Tazzzzman1

Well done mate, I had mine pass at Beverley 4 weeks ago 2nd time also. Found them to be pretty fair. 2nd tester was far better....he gave me the pass..Makes all the hard work seem worthwhile.. Cheers Terry

Hi, Having a few gremlins with the new dash I am fitting post SVA. The old dash used the old Sierra clocks and the temperature guage worked fine. (Engine is a 1987 Sierra 2.0l) However I am fitting some dials from a 2.0l Capri. Everything works fine except the temp guage when reading, goes to max temp within 1 min. I know the water temp is fine, so now wondering do I need to fit a different type of sensor in the block? Anyone able to point me in the right direction on this? I will sell my old dash to anyone wanting it (very simple and SVA friendly). Will try and post some pic's shortly. PS Great show! Made a visit to Rhocar stand on Sunday, (too far to take my 2B for it's 1st drve post SVA!) Definately try to make Newark!!)

Hi, Used Frank Pickles myself. Charged me £75 +£5 for the missus. Half the cost of anyone else! Covers for 5K miles. Cheers Terry

Took it out for it's first run yesterday to the DVLA at Sheffield for it's BUI. Couldn't have picked a better afternoon....Warm & sunny!! Just a bit nervous as it is 20 miles each way with only 2 test miles covered so far. After treading carefully for the 1st few miles I opened her up.....WOW! Talk about the grin factor, made all those cold dark nights worth while. Got to the DVLA without any drama's. Only minor issue I had was the pipe from the Rad to the header tank coming off in the DVLA car park (due to heat). DVLA gave me some more water, clipped on the pipe properly this time and gave it some welly on the way home. Had to keep checking my mirrors for the boys in blue though as I was getting a few looks without any plates... Should have my "D" reg confirmed next week. Off to get some earplugs now as my right ear is still ringing....perhaps exhaust is a bit too loud?? Nah.... Only other issue I have is oil leaking from the gearbox, although I'm pretty sure this is from the bolts in the inspection plate (on top). Think the gear box is over filled so will need to sort this one out before I put in any serious mileage....Can't wait.. Cheers The biggest grinner in town!

Well done mate, I got a pass yesterday also. Guess there will be a few newbies on the road this summer. Enjoy..... Cheers Terry

Well done mate, I got a pass yesterday also. Guess there will be a few newbies on the road this summer. Enjoy..... Cheers Terry

Got my SVA pass today!! So hopefully not much longer until I'm on the road. Hope to see you guys for a beer soon! cheers Terry

Hi, Had my Retest at Beverley Yorkshire today at 1.00pm, got my MAC certificate at 1:15......YES!!!!!!!! Now waiting for the BUI and registration, so all being well hope to make a few shows this year.... 18 months of blood sweat and plenty of tears..... Thanks to all you guys who helped me through the build, especially Longborder for the help on electrics.... Cant wait cheers Terry

Seen all the blurb about how competitive Frank pickles are so thought I 'd give it a go. Just got my quote from them and am really pleased with the quote, so pleased I have now commenced the policy (in anticipation of the SVA retest being sucessful on Thursday!) Adrian Flux quoted me £179 Frank Pickles £75!!!!!! For an extra £5 I could put the missus on. At least this will stop her moaning (all be it briefly) Haven't got the heart to tell her she won't be able to reach the pedals....£5 small price to pay! Seems they have had a lot of enquiries recently due to the postings on the club website, so now club members get preferential rates... Fingers crossed for Thursday. cheers Terry

Hi, A warning for anyone feeling peckish for a KFC! Went out for my youngest daughters birthday this evening and popped into the local KFC... My wife got a very nasty surprise when she got halfway through a hot wing (see photo) It was puss (green and yellow and stank! I have made a formal complaint and am now waiting to hear. The only excuse I got was "must be a batch problem, at least its cooked okay!"and got the £3.75 refunded... The wife has spent the rest of the evening feeling sick... I will be sending photo's to local food standards and KFC customer services with my complaint. If there is any solicitors amongst you guys, some advice on next steps would be appreciated. Cheers Terry

Hi, Just need some clarification before I jump in feet first... Failed my 1st SVA attempt a few weeks back, have sorted out all issues except the lower seat belt mountings being too far forward. Looked at what the examiner suggested, however where he asked me to fit the mountings is impossible as it would foul the rear suspension mounts. I have looked at other ways of fitting them, which for the inner ones (near the tunnel) is no issue. Just re-drill 2 new points 3-4" further back. However the outer ones are a bit more troublesome as there is very little room. My question is....Can I drill through the seat mounting brackets (4mm steel for Cobra seats) and mount the lower fixings on these. I would then run a 10mm aluminium bar across the width of the car which the rear seat mountings would fit into/ through (to strengthen this area.) Will this be okay for SVA??? Your thoughts on this...as ever....much appreciated. Cheers Terry

No need to panic, think they have a few server gremlins. Their subsiduary...kitparts direct are up and running normally. cheers Terry

Hi Ian, Yes the centre nut is used for adjustment, so I will add a locking nut and lenthen the two clamp bolts as suggested. Has this sort of compensator been used by anyone else? cheers Terry

