Q's about bikes in Blighty
Sean_Q_
1. Do they have the throttle on the left and clutch on the right hand
side of the bike? (ie, mirror images of the North American arrangement?)
2. If the throttle is still on the right, how do you wave at other
bikers?
3. Do you wave at other bikers at all? Or are there so many on UK roads
that you don't bother.
4. Is the kick stand still on the left?
5. How easy is it for a North American to get used to riding
on the "wrong" (for us) side of the road. Does it feel like Alice's
Looking Glass world?
6. From pix I've seen on the Net, sidecars in Britain are generally
to the left of the bike. Is this true? My Dnepr's hack is on the right,
and apparently neither KMZ nor IMZ makes a left-hand version. So are
there Dnepr and Ural rigs on UK roads with the sidecar to the right?
See http://tinyurl.com/yajcyr6 -- tiny for:
http://webhosting.web.com/imagelib/sitebuilder/misc/show_image.html?linkedwidth=actual&linkpath=http://www.motoadventures.org/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/ChileCarreteraAustralBritishSideCar.jpg&target=tlx_picbopu
TIA, Sean Quinlan (of Bog Irish descent, but stranded here in Canada
since the potato blight of 1845. Have never even smelled the fragrance
of a peat fire. Some day maybe...)
'06 Suzuki S40 / '85 Dnepr MT-11 hack rig / various derelicts in triage
Catman
> ...and other drive-on-the-left countries such as New Zealand.
>
> 1. Do they have the throttle on the left and clutch on the right hand
> side of the bike? (ie, mirror images of the North American arrangement?)
Noe
>
> 2. If the throttle is still on the right, how do you wave at other
> bikers?
With far more skill than usually seen in NA
> 3. Do you wave at other bikers at all? Or are there so many on UK roads
> that you don't bother.
Personally I tend to nod, unless they are on Hardleys.
> 4. Is the kick stand still on the left?
Yes (at least on all the bikes I've ever owned. TOG may have something else)
> 5. How easy is it for a North American to get used to riding
> on the "wrong" (for us) side of the road. Does it feel like Alice's
> Looking Glass world?
Depends on how stupid the American is, I would suppose. FWIW I'm
perfectly happy driving on the right as well as the left (obviously not
in the UK)
>
> 6. From pix I've seen on the Net, sidecars in Britain are generally
> to the left of the bike. Is this true? My Dnepr's hack is on the right,
> and apparently neither KMZ nor IMZ makes a left-hand version. So are
> there Dnepr and Ural rigs on UK roads with the sidecar to the right?
I shall leave this one to that small percentage of the insane.
>
> See http://tinyurl.com/yajcyr6 -- tiny for:
> http://webhosting.web.com/imagelib/sitebuilder/misc/show_image.html?linkedwidth=actual&linkpath=http://www.motoadventures.org/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/ChileCarreteraAustralBritishSideCar.jpg&target=tlx_picbopu
>
>
> TIA, Sean Quinlan (of Bog Irish descent, but stranded here in Canada
> since the potato blight of 1845. Have never even smelled the fragrance
> of a peat fire. Some day maybe...)
You're not missing much IME.
--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 GTV TS 156 V6 2.5 S2
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk
doetnietcomputeren
> ...and other drive-on-the-left countries such as New Zealand.
>
> 1. Do they have the throttle on the left and clutch on the right hand
> side of the bike? (ie, mirror images of the North American arrangement?)
Good lord no. Just the same as in the pedal position doesn't change in
their cars.
> 2. If the throttle is still on the right, how do you wave at other
> bikers?
Generally with the left hand, or by taking your hand off the throttle
for a moment.
> 3. Do you wave at other bikers at all? Or are there so many on UK roads
> that you don't bother.
I'm no longer in the UK so different rules apply here.
> 4. Is the kick stand still on the left?
Yes.
> 5. How easy is it for a North American to get used to riding
> on the "wrong" (for us) side of the road. Does it feel like Alice's
> Looking Glass world?
Well, I grew up in the UK and learned to ride and the drive their. I've
never had a problem riding on the opposite side of the road. If you are
used to roundabouts, that might fuck with your head the first few
times, but otherwise just follow everyone else.
> 6. From pix I've seen on the Net, sidecars in Britain are generally...
... reserved for the insane.
--
Dnc
Eiron
> Sean_Q_ wrote:
>> ...and other drive-on-the-left countries such as New Zealand.
>> 2. If the throttle is still on the right, how do you wave at other
>> bikers?
>
> With far more skill than usually seen in NA
Throttle on the left was so American cops could make progress while waving
a pistol at fleeing felons.
ISTR an episode of Happy Days that mentioned a Brit bike with a left
hand throttle. Can't remember if it was a real bike though.
--
Eiron.
Domènec
news:7msbl8F...@mid.individual.net...
>> Sean_Q_ wrote:
>>> 2. If the throttle is still on the right, how do you wave at other
>>> bikers?
> ISTR an episode of Happy Days that mentioned a Brit bike with a left
> hand throttle. Can't remember if it was a real bike though.
Google reports left hand throttle as something usual on snowmobiles (no
clues), amputee's bikes and typical of shite olde Indian septic bikes.
http://www.wgby.org/localprograms/indian/pages/hatfield.html
Indian's Engineering Firsts
Indian, over the years, was either first or the first manufacturer of
significance to adopt a number of features. Electric starting for the Indian
in 1914 was the first in the world. Rear suspension on the Indian was not
the first but certainly was the first motorcycle of stature and of any
significant sales to have rear suspension. That came about in 1913. The
first footboards on American motorcycles and probably in the world were in
1912. As a consequence of Indian's victory in the Isle of Mann international
race, they came out with what they called a "tourist trophy" model that had
a starting mechanism which was one of the earliest and these footboards
which was the first in the industry. I think they probably were the first to
use some kind of twist grip control. On the earliest engines, the speed was
controlled by adjusting the status of the ignition system. You would do what
is called retard the ignition, make the spark occur later if you wanted to
slow down. And you'd make the spark occur faster by twisting the grip
towards you if you wanted to go faster and that was the right hand grip. So
the very first Indians, the speed was controlled by the right hand. The odd
thing is when they decided to add a throttle, they already had the ignition
control on the right so they put the throttle on the left. Over the years,
the throttle became the speed governing mechanism. Indian never bothered to
move the throttle. So they went from right hand control of the speed with
the ignition to left hand control by the throttle and they just kept it that
way all the years running. They were the only motorcycle to in the world
with a left hand throttle.
And yes, policemen did shoot and drive:
http://www.brandchannel.com/features_profile.asp?pr_id=7
Indian had individual consumers but also the endorsement of organizations
such as the French and US governments during the war years and the New York
City police who appreciated the left hand throttle system, which allowed the
rider to shoot and drive at the same time.
Timo Geusch
> ...and other drive-on-the-left countries such as New Zealand.
>
> 1. Do they have the throttle on the left and clutch on the right hand
> side of the bike? (ie, mirror images of the North American
> arrangement?)
Nope. Same layout as in the US.
> 2. If the throttle is still on the right, how do you wave at other
> bikers?
We don't. Those of us who are polite, nod.
> 3. Do you wave at other bikers at all? Or are there so many on UK roads
> that you don't bother.
A lot of them don't seem to bother, mainly the fair weather
squids. Those of us who are stupid enough to ride all year round usually
acknowledge other riders.
