Mississippi Bullfrog

To achieve both you'll be looking at a DIY conversion. I can't think of any coach built campers that would also carry bikes/junk. Avoid the Renault/Vauxhall versions. Most campers use FIAT these days. Personally (though I don't like them) I'd go for a Ford or VW base vehicle. With a bit of imagination and skill you can make an acceptably comfortable camper that can double up as a load carrier. You want to put good insulation into it if you want something you're going to be comfortable in. Take a trip to a caravan breakers to source internal fittings.

Simple way to prevent this - get a stainless steel quick release shackle from a sailing chandlers (or online), attach to your handlebars with a reasonably thick ziploc. It makes it impossible to simply pull the keys out and run off with them.

I've used these on cars and providing you change the oil regularly and do it when the oil is warm they get as much out of the sump as dropping it via the drain plug. But I've yet to be convinced that they work on most bikes.

The snag with wanting to make it look like it is not about 'give me money' is basically that is precisely what sponsorship is about. If not money then goods or services. Letters out of the blue to businesses will probably get you nowhere. As it happens, by pure coincidence, I only logged on to my computer to update a £1.6 million project we've just received the tenders for today, all of it raised through sponsorship. The key to finding support is establishing relationships, finding people who will share your vision and aims and are willing to be part of that undertaking. So if you're contacting people it's usually better done personally, often through people who know people who know people. You start with yourself and what you contribute to the greater good. For example, in my last position I went out of my way to help save a local motorcycle test centre, thereby also helping to keep the local training school and motorcycle centre in business. When I needed a hand 250 bikers turned out and helped raise public awareness for our project. So start not with what you want others to contribute to you, but with what you've either already contributed to others, or can contribute in the future if your venture takes off. That's what will capture people's imagination.

I used to work on a petrol station. I always take my helmet off because I know what it's like for the staff when things get awkward.

Try charging the battery first. Most people assume that if the battery is flat and you get the engine fired up then after a good long ride the battery will be fully charged. It won't. The old dynamo chargers would charge a flat battery to full capacity, modern charging systems don't. What they do very well is to quickly replace the charge used to fire up the engine, but if you started with a battery at (say) 50% charge the charge replaced will only take it to the same level. So over a time the battery drops from full charge capacity. Most of the time we don't notice this as using the bike regularly means that the battery has sufficient charge to fire the engine - even if you check the voltage then volts and charge are different things. But if you take most bikes or cars, run them for 200 miles, then put them onto a trickle charger - you will find the charger begins to add charge to the battery. ie it wasn't a full capacity even after a 200 mile trip. Sorry - bit long winded, but it's amazing how many perfectly good batteries get ditched when all they need is a better maintenance regime. Of course we're told these days that they are maintenance free - but the fact that you don't need to add electrolyte doesn't mean that they don't need a bit of tlc. 14.4 running is fine. 12.6 not running is fine. Dropping below 12v with the lights on suggest the battery is low on charge. If it was knackered the voltage would probably drop further and quicker. Hence I'd give it a trickle charge overnight and then see if it holds the charge. NB A really flat battery will not take a charge off a trickle charger - if the voltage drops to 11v or lower then it has to be raised back to 12v using a very small current. I use a gell cell charger at 400Ma on really flat batteries. A couple of hours is all they need to build the voltage back to the point where a trickle charger can take over.

The very thought of McDonalds curry sauce dip makes me feel quite poorly. Now a free McFlurry, that I could go for.

Ah - sorry, not sure what gaff I made but it was after a very long meeting so I was a bit tired. Thanks.

I have 2 outboards I am selling for a lady whose husband is sadly unwell. Honda BF2.3B 4-stroke, short shaft. 2004 build but never been run. It was bought and then sat in their garage for years. The integral fuel tank has never been filled. Oil is golden factory fresh. £350 Yamaha electric outboard £125 Collection only from Chester Drop me a pm if you're interested.

I'd stick with the old adage - a tappy engine is a happy engine. Better to have sufficient clearance and a tapping than a silent engine that is burning its valves.

OK - here goes....without knowing you this is a bit broad bush but I've just trained someone who was ripped apart by their previous trainer and had their confidence and self-esteem totally destroyed. (Not training to ride a bike - but not far different.) The thing is that all I've done is to work on their confidence and let them try without overbearing criticism. End result is that they have progressed in leaps and bounds. I do a lot of sailing which shares many characteristics with riding a bike. I know brilliant sailors who are dreadful teachers. On the other hand I know trainers who can take total novices and inspire confidence. I remember taking out one young lady who'd never been in boat before and she sailed it through Portsmouth Harbour in a gale with total ease. (I was gobsmacked to be honest) But I've also had novices who just need more assistance getting the basics under their belt. Once they've mastered that their off. I suspect the issue is more with the trainers than yourself. Maybe you have to admit you're not a natural - not everyone takes to it like a duck to water. Maybe you're one of those people who needs someone to focus on the little things most of us take for granted. That needs a trainer with more skills as a trainer. I'd ask around and look for someone who can help you gain your confidence in the basics of handling a bike. That will lay a solid foundation to work from.

