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Tin top service time – Inspection 2
It’s that time of the year again when my daily driver needs it’s oil bits checking. This time it was an inspection 2 which is a little more involved than a regular service. Other than the obvious of making sure nothings falling off the spark plugs needed changing (which I’ll actually do next weekend as it will involve moving the LPG injector bits) and the fuel filter as this is the cars second inspection 2 having racked up 114,500 miles (that’s about 75,000 since I started servicing myself).
Naturally I only had 5 hose clamps and not the full 6 needed to complete fuel filter change so a trip to the local motor parts shop was need (an unavoidable reality when it comes to doing anything on a car).
This time after much head scratching and oil usage (seems to be normal on M54B22′s) I chose to go with some 5w 30 instead of the 0w 30 I’ve been using up until now. This stuff is also BMW Longlife 4 compatible which is more than is need on and M54 but not really different in price to the Longlife 1 compliant stuff.
Only given it a quick test drive but so far its running nice and smooth.
Interesting dual 7″ brake servo stuff
Some interesting developments for all Sportster owners and builders. Mike and GOO have been experimenting with a dual 7″ brake servo instead “stock” metro servo setup. If anyone is getting that horrible, arg I hope it stops feel when in traffic with modern over servo assisted tin tops then this is a winner.
For more info and group buy have a look here on mad about kit cars

MOT pass
Yesterday the Sportster passed it’s MOT. Testers were ready and waiting as they heard it coming!
Advisory on near side lower balls joint so I’ll be replacing that. He said there’s only a tiny amount of play but they’re relatively cheep parts which are easy to whip out with the airgun!
Number plate LED upgrade
It was time for an upgrade after spending a year on and off cleaning contacts and still having the number plate lights blink sometime. Using the original housings the standard bulbs have been switched for LED blocks from CBS. These are the same as the type used for the interior lighting. Not tried them in the dark yet as it’s a really nice day today!
Friendly URLs
Server upgrade is done and after much cursing friendly URL’s appear to be working now! If you spot anything let me know via a comment or the contact above
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Gallery Upgrade
The site is now running a new gallery plugged right into WordPress. All the major ASP files now redirect to shiny new PHP files. Still to come a server move from Windows to Linux which will bring mod_rewrite and friendly URL’s.
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WordPress upgrade
As this site is 6 years old and the underlying tech hasn’t really changed in that time it seemed like a good idea to do some upgrades. Right now the site is half old tech half new so things might not quite hang together 100% until everything is sorted out.
MOT Pass
MOT Pass – bar a slightly dodgy light on the rear number plate everything is fine
Might get some LED’s for the number plate lights and solder them in. The plastic ones I have are of very poor quality
MOT Time is just around the corner
Got my MOT reminder this week, time to stick the Sportster up on the ramps and see how its doing this year
Have noticed a few rust spots that need sorting on the chassis underneath the doors – this is a bit of a water trap. Rest of the chassis usually needs a tiny bit of surface rust cleaning up and painting.
Only other problems in times past has been the handbrake cables – the attachment to the level broken on one side last year, and the previous side the year before. Both are now welded so hopefully that will be fine this year
Only other issue that needs looking at is a sticky idle control valve, that’ll hopefully just need a blast with carb cleaners