> 4. Is the kick stand still on the left?
Yes.
> 5. How easy is it for a North American to get used to riding
> on the "wrong" (for us) side of the road. Does it feel like Alice's
> Looking Glass world?
I learned to drive on the continent and ride in the UK. I do tend to
take the bike abroad at least once a year and I don't have a problem
switching sides. You have to be careful and if you're not used to it,
work against your ingrained reflexes when it comes to navigating
roundabouts, but it's not that hard.
> 6. From pix I've seen on the Net, sidecars in Britain are generally
> to the left of the bike. Is this true? My Dnepr's hack is on the right,
> and apparently neither KMZ nor IMZ makes a left-hand version. So are
> there Dnepr and Ural rigs on UK roads with the sidecar to the right?
IIRC they're not legal here. One of the sidecar pervs might be able to
comment.
--
Morini Corsaro 125 | XL250 Motosport | R1150RT | 3 1/2 Sport
Laverda SF2 BOTAFOF #33 TWA#10
The UKRM FAQ: http://www.ukrm.info/faq/
"Je profite du paysage" - Joe Bar
Catman
> Catman wrote:
>> Sean_Q_ wrote:
>>> ...and other drive-on-the-left countries such as New Zealand.
>
>>> 2. If the throttle is still on the right, how do you wave at other
>>> bikers?
>>
>> With far more skill than usually seen in NA
>
> Throttle on the left was so American cops could make progress while waving
> a pistol at fleeing felons.
Was it really?
>
> ISTR an episode of Happy Days that mentioned a Brit bike with a left
> hand throttle. Can't remember if it was a real bike though.
Yeah, I saw the same one. The Fonz proved that the accused wasn't guilty
of the bag snatch as he couldn't have taken his hand off the thorttle to
grab the bag the way it was described.
Nige
> ...and other drive-on-the-left countries such as New Zealand.
>
> 1. Do they have the throttle on the left and clutch on the right hand
> side of the bike? (ie, mirror images of the North American arrangement?)
YTC.
>
> 2. If the throttle is still on the right, how do you wave at other
> bikers?
LOL YTC
>
> 3. Do you wave at other bikers at all? Or are there so many on UK roads
> that you don't bother.
See above
> 4. Is the kick stand still on the left?
YTC
>
> 5. How easy is it for a North American to get used to riding
> on the "wrong" (for us) side of the road. Does it feel like Alice's
> Looking Glass world?
Fuck me.
>
> 6. From pix I've seen on the Net, sidecars in Britain are generally
> to the left of the bike. Is this true? My Dnepr's hack is on the right,
> and apparently neither KMZ nor IMZ makes a left-hand version. So are
> there Dnepr and Ural rigs on UK roads with the sidecar to the right?
You people need to get out of that country of yours more you know.
--
Nige,
BMW K1200S
Range Rover Vogue
Pip Luscher
<cat...@rustcuore-sportivo.co.uk> wrote:
>Eiron wrote:
>> Catman wrote:
>>> Sean_Q_ wrote:
>>>> ...and other drive-on-the-left countries such as New Zealand.
>>
>>>> 2. If the throttle is still on the right, how do you wave at other
>>>> bikers?
>>>
>>> With far more skill than usually seen in NA
>>
>> Throttle on the left was so American cops could make progress while waving
>> a pistol at fleeing felons.
>
>Was it really?
Ive heard of that but only on certain models of Indian AFAIK
--
-Pip
Cab
>> 3. Do you wave at other bikers at all? Or are there so many on UK roads
>> that you don't bother.
>
> A lot of them don't seem to bother, mainly the fair weather
> squids. Those of us who are stupid enough to ride all year round usually
> acknowledge other riders.
Unless you're in France then you get the "sideways V" or leg waggling.
French bikers tend to be more civilised than Brit bikers. :-)
--
Cab :^) - "It's not a fookin' budgie, you daft tart!"
Z1000ABS : http://www.rosbif.org/ukrm (just for WUN)
The ALL NEW ukrm website : http://www.ukrm.info
email addy : ukrm_dot_cab_at_rosbif_dot_org
spi...@freenet.co.uk
> ...and other drive-on-the-left countries such as New Zealand.
>
> 1. Do they have the throttle on the left and clutch on the right hand
> side of the bike? (ie, mirror images of the North American arrangement?)
Same as US. Brake/Throttle on the right, clutch on the left. For feet, gears
on the left, brake on the right.
There are some older models with the controls reversed though.
Nortons and stuff.
> 2. If the throttle is still on the right, how do you wave at other
> bikers?
Why would we wave? A nod's normally enough to acknowledge other bikers.
> 3. Do you wave at other bikers at all? Or are there so many on UK roads
> that you don't bother.
No, we tend to nod.
> 4. Is the kick stand still on the left?
Yes.
> 5. How easy is it for a North American to get used to riding
> on the "wrong" (for us) side of the road. Does it feel like Alice's
> Looking Glass world?
Dunno, I've never ridden on the wrong side of the road.
I've always driven on the left, you might get a better answer to that one
from the euro-touring-isti.
--
| spi...@freenet.co,uk | "Are you pondering what I'm pondering Pinky?" |
| Andrew Halliwell BSc | |
| in | "I think so brain, but this time, you control |
| Computer Science | the Encounter suit, and I'll do the voice..." |
Ace
>And verily, didst Sean_Q_ <nos...@no.spam> hastily babble thusly:
>> ...and other drive-on-the-left countries such as New Zealand.
>>
>> 1. Do they have the throttle on the left and clutch on the right hand
>> side of the bike? (ie, mirror images of the North American arrangement?)
>
>Same as US. Brake/Throttle on the right, clutch on the left. For feet, gears
>on the left, brake on the right.
>
>There are some older models with the controls reversed though.
>Nortons and stuff.
Only the gears and brakes. And not only old brit stuff.
Timo Geusch
> On Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:09:29 +0000, Timo Geusch wibbled:
>
>>> 3. Do you wave at other bikers at all? Or are there so many on UK roads
>>> that you don't bother.
>>
>> A lot of them don't seem to bother, mainly the fair weather
>> squids. Those of us who are stupid enough to ride all year round usually
>> acknowledge other riders.
>
> Unless you're in France then you get the "sideways V" or leg waggling.
>
> French bikers tend to be more civilised than Brit bikers. :-)
The French attitude towards bikers is generally more relaxed that the
Brit one or the attitude you find in German-speaking countries[1]. I
like riding in France...
[1] As measured by the plethora of 'Bikers welcome' signs in Germany,
Austria and Switzerland.
Sean_Q_
>> 1. Do they have the throttle on the left and clutch on the right hand
>> side of the bike? (ie, mirror images of the North American arrangement?)
>
> Good lord no. Just the same as in the pedal position doesn't change in
> their cars.
Thanks for the info. Re cars, I suppose that a floor-mounted gear shift
would still be in the middle, operated by the left hand. (*That* would
seem very strange at first. On a standard I'd likely grind off all
the gear cogs getting the hang of it.)
What about steering-column-mounted gear shifts (standard or automatic)?
Do they protrude from the right side like here, or on the left?
(And where is the turn signal lever?)
>> 6. From pix I've seen on the Net, sidecars in Britain are generally...
>
> ... reserved for the insane.
