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My car went to the garage today Ð it turns out that the exhaust return gate breather hose (??) was missing, so some oil was occasionally dribbling into the alternator.Ê It was a small fix, involving about a foot of hose and a tiny jubilee clip.Ê

The other problem wasnÕt a problem at all, but remains a mystery.Ê There seems to be a certain amount of ÒmistingÓ of power steering fluid behind the radiator.Ê A once-per-six-month top up cures any problems, so IÕll leave it.Ê The most crowd-pleasing fix was the bulbs behind my odometer and trip.Ê All are now bright and orange.

In terms of bike repairs, I got the guys in Biggleswade to remove my tyre for free last night.Ê Once I had the tyre in my hand I realised how scarily worn it was.Ê Actually thin on the left-hand shoulder.Ê Funny that it should be that side that wears, considering that roundabouts wear the other side.Ê I can only assume that either 1) IÕm more confident on left-handers or 2) I tend to accelerate hard off roundabouts, scrubbing the tyre more on the left.Ê Weird anyway.Ê

I removed all of the disk bolts and bobbins except one, in which the very Germanic torx head sheared.Ê I ended up persuading the tyre guy to cut out the bolt with his air-cutter, having got it pretty hot with a torch.Ê Being all good and proper I have ordered a kit with bolts and bobbins to refit the disks after theyÕve been through the dishwasher (really).

Stuff will be painted soon, and the pimping can begin.Ê Still seeking a decent rear shock, might end up buying a Wilbers one new. Hope I can use my US address.