I bought 2 in 1986 during a past life as a venue DJ, still going strong today & used by my kids. Never ever gone wrong, really sturdy well made bits of kit, just changed the cartridge every so often. I used to use Stanton cartridges back in the day but I think now Audio Technica for more home use.

Thanks for the info, not sure of past life driving as only just got it but some long trips planned for this summer so may as well get it serviced sooner rather than later, it came with 2 services included as part of the deal as an approved used vehicle from main dealer, cheers

Presume someone owns it, there are houses nearby & looks healthy.

Avon Tyrrell in New Forest (home of the big bike bash too), you can camp there : https://www.avontyrrell.org.uk/camping.html
About 10 miles from Brockenhurst station but easy ride most of the way along the old railway line.

nealgover – I was told that big heavy stuff could affect the vehicles stability programme and braking so when the tow electrics are plugged in the vehicle ecu knows this and adjusts, whereas a diddy bike rack attached to towbar probably won’t affect this overall balance. Also something to do with reversing sensors, fog and reversing lights being switched off or something with big things but not needed on attachements like a rack. At least that’s what I think the bloke fitting told me.

I just had a fixed towbar fitted to a vehicle which was £250, but some places wanted the same again on top for extra electrics and reprogramming the ECU so stuff like stability control works etc (the car knows it’s towing something). Worth doing if you are towing big trailers and caravans etc and it’s still under warranty. Sounds like they forgot to add this, but that’s their problem to bear.

Holes, dug by little moles

Thanks for the tips & comments, will get some wider bars (I think the existing stem is a Kalloy or SR with the slightly smaller diameter), would like to keep traditional bend and silver/ally bars, and try changing the brake blocks first to see if it improves, cheers

One of my sons has ‘borrowed’ it and loves it, used it loads, but comment he made was the bars seem a bit narrow so maybe we’ll look for some slightly wider ones. Also the shimano stx canti brakes are okay but I think could be better, what decent canti’s or mini v brakes are well rated? Cheers

Yes basically a bike rack, and odd occasions a diddy trailer i.e. Nothing weighty to affect stability so perhaps 7 pin with relay and yes guys quoted for witter, cheers

Dead souls by joy division

Honda for reliability

No need for chainstay squashing fortunately, STW standard issue WTB Nano 40’s fitted in fine with plenty of clearance:

Take the BBC test, it’ll tell you where you’ll be happiest living: http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z3g487h

Mine came out as Stratford upon Avon weirdly

Sympathise OP & reading with interest. My left lower back has gone a few times over the years, probably as a result of doing a forestry job in my 20’s and early 30’s. Unbelievably painful when it goes, can’t walk. Dose of painkillers and gentle exercising usually gets it back to normal but like others you forget to do the stretches when you feel ok. I once sneezed when shaving and that put it out.

2 years ago I busted by left foot and recently had an arthroscopy on it which seems to have worked on the foot, but the awkward walking over 2 years now gives me almost constant pain in the same left lower back/bum/groin area with shooting pains down the leg. Doc has given me Naproxen and am on a waiting list for physio. In the meantime trying to do exercises recommended by him but I think I might be overdoing it as no improvement. I can still ride my bike, just getting on and off is the problem. I have a small insurance policy so could get a few private sessions of physio whist waiting for NHS (not sure if I need osteopath, chiro, sports physio or what) but am a bit wary going on what others have said above.

Very frustrating pill popping but I guess you get there in the end.

Thanks for the tips, GB bars are 42cm outside to outside, feel okay

nedrapier – yes module 4 rims
wzzzz – what material is that in the vice used to push it in opposite the wood, the thing that looks like a brake block?

It is now….

Done this morning: changed a few bits with used stuff I had spare, guards and rack off, gave it a clean and then went out on it – pretty heavy by today’s standards but rides really smoothly, all the gears and brakes work well, no play anywhere, think it was put together well originally. The 32c Conti touring tyres seem okay too. Bar end shifters are a bit odd to reach not having had these before but do work fine. Might put bigger chunkier tyres on at some stage if they’ll fit and possibly a shorter bar stem, no rush. Pleased with it overall & thanks for the kick to do it.

Guessing this dates from late 80’s/early 90’s going on the kit on it?

Had to get a 2nd key for mrs’ polo a while back as only came with one, ditto main agent asking £200+, found a local key place who did a flip one that does all for £85. I noticed he stuck the original key in some kind of gadget on his desk which I assume was some sort of code reader.