I don't know what's so insane about a sidecar. My g/f categorically refuses
to ride pillion, no matter what bike. Why not? Don't ask me. (Women
weren't designed to be understood.) So I got a hack rig. She thinks
it's fun.
SQ
The Older Gentleman
> > 6. From pix I've seen on the Net, sidecars in Britain are generally
> > to the left of the bike. Is this true? My Dnepr's hack is on the right,
> > and apparently neither KMZ nor IMZ makes a left-hand version. So are
> > there Dnepr and Ural rigs on UK roads with the sidecar to the right?
>
> IIRC they're not legal here. One of the sidecar pervs might be able to
> comment.
They banned l/h chairs some time in the 1980s, on some spurious 'safety'
excuse. Despite the fact that they could produce no accident stats for
them.
--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Honda CB400F Triumph Street Triple
Suzuki TS250ER GN250 Damn, back to six bikes!
Try Googling before asking a damn silly question.
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com
Nige
>
>
> I don't know what's so insane about a sidecar. My g/f categorically
> refuses
> to ride pillion, no matter what bike. Why not? Don't ask me. (Women
> weren't designed to be understood.) So I got a hack rig. She thinks
> it's fun.
A what?
Pip Luscher
>doetnietcomputeren wrote:
>
>>> 1. Do they have the throttle on the left and clutch on the right hand
>>> side of the bike? (ie, mirror images of the North American arrangement?)
>>
>> Good lord no. Just the same as in the pedal position doesn't change in
>> their cars.
>
>Thanks for the info. Re cars, I suppose that a floor-mounted gear shift
>would still be in the middle, operated by the left hand. (*That* would
>seem very strange at first. On a standard I'd likely grind off all
>the gear cogs getting the hang of it.)
>
>What about steering-column-mounted gear shifts (standard or automatic)?
>Do they protrude from the right side like here, or on the left?
>(And where is the turn signal lever?)
Column shifts are rare here. I haven't seen one in years.
Turn signal levers vary from car to car. Most are on the err, left, I
think. I struggled just then to remember which side it is on my
current car.
--
-Pip
Pip Luscher
(The Older Gentleman) wrote:
>Timo Geusch <tnewsSP...@unixconsult.co.uk> wrote:
>
>> > 6. From pix I've seen on the Net, sidecars in Britain are generally
>> > to the left of the bike. Is this true? My Dnepr's hack is on the right,
>> > and apparently neither KMZ nor IMZ makes a left-hand version. So are
>> > there Dnepr and Ural rigs on UK roads with the sidecar to the right?
>>
>> IIRC they're not legal here. One of the sidecar pervs might be able to
>> comment.
>
>They banned l/h chairs some time in the 1980s, on some spurious 'safety'
>excuse. Despite the fact that they could produce no accident stats for
>them.
Err, does l/h mean 'for riding on the left' or 'chair mounted on the
left'? If the latter, then something's wrong!
Are they actually banned outright or can you no longer buy/fit a wrong
side chair but existing ones are OK?
--
-Pip
doetnietcomputeren
>>> 1. Do they have the throttle on the left and clutch on the right hand
>>> side of the bike? (ie, mirror images of the North American arrangement?)
>>
>> Good lord no. Just the same as in the pedal position doesn't change in
>> their cars.
>
> Thanks for the info. Re cars, I suppose that a floor-mounted gear shift
> would still be in the middle, operated by the left hand. (*That* would
> seem very strange at first.
Correct, but it won't take long to get used to. Except the occasional
time where you try to shift with the door handle.
> What about steering-column-mounted gear shifts (standard or automatic)?
> Do they protrude from the right side like here, or on the left?
As far as I am aware, that's a phenomonen not typically found in
Blighty or Europe. I have an automatic and the shifter is in the same
lace as you would find a manual gear lever.
> (And where is the turn signal lever?)
On a stalk behind the steering wheel. Could be left, could be right,
depending on brand.
>>> 6. From pix I've seen on the Net, sidecars in Britain are generally...
>>
>> ... reserved for the insane.
>
> I don't know what's so insane about a sidecar. My g/f categorically refuses
> to ride pillion, no matter what bike. Why not? Don't ask me. (Women
> weren't designed to be understood.) So I got a hack rig. She thinks
> it's fun.
See, insane.
--
Dnc
Sean_Q_
> You people need to get out of that country of yours more you know.
Appreciate the help. However, I got a slight bit of culture shock
over the acronym "YTC". Looking it up I found the following
possibilities:
Yakama Tribal Council
Yakima Training Center (US Army; Yakima, Washington state)
Yearly Training Calendar
Yeshiva Toras Chaim
Yield to Call (securities-bonds)
Yorkshire Tile Company (Sheffield, UK)
Your Top Choices
Youth Training Core
Yuma Test Center (US Army)
Yorkshire Terrier Club
Yoga Teacher Certification
Yamaha Tweetakt Club (Nederland)
Yours To Count [On]
Years To Completion
Enlightenment would be welcome.
TIA, Sean Patrick ("Paddy") Quinlan, expatriate since 1845
Nige
> Nige wrote:
>> You people need to get out of that country of yours more you know.
>
> Appreciate the help. However, I got a slight bit of culture shock
> over the acronym "YTC". Looking it up I found the following
> possibilities:
>
> Yakama Tribal Council
> Yakima Training Center (US Army; Yakima, Washington state)
> Yearly Training Calendar
> Yeshiva Toras Chaim
> Yield to Call (securities-bonds)
> Yorkshire Tile Company (Sheffield, UK)
> Your Top Choices
> Youth Training Core
> Yuma Test Center (US Army)
> Yorkshire Terrier Club
> Yoga Teacher Certification
> Yamaha Tweetakt Club (Nederland)
> Yours To Count [On]
> Years To Completion
>
You Thick Cunt :)
Ace
wrote:
Now you'll have to explain 'cunt'.
Timo Geusch
Nige
hehe - yeah, i can't even use the word fanny to even help :)
Pete Fisher
cast forth these pearls of wisdom
>On Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:09:29 +0000, Timo Geusch wibbled:
>
>>> 3. Do you wave at other bikers at all? Or are there so many on UK roads
>>> that you don't bother.
>>
>> A lot of them don't seem to bother, mainly the fair weather
>> squids. Those of us who are stupid enough to ride all year round usually
>> acknowledge other riders.
>
>Unless you're in France then you get the "sideways V" or leg waggling.
>
>French bikers tend to be more civilised than Brit bikers. :-)
>
Indeed. I always try to remember to waggle a leg at car drivers who make
a conscious effort to move out of your way when in France (which happens
a lot on twisty D roads). In blighty I usually nod at other bikes and
give a small left hand wave to cars that are helpful when filtering. If
filtering on the motorway though I am usually loaded up or carrying a
pillion so I revert to the gallic leg waggle - well I am often on a
French bike after all.
--
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: Pe...@ps-fisher.demon.co.uk |
| Voxan Roadster Yamaha WR250Z/Supermoto "Old Gimmer's Hillclimber" |
| Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 Morini 350 "Forgotten Error" |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
sweller
> > What about steering-column-mounted gear shifts (standard or
> > automatic)? Do they protrude from the right side like here, or on
> > the left? (And where is the turn signal lever?)
>
> Column shifts are rare here. I haven't seen one in years.
Column shifts tend to be on the right - the last one I had was on a 1975
SAAB 96 (manual).
