Sunday 26 November 2017

Dangers of the carwash

Now, I'm not much of a washer and polisher - my bike hasn't been washed in about 2 years (and I commute most days on it in all weathers) and our family car still sports the mud splatters from our October camping trip.

But after changing the banner photo of this blog, I realised Zedster was looking a bit of a state. So out with bucket and sponge and he was soon looking sparkling again (there's not actually much to clean). Now, this is where I went wrong - years ago, in a fit of madness, I washed my bike and it refused to start. I must have got water in a connector somewhere and, fortunately, it dried out by the next day and started OK. However, since then, I've got into the habit of going for a drive after a wash, to ensure everything's still OK and to speed up any drying out needed. Today was no different and so after the wash, I popped out for a refreshing blast.

But, disaster, despite the roads being dry and clear, my route down some back roads went past a farm and the tractor had obviously been out - I got splattered:


So, after no wash for 3 months, Zedster got 2 in a day (even I couldn't leave it like that). Next time, I'll stick to main roads only for my post-wash drive.

Softbits have finally admitted they made a mistake with my roof, so the correct one is under construction.

A couple of cold commutes to work made me re-think my outfit. I've got a new, down-filled jacket which is amazingly light and warm but my head is frozen. However, while following my daughter round Primark, I spotted a deerstalker and it felt amazingly warm, although it looks a bit stupid, to be honest. But for £5, it's amazing and my first trip out in it today was a revelation - toasty and warm - genius!

Despite the mud splatter, my short drive out was great fun and I'm not sure why, but Zedster is sounding great at the moment. I don't know if something has actually changed (and I might do a check for exhaust leaks) or if I've just not noticed before but there's a lovely bass note to the exhaust which sounds great at anything above idle.

Hoping this isn't the kiss of death but kit car life is good right now...

Sunday 19 November 2017

Return of the Growler

Sadly, no chance of getting the alternator replaced under the warranty - the fact that it had only been used for 2 months cut no ice with the manufacturer. I looked around for a secondhand one but nothing showed up. I decided to just clench my behind and buy a new Denso - GBS swapped the pulley off the broken one so that I could buy the slightly cheaper V-belt Denso they now sell and they let me off the postage, so I saved £25, I guess. Still annoying...

So back on the road and went out for a brief run this morning to check all OK. Finally found a car almost as low as Zedster:


A Lotus owners club meet:


I'm not sure why but Zedster is sounding more growly and feels quicker than ever - must be a bit more run in, I guess.

Finally found a straight bit of quiet road to try out a 0-60 time but only managed 7.2 seconds because it was a bit damp and the wheels basically spun for the first second or 2. When I tried mashing the throttle a bit more, I spun the wheels for even longer - great fun but not conducive to a fast time. I'll probably have to wait for spring and the roads to dry out. 

Saturday 4 November 2017

The spark has gone

It's name-and-shame time - this has been a very bad boy:


Go on,  tell everyone what you've done...

The fact that the alternator is on my bench and not bolted to the car should give you a clue - the damn thing has died. Coming back from a drive last weekend,  I noticed my voltmeter gauge was showing 11v rather than its usual 13v and revving the engine made no difference. A few more tests (with the advice of Simon) and it is a non-working alternator. It's only been used for,  what,  2 months!

I'm just hoping GBS will honour the warranty which is probably only 1 year and I think I actually bought it over a year ago but it hasn't been used for long.

I've sent the roof back to Softbits - there was no way it was the right size. I hope I don't have to wait another 9 weeks!

So,  I'm off the road,  although with the cold weather and no roof,  that's not the end of the world.