Dr Mark's Tardis

why should I have a letterbox? Answers next week.. but look at this:

October 2013 to April 2014 I needed to redesign the rear bike rack and spare wheel holder. Aims: To give better departure angle (see the off-roading video ) space for a second tyre Some versatility Better step easier to load and unlad the bikes Must work with the torsion free frame Must be compatible with the camper demounting where necessary. Old Rack: bikes cover lights Note poor departure angle New Rack LHS, looks good. Tyre fits well clearance as planned RHS added A matched pair 50x50x4mm box - ideal fit for unistrut. Bike added Number plate moved, bikes all clear of rear lights. Ground clearance - great.

I had one stoneguard that did not quite seem to fit. I eventually worked out it was a driver's side one, but my tank was on the passenger side. so i used it as a template for a mirror image one made of 3mm Aluminium; And then painted and fitted

Replacing the Air bags Quite an easy job for a main suspension component. I'd already got one bag from Marcel Leisure. I ordered a second one. Free delivery, and it arrived at work within 24 hours - all ready for the weekend. The main issue was the size of fittings, so I'll give a detailed parts list at the end. The bags are Firestone and have UNC and UNF bolts and NPT air connection. I'd only managed to find a UK source for the bags two months earlier - rather more convenient than arranging a delivery from the USA, and at £105 incl VAT and delivery I was very pleased. NPT fittings came form an Amazon supplier strangely. And UNC and UNF bolts from Southam Agricultural supplies: New bag and piston assembly Bottom view All the bits and pieces Fitted and inflated. Fittings in place The parts

MOT 2014 8 Jan 2014 Napton It failed with a daunting list, but it was probably one of the best conducted MOTs I've had. The faults were of real concern. I already had plans to deal with them. ironic that every fault was there much the same the year before and the year before when it passed! Two Tyres with cuts Both rear suspension air bags cracked Play in the anti roll bar Vertical movement of the steering rack. 15 Jan 2014 One week later. All fixed. MOT passed. (1) Tyres swapped for the pair I had as spare. I'm keeping one cut tyre as my spare anyway. I've driven on it for two years and the tyres are so substantial that even the deep cuts don't reach the cords. (2) Airbags are on a separate post . (3) The bushes were not worn, they were quite new. The anti roll ball is 15mm diameter when the bushes are designed for 18mm. I'll get one made eventually. In the meantime I made stainless steel spacer. (4) I'd fixed this last year by rebuil...

Preserved lemons At home just before Christmas,  The simplest recipe in the Easy Tagine Moroccan cookbook, preserved lemons , what can go wrong? Well recipes are not exact, we all know that. So when it said cover the salted lemons completely with lemon juice, that's what I did... almost. Three weeks later:

Hex driver to 1/2" square socket adapter A neat adapter from ebay ( not sure how long the link will work ) that turns my electric drill into a spanner. Ideal for wheel nuts once they are loose. Great in places where there is not much room to turn a spanner. Most benefit on long studs with fine threads. It comes as a set of three sizes. Here it is with a 1 1/16 (27mm) socket for wheel nuts. The torque limit on the screwdriver setting saves my wrist from breaking.