The old Jag autos were on the right too.
--
Simon
The Older Gentleman
> Thanks for the info. Re cars, I suppose that a floor-mounted gear shift
> would still be in the middle, operated by the left hand. (*That* would
> seem very strange at first. On a standard I'd likely grind off all
> the gear cogs getting the hang of it.)
They're mostly there, yes. Some French cars still have them sticking out
of the dash, I think.
>
> What about steering-column-mounted gear shifts (standard or automatic)?
> Do they protrude from the right side like here, or on the left?
No idea.
> (And where is the turn signal lever?)
Left-hand side of the steering column, at least on all cars I've driven.
Not sure if that's a legal necessity.
The Older Gentleman
> Err, does l/h mean 'for riding on the left' or 'chair mounted on the
> left'? If the latter, then something's wrong!
>
I'm an idiot. It's right-hand chairs that are banned!
> Are they actually banned outright or can you no longer buy/fit a wrong
> side chair but existing ones are OK?
I think ones that were in existence before the ban are OK, but post-ban
date ones aren't.
The Older Gentleman
> Ace <b.ro...@ifrance.com> writes:
>
> > On Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:33:56 +0000, spi...@freenet.co.uk wrote:
> >
> >>And verily, didst Sean_Q_ <nos...@no.spam> hastily babble thusly:
> >>> ...and other drive-on-the-left countries such as New Zealand.
> >>>
> >>> 1. Do they have the throttle on the left and clutch on the right hand
> >>> side of the bike? (ie, mirror images of the North American arrangement?)
> >>
> >>Same as US. Brake/Throttle on the right, clutch on the left. For feet, gears
> >>on the left, brake on the right.
> >>
> >>There are some older models with the controls reversed though.
> >>Nortons and stuff.
> >
> > Only the gears and brakes. And not only old brit stuff.
>
> Indeed. Morinis, for examples.
And ShiteOldLaverdas. And ShiteoldMVs, come to that.
Pete Fisher
The Older Gentleman <totallyde...@yahoo.co.uk> cast forth these
pearls of wisdom
>Sean_Q_ <no....@no.spam> wrote:
>
>> Thanks for the info. Re cars, I suppose that a floor-mounted gear shift
>> would still be in the middle, operated by the left hand. (*That* would
>> seem very strange at first. On a standard I'd likely grind off all
>> the gear cogs getting the hang of it.)
>
>They're mostly there, yes. Some French cars still have them sticking out
>of the dash, I think.
>>
>> What about steering-column-mounted gear shifts (standard or automatic)?
>> Do they protrude from the right side like here, or on the left?
>
>No idea.
>
>> (And where is the turn signal lever?)
>
>Left-hand side of the steering column, at least on all cars I've driven.
>Not sure if that's a legal necessity.
>
Might be now. My 97 Mazda MX5 has it on the other side (right) to my 08
Mazda 6. Tends to lead to trying to indicate with the windscreen wipers
the first time if I haven't driven the MX5 for a while.
Sean_Q_
>> Appreciate the help. However, I got a slight bit of culture shock
>> over the acronym "YTC".
> You Thick Cunt :)
Thanks so much for the clarification. I'll assume that in Britain
this phrase is used in a friendly way (over here it would probably
result in some dental work).
Pls allow for the fact that the English language and culture has
diverged somewhat between Britain and Canada since our Confederation
in 1867. We're mostly like Americans by now (except for a few details
such as nationality, putting vinegar on French fries and how we
pronounce the letter 'Z'). We don't even celebrate Guy Fawkes Day.
Although I can find the UK on a map, the minutiae of daily life over
there are dark to me, except when small random areas are illuminated
for instance by reading _Pride and Prejudice_ or _The Pickwick Papers_.
SQ
The Older Gentleman
> Thanks so much for the clarification. I'll assume that in Britain
> this phrase is used in a friendly way
Mostly, between friends.
>(over here it would probably
> result in some dental work).
Ah. I knew teeth would come into the thread soone ror later ;-)
>
> Pls allow for the fact that the English language and culture has
> diverged somewhat between Britain and Canada
Like I haven't noticed.
Sean_Q_
> It's right-hand chairs that are banned!
Well I suppose that rules out bringing my Dnepr to the UK...
> I think ones that were in existence before the ban are OK, but post-ban
> date ones aren't.
...except that the registered model year is 1979, which puts it before
the ban. (Even though this model wasn't sold until the mid-80's).
SQ
sweller
> ...and other drive-on-the-left countries such as New Zealand.
As do the Japanese, Indians and Sourthern Africa.
This is quite interesting:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Driving_standards_historic.svg
> 1. Do they have the throttle on the left and clutch on the right hand
> side of the bike? (ie, mirror images of the North American arrangement?)
No, the throttle and clutch are as you'd expect. Older British and
Italian bikes may have the gearlever on the left and brake on the right.
> 2. If the throttle is still on the right, how do you wave at other
> bikers?
I wave at baddass biker bros with my left hand.
> 3. Do you wave at other bikers at all?
Only the baddass biker lifestyle ones.
> 4. Is the kick stand still on the left?
Usually.
> 5. How easy is it for a North American to get used to riding
> on the "wrong" (for us) side of the road. Does it feel like Alice's
> Looking Glass world?
I had no problem converting to the right when I've riden/driven in Europe
but some of the US army personnel struggle with it in Norfolk [1] -
however, I think most of Norfolk struggle with the devil's horseless
carriage.
> 6. From pix I've seen on the Net, sidecars in Britain are generally
> to the left of the bike. Is this true? My Dnepr's hack is on the right,
> and apparently neither KMZ nor IMZ makes a left-hand version. So are
> there Dnepr and Ural rigs on UK roads with the sidecar to the right?
MZ and Dnepr have both left and right hand chairs here in the UK.
Post '81 bikes (IIRC) must have the chair on the left. Right hand chairs
are tricky to ride in the UK as roundabouts and sliproads have to be
taken more slowly. I had a right hand chair here - it didn't end well.
[1] A county on the east side of the UK, with a lot of airbases.
Primarily because it's the nearest bit to Germany and is flat
--
Simon
sweller
> > (And where is the turn signal lever?)
>
> On a stalk behind the steering wheel. Could be left, could be right,
> depending on brand.
Depends, my A35 had it in the middle of the dashboard.
--
Simon
sweller
> > 6. From pix I've seen on the Net, sidecars in Britain are generally
> > to the left of the bike. Is this true? My Dnepr's hack is on the
> > right, and apparently neither KMZ nor IMZ makes a left-hand version.
> > So are there Dnepr and Ural rigs on UK roads with the sidecar to the
> > right?
>
> IIRC they're not legal here. One of the sidecar pervs might be able to
> comment.
Thay are but only on pre-'81 bikes.
--
Simon
sweller
> > > Only the gears and brakes. And not only old brit stuff.
> >
> > Indeed. Morinis, for examples.
>
> And ShiteOldLaverdas. And ShiteoldMVs, come to that.
Pre 850 T3 Guzzis could be swapped over to your personal preference.
--
Simon
sweller
> > It's right-hand chairs that are banned!
>
> Well I suppose that rules out bringing my Dnepr to the UK...
If it keeps its Canadian reg it should be ok - it's not that they are
banned it's you can't register post '81 bikes with right hand sidcars.
