Carnage & Cams

I’ll leave the first few shots to your imagination-for legal reasons I cannot reveal anymore at this juncture. Suffice to say, I’m very glad to have walked away unharmed (More than can be said for my beloved Neptune green KA) and a dash cam is now essential equipment for me.

Fearing that I might be tempted to start a sanctuary for unloved Mk1s (Seriously underrated little cars) I hired its successor and went hunting for the low mileage, late model replacement seen here. 

Rare that I have any affinity for the top gear team but after 200 miles found myself agreeing whole heartedly with their summary of the MK2 “Disappointing second-generation version of Ford’s groundbreaking 1990s city car. That model was a classic: this one is just a rehashed Fiat 500. Literally”.

Yes, the Mk2 has plenty of consumer toys, a dashboard that tells the driver they need to change into 5^th at 33mph, leaving the 1.2 Zetec struggling on the flat let alone a modest incline. Another concern is that some drivers are becoming deskilled by this sort of technology, changing up on a sweeping bend when they should’ve held back in preparation for what, or indeed who might present around the corner. Unfortunately, stupidity cannot be legislated against.

Even budget dash-cams can capture decent footage these days, reviewing the casual indifference and downright carelessness of some people on public roads, regardless of vehicle stirs some very strong emotions. Politicians are very keen on law and order rhetoric. The present British administration is talking in terms of doubling fines and endorsement for use of hand-held devices while driving. Sounds good but of little consequence unless robustly enforced.

Public sector funding cuts have stark implications for policing too. Anecdotally, I’ve seen police drive casually by a driver handset welded to their ear and engrossed in conversation! Driving along motorways at 60-65mph, I’ve found myself gaining on vehicles occupying the middle lane at 45mph, relaxed in the seats, chatting away without a care in the world. Life unfortunately is cheap.

Hmm, ah I see, it was an accident...It might be accepted that you may not have intended to kill that person(s) by ploughing into them oblivious but an accident is best defined as something that you could not reasonably expect or predict.

It is more commonly used to mitigate responsibility and therefore, punitive sanctions. Face in a hand-held device when you are operating a ton plus of steel and should be focused on conditions ahead, is not.  

Economic hardship is another popular card, played to avoid loss of a licence. Until driving is seen as a privilege and not a right, with the emphasis placed upon continuously improving standards (throughout the licence holder’s life) then this callous indifference and needless loss of life will continue.     

Then of course, we have the “punishment pass”...Ironically enough, I’d left the Geonaute behind last Wednesday afternoon. Five miles from base, I was bowling along at a smart pace on the Univega. Glancing over my shoulder, a white Citroen van with an LV60 plate was advancing, although not at unreasonable speed.

Twenty seconds later, the driver intentionally swerved into my path screaming expletives before swinging into a right turn sans indicating. Without the complete registration, or camera evidence, reporting this to the police was pointless... Now, if the self proclaimed “People’s Judge” James Pickles were still alive, I’m confident he’d be saying that dressed in figure hugging Lycra tights and astride a Scarlet bicycle, I was “asking for it”.    

Establishing Connections

Presently organising venue(s) for September’s “everyday beauty” photo shoot-some folks are more helpful than others but a few decent options cropped up and the sands of time remain favourable.

My mother commissioned me to photograph a local landscape, which has been blown up on a 5x4 foot weather proof canvas. Primarily a centrepiece for her carport’s sound, though bland brickwork, it’s also an inexpensive bit of advertising.

I’m continually frustrated by the tsunami of people willing to work for free under the misguided notion they will gain experience and exposure before slipping seamlessly into a salaried career. Creative industries, such as photography and journalism are ravaged by this myopia. At best such behaviours devalue skilled vocations, fuelling a race to the bottom economy. If commercial, profit making entities can acquire goods and services for nothing, they will, sending an industry straight to the morgue. 

Ah but they’re giving me the byline/photo credit, leading to valuable…People look at the visuals, not to see who produced them. Proud mothers may scan the credits of TV shows in search of their freelance offspring but in practice, the viewing public generally flicks channels, nips to the loo, or for a brew.

Frankly, if you’re determined to cut your teeth, or expand port-folios, get in touch with small, grass roots charitable organisations and see what reciprocal deal can be struck. Payment needn’t always be monetary-at least to begin with. I’ve done photo shoots at cost for friends-of friends, which has led to useful, word-of-mouth exposure and subsequent paid commissions.

However, I’ve been implicit in my terms/conditions and most people have repaid me in kind, many times over. Anything used for commercial purposes must be paid for.  Ran over, now to my week on two and four wheels…         

This Jagwire CGX SL “Universal sport” brake cableset also arrived in serendipitous fashion; just in time for a cable group test and the Ilpompino’s RL250/Cane Creek transplant. A penny shy of £20 buys wound steel outers with internal sleeve, stainless steel inners and “slick lube” lining, cable stops, end caps and doughnuts.

Length is pretty generous too-300cm of outer cable while inners measure 135/235cm front and rear respectively. Ours was the black with retro-reflective detailing-brilliant for workhorses and winter bikes, although purple and yellow are the alternatives. The M-Part bar wrap is also fairing up very nicely, despite being unravelled on four separate occasions, although I think any further disruption will be its last. 

This combination has transformed the already fairly potent front stopper, delivering precisely the sort of modulation, feel and stopping prowess I’d been looking for in a disc setup. I’ve always liked firm feedback; something I attribute to early exposure to European components characterised by strong springs. However, their action is very light, which is good news for smaller hands. This preference also applies to other vehicles-car and motorcycle clutches being obvious examples, although perhaps the cable operated VW type were a press too far.

Speaking of cars…. After some trial and error, the Ka’s erratic starting and idling was traced to an expiring Idle Speed Control Valve. Unlike its Endura engine predecessor, this hadn’t missed a beat in over 105,000 miles.

Access is much harder too, so best left to a helpful independent garage unless you’re a competent DIY/mechanic. Given its age, I opted for replacement rather than cleaning, bringing the total bill to £151.12 (including VAT). Reticent starting, unexpected stalling-often when approaching junctions, needing to keep the revs higher in slow moving traffic all point its way.

Most armchair experts are oblivious to the different physical geographies; hence finding credible guidance online requires persistence.

Removal and cleaning of the Endura unit is a twenty minute affair, well within a beginners grasp. You’ll need an old ice cream tub, retired tooth brush, carb cleaner/similar strong solvent and ideally a torque wrench, although in a pinch, 10mm ring/socket spanners will do.

Start by depressing the wire clip and sliding it from the electrical contexts. Next undo the two 10mm bolts and slide away from the inlet manifold. Pop this hardware in a zipped pocket, or ice cream tub/similar receptacle. Place the ICV unit in the bowl and check for a coating of black, sooty deposit.

Deliver the solvent inside, then scrub vigorously with that old toothbrush-repeating the last two stages until the grot’s dissolved. Refit as before, giving fasteners a cursory lick of medium strength threadlock and the cure is complete. The KA club also provide a very informative step-by-step guide on their site http://www.kaklub.co.uk/pwpcontrol.php?pwpID=1898

Shot ICV? £50 from car parts supplier, or you might be able to source a serviceable, second-hand example from a breaker for considerably less...