Hi, Before I go into my re-test I want to make 100% sure that what I have done for my handbrake compensator is SVA okay. (SVA inspector wanted me to show/ demonstrate handbrake mechanism on my re-test) I have manufactured 2 plates which swivel in the middle to give equal distribution to each rear brake when hand brake is appplied. The plates sandwich and clamp the cables also a small U bolt is fitted to fasten the loose end of the cables each side. I could not use the standard " half moon fitting" as a compensator due to lack of room. Amongst all you experts out there, some advice on this before I take the plunge would be appreciated. Cheers Terry

Confusing aint it! He stated that the 2 figures should when added be the combined weight figure (not slightly more), Also stated that the car had failed as I had overstated the design weights. I tried to argue the point, however thought better of it when he said he would just alter the paper work when I go back for re-test. Guess just another case of right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing!!

Hi, Had an issue at SVA yesterday with design weights....I know I know this has been covered many times before... I had researched and took advice from this site and Richard at GBS. Stated 500 for rear and 450 for front and combined of 950. This was deemed as inaccurate by the tester. After weighing mine came in at a miniscual 270kg front and 310kg rear (thats even with a fat bugger like me 100kg+ sat inside). Guess I must have put it on the Atkins during the build (un-intentionally). Fortunately he is altering the paperwork for me on my re-test.

Yes, I thought so to. Guess the examiner had other idea's. Just a bit of a pain to have to do, but could have been worse...

Hi, Just failed my 1st attempt at Beverley test centre..... Nothing too serious, failed on the following: Lower seat belt mounts incorrect position (too far forward, so need moving towards rear of seat which seems odd as I have used the usual 2B mounting positions) Rear Fog light not approved type lense??? (Apparently the lens should have a "f" stamped on the lense to denote an approved light.) Centre rear view mirror , too much vibration obscuring vison ( This was a doubt of mine from the outset as it was mounted on the bonnet, so I will now move to fit on the dash and be removable) Front wheel studs not pulled fully into hub (I replaced originals with longer studs to allow for the spacers, however 2 of the studs are sitting 1-2mm non flush) Spongy brake pedal (Not sure about this one as it passed all brake tests, probably just need bedding in) Disappointed that I failed, however looking back, pretty pleased that nothing major was found and that the list is faily small for my 1st ever attempt. Hope to have these minor points addressed in the next few days so that I can get back in for the retest! One other thing for anyone who has applied for SVA but not yet been approved...."DON'T PANIC" apparently VOSA are surprised at the lack of applications against what they anticipated and are now looking at moving the 28th Feb deadline (unofficially at the moment) Good luck to anyone else going through this trauma....hope to be ready for the sunshine???

Hi, Just about to put my 2B in for SVA on Tues. Have never been a big fan of the sliding pillar arrangement that is currently fitted so I have been considering a suspension change sometime in the not too distant future. Count me in, just don't tell the missus! cheers Terry

Keep your fingers crossed! The letter should swing it. I also resorted to lets say....web resorce for photo assistance. My test date is fast looming (Next Tuesday). Hope you get yours through as no much time now. If you have not heard anything from them within 4-5 days call them... cheers Terry

Hi Nigel, I was lucky that I had reciepts and managed to get the previous builder to put pen to paper and write a letter stating he was an amateur as well as signing a few photo's (if you get stuck with photo's pm me, got a few idea's!) I was lucky and got my test date through this week. cheers Terry

Hi Paul, If it's a straight forward build then I thinks it's pretty straight forward. You will need reciepts for major items, copy of the original V5 and plenty of photo's showing the build in different states, ideally with you in them. How ever what I found was that if you take on the vehicle as a part build and declare this, then it is a lot more difficult. I had to get a signed letter/ declaration from the previous owner stating he was an amatuer builder, signed photo's from him, a statement from him on what he did on the build, a statment from me on what I did, major reciepts ~(signed as certified) and as many photo's as I could muster. This was also accompanied by numerous phone calls to VOSA to hurry things along. Hope this helps and good luck... cheers Terry

Hi, Got my SVA test date sent through this week for 24th Feb. This took a lot of chasing and about 3 weeks from application as they are really busy. The SVA guy did tell me though that even if some one has applied, and it has not actually been approved/ SVA date given by 28th February then the application will be cancelled and you will have to re-apply under the IVA rules and costs. Good luck and keep chasing them, you may just get through in time! cheers Terry

Well done mate, Got my test date toay for 24th Feb, so will be worrying until the big day. Hopefully mine goes as smooth as yours! cheers Terry

UPDATE!! After numerous emails and phone calls my perseverence has paid off Spoke with a really pleasent guy at VOSA (the previous engineer dealing with my enquiry was on holiday) who checked my details and put me straight through to SVA office in Beverley. I now have an SVA date of 24th Feb. Crikey, thats a bit closer than expected, guess it less time to worry. A few late nights coming up. Moral to this is , keep making a pain of yourself. You will get there in the end! (Thats what the wife tells me anyway..) Cheers Terry