--
Simon
Lozzo
> Might be now. My 97 Mazda MX5 has it on the other side (right) to my
> 08 Mazda 6. Tends to lead to trying to indicate with the windscreen
> wipers the first time if I haven't driven the MX5 for a while.
My Dad's '97 model Toyota Corrolla has the indicators on the right
--
Lozzo
Versys 650 Tourer, CBR600F-W racebike in the making, SR250 SpazzTrakka,
TS250C, RD400F (somewhere)
Garage clearout - Yamaha SpazzTrakka 250 for sale, email for details
Andy Bonwick
<doesnot...@gmail.com> wrote:
>On 2009-11-22 07:11:41 +0100, Sean_Q_ <nos...@no.spam> said:
>
snip>
>> 6. From pix I've seen on the Net, sidecars in Britain are generally...
>
>... reserved for the insane.
I prefer to think they're reserved for the more adventurous.
Andy Bonwick
You can use a rh mounted chair on bikes registered before a certain
cut-off date but not on anything newer
Apparently bad people buy newer outfits with a rh chair and then buy
an old scrapper and change the frame numbers to suit but I'd never
advise anyone to do something like that.
Oily
"Eiron" wrote.........
> Catman wrote:
> > Sean_Q_ wrote:
> >> ...and other drive-on-the-left countries such as New Zealand.
>
> >> bikers?
> >
>
> Throttle on the left was so American cops could make progress while waving
> a pistol at fleeing felons.
>
> ISTR an episode of Happy Days that mentioned a Brit bike with a left
> hand throttle. Can't remember if it was a real bike though.
>
> Eiron.
American cops used Indian Chiefs AFAIK but I had a 500cc Scout with left
hand throttle and foot clutch IIRC
Colin Irvine
following:
>Indeed. I always try to remember to waggle a leg at car drivers who make
>a conscious effort to move out of your way when in France (which happens
>a lot on twisty D roads). In blighty I usually nod at other bikes and
>give a small left hand wave to cars that are helpful when filtering. If
>filtering on the motorway though I am usually loaded up or carrying a
>pillion so I revert to the gallic leg waggle
I used to, but my pillion doesn't like me waggling my leg as it
wobbles the bike. So I nod and she then gives a wave. The next step is
to teach her that a shake of my head means she should give an
alternative wave.
--
Colin Irvine
ZZR1400 BOF#33 BONY#34 COFF#06 BHaLC#5
http://www.colinandpat.co.uk
Colin Irvine
following:
>Although I can find the UK on a map, the minutiae of daily life over
>there are dark to me, except when small random areas are illuminated
>for instance by reading _Pride and Prejudice_ or _The Pickwick Papers_.
<g>
Sean_Q_
>> So I got a hack rig.
>
> A what?
A motorcycle with a sidecar. (Dnepr MT-11).
SQ
Oily
"doetnietcomputeren" wrote........
Sean_Q_ said:
>
> > 6. From pix I've seen on the Net, sidecars in Britain are generally...
>
> ... reserved for the insane.
>
Sidecars are good fun but occupy too much space.
Steve Parry
"The Older Gentleman" <totallyde...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1j9kw5a.rsebb01jkpbeoN%totallyde...@yahoo.co.uk...
> Timo Geusch <tnewsSP...@unixconsult.co.uk> wrote:
>
>> > 6. From pix I've seen on the Net, sidecars in Britain are generally
>> > to the left of the bike. Is this true? My Dnepr's hack is on the right,
>> > and apparently neither KMZ nor IMZ makes a left-hand version. So are
>> > there Dnepr and Ural rigs on UK roads with the sidecar to the right?
>>
>> IIRC they're not legal here. One of the sidecar pervs might be able to
>> comment.
>
> They banned l/h chairs some time in the 1980s, on some spurious 'safety'
> excuse. Despite the fact that they could produce no accident stats for
> them.
>
>
and yet LHD cars are still legal?
--
Steve Parry
87 BMW R80RS, 03 BMW R1100S Boxercup, 07 BMW K1200GT SE
02 Suzuki DRZ400SY-GT edition , 87 Yamaha FS1, Sukida SK90PY, 91 Kawasaki
AR50
82 Suzuki GN400, BMW 330Ci
www.gwynfryn.co.uk
wessie
@news.individual.net:
unless it's a Jap - I've driven 1980s Toyota HiAce vans & Mazda pick-ups
with the column shift on the left. Seems the newer ones have a dashboard or
floor mounted lever.
--
wessie at tesco dot net
BMW R1150GS
Sean_Q_
> Try thinking about what you would do
> if you were a car/bike manufacture. Would you incur the extra expense
> of swapping controls all over the place for different markets, or would
> you try & standardise things as much as possible?
My first car was a '52 Land Rover. It shook, rattled, wheezed & rumbled
with a few other endearing qualities. Later on I laughed myself silly
watching the antics of Andrew's Land Rover in _The Gods Must Be Crazy_.
Anyway, I could see on mine that the manufacturer had built
the coachwork in such a way that the steering gear could be attached
on either side. Placement of other controls is most likely standardized
by gov't regs, but they can vary between countries, so I'd expect
the auto makers to economize by designing some parts with multiple usage
options... but then WTF do I know, I'm just a TC.
SQ
Marc
(1)Speaking from experience
(2) Twice on one ( only ) journey, once on each side of the road.
Andrew998
news:014d5ced$0$14168$c3e...@news.astraweb.com...
> On Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:31:21 +0000, Lozzo wrote:
>
>> Pete Fisher wrote:
>>
>>> Might be now. My 97 Mazda MX5 has it on the other side (right) to my 08
>>> Mazda 6. Tends to lead to trying to indicate with the windscreen
>>> wipers the first time if I haven't driven the MX5 for a while.
>>
>> My Dad's '97 model Toyota Corrolla has the indicators on the right
>
> opposite side to Europe - hence old Jap cars, grey imports etc are on the
> 'wrong' side when they get here.
Most Jap cars have indicators on the right because, like here, they drive on
the left so it is the correct way to do it. It means you can operate the
indicators whilst changing gear.
--
Andrew998
Sean_Q_
> Sidecars are good fun but occupy too much space.
And you live on a small island, right?
SQ
Marc
Remember Mirror,Signal,Maneuver?
wessie
news:FD2Gnki7...@ps-fisher.demon.co.uk:
> In communiqu� <1j9kwc3.1s54zdnkzapzzN%totallyde...@yahoo.co.uk>,
> The Older Gentleman <totallyde...@yahoo.co.uk> cast forth these
> pearls of wisdom
>>Sean_Q_ <no....@no.spam> wrote:
>>
>>> Thanks for the info. Re cars, I suppose that a floor-mounted gear shift
>>> would still be in the middle, operated by the left hand. (*That* would
>>> seem very strange at first. On a standard I'd likely grind off all
>>> the gear cogs getting the hang of it.)
>>
>>They're mostly there, yes. Some French cars still have them sticking out
>>of the dash, I think.
>>>
>>> What about steering-column-mounted gear shifts (standard or automatic)?
>>> Do they protrude from the right side like here, or on the left?
>>
>>No idea.
>>
>>> (And where is the turn signal lever?)
>>
>>Left-hand side of the steering column, at least on all cars I've driven.
>>Not sure if that's a legal necessity.
>>
>
> Might be now. My 97 Mazda MX5 has it on the other side (right) to my 08
> Mazda 6. Tends to lead to trying to indicate with the windscreen wipers
> the first time if I haven't driven the MX5 for a while.
