Hair Bear

First off the gearbox is loose (it moves separately to the engine!) and looking down the engine hatch I can't see anything obvious that secures it - I don't want to separate the tub halves unless I have to. Also theres a lot of nasty noises from the chains at the front. I haven't looked to closely at this yet but I'm guessing its a tension issue and I wonder if there's a particular sequence that the chains should be checked in as in my experience with things like this tightening one thing loosens another and so on. Any guidance appreciated. Rob.

Does anyone know if there's a manual for a Crayford Argocat available online anywhere? Thanks.

Not wholly on topic but just as a heads up, I sent my HGV renewal on April 2nd - 3 weeks befor expiry as they say it could take up to 3 weeks - and got it back yesterday, 4 weeks after it expired but apparently only issued 5 days ago. Good thing I didn't need it!

Any idea what it's worth?

This one has a curiously curved towing arm.

Thanks for that. I'm impressed that you have a photo of one in action - and with a Vulcan! I'm not so sure I want to get rid of it now...

Anyone know what this is / was? Approx 10' long + drawbar and 3' wide. The plate says 'Standard trailer 35cwt' can't read the rest. Ackermann type steering, cable brakes, leaf springs, split rims I think - probably 8", appears to have been yellow originally. Bomb or torpedo carrier perhaps? The plan was to build it into a club canoe trailer but concern as to what it would tow like at speed outweighed the possible entertainment value of watching the 'I'm the greatest' department trying to reverse it. Any interest in it if it were to become available?

The one by the M5 would suit an enthusiastic diy'er!

Exactly my point. Are they after 17.5% of the new value? + 27 years interest? or 20% of the value now? Unfortunately the recipt I have only identifies it by make/model, no vin numbers - and the value on that recipt they wouldn't belive - 20% of £68! I will try sounding out Honda and see what they say. Thanks for the help guys!

Definatly starting to look that way...

Just had a strange conversation with HMRC. I bought a quad bike 8+ years ago and was looking into registering it. I bought it from a farm sale in good faith and paid VAT accordingly but if I can't prove VAT was paid when it was imported (around 1986) I'm apparently now liable for the VAT that may be due! As I have no clue who the dealer would have been, I'm guessing the importer was Honda, what the hell do I do now?

Whilst trawling the DVLA website I discovered that they would register any vehicle that was to be used permanently off road for free - so if it were to be stolen it would be easier to identify the owner. Aimed mainly at construction machinery and farms, on the face of it a good idea but am I being cyinical thinking that once you have registered it and a huge number of vehicles are out there and start to appear on the books, they realise that there is a potential untapped scource and at some point start looking for an income from them? Putting that aside, has anyone done this and how easy is it? Thanks.

Now I'm totally baffled! I worked on the understanding that after 1/1/97 a new driver could tow up to 750kg, and had to pass a trailer test for anything larger. I just went to the DVLA website and it appears (unless I'm reading it wrong!) quote from the website... 'You can already tow trailers up to 750kg. You can also tow heavier trailers if combined weight of trailer and vehicle isn’t more than 3,500kg.' If that's the case, why are so many people taking a trailer test just to tow a braked trailer or caravan? I don't get it at all.

Hi, My daughter has just passed her car test (2/4/2014 for clarity!) and tells me that she isn't allowed to tow any type of trailer until she passes a trailer test. I hadn't heard of the 750kg rule being changed, so what is the current state of affairs? Any input appreciated.

Sorry, did try a search. I'll have another go! Doh! Found it...

I'm sure I didn't dream it. On Radio 2 Chris Evans this morning said Stephen Fry is writing the script, well known director but can't remember the name, and the planes for filming are already built. Would they dare remake it?

Lefthand down a bit...

Saviem / Unic? I'd give it a home.

Do I see retractable spade lugs in the wheels?

That's odd... I'd not seen that view, I only saw it from the osr corner. Can't see for sure but the reg looks the same.

When Rosie said Hymer I thought maybe a Hymer camper conversion on a Hanomag perhaps but I think RAFMT has got it with a Borgward. The picture on the link could be the same van! Thanks.

There's a TV ad on at the moment for Oreos and it depicts a father changing the wheel of a campervan. Question is - what is it? It looks like a VW but it's too square. The wheel looks like an early VW but the hub looks to be a twin wheel. Anyone know what it is?

Saw this thread on another forum, and some of the pics suggest there may be items of interest to be found. I am a member but have no other connection to this event. http://www.classicmachinery.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=10109

Shame it couldn't get here for Farnborough in July.