Getting to know honey - on the way to Edinburgh

I have come to the conclusion that Honey is like a beautiful woman. Nice to look at and a great way to burn a hole in your pocket. To have both in your life would be suicide.

Honeys Master Cylinder went on our maiden ride. I had just collected her from the dealership, chucked all my stuff into her and zoomed off! I thought the breaks where a little spongy and when stopping became an issue I realised something was amiss. It was my cousin (who is in the trade) who pointed out that she was pissing out brake fluid... he gave me a bottle and the next few weeks I had to fill the brake chamber almost every day.

Next I noticec oil pouring out the engine. Now the guy at the dealership did mention that vw's like to leak a little bit, so I called him up to find out just how much a "little bit" was. Turns out not THAT much. So my daily tasks became filling up brake fluid and filling up oil! Of course the oil "had to be" Morris 30 oil, "as anything else would be like putting in cyanide", which I soon realised was somewhat like searching for the holy grail!

In Edinburgh I found my Morris 30 oil at John Forbes and for 13 quid I felt I had found life's elixir - I could now go anywhere, anyhow and at any time and nothing could stop me... unless of course the carburetter fell out, which it did.


One minute she is driving like a dream, the next she is behaving like a strumpet. Backfire, misfiring, shuddering to say the least... finally it all ended with a very indignant and surprisingly incombustible fart which left me somewhat anethatised and calling for a tow.

Of all the motor cowboys in Edinburgh I met Mo, who likes to see himself as the only Indian in the industry (and yes he is Indian). He put the carb back together and Honey and I where on our way after parting with 40 quid.

Next John Forbes happened to have a spare Master Brake cylinder in stock. One new brake cylinder, brand spanking new brake lines and one Haynes manual - Honey was fit to hit the road again! I coughed up 210 quid for the pleasure!

Next to go was the back shelf. Driving along, minding my own business and then whomp! The back shelf and all my books where lying on my bed and in a pile of rust... turns out the shelf was screwed into a rusty panel (mental note to ask the guys at theoldvolkshome what they where thinking when they put the shelf in).

Found a good panel beater who although hung over put the back shelf back for me with some nice new mettle. I forked out 130 quid and went on my way again.

Next I went online to buy some parts, new brake cylinders and backing plates, spare clutch and brake cables, little knobs, screws, a bulb replacement kit, brake hoses, clips, split pins and brake cylinders. Chaching! - 350 quid.

Now all I need to do is get this stuff installed!