>
Early Jap cars had the indicator on the RHS, just like my Mk1 Escort &
Capri.
Like most recent Mazdas, your M6 is a shared design with Ford and will be
using generic instruments from the corporate parts bin which will be biased
towards US & EU conventions.
Grimly Curmudgeon
drugs began to take hold. I remember "sweller"
<swe...@mztech.fsnet.co.uk> saying something like:
>> Column shifts are rare here. I haven't seen one in years.
>
>Column shifts tend to be on the right - the last one I had was on a 1975
>SAAB 96 (manual).
>
>The old Jag autos were on the right too.
Conversely, the two I had were on the left, so there's no
standardisation.
Oily
"The Older Gentleman" wrote.........
> Sean_Q_ wrote:
>
> > Thanks for the info. Re cars, I suppose that a floor-mounted gear shift
> > would still be in the middle, operated by the left hand. (*That* would
> > seem very strange at first. On a standard I'd likely grind off all
> > the gear cogs getting the hang of it.)
Either way suits me, I learned to drive in a Willys Jeep and such bikes as
Montgomery, Rudge, Scott, Sunbeam, Coventry Eagle and Ariel etc. to name a
few, with gears and rear brake either side. Two of my bikes, right hand
tank mounted.
>
> They're mostly there, yes. Some French cars still have them sticking out
> of the dash, I think.
> >
> > What about steering-column-mounted gear shifts (standard or automatic)?
> > Do they protrude from the right side like here, or on the left?
Some Austins on the left, but floor mounted old Rolls etc. on the right,
some even on the outside of the car! Model 'T' Ford, different combination
of floor pedals.
>
> No idea.
>
> > (And where is the turn signal lever?)
>
> Left-hand side of the steering column, at least on all cars I've driven.
> Not sure if that's a legal necessity.
>
Series Landrovers on the right for years.
Pete Fisher
>
>> > 6. From pix I've seen on the Net, sidecars in Britain are generally
>> > to the left of the bike. Is this true? My Dnepr's hack is on the right,
>> > and apparently neither KMZ nor IMZ makes a left-hand version. So are
>> > there Dnepr and Ural rigs on UK roads with the sidecar to the right?
>>
>> IIRC they're not legal here. One of the sidecar pervs might be able to
>> comment.
>
>They banned l/h chairs some time in the 1980s, on some spurious 'safety'
>excuse. Despite the fact that they could produce no accident stats for
>them.
>
>
<cough>
The only time I rode a chair on the right outfit (my old mate's Ural) I
had a coming together between chair wheel and car on a narrow lane in
the Lake District. The brakes were pretty shite, which didn't help.
Silly sod in the car just stopped dead instead of tucking it in as close
as possible to the hedge.
Never had any such incidents riding the UK rig Mille GT and Squire in
France though.
--
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: Pe...@ps-fisher.demon.co.uk |
| Voxan Roadster Yamaha WR250Z/Supermoto "Old Gimmer's Hillclimber" |
| Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 Morini 350 "Forgotten Error" |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
Steve
> You can use a rh mounted chair on bikes registered before a certain
> cut-off date but not on anything newer
>
> Apparently bad people buy newer outfits with a rh chair and then buy
> an old scrapper and change the frame numbers to suit but I'd never
> advise anyone to do something like that.
That would be very wrong and such people have no respect for
authority.
The law says you cannot register a Motorcycle Combination with a RH
chair after 1981.
However you do not have to notify the DVLA that you have fitted a
sidecar and the MOT
is tested as seen , so you can remove it , get the MOT and refit
it.Totally legal.
I don't believe that anyone has ever been prosecuted for a RH chair
and i'm not even
convinced it could stand up in court now that we are all Europeans and
what is legal in
one member country is legal in any other.
Steve
spi...@freenet.co.uk
> doetnietcomputeren wrote:
>
>>> 1. Do they have the throttle on the left and clutch on the right hand
>>> side of the bike? (ie, mirror images of the North American arrangement?)
>>
>> Good lord no. Just the same as in the pedal position doesn't change in
>> their cars.
>
> Thanks for the info. Re cars, I suppose that a floor-mounted gear shift
> would still be in the middle, operated by the left hand. (*That* would
> seem very strange at first. On a standard I'd likely grind off all
> the gear cogs getting the hang of it.)
A couple of american guests on top gear in the "stars in a reasonably priced
car" segment wrecked the gearbox on the track. David Soul was one of them
IIRC.
--
| |What to do if you find yourself stuck in a crack|
| spi...@freenet.co.uk |in the ground beneath a giant boulder, which you|
| |can't move, with no hope of rescue. |
| Andrew Halliwell BSc |Consider how lucky you are that life has been |
| in |good to you so far... |
| Computer Science | -The BOOK, Hitch-hiker's guide to the galaxy.|
Pete Fisher
<putmyn...@tesco.net> cast forth these pearls of wisdom
>> Mazda 6. Tends to lead to trying to indicate with the windscreen wipers
>> the first time if I haven't driven the MX5 for a while.
>>
>
>Early Jap cars had the indicator on the RHS, just like my Mk1 Escort &
>Capri.
>
>Like most recent Mazdas, your M6 is a shared design with Ford and will be
>using generic instruments from the corporate parts bin which will be biased
>towards US & EU conventions.
>
Indeed. Though I am pleased to say that the buy back of shares by Mazda
from Ford seems to have been reflected in the latest M6. Not quite so
obviously just a Mondeo in Samurai clothing.
Oily
"Grimly Curmudgeon" wrote..........
> We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the
> drugs began to take hold. I remember "sweller"
> saying something like:
>
> >
> >Column shifts tend to be on the right - the last one I had was on a 1975
> >SAAB 96 (manual).
> >
> >The old Jag autos were on the right too.
>
> Conversely, the two I had were on the left, so there's no
> standardisation.
I had a Mk2 jag and a Daimler 250 V8 which were both on the left IIRC, the
others were floor change manual.
Grimly Curmudgeon
something like:
>Anyway, I could see on mine that the manufacturer had built
>the coachwork in such a way that the steering gear could be attached
>on either side. Placement of other controls is most likely standardized
>by gov't regs, but they can vary between countries, so I'd expect
>the auto makers to economize by designing some parts with multiple usage
>options... but then WTF do I know, I'm just a TC.
You'd be right about that.
Most makers will design a shell to take an easy conversion (not so much
a conversion, but from scratch) LHD to RHD on the production line. You
do get some oddities, like remote brake servos being used, where the
home market had direct ones, etc.
Cab
>>> 6. From pix I've seen on the Net, sidecars in Britain are generally...
>>
>>... reserved for the insane.
>
> I prefer to think they're reserved for the more adventurous.
Yeahbut we all know you're insane, so your opinion doesn't count.
--
Cab :^) - "It's not a fookin' budgie, you daft tart!"
Z1000ABS : http://www.rosbif.org/ukrm (just for WUN)
The ALL NEW ukrm website : http://www.ukrm.info
email addy : ukrm_dot_cab_at_rosbif_dot_org
Cab
> Sean_Q_ <no....@no.spam> wrote:
>
>> Thanks for the info. Re cars, I suppose that a floor-mounted gear shift
>> would still be in the middle, operated by the left hand. (*That* would
>> seem very strange at first. On a standard I'd likely grind off all
>> the gear cogs getting the hang of it.)