Feeling inspired now thanks, will get it back together soon & post pics

Sod it, I’ll change it, can always put back and flog if it doesn’t work out. 700c wheels, people on here recommend WTB nano 40c I think. Might get some, take guards, rack off, find a comfy saddle, new bar tape and give it a go, will post pics as it goes

We got the train to Winchester to start it & stayed at truleigh hill youth hostel too when we did it. Unfortunately left late from Winchester so was pretty late and completely knackered by the time we got there so all intentions of getting to the pub went out the window. Really enjoyed it though. Much hillier than I expected.

I got one a few months ago, love it (with the battery connected), suits a not as fit as I used to be stout bloke recovering from a broken foot. Got shot down in flames big time on here for daring to ask how to destrict it (for use on private land of course).

I just sold my 09 t5 with 115k for £11k , was still going well, regularly serviced etc. If I was on a lesser budget and didnt need an auto I’d look for a late 2011/12 hiace 120bhp for sure, had several years back and they were always totally reliable. Never had one but more wary of psa built proace.

I just hired a new posh Merc E-class (great car by the way, loved it) for 5 days away and the excess was also £1000 plus, but got talked into paying another £50 at the desk to reduce this to £100. Don’t hire stuff regularly but if I did I’d probably arrange my own like others have said.

Octopus seem to have good reviews: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/octopus.energy
They are saying £350 a year cheaper than I pay now before the soon to be price rise, so looks like the one.

Some supplier reviews like npower and extraenergy I have been looking at today are terrible

Thanks, great help

Yes Honda for reliability, re-sale etc, thought about the CB500X? Bit more upright adventure trailie looking.

STW answer for clothing for the ‘active’ middle age bloke who doesn’t want to break the bank – Decathlon

Man at Primani

For putting in your underpants

The Shuttle is sounding more tempting if it is M1 car class, also they seem to be (relatively in VW terms) more affordable nearly new compared to kombis as less desireable looking I guess. Trouble is I carry around loads of bikes & crap and will probably ruin the rear carpet and plastics once the back row of seats are out and more open for dodgy mushes looking in. Some limo black on rear windows and vinyl off-cut on the floor might help for this.

Thanks, if yours is M1 class motorman or godzilla, what’s the annual VED on it?

Usual tradition of recommending what you know – one of our kids has a 2006 Toyota Aygo too which is one of the lowest insurance groups, £20 pa tax and really economical. Was worrried it wouldn’t be as reliable as normal Toyotas as it’s a joint venture with PSA group but seems fine so far, it’s nice to drive and feels pretty nippy for a 1 litre engine. Can be had for a lot less than your budget too, paid a grand with years MOT, and great if she’s not fussed about street cred etc.

I did 2 years ago after 30 years of working for the man. I wanted to go for some time before but strung it out as a redundancy package loomed. It was weird pretending to be upset about my job finishing and going through the redundancy process but secretly thinking just get on with it & give me the money and I’ll be off no problem. Best thing that ever happened to me. So good to be away from all the office politics/bullshit, boring meetings that were spoiling a job I once loved.

Kids big now and look after themselves, just work for myself as and when doing all sorts of things – luckily I already had a sideline hobby which earnt a bit of money, I stepped this up now to keep some cash coming in before the private & state pensions kick in (a good few years away yet), I work on a community project part-time plus Mrs loves her job so no issues there. The redundancy package wasn’t massive but a helpful cushion, things would have undoubtedly been tougher without it, but we have just learnt to live within our means. Some cut backs but nothing drastic or anything I really miss. Never been busier though doing things I like doing, no idea how I had time to work for someone else before.

I got one of those thick memory foam ones a while back which came vacuum packed in a roll so easy to move into place, cut the wrapping off and it ‘inflates’ into shape in an hour. Very comfy. Trouble is you need to air it for a long time as they smell of weird chemicals for ages.

Agree most are crap that have had in the past. Asked same question a couple of years back and got a Canon MG5500 via lots recommending here, which has been okay, only played silly buggers once and it was because I forgot to re-sync it with a new router we had, fine again once done. Bought bulk copy cartridges off ebay cheap which work fine too.

OP – if you are in Bristol area I have a mate (HETAS installer) who is a top bloke who’d quote and/or advise you. Get it done properly, not just for safety but for efficiency.

Hire a smaller log cabin at http://www.avontyrrell.org.uk home of the http://www.bigbikebash.co.uk in the New Forest, good base to explore Hants/Dorset south coasts and plenty of activities to do on site for kids of that age inc. bike trails. Often do deals on the cabins at certain times of year.