Car (or bike) Chat!

[Pigmy Pony]

Those stands look proper, and are no doubt better quality than the one I just bought, which is called an Oxford Products "Big Black Paddock Stand". It was only 40 quid, but was MCN recommended so hopefully good enough for what I need. I'll go on the Bay tomorrow and get some bobbins.

[dave2010]

I thought I’d avoid problems with batteries etc during the last few months, but either by accident or due to a fault, my Prius has been dragged off to be looked at. There was a problem with the starter battery, but was it that or some other issue?

With considerable effort I got the starter battery charged up again, so at least it was possible to open the doors, but it refused to start. I don’t know whether a fix is possible, or if it would be economic anyway. The only “solution” for the time being was to call up a breakdown truck, and have it taken back to the local (not so...) dealer. At least it clears our drive for another vehicle .....

I may know tomorrow, but one possibility is that what the Toyota people are calling “the hybrid battery” may have lost charge, and the not so local garage says that they’d need a “special tool” to charge it up again - a tool which they don’t have and will have to borrow, so even if it’s fixable it’s going to be at least a week to get it fixed. This sort of issue is enough to put one off hybrid or pure EVs.

When EVs or hybrids are working they’re really good, IMO, but when they go wrong they can be complete b*****ds.

Anyway, I’m praying that this isn’t going to be terminal, though my estimate is that it’s going to be a 50/50 decision. I was hoping to get at least another year out of it, though it has done 135000 miles.

[struth]

I thought I’d avoid problems with batteries etc during the last few months, but either by accident or due to a fault, my Prius has been dragged off to be looked at. There was a problem with the starter battery, but was it that of some other issue?

With considerable effort I got the starter battery charged up again, so at least it was possible to open the doors, but it refused to start. I don’t know whether a fix is possible, or if it would be economic anyway. The only “solution” for the time being was to call up a breakdown truck, and have it taken back to the local (not so...) dealer. At least it clears our drive for another vehicle .....

I may know tomorrow, but one possibility is that what the Toyota people are calling “the hybrid battery” may have lost charge, and the not so local garage says that they’d need a “special tool” to charge it up again - a tool which they don’t have and will have to borrow, so even if it’s fixable it’s going to be at least a week to get it fixed. This sort of issue is enough to put one off hybrid or pure EVs.

When EVs or hybrids are working they’re really good, IMO, but when they go wrong they can be complete b*****ds.

Anyway, I’m praying that this isn’t going to be terminal, though my estimate is that it’s going to be a 50/50 decision. I was hoping to get at least another year out of it, though it has done 135000 miles.

not good Dave... my chr has went through 2 starter batteries in 6 months.. one recently and one in november.. both just collapsed down to 3/4 volts... wouldnt open doors etc... both replaced but the hybrid battery was ok and had plenty charge even tho it hadnt been used much. the batteries in toyotas at tiny so its possibly just that

[walpurgis]

Just get an old pre-turbo diesel VW Golf 1.9. It won't be worth much or go very fast, but it'll never go wrong! Saves faffing around with all this new fangled electrickery.

[hifilover]

Picked the perfect morning and weather to be under my car to fit a new OEM BMW undertray Even using my pals ramp I still got PWT with all the run off

[dave2010]

not good Dave... my chr has went through 2 starter batteries in 6 months.. one recently and one in november.. both just collapsed down to 3/4 volts... wouldnt open doors etc... both replaced but the hybrid battery was ok and had plenty charge even tho it hadnt been used much. the batteries in toyotas at tiny so its possibly just that

I think from what I remember that your car is similar to mine, though not the same. I’ve had problems over the last year, but this lockdown period may have made things worse. The “starter” battery seems to be a weak link. I’ve been told by several recovery people that they often have to go out to help people in airport car parks, as the batteries don’t always hold enough charge for a modest holiday away. I didn’t know what an AGM battery was, but I looked them up. These are batteries for start stop operation. I also noted during the last year a worsening of the petrol consumption - and this may also be an indicator of a poor battery. Apparently, if the battery is not good, hybrid cars put more effort into charging the battery up, and since the battery doesn’t hold charge well, consumption increases.

[struth]

I think from what I remember that your car is similar to mine, though not the same. I’ve had problems over the last year, but this lockdown period may have made things worse. The “starter” battery seems to be a weak link. I’ve been told by several recovery people that they often have to go out to help people in airport car parks, as the batteries don’t always hold enough charge for a modest holiday away. I didn’t know what an AGM battery was, but I looked them up. These are batteries for start stop operation. I also noted during the last year a worsening of the petrol consumption - and this may also be an indicator of a poor battery. Apparently, if the battery is not good, hybrid cars put more effort into charging the battery up, and since the battery doesn’t hold charge well, consumption increases.

think some of the tech is same or similar to the current one, which in many ways hasnt changed much from your generation.

[Dave W]

Those stands look proper, and are no doubt better quality than the one I just bought, which is called an Oxford Products "Big Black Paddock Stand". It was only 40 quid, but was MCN recommended so hopefully good enough for what I need. I'll go on the Bay tomorrow and get some bobbins.

An Abba stand is much better than a normal paddock stand.

[Pigmy Pony]

Originality is the key to value, thats for sure.
I sold my track car to a guy with a S2 Escort RS turbo which he spent years modifying, he’s now undoing all that work to get it back to stock and doubling its value.



Yes, that was mine before the ZX10R i have now, but that will be going soon in favour of a Tuono V4 factory or a Superduke 1290 SE. I’m just waiting for the world to stop burning before dishing out £10K or so.
If i’m honest the 10R is too much for me now, its great on a track but not ideally suited for road use or my knackered knees. I mean having a bike that does 104mph in first gear is fun, but not really necessary.
The pic i posted above was at a time when my work colleague had (still has) a RR3 and it felt like i was sitting in it as opposed to being perched on top, and way more comfortable.
And you’re right about the steering damper and the extra speed and confidence.
Yes, bikes need to be safe, but when you’ve got ABS, traction control etc etc then imo you’re disconnecting the rider from whats actually going on. I’ve done many track days where people are on WOT round corners and are practically drifting the bike. Theres no skill in that.
The same goes for cars, some of the bigger Mercs i drive at work disconnect the driver so much that you wouldn’t know if you were driving on sheet ice or up the side of Everest.

Jon, I called at a newly-opened motorcycle accessories shop in Leyland this afternoon, and one of the staff had a V4 Tuono. He'd taken it for a rag round the lake district yesterday (lucky Cumbria residents ). That would have been good fun and the bike looked great from every angle.

The shop is called Think Bike Gear, they have been selling online for some time, and their prices are pretty good - My paddock stand was £39 (£49 is the usual price, also I've ordered a pair of R&G crash mushrooms for £52 (£62 everywhere else I've looked), and as soon as they come in he's going to drop them off at my house. That's not bad service. I wish them well

[InThe Sticks]

Indeed, you can't ask for better service than that.
And good choice on the R&G's, they are a quality item.