>
> of the dash, I think.
Yes, the humble 2CV has it sticking out of the dash.
>> (And where is the turn signal lever?)
>
> Left-hand side of the steering column, at least on all cars I've driven.
> Not sure if that's a legal necessity.
I think it varies (but there may be a tendancy to have it on the left).
sweller
> > They banned l/h chairs some time in the 1980s, on some spurious
> > 'safety' excuse. Despite the fact that they could produce no accident
> > stats for them.
>
> and yet LHD cars are still legal?
The position of the driver doesn't affect the way the car is driven
(other than visibility). The position of the chair makes a huge
difference.
I suspect - with no evidence - that the decision was based on handling
rather than visibility.
--
Simon
wessie
> In communiqu� <Xns9CCB7A854...@188.40.43.245>, wessie
> <putmyn...@tesco.net> cast forth these pearls of wisdom
>>Pete Fisher <Pe...@ps-fisher.demon.co.uk> wrote in
>>news:FD2Gnki7...@ps-fisher.demon.co.uk:
>>>
>>> Might be now. My 97 Mazda MX5 has it on the other side (right) to my
>>> 08 Mazda 6. Tends to lead to trying to indicate with the windscreen
>>> wipers the first time if I haven't driven the MX5 for a while.
>>>
>>
>>Early Jap cars had the indicator on the RHS, just like my Mk1 Escort &
>>Capri.
>>
>>Like most recent Mazdas, your M6 is a shared design with Ford and will
>>be using generic instruments from the corporate parts bin which will
>>be biased towards US & EU conventions.
>>
>
> Indeed. Though I am pleased to say that the buy back of shares by
> Mazda from Ford seems to have been reflected in the latest M6. Not
> quite so obviously just a Mondeo in Samurai clothing.
>
it's not a Mondeo but the CD3 platform, not used by Ford in Europe
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_CD3_platform
Pete Fisher
<martin...@nospambtconnect.com> cast forth these pearls of wisdom
>>
>> They're mostly there, yes. Some French cars still have them sticking out
>> of the dash, I think.
>> >
I know the hand-brake sticking out of the dash on my Honda CRV caused
some inelegant hill starts when I first got it.
>> > What about steering-column-mounted gear shifts (standard or automatic)?
>> > Do they protrude from the right side like here, or on the left?
>
>Some Austins on the left, but floor mounted old Rolls etc. on the right,
>some even on the outside of the car! Model 'T' Ford, different combination
>of floor pedals.
>
On the left on my old Saab two stroke. Surprisingly rapid changes
possible because of the free-wheel device.
Oily
"Marc" <initial...@btintenret.com> wrote........
> Andrew998 wrote:
> > "central" <cent...@fastmailNOSPAM.fm> wrote............
> >
> > Most Jap cars have indicators on the right because, like here, they
> > drive on the left so it is the correct way to do it. It means you can
> > operate the indicators whilst changing gear.
> >
> There shouldn't be any need to indicate whilst changing gear.
>
> Remember Mirror,Signal,Maneuver?
Most drivers I follow seem to use Manoeuvre, Signal, Mirror
Andy Bonwick
>On Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:34:31 +0000, Andy Bonwick wibbled:
>>>> 6. From pix I've seen on the Net, sidecars in Britain are generally...
>>>
>>>... reserved for the insane.
>>
>> I prefer to think they're reserved for the more adventurous.
>
>Yeahbut we all know you're insane, so your opinion doesn't count.
It's obvious that your interpretation of insane is different to mine.
It'd be a very sad day if everyone gave up doing things that others
judged to be insane but you stick to your comfy slippers and your
restricted motorbikes because they obviously make you happy.
Oily
"Marc" wrote........
You need some tuition :-)
Oily
"Sean_Q_" wrote.........
LOL.
Andy Bonwick
<steve...@hotmail.com> wrote:
snip>
>However you do not have to notify the DVLA that you have fitted a
>sidecar and the MOT
>is tested as seen , so you can remove it , get the MOT and refit
>it.Totally legal.
I've still not registered my BMW as an outfit but I'd MOT it as one
because of the problems involved in changing it back for solo use.
Could you MOT a bike that was registered as a solo but had a chair
fitted? I don't think you could but I'd like to be proved wrong. I've
got to fit a new battery in the outfit then MOT it and it's ready for
use on the next winter trip if I decide that's the way to go.
sweller
> > > The old Jag autos were on the right too.
> >
> > Conversely, the two I had were on the left, so there's no
> > standardisation.
>
> I had a Mk2 jag and a Daimler 250 V8 which were both on the left IIRC,
> the others were floor change manual.
I think you may be misremembering but I've never driven a Mk2 - the auto
S types have them on the right and they use the same gearboxes, steering
and (for all intents and purposes) dashboards/steering columns.
Mk2s and S types share the same overdrive switch (mounted on the right).
--
Simon
Catman
> doetnietcomputeren wrote:
>
>>> 1. Do they have the throttle on the left and clutch on the right hand
>>> side of the bike? (ie, mirror images of the North American arrangement?)
>>
>> Good lord no. Just the same as in the pedal position doesn't change in
>> their cars.
>
> would still be in the middle, operated by the left hand. (*That* would
> seem very strange at first. On a standard I'd likely grind off all
> the gear cogs getting the hang of it.)
I doubt it. SWMBO has a LHD Alfa Sprint. Gearbox is still fine.
<snip>
--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 GTV TS 156 V6 2.5 S2
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk
sweller
> >> Column shifts are rare here. I haven't seen one in years.
> >
> > Column shifts tend to be on the right - the last one I had was on a
> > 1975 SAAB 96 (manual).
> >
> > The old Jag autos were on the right too.
>
> Conversely, the two I had were on the left, so there's no
> standardisation.
Jags or column change? I'm trying to remember but the old Hillmans I've
driven had them on the right too but I could be wrong.
--
Simon
sweller
> > They're mostly there, yes. Some French cars still have them sticking
> > out of the dash, I think.
>
> Yes, the humble 2CV has it sticking out of the dash.
As does the R4. Great cars.
--
Simon
Andy Bonwick
<Pe...@ps-fisher.demon.co.uk> wrote:
snip>
>Never had any such incidents riding the UK rig Mille GT and Squire in
>France though.
I didn't have any problems riding mine over in mainland Europe but
that's probably because I fitted a mirror on the left hand side of the
chair so I could check what was coming up behind me before I chanced
an overtake.
Others might not find a mirror as useful as I did and might not bother
to use one but that'd be very silly...
Pete Fisher
>Pete Fisher <Pe...@ps-fisher.demon.co.uk> wrote in
>>>
>>>Like most recent Mazdas, your M6 is a shared design with Ford and will
>>>be using generic instruments from the corporate parts bin which will
>>>be biased towards US & EU conventions.
>>>
>>
>> Indeed. Though I am pleased to say that the buy back of shares by
>> Mazda from Ford seems to have been reflected in the latest M6. Not
>> quite so obviously just a Mondeo in Samurai clothing.
>>
>
>it's not a Mondeo but the CD3 platform, not used by Ford in Europe
>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_CD3_platform
>
>
>
Well every day's a school day. So mine is a CD3-2 (Ford) or GG (Mazda)
definitely built in Japan platform. Suits me and IMO the 2.0 petrol MZR
engine is a peach.
sweller
> >>> What about steering-column-mounted gear shifts (standard or
> automatic)? >>> Do they protrude from the right side like here, or on
> the left?
