Cracked Coil, Broken Leaf
Cracked Coil My sad news is that Syd (one of our mechanics) has decided to return to the UK after more than 25 years in SA. He inherited some money and ...
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Casebook
Our technical experts discuss case studies of mechanical issues that have occurred with various vehicles. We try to establish how and why the issues occurred and offer solutions for the home mechanic or DIY enthusiast.
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Dual-mass mess
DUAL-MASS MESS In his youth, the local chemist was called Anton, but long exposure to chemicals had most likely affected his brain so that he developed a speech impediment. Nowadays, he ...
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VVT trouble
VVT TROUBLE Longdrop Scheepers did not get his nickname because he’s tall. No, he was called Longdrop after his son Hannes accidentally bumped a tractor against the outside toilet while his ...
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Too much carbon
TOO MUCH CARBON Twostroke Charlie Thompson is a motorcycle enthusiast, most likely because his father, Thumper Thompson, is a Harley-Davidson man. The old boy owns a number of these charismatic mechanical ...
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Key information
KEY INFORMATION Klein Hollie Holtzhausen didn’t particularly like his nickname because one of its meanings is unsavoury, but there was little he could do about it short of changing his surname. ...
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Wheel-balance woes
WHEEL-BALANCE WOES Kleingeld Conradie takes life seriously. This may be because he is an elder of the Gereformeerde Kerk, or it may be because he’s a banker. Most people think it ...
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Wheel-balance woes
Kleingeld Conradie takes life seriously. This may be because he is an elder of the Gereformeerde Kerk, or it may be because he’s a banker. ...
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A greasy business
Our town is not as backward as you may think. We have a breakdown service. The vehicle consists of an ancient bakkie fitted with one of those quickly removable frameworks that ...
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A jumping spark plug
Our workshop may have only one trainee, but we have a very good training system. Every lunch and teatime, Japie gets the benefit of learning from three experienced mechanics. ...
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Carbon penalty
Apie van Deventer is small and wiry, and his prominent ears make it easy for people to believe we’re descended from apes. Apie is proud of his nickname because he’s a ...
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Chain drama
A topic that often crops up in our lunchtime conversation is whether some people are born with a mechanical bent, or whether it’s acquired later in life. ...
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Another day, another chain
The day we worked on Twostep’s bike, our lunchtime conversation naturally turned to chains. Syd lamented that so many modern engines used timing belts because chains are usually far more robust. ...
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