Motorbike In A Taxi

[Chris Perkins 228]

Would a normal sized motorbike fit into the back of a London taxi (LTI TX1) if one removed the front wheel and some other bits? Whaddaya reckon?

[declanwmagee 122]

Get a bit of a run-up, Chris, and I reckon it's worth a go.

[TomGoodheart 401]

I'm torn between replying "How would the taxi go with only one front wheel?" and "once you get the elephants out"

Though the latter would have been better if you'd asked about a Mini!

[Chris Perkins 228]

It's just a an idea I had. I shall be in London in a couple of weeks and intend to collect a London taxi again to drive back to Germany and sell here. If I could fit a British bike in the back (or anything not that widely available in Germany), then I could take that over and sell on too. I suppose I should get hold of some measurements.

No one's ever tried it then?

I've also got 2x Triumph (saloon car) seats to squeeze in.

[davidrj 194]

David

[bagerap 706]

I had visions of typical London cabbie (at least three in my family) saying: " Can't take you Sarf of the River wiv that bike, Guv"

[Peter 615]

My peddle cycle only gets in the back of a decent hatchback.

Invest in a transit.

I had use of a company truck when I was a consultant to them.

One of those 4 seater things with a big aluminium boot space.

Umm I'm tempted.

[bagerap 706]

Taxi driving cousin thinks that you'd be OK but be prepared to remove rear wheel as well.

[Chris Perkins 228]

RHD transit would be fairly worthless in Germany. I had a RHD LDV in Germany once, and RHD vans in general are dangerous on sweeping curve junctions, where you want to turn right. It's impossible to see if anything is coming on the road you intend to turn on to as from your seated right position, looking towards the traffic all you see is the inside of the side of the van!

London Taxi all the way and they are almost van-like inside. Unfortunately it's now impossible to get the FX4 (Austin shape) fresh out of service as all of them are now over 15 years old.

My mate in Deptford at Ascott Cab Co. will no doubt find something suitably cheap for me. http://www.ascottcab.com/

[Chris Perkins 228]

Well, this is the taxi I've bought. This is one of the photos as provided by Deptford Don.

It's a '98 TX1 with under 300k on the clock (below average for these) and it's got the chrome grille, fake walnut dash, aircon and a CD player. Metallic green isn't the colour I would have bought new, but beggars can't be choosers, eh.

It's always fun getting these insured as the insurers don't seem to understand that taxis can be used as anything other than as taxis. Direct Line will insure it but only if it has no meter fitted and I cover up the 'TAXI' sign on the roof.

[Gary1000 41]

Well, this is the taxi I've bought. This is one of the photos as provided by Deptford Don.

It's a '98 TX1 with under 300k on the clock (below average for these) and it's got the chrome grille, fake walnut dash, aircon and a CD player. Metallic green isn't the colour I would have bought new, but beggars can't be choosers, eh.

It's always fun getting these insured as the insurers don't seem to understand that taxis can be used as anything other than as taxis. Direct Line will insure it but only if it has no meter fitted and I cover up the 'TAXI' sign on the roof.

Chris, are you comming anywhere near Stansted as I've got a box on coins you may be interested in.

[Chris Perkins 228]

Yes, I fly to Stansted Tuesday afternoon but am on public transport down to SE London to pick up the Taxi. What have you got?

[Peter 615]

Chris

300K on a taxi is a lot.

How is the Limo hire working out?

My MG has just done 21K (2003 TF)

I want a few more but I smuggled 20 mitchell reels into the house which Mrs Peter sniffed out.

i love taking them apart and getting them right.I think a few MG's would get her attention and a slap.

Edited March 19, 2014 by Peter

[Chris Perkins 228]

It's 292k to be precise, and I think that's fairly average, or even below average. I've had Fairways with 350k or 370k on the clock, and the clocks tend to stop working at every round 100k so it was probably higher.

21k miles. You must be on the 2nd or 3rd head gasket by now then? I had a 2001 MGF years ago (1.6VVC with TF front and rear ends). Was a fine motor, but a bit too refined to drive and with the dreaded K Series head gasket issues, I was unable to relax in it. The best proper go-cart-like open top British sportscar I had was a '78 Triumph Spitfire. You sit a couple of inches off the ground (usually on a damp seat), wild rear end, not really that fast but utterly bonkers.

[Peter 615]

I check coolant/oil every day and in the process of putting a low coolant sensor and stainless pipes on.

Taking the hardtop off and going topless is an experience.

My car is now mint.It is my weekend toy but often gets buffed up during the week.

Keeps me out of the pub.

[Chris Perkins 228]

My MG head gasket went and the levels were never low as far as I know (unless the previous owner buggered it), but it certainly can't hurt to check, and when you get the mayo it usually first appears as spots on the oil filler screw-cap.