> On the left on my old Saab two stroke. Surprisingly rapid changes
> possible because of the free-wheel device
I got it wrong - the Saabs had them on the left. Why on earth I thought
it was on the right I don't know.
My old '73 V4 96:
http://www.sweller.dynalias.org/images/saab96dash.jpg
I found I'd forget to press the clutch when stopping as I rarely used it
changing gear i'd forget about it altogether.
--
Simon
Pete Fisher
<nos...@bonwick.me.uk> cast forth these pearls of wisdom
The Mille had high wide bars and long stalk mirrors, so I found the view
in the suitably adjusted left hand mirror was good enough with the
narrowish RS3 chair.
Roundabouts could, however, be a bit comical when going round, but great
fun on the exit.
sweller
> > Column shifts tend to be on the right - the last one I had was on a
> > 1975 SAAB 96 (manual).
> >
> > The old Jag autos were on the right too.
>
> Conversely, the two I had were on the left, so there's no
> standardisation.
I mis-remembered the SAAB - it was on the left.
http://www.sweller.dynalias.org/images/saab96dash.jpg
I'm still certain Jags are on the right.
--
Simon
Steve
> I've still not registered my BMW as an outfit but I'd MOT it as one
> because of the problems involved in changing it back for solo use.
>
> Could you MOT a bike that was registered as a solo but had a chair
> fitted? I don't think you could but I'd like to be proved wrong. I've
> got to fit a new battery in the outfit then MOT it and it's ready for
> use on the next winter trip if I decide that's the way to go.
Yes - when I spoke to the DVLA they informed me that there is no
requirement
for it to be registered as a Motorcycle Combination.
Steve
Pete Fisher
Heh, the lad's mate who was stopping here last night turns out to have
an uncle who has done the Nordcape on a solo. Probably in summer though
- he wasn't sure. He did allegedly camp and left the bike ticking over
all night so that he could use his heated clothing in the tent.
Nige
How old are you :)
--
Nige,
BMW K1200S
Range Rover Vogue
sweller
> > Jags or column change? I'm trying to remember but the old Hillmans
> > I've driven had them on the right too but I could be wrong.
>
> How old are you :)
41
--
Simon
Pete Fisher
<swe...@mztech.fsnet.co.uk> cast forth these pearls of wisdom
It stuck in my mind because I remember frantically yanking on it on the
A74 (long before it became a motorway) in the wee small hours somewhere
near Lockerbie when the engine stopped. I was trying to bump start it
while it rolled to halt on a small patch of tarmac by a bridge over
Douglas Water. The fan belt had gone slack and the battery was flat.
Yanked so hard I strained the weld on the linkage and I could then only
get 1st and 3rd (top). Happy days (jumpers for goal posts etc.)
Andy Bonwick
Excellent news. I'll order a battery, fit it and try to get it tested
before they hack into my hands again early next month. The battery was
fucked when we went to Germany earlier this year and the fact that
it's been standing idle since then has left the battery unwilling to
give more than 8v even when it's been left on an Optimate for a week.
Isn't it supposed to be a right bastard changing the battery on early
K series beemers? I might have to allow a bit of extra time for doing
it if that's the case.
doetnietcomputeren
>>>> ... reserved for the insane.
>>>
>>> I prefer to think they're reserved for the more adventurous.
>>
>> Yeahbut we all know you're insane, so your opinion doesn't count.
>
> It's obvious that your interpretation of insane is different to mine.
>
> It'd be a very sad day if everyone gave up doing things that others
> judged to be insane but you stick to your comfy slippers and your
> restricted motorbikes because they obviously make you happy.
I think you're taking the stance that we're dissing you. I for one
certainly am not.
--
Dnc
ts
> 4. Is the kick stand still on the left?
As others have said; yes. This can actually be more practical when
driving on the left, if you have to stop and dismount on a busy narrow
road, you get off away from the traffic, and your bike also leans away
from the lorries.
--
ts in Surrey // to send e-mail, remove vehicle
K-RS 8v, 80/7, 750SS
Steve
<snip>
> Isn't it supposed to be a right bastard changing the battery on early
> K series beemers? I might have to allow a bit of extra time for doing
> it if that's the case.
undo
2 nuts - 10 minutes max.
Steve
Andy Bonwick
<Pe...@ps-fisher.demon.co.uk> wrote:
snip>
>Heh, the lad's mate who was stopping here last night turns out to have
>an uncle who has done the Nordcape on a solo. Probably in summer though
>- he wasn't sure. He did allegedly camp and left the bike ticking over
>all night so that he could use his heated clothing in the tent.
Sod that. I've got a good 5 season sleeping bag, a down filled airbed
and a Thermarest to keep me warm.
The only concern I've got about my tent is that because it's single
skinned I miss out on the vapour barrier you get if you use a
conventional one and pile snow up to trap the air between the flysheet
and the inner tent.
The Older Gentleman
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_CD3_platform
Interesting (if short) read, that. Am I right in thinking that the CD3
platform hasn't been used on any Ford Europe cars?
--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Honda CB400F Triumph Street Triple
Suzuki TS250ER GN250 Damn, back to six bikes!
Try Googling before asking a damn silly question.
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com
The Older Gentleman
Most one *I* see just Manoeuvre.
Signals are only employed in 'hazard' mode, which seems to mean "I'm
parking here for five minutes".
The Older Gentleman
The Older Gentleman
> The Older Gentleman wrote:
>
> > > > Only the gears and brakes. And not only old brit stuff.
> > >
> > > Indeed. Morinis, for examples.
> >
> > And ShiteOldLaverdas. And ShiteoldMVs, come to that.
>
> Pre 850 T3 Guzzis could be swapped over to your personal preference.
As could quite a few 1960s/70s Suzuki. My old 500 twin had the gear
shaft running right through the cases, and the splined stub poking out
of the right for easy gear lever swaps.
The Older Gentleman
> On Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:10:47 +0000, Cab <m...@privacy.net> wrote:
>
> >On Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:34:31 +0000, Andy Bonwick wibbled:
> >>>> 6. From pix I've seen on the Net, sidecars in Britain are generally...
> >>>
> >>>... reserved for the insane.
> >>
> >> I prefer to think they're reserved for the more adventurous.
> >
> >Yeahbut we all know you're insane, so your opinion doesn't count.
>
> It's obvious that your interpretation of insane is different to mine.
>
> It'd be a very sad day if everyone gave up doing things that others
> judged to be insane but you stick to your comfy slippers and your
> restricted motorbikes because they obviously make you happy.
Miaow!
The Older Gentleman
> On Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:06:26 +0000, The Older Gentleman wibbled:
> > Sean_Q_ <no....@no.spam> wrote:
> >
> >> Thanks for the info. Re cars, I suppose that a floor-mounted gear shift
> >> would still be in the middle, operated by the left hand. (*That* would
> >> seem very strange at first. On a standard I'd likely grind off all
> >> the gear cogs getting the hang of it.)
> >
> > They're mostly there, yes. Some French cars still have them sticking out
> > of the dash, I think.
>
> Yes, the humble 2CV has it sticking out of the dash.
So did the Xsara Picasso I was a passenger in recently.