Good spot! I'm treating myself to a set of those. http://ruggedroads.co.uk/epages/00cbb604-5d1c-407e-8207-580e14387ec5.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/00cbb604-5d1c-407e-8207-580e14387ec5/Products/%2212705/6/8%22

I have got into the habit of sticking to the limits for a variety of reasons: 1.Because I really can't be doing with all that wondering if I passed an unseen camera somewhere along the way... 2. I've had to deal with the aftermath of speeding incidents and you just think - did you really want to cause all this grief. I mean everyone's saying nice things about what a great guy you were, but deep down they're realling thinking you're a bit of prat causing all this heartache. 3. You get there just as quickly anyway. Weird how it works - but in terms of A to B it really doesn't make much difference 4. I spill cocoa on my slippers if I'm going too fast.

That might work. I'm a member of Wirral beekeepers amongst other things and we meet monthly on Fridays, but not every week. I'm there this evening at Brimstage and was going to take the bike but there's a lady lives near me wants to go and she hasn't got a car so I'll be taking mine and giving her a lift. Really need the weather to get a bit better for evenings to be enjoyable.

Friday is my day off - and I either work evening or over the summer spend every Tuesday and Thursday sailing. Honda CBF500 - good ol' commuter machine.

Sounds good - so long as you let me keep up. Oh and I work weekends which is a pain

Guilty as charged m'lud.

The use of a dash cam is not that it videos your speedo - that wouldn't usually apply in a car anyway - but those with gps register your speed on their own system. So when you play back the recording your speed is shown at the side of the footage. In terms of calibration you're not relying on the speedo but the gps signal which is generally pretty accurate. But too easy to alter the software so it always reads the correct speed for the road rather than GPS speed.. Would it not be possible to work out the speed using (for example) lamppost distances on the footage? Surely that would confirm the speed shown.

The use of a dash cam is not that it videos your speedo - that wouldn't usually apply in a car anyway - but those with gps register your speed on their own system. So when you play back the recording your speed is shown at the side of the footage. In terms of calibration you're not relying on the speedo but the gps signal which is generally pretty accurate.

Not much help now but it's another reason I use a dash cam. Those with gps record your speed. If the camera was faulty, or picked up a stray signal from another vehicle, you've got evidence to prove your speed. A few years back I had a copper wave a radar gun at me, I was pretty sure I was within the limit but it made me ring my brother-in-law who is a copper. He said they that with a hand held gun they have to stop you on the spot. Usually they have a colleague down the road to pull you over. No idea if that is still the case, it's just what he told me at the time.

Not knocking your boat skills, but my money is on the speed of light winning. The way I sail the speed of sound isn't feeling too threatened.

I'm into sailing, I race a Laser and me and the missus sail a Graduate. And I'm a beekeeper.

What parts are you painting and what facilities have you got?

Many jobs now ask for details of previous convictions or cautions. It's not just about whether you are working with children or vulnerable people, it's also about the employer's responsibility and reputation. If they employ someone with a record for assault and that person then thumps someone in the workplace they are going to find themselves with compensation lawyers chasing them for employing someone with a history of violence. I inherited a member of staff taken on by my predecessor who had lied about her past when appointed, in the end she was prosecuted for having obtained the job (and therefore the wage) by deception. I think the charge was obtaining a pecuniary interest by deception - for which she was sent down for 2 years. So advising people to withhold the facts may not be in their best interest long term. Unfortunately a lot of us do things in the heat of the moment without realising the potential harm it may do in the future. Thumping someone sticks with you. So does applying for a job and withholding all the facts. I would suggest the advice of when you're in a hole don't dig yourself in any deeper applies. The advice to speak to someone like Citizens Advice is good. It might also be worth speaking with NACRO. I worked with them a while back and they do good things for people with a record that is preventing them finding a job.

I have the following bits cluttering up my bench: http://i.imgur.com/UxjurcJ.jpg?1 2 Oil filters for Suzuki RV125 Van Van - £8.00 posted. (I have two sets of these filters) http://i.imgur.com/0xwS2xG.jpg 2 oil filters and 2 air filter foams - £14.00 posted http://i.imgur.com/bqCut6k.jpg Suzuki FI diagnostic switch - £10 posted http://i.imgur.com/BU1hO4G.jpg Indicator - unused - £12 posted I also have a Givi A660 screen and top box with mount plate as below - £35 each collection only (from Chester) - both have the instructions with them. http://i.imgur.com/R5TyS2Y.jpg http://i.imgur.com/9LneF5k.jpg Drop me a pm if you're interested in any of the bits. If you leave me a number I'll give you a call - just please bear in mind I work odd hours so I am often working during the evenings and weekends.