curiously enough I'll be in the west country round about when the auction ends.
Then again, nah. It's not an R60 with spoked wheels.
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>> Cortina handling - Easiest car in the world to drift around a roundabout on opposite lock.
Ohhh yes. I clearly remember coming home to mid Beds from Great Yarmouth one snowy January night in about 1993, me in my '81W Cortina and my mates in their '89F Astra SRi... I know who had more fun on the roundabouts on the Thetford bypass! :-D :-D :-D
Last edited by: Dave_TD {P} on Tue 6 Jul 10 at 23:18
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>> The handling, ride quality, fit & finish, interior quality and so many other areas of
>> the Mk5 Cortina was so far behind others of the day it is the last
>> car I'd want to drop a powerful engine into.
There is something about such an innocent / crap looking car with that much power which appeals massively. The ultimate Q-car. I love the way they've left the 1.6 badge on the back too. :-D
A fantastic project for a skilled welder / fabricator who can tidy it up, and graft on the Sapphire Cosworth 4wd system that it's just crying out for. Then go Porsche / BMW M hunting! :-)
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I'd ask him, but I don't think we're on speaking terms any more!
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he doesnt mention having the cambelt done
i dont recommend it
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but yo star init you have to do disqal to drive one of them bro.
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I thought it was Bb advertising it. ;>)
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Na, people don't go on benefits to drive the bangers he sells :)
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That's given me an idea for my KIA Pride. ;>)
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>> That's given me an idea for my KIA Pride. ;>)
>>
> what ? stick a pp3 in the warp drive of the output oscillator to the plenum drive of the ignition switch by the power of 3 and see if it starts first kick of the dilapidation factor x2 on warp drive 3?
good idea
post back if it works..............
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A PP3 might be too much power for it to handle.
AAA perhaps?
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I think that's rather nice.
But then, I had two ordinary Princesses and my father had a lovely 2200.
Last edited by: Mike Hannon on Sun 15 Aug 10 at 18:07
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Nice old car. Justice would have it appear with one of the more eccentric wedding car companies as a bargin choice.
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I recall a funeral as a child in which I rode in what I think was called an Austin Princess limo, which was a cheaper version of the Daimler limousine.
Might have been something like this:
classiccarpicture.co.uk/c109/p460/for_sale/vanden_plas_princess_limousine_for_sale.html
Last edited by: ifithelps on Sun 15 Aug 10 at 19:07
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I remember them well. I preferred the looks of the cheaper but mechanically identical Sheerline.
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Well my Prinny is staying in original condition, not extended!! :-)
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"That's given me an idea for my KIA Pride"
Which has reminded me of this:
jalopnik.com/5302246/awesome-defined-the-10+liter-radial+engined-goggomobil
He starts it up about 3m:15s in...
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>>Which has reminded me of this: He starts it up about3m:15sin...<<
I was saying to swmbo while watching this vid that perhaps the sane are the mad one's,
where as the mad are truely sane.
It must be in the former GDR, a land apart, from the west - well done that man!
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At least he used the sort of radial engine where the cylinders are fixed and the crankshaft rotates - some were the other way round! Have to be impressed with 666 ft lb of torque, though - as someone in the comments remarked, why does he need gears?
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....why does he need gears?...
Looking at the gearstick and the shots of the gearbox and selector, I wondered if he built it with just one forward and one reverse gear.
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That's a point. You wouldn't want to have to push it!
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I'm currently looking on eBay for another 323 (Mazda, not BMW) and my current prejudices are that I avoid anything that includes the phrase 'good runner', 'good condition for year', 'lovely motor' (either word is suspect, unless used in the right context), or 'needs xxx' (if it needs it, do it and then offer it for sale!).
Similarly, I avoid anything written wholly in capitals, or all lower case, or with a surfeit of spelling mistakes.
I'm sure some of you can add to the list...
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And (just seen) 'stunner'. Clearly a Sun reader...
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>> And (just seen) 'stunner'. Clearly a Sun reader...
>>
This one?
www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?t=2437&m=47067&v=e
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Thank you, John - I'd missed that! I'm not sure it helps dispel the BMW stereotype, though...
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I'm sure some of you can add to the list...
>
>>>>>>> how about NO TIMNEWASTERS
That should keep you away ;-)
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cgi.ebay.co.uk/1984-VAUXHALL-CAVALIER-GL-H-B-BLUE-/190431828356?pt=Automobiles_UK
If I could, I'd be bidding on this - my Dad had a few of these as company cars when I was a nipper.
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I thought you'd lost it, drooling over an Escort. Then I looked. Drooooool!
