St Landrew

They reckon to take 72 hours. But I think that's a minimum. As long as it turns up today or tomorrow, I'll not be complaining... just bloody frustrated.

You point at several issues within both cities and I doubt whether there is much between them. 10 years ago, certainly 20 years ago, Pompey was a very dull and drab place. But it has tarted itself up, and now, sad to say, Southampton looks like the city that has lost its way, from particular views. A couple of weeks ago, I sailed across from Wootton Creek into Portsmouth Harbour for the first time in about 15 years. I've never really enjoyed going there by sailboat, for various reasons. But the place now looks great from the sea approaches. I sail up Southampton Water about 20 times a year, in different conditions, and even with the Sun on it, Southampton just looks a bit dowdy and drab unless it has a few cruise liners alongside the key. It's a real shame.

Another day, and the F$?K*^G postman didn't arrive with my new registration document and roadtax. The tank is full, the battery charged; all the new kit is bought, including the new tax disc holder with allen screws. And the money is waiting for the numberplate..! I bet the DVLA are going to take this to the bleeding wire. :mad:

Just spoke to a relative who is quite a Star Trek fan of the old school, so to speak. He went with his son, almost determined not to enjoy it [he said] because it was supposed to be not like Star Trek. He came out of the cinema almost completely won over. I said I might pop to the cinema to watch it, as he'd given it such a good review, and he said, I'll come with ya..! Obviously, high praise.

Indeed. I shall vote, as always.

Can I just say peeps, [keep this to yourselves] that there are new rumblings about a motoring forum. I say let's go the whole hog and demand a biker's forum..!

Oh OK.

Long story, but it wasn't from J2 Honda the dealer, it was their chief mechanic's own machine, and I went to the premises, where the bike had been stored for the last 2 years. He kept it sweet for when he could devote more time to owning and riding it, but that never came to pass, and he was in bad trouble with credit card debt. I got an excellent price for the VFR - he's happy now he's out of debt - I'm happy now I've got a cracking bike. J2 didn't get involved. Nice workshop. Love those elevating table ramps. New Fireblade eh..? Isn't the new Yamaha R1, the sports bike to have now..?

Jeez Ponty, I took the teeniest tiniest swipe at what it's like being a car driver compared to being a bike rider, and YOU BIT DOWN HARD on the bait. For goodness sake mate, I'm a car driver too. Why can't you just let some things go..?

Sorted yet..?

Let me guess, before I go to the link, I bet the Beeb say former Man U player, and nothing else.

Oh come on peeps, it's got to be places like Paris, Rome, Florence or Venice, etc... The more southerly, the warmer and sunnier... Naples..? I suppose he's been and is now back anyway.

Which Rolex did you end up with..?

Not many people decide to change to motorbikes through a process of sheer logic. There's many reasons for sticking with a car, and in the UK, the changing seasons is one of the biggest. But we don't all run around in practical cars, so not all 4-wheeled vehicles have been chosen through a logical process either. At least with bikes, and scooters for that matter, there is still enough room on the road to really enjoy the experience, even for just the warmer months. And if nothing else, traffic jams are just a minor hindrance. Think of that, next time you're frustratedly bouncing up and down in your driving seat waiting while your life passes by.

No, it's all one crankshaft. The Ariel Square Four and Suzuki RG500 had two linked crankshafts, one behind the other. The RC46 VFR, just like its cousins [RC45, NC30, etc...], all the way back to its origins in 1982, have a 90˚ Vee configuration, sharing the one crankshaft. Incidentally, my brother, who owns the Beemer single, had a rare VFR400 back in the mid-90s; and I think it was the quickest thing he's ever ridden.

You've a short memory Swannymere. It was your recommendation to Baj of the SV650 that got him to test it out. He couldn't get along with what he perceived as a snatchy response. Big twins and singles can be snatchy unless the rider is able to control the pick-up. By their nature, inline fours are a bit easier on that front, unless set up incorrectly. As it happens, I don't think a middleweight/biggish v-twin is the ideal starter bike. And I think people jump on soft engined 650cc bikes thinking they don't have too much performance, when in actual fact the inexperienced rider could get into some serious bother with a 650cc tourer. My brother has the BMW 650cc single I mentioned earlier, and that is absolutely no bike for the inexperienced rider. Better to have a smaller [say 400-500cc] inline four, with over square bore & stroke, so that the power builds gradually, not a stump puller. I could say ultra positive things about my own V-four, which has more of the instant power of a V-twin, but revs and builds like an inline four. But I won't. I was this close ][ to considering a VTR1000 Firestorm myself, but I came to my senses, and I like V-twins too. Btw, it's not a Square Four. That's an Ariel, or an old Suzuki 2-stroke RG500 racer.

Btw mate, if you ever see this bloke again, give him a thump for all the trouble he's caused.

Here you go DSM. This MUST help a bit. Once you've found where the CMOS battery lives, you can get to it via some instructions. http://support.gateway.com/s/Mobile/Q106/Oasis/8511725_Service.pdf Here's where that came from: http://support.gateway.com/s/Mobile/2007/Oasis/1014457R/1014457Rnv.shtml and here is the user guide list, where I found the service guide: http://support.gateway.com/s/Mobile/2007/Oasis/1014457R/1014457Rul.shtml

How old is the bloody thing anyway..? Suely there's some info on where the CMOS battery lurks..?

Sat at my desk with an iffy back, trying to decide whether to give it a real reason to complain, or not.

Have a look here, DSM. http://www.tech-faq.com/reset-bios-password.shtml

Aren't you people getting a little too involved with all this Susan Boyle stuff..? Stop watching if it winds you up. I wish they would put a decent programme on the TV, instead of that twaddle, because my old Philips is going to last for decades at this rate of non-use. BTW Dicko, this is the Lounge. Save your TMS comments.

Obviously. Still don't think it applies to Boro, but I couldn't give a toss anyway. Don't give a toss about any football club except Saints, and they're fast managing to cure me of that as well.

Ah...!

I believe you may be right. Seen him myself. Itchen... Low tide... Chortle...