Eunos Chump

My R53 Cooper S has the unexpected bonus of the Harman Kardon premium audio system.  While it has impressive power and sound quality (once you discover the hidden settings ), it's firmly stuck in the past with just CD and analogue radio.  You can't change the head unit as the speakers are all wired to the 10-channel amp that lives in the boot, so new cables would need to be run from the head unit to each speaker, which would be an almighty faff. I wanted to add bluetooth so I could play my cheesy '80s music from Spotify, so bought a Grom BT3  which is a small module that plugs into the CD-changer port on the rear of the standard-fit Boost head unit.  It allows you to stream music from your mobile, and make/receive calls via the supplied microphone.  You can also buy another module that plugs into the Grom to provide DAB radio, USB, or iPod wired connections, I didn't bother with any of those, I just wanted Bananarama, loud. There are 2 versions of the Grom...

I replaced the snapped tailgate hinge on t'old MINI today, and it wasn't too bad a job.  The design is a bit crap and they tend to seize, and then break and attempt to bonk you on the head with the tailgate.  Didn't like that. The hinge is held on by a single nut but you need to partially drop the headlining to reach it.  To do this you need to: remove the tailgate seal remove the rear seats remove the rear side panel trim on the affected side This is all covered by some helpful folks in this YouTube video.  After this, you need to remove the white C-pillar trim; it's held in by 4 plastic tabs (2 top, 2 bottom), which fit into metal clips in the body.  It needs a sharp tug but there is a fair risk of breaking the tabs, but I got away with it. Now you should be able to gently pull down the headlining, to release the clip in the centre: That should give just enough clearance to get a 13mm socket onto the nut securing the hinge.  There is...

I've been procrastinating for some months about buying another bike - either PCP'ing something, buying a used Z1000SX, or getting a damned monkey bike.  In the end I've bought another MINI instead, only this time the supercharged version, in the best colour combo with all the options - premium audio, 'leccy sunroof, A/C, xenon headlights and leather.  We had to go to Bristol for it but it's in superb condition and it's flipping PENG!  Yeah, I used that word.  I am MINI PEOPLE, this is how we talk.

It's the new Honda Monkey, which is making my trousers very tight at the mo.  You'll be able to PCP them at £500 down then £65 per month, and it can do up to 189mpg.  I can't think of a single use for it but I really badly want one.

SUMMON THE KRAKEN EUNOS!  I've had the week off to get things done but the heatwave ruined my plans, all I've managed was a few 7am-9am sessions to finally fit the new exhaust to the Mini.  Once I bought some quality drill bits it was fairly straightforward but laborious to drill and tap all the sheared off bolts.  Then I got it into my head to give the Eunos some maintenance too, seeing as it's had no attention since 2015. So far I've drained the oil and replaced the brake fluid, lubed the front calipers and dug at some of the rust bubbles that have appeared underneath.  So far it's solid but deffo needs treating with something before the winter.

Visited the hovercraft museum at Lee-on-Solent at the weekend, it was bloody excellent!  I'm very disappointed the SRN4 will never run again, it's hard to imagine something so huge (60 cars and 400+ people) could rise up 12 feet, then cruise along at 70mph.  Competition from ferries and the loss of duty free sales finished them off. The Princess Ann is the last survivor, the Princess Margaret was broken up earlier this year.  Apparently some parts will be auctioned, I want some seats for the garage.

Had a few days in the Peak District last weekend.  Finally got to ride the Cat & Fiddle, still pretty good fun despite average speed cams, dodderers, and loose chippings. Have sacked off the VFR1200 idea, too heavy/too similar to the 800.