JH
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>> I thought you'd lost it, drooling over an Escort. Then I looked. Drooooool!
Same here, same here, and same here! :-D
398 bhp! That Ford Cosworth YB series is some engine.
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"398 bhp!"
At the wheels, too. Christ.
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That Cavalier looks lovely. Will fetch good money, I suspect.
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>>>That Cavalier looks lovely...
To me that car in that colour is an all time low point in cars. I hated them then (loads at work) and time has not improved the look.
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Nowhere near my choice of colour either Fenlander, but a well preserved and original/straight looking example of what is now a very rare car. I wonder how many others there are in the whole of the UK in this sort of condition. A hundred maybe?
Last edited by: DP on Fri 20 Aug 10 at 09:17
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>>To me that car in that colour is an all time low point in cars. I hated them then (loads at work) and time has not improved the look.<<
My sentiments exactly, I thought Yuk! back then and I fink Yuk! now :)
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China Blue, I believe it was called. My dad had one in this colour. A saloon as I recall - B224 NNR.
I really, really, really want this car but we don't have room for it on our drive and renting a garage is out of the question. Ah well....
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>> I really, really, really want this car but we don't have room for it on
>> our drive and renting a garage is out of the question. Ah well....
Get Stu to buy it for you... Go on Stu, you know you want to...
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Yeah yeah. Funny enough, I dont wanna :-)
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Totally agree re the colour. It was known as 'old man blue' in my neck of the woods.
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'old man blue'
Still better than hearing-aid beige though, IMHO...
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china blue used to go milky blue as it aged and was a pig to blend new paint into
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Another blue car for sale...I really want it, Stu....Pretty please with sugar on !
Swmbo says get it but I can't justify it and the garage wouldn't take it at the moment.
Lust, lust, lust
www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-page.php/carno/96145
Ted
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so he sat in it for half an hour a week driving at the maximum 35 mph on all 7hp and all 2 cylinders
makes you wonder why he would want to sell it doesnt it
;-)
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Don't you think it would be relaxing Bb?
All the same I think I'd prefer a Model T Ford with its 45mph cruising in the higher of its two speeds. Fairly easy to tweak, the Model T. If it could cruise at 55 the mimsers would re-emerge as a nuisance.
Go a long lift up the A1 in my hitchhiking days in a late-forties 2.5 litre Daimler. It was a very pleasant vehicle whose owner cruised at 55 to the great irritation of my companion, an irascible poet who couldn't drive. I managed to prevent him from annoying the driver. Although small and hunchbacked, he was always starting fights including one with two tough working-class boys in their Saturday night garb one of whom nutted me in the face and made my nose bleed.
They were honourable though and shook hands and called us mate afterwards instead of kicking us to death the way street brawlers would now. I managed to prevent the irascible poet from expressing his view that they were being soppy and sentimental and getting us beaten up again.
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"Keep death off the roads" springs to mind.
I think I'd be terrified in anything like this. No belts, wimpy brakes, no crumple zones. Cars this old don't do anything for me I'm afraid. Still, maybe you relate to it the way I do to a Mk 1 Escort. Each to his own.
Go on, splash out. Your cash is depreciating, the economy is going down the tubes, enjoy it instead of worrying about it. Why die in credit at the Bank of Fun? Stand one of the modern critters on the drive or in the road :-)
JH
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I seem to recall the reason for sale was old age or death, BB. Trouble is, TooSlow, the moderns already sit out in the drive. The current Jowett and the bikes live in the garage.
Shame, but another reason Is, i probably wouldn't use it much......fair old chunk of iron to have stood about the place........at least it's not a big car.....but.......
Ted
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"Swmbo says get it"
And you're asking us?!
At least you could put a 2CV engine in if you wanted more performance... :-)
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I'd have to dip into me beer money !
Ted
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On the rare occasions I contemplate a large purchase, I find that taking the money out in cash and looking at it provides a useful reality check. Of course, sometimes you have to spend it...
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Ted, you have permission from SWMBO (what a treasure she must be!) and I get the feeling of someone who just needs a nudge.
I'm good at spending other people's money!
JH
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Yes, the blue colour of that Cavalier may as well be beige, but it suits the age of the car perfectly. At the same time Ford were churning out thousands of Escorts and Sierras in the same colour by the hour.
I really hope that car gets bought by an enthusiast.
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I think that the dealer selling this car is suffering from a severe case of over-optimism.
cgi.ebay.co.uk/Daewoo-Nexia-1-5-5dr-Automatic-Red-/380252264790?pt=Automobiles_UK
£2k for a 14 year old Daewoo? I don't think so.
