If I had a brain

[Suff]

I'd be dangerous.

When I flew back from Stockholm on Thursday, I left my netbook in the seat back holder..... I realised last night and sent a mail to the lost property at Gatwick.

Today, from the services on the M1, I called them. Some kind soul had handed it in and it was there. After having slept for a bit (I left at 06:18 for Wolverhampton this morning), I got back on the bike and went to Gatwick. Lovely journey, howling gales, parts of trees flying over the M3, rain, hail bouncing off my waterproof and onto the inside of the screen.

Mrs S called me when I was asleep then again when I was on the bike. I'm sure she thinks I was out with someone.....

If I'm going to do this, I'm going to have to avoid using my netbook on the flights and that was one of the main reasons for getting it. Perhaps I Just need to be a little more paranoid...

On a side note, parking is free for bikes at Gatwick. Also the bike is doing 48mpg on average and that's at speeds over 70mph. My new diesel car is averaging 32.8......

I need to go searching for my memory and a functioning brain...

[saundra]

think its called an age thing
no matter how old you are suff
enjoy your bike tho

[pederito1]

The cleaners should have retrieved your net book, Suff. So easy to leave things behind when you have a lot on your mind. Tell us about the new diesel car.

[Kaz]

Whoops that was lucky! I was reading my kindle on the plane and almost tucked it into the netting when I stopped reading for a tea and snack break - but then thought about how absent minded I am and put it into my hand luggage instead, even though it was less convenient for using it again later........................

[Suff]

Yes I'll have to be MUCH more careful now. I have routines and I'm extremely uncomfortable when I step out of them for this exact reason. I haven't managed to get into a routine with the netbook yet. I carry my laptop bag and my manbag when travelling. When I'm forced to put my manbag in my laptop bag I'm constantly looking for it and thinking I left it somewhere.

Ped, I bought a 2007 Peugeot 807 2.0 HDI 110 with 35,000 miles on the clock. It cost £5,500 which was OK. It's had a few small things wrong, like the seat height adjuster handle undid one of the screws (so did Mrs S car) and more serious, the handbrake central bold undid completely. I've fixed both of those. It's shiny and new looking (not for long) and comfortable to drive. More importantly it's reliable and uses way less fuel than my Galaxy.

Now I have to see if it is really the fuel filter on the Galaxy and if it is (£12.50 at Halfords), then I'll sell it.

I'm slowly getting upgraded. Once every 7 - 10 years is enough....

I need a reliable car. However the bike is the one which will really save me money.

[pederito1]

Thanks, Suff that should go well for you. Have just had a blow with mine, a letter from the dealer to say that as it is four years old I should have the cam belt replaced and they want £379 for doing it. That is a blow indeed and I do not think I can do it myself there does not seem to be room for working on anything in the engine compartment, maybe they have to take the engine out to account for the ridiculous cost. Have changed belts myself lots of times in the past in other cars which did not take very long and the new belt did not look any different from the old one. Might be worth checking if yours has been done it is near the recommended mileage as well as the age factor.

[Suff]

Ped, the 807 is slightly different. 100,000 miles or 10 years if used in town. 150,000 miles or 10 years if used outside of town.

Also it depends on how you drive. Most timing belts fail during hard acceleration or snap gear changes where the engine revs change drastically. Manuals are more susceptible than Automatics as the Automatic has a much smoother gear change due to the fluid flywheel.

Some cars require a special tool to do the job. Honda Civic's is one of those cars. The son of a friend of mine had the special tool made to change his own. He now advertises a timing belt change service for £150. Honda charges £550. So long as you don't move the engine, changing it is not so much of an issue. However tensioning correctly again is vital. I've also found that nowadays you need a ramp as some of the work must be done from underneath and almost every car has a belly plate you can't remove without a ramp....

When I get mine done, I'll get it done in France. Labour is €35 per hour there and less for an apprentice. The Galaxy, needless to say, had a timing chain and no need to change it in the lifetime of the car.

Personally I would cross check on the change intervals for your car. I've never heard of a 4 year change interval.... But it could be. Our garage at home recommends changing the water pump with the belt as they say that, in their experience, the pump leaks on these PSA diesel engines when the belt is changed. At €35 an hour I'm inclined to believe they are not going to rip me off....

[pederito1]

Thanks Suff, maybe because it is a turbo. I have to be careful because pushing the loud pedal too hard and it is like a kick in the back which I suppose can strain the belt. Certainly special tools are needed and work from underneath so I will have to keep my fingers crossed.