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I can't work out why I still rather like the shape of the mk2 Astra, but not the Nexia. Somehow Daewoo ruined it, but I can't really put my finger on why. Big bumpers perhaps?
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I daresay AC will put me right if necessary but I notice the address on the Daewoo ad with the loony price is Colney Hatch Lane. Wasn't Colney Hatch some sort of asylum?
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Thank you. I didn't think I'd dreamed it.
Some years ago we were in Kenmare, the little town at one end of the glorious 'Ring of Kerry' in SW Ireland.
Parked by the kerb was a Mondeo with a sticker in the back window saying - I kid you not - 'Looney Cars'.
Actually, now I come to think of it, it may have said 'Looney Ford' - but I don't want to offend anyone...
Last edited by: Mike Hannon on Mon 23 Aug 10 at 17:56
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>>Wasn't Colney Hatch some sort of asylum?<<
So, Colney Hatch was the largest mental asylum in Europe with 6 miles of corridor,
and at one time housed 2500 patients, that's just one asylum, one of many,
What does that say about blighty I wonder.
My ole mum used to say "There are more out, than in".
Last edited by: Dog on Mon 23 Aug 10 at 19:43
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They've all got to be somewhere (to misquote Eccles)
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Shut up Eccles!
to show my age...
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Ah! I geddit now, you pair of Goons :)
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>>>>>>>>I seel dis car because I bought a new<<<<<<<<<<<
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>bring back the 3 rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrs
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>>Nice old car though, looks straight<<
I'd give e £100 - to keep it away from me!
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cgi.ebay.co.uk/1979-HONDA-BLUE-/250728356619?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item3a60931b0b
Only slightly tempted - had a chain fail on one of these once - I managed to get out of the situation without injury but had I smoked I would have lit up there and then...!
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...Only slightly tempted...
I had a Honda 250 Superdream - is that the same thing?
The wheels in the pic look similar.
Last edited by: Iffy on Sun 21 Nov 10 at 12:17
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I guess from its age (1979 on a T) and the Comstar wheels that it may be a 250N but I think that its predecessor may have had similar wheels towards the end of its run....
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Comstar wheels, that's what they were called.
Mine was silver on a V-reg.
Very stylish with a white top box - somewhere to stick the L-plate.
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I bought mine as an upgrade after passing my test - I still find the Comstar an attractive wheel - my recently departed (but not missed) CB650 had reverse Comstars in black which were as smart as hell.
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...I bought mine as an upgrade after passing my test...
Some people went for the 400 Superdream, or a CX500 V-twin, although I never fancied one of those.
I never took the test, but had I done so, I would only have bought a Honda four stroke.
Suzukis, Yamahas, and particularly Kawasakis, were for hooligans.
Last edited by: Iffy on Sun 21 Nov 10 at 13:12
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It was a money thing for me = my buddy had a CX500 - I aspired to one but I had to run a car, pay rent in a flat and feed myself as well as consume reasonable amounts of beer ! My true heart's desire (BMW R80GS) was well out of reach how I wish I'd stretched to it now......
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...my buddy had a CX500...
I recall CX500 riders being lampooned as middle-class, late-20s, Belstaff and Derriboot-wearing, non-biker biker types.
The machine itself had reliability issues, something to do with a timing chain tensioning bolt.
Most unlike a Honda four stroke to be anything other than bomb proof.
Last edited by: Iffy on Sun 21 Nov 10 at 13:26
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He's the most working class person I know and would want a quiet word with any one who suggests otherwise, the second word would be over the suggestion he may be a non biker,,,he did wear derri boots as it happens only because he used the bike for foorty mile commutes in all weathers- he still bikes and has 3 bikes. Early CXs (without the fly screen) had the cam chain trouble, the facelift versions with the fly screens (sort of W reg onwards) were sorted - Honda were never any good with them for some reason and actually launched the original VFR with gear driven cams in a technological tour-de-force to exorcise the ghosts of the old cam chain problems.
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...he did wear derri boots...
So did I, they were excellent.
My pair were eaten by a friend's dog whom I was stopping with for the weekend.
"Not to worry, they're not dear," I said, but inside I was seething.
I'm not sure where I got the lampooning of CX500 riders from.
Might have been a cartoon in Motorcycle News, although they wouldn't want to take the mick out of prospective readers.
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The CX went on to have a long and distinguished career as a DR's bike - known as the plastic maggot it wouldn't cut the mustard these days - but a beautiful engine and exhaust note and largely reliable, it's shaft drive far better behaved than BMW have ever managed with theirs. Succeeded as the chosen mount for DRs by the GT550/750 Kwaker - I had one of those - very dull and worthy that was !
Last edited by: Pugugly on Sun 21 Nov 10 at 14:06
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...as a DR's bike...
Despatch rider, for those who were wondering.
I was in London in the early 1980s, which was probably the hey-day of that game.
There were dozens and dozens of riders buzzing around the West End, and most rode CX500s.
I've barely been back since the early 90s, but the numbers had dropped dramatically by then.
The fax knocked the trade badly, and I imagine email knocked it again.
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I had sort of fantasized about a post retirement DR job - wonder how much call there is for it in N Wales ? Have the bike just need some Derri Boots !
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...I had sort of fantasized about a post retirement DR job...wonder how much call there is for it in North Wales?...
Do bikers still run transplant organs and plasma around?
There's still some traditional document work, but I imagine that's restricted to the big cities.
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You're right - mind you a mad dash to Liverpool or Manchester was what I thought - I may figure out the costs (insurances etc) or link up with existing van based local couriers...mind you it can be awfully cold !
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...or link up with existing van based local couriers...
Makes sense.
Could you ride to Liverpool to do a shift there, or is it too far away?
Most of the work would be short distances.
Can be a lot of waiting around between jobs, although I suppose that's not the hardship it was with raspberries, iPhones, iPods and the like.
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Oh no the odd dash to Manchester and Liverpool area - wouldn't want to hang around all day though !
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You might have more chance where you are by putting yourself forward as a pizza delivery boy PU ! Just think, you'd get to call on fat welsh birds every day !
"...'ello Bronwyn my lovely, I've brought your favourite see, double cheese with a free extra salami isn't it ?...."
:-)
( sorry Mrs PU.... Just winding 'im up ! )
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Humph - A well known national pizza outlet opened a branch in Bangor a few weeks ago - she actually suggested it to me as a new career - I think she was serious ! SO much for the lone wolf DR !
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I'll order one if you like. Reckon you could have it here in an hour if you were determined enough ! No tip if it's cold mind....
:-)
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BMW panniers are the best in the business - rather fancy a trip out !
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Just asked She Who Must what bike she used when DRing round London in those days, she's flippin forgot what model but it was a Honda....women...huh.
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I had a very tidy 250N once, bought it when I needed a fill-in hack. It even had Goodridge braided hoses, siamesed pipes and a Motad silencer! When I took it out on test from the dealer I went up a long hill, then I went down again and back up to see if it was me or the bike that was struggling! I discovered it was ok if you kept it over 10,000! Didn't keep it long and turned it in for a very nice CX500 that I never should have sold, as ever.
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Dad had some madness in the late 70s and bought most of the Honda range one after the other for his 100ml commute to London. I remember the CX500 well. It drew a lot of conversation from other bikers and he sold on before folks had really heard about the engine issues.
His tally for those interested in 70s Honda was (in order) CB250 CB400/4 CB550/4 CX500 CB500T CB750 CBX1000/6 Gold Wing. He wasn't really a *bikers* biker so I guess that comment about the CX500 might be right.
My favourite was the CB550/4... a nice balance of size vs power.
Nothing to do with Hondas but in the early 70s he owned the 1903/4 Wearwell Stevens 3rd pic down on this page (reg DA44).
www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/Museum/Transport/Motorcycles/Wearwell.htm
By the time we had it the condition was excellent (like the one in the first two pics) after a restoration. As a teen I used to ride it round a mates orchard with complete disregard for its age/value.
Last edited by: Fenlander on Sun 21 Nov 10 at 18:17
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I had a black CX500 Custom for 7 years up on the moor (Bodmin) I used to ride it around the lanes near Jamaica Inn sans elmet.
It was an American import (Iowa) tinyurl.com/28zf576
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>>Smart bike..<<
I bought it from Torbay - on looks alone, as I'm not a 'dyed in the wool biker',
although I also had a Honda 550/4 and a Suzuki GT250 once upon a time :)
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FB friend has just pinged me some e-bay ads for a couple of 400/4s
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>> Most unlike a Honda four stroke to be anything other than bomb proof.
>>
Didn't Honda build a 3 pot Vee, with the single pot at the rear?
I seem to remember they used to seize up due to overheating as the rear pot was 'cooled' by the hot air passing over the front 2?
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Can't remember that one but 4 stroke Hondas had a reputation for dodgy cam chain tensioners and chocolate cams- what Honda was good at though was learning and at customer service.
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