I check the Triumph 2000 fluids daily too, mainly because I know that one of its twin Stromberg carbs weeps a bit and it needs new needle damper oil every day or it runs rough. That reminds me, I must get a new gasket set when I'm over there.

[Peckris 579]

It's 292k to be precise, and I think that's fairly average, or even below average. I've had Fairways with 350k or 370k on the clock, and the clocks tend to stop working at every round 100k so it was probably higher.

21k miles. You must be on the 2nd or 3rd head gasket by now then? I had a 2001 MGF years ago (1.6VVC with TF front and rear ends). Was a fine motor, but a bit too refined to drive and with the dreaded K Series head gasket issues, I was unable to relax in it. The best proper go-cart-like open top British sportscar I had was a '78 Triumph Spitfire. You sit a couple of inches off the ground (usually on a damp seat), wild rear end, not really that fast but utterly bonkers.

Yes, I had a Mk IV Spitfire too - my replacement bonnet was fibre glass (only one I could afford!) and it regularly unclipped itself at speed and rose a foot into the air. Bonkers is right! But great fun to drive.

[Peter 615]

HG replacement is approx £300 with a mobile mechanic from MG.org

It is our 3rd car ....well I'm looking for an estate for dogs/kids/DIY.

My mother insists on the MG for her weekly shopping experience.

They are easy to work on,economical and fun.

I thought the alternator had gone the other day.A mechanic from our local garage came out...took it away,gave it a bit of TLC and I got it back

Only £20 down.

I can do brakes and general servicing plus the MG.org forum is brilliant for how to dos.

Mrs Peter will also borrows it as she sneeks down the driveway with a grin.

Try one again they are so cheap.

[Chris Perkins 228]

I am loyal to Triumph, have been all my driving life and am a 3rd gen Perkins Triumph driver, so I can't possibly go MG and see no reason to as there are ample various Triumphs for various budgets and uses. One day I quite fancy a TR6 or a Stag, or a 2500S estate. Ooo, wouldn't say no to a GT6 either.

[Peckris 579]

I am loyal to Triumph, have been all my driving life and am a 3rd gen Perkins Triumph driver, so I can't possibly go MG and see no reason to as there are ample various Triumphs for various budgets and uses. One day I quite fancy a TR6 or a Stag, or a 2500S estate. Ooo, wouldn't say no to a GT6 either.

What about a Vitesse? Worth it just to burn off drivers who think it's a Herald

[Chris Perkins 228]

Peck, it's 2014. How many drivers out there would actually recognise either of them?

A Herald is too Thora Herd and even in Vitesse guise with a straight 6 (same engine as my current 2000) and double headlights it's still a bit too 1950s suburbia post-war sensible older person with large framed NHS glasses runaround, for me.

Ask me again in 20 years though.

[Peckris 579]

Peck, it's 2014. How many drivers out there would actually recognise either of them?

A Herald is too Thora Herd and even in Vitesse guise with a straight 6 (same engine as my current 2000) and double headlights it's still a bit too 1950s suburbia post-war sensible older person with large framed NHS glasses runaround, for me.

Ask me again in 20 years though.

[Gary D 76]

I am loyal to Triumph, have been all my driving life and am a 3rd gen Perkins Triumph driver, so I can't possibly go MG and see no reason to as there are ample various Triumphs for various budgets and uses. One day I quite fancy a TR6 or a Stag, or a 2500S estate. Ooo, wouldn't say no to a GT6 either.

What about a Vitesse? Worth it just to burn off drivers who think it's a Herald

The Vitesse was a mean car 40 years ago when burning up Austin 1100s but the only thing one would burn up now days is the engine oil.

[Peckris 579]

I am loyal to Triumph, have been all my driving life and am a 3rd gen Perkins Triumph driver, so I can't possibly go MG and see no reason to as there are ample various Triumphs for various budgets and uses. One day I quite fancy a TR6 or a Stag, or a 2500S estate. Ooo, wouldn't say no to a GT6 either.

What about a Vitesse? Worth it just to burn off drivers who think it's a Herald

The Vitesse was a mean car 40 years ago when burning up Austin 1100s but the only thing one would burn up now days is the engine oil.

This is quite true - but it's still a straight 6 so I'm assuming it could be tuned into quite a mean machine? MeanER, anyway. Obviously you'd have to upgrade the shocks and brakes, and change to radials, not to mention doing something about that appalling rear end slide .. but it could be done?

[Chris Perkins 228]

Yes, the Triumph straight 6 is a very tuneable engine. The Injected 2.5l version in the TR6 was good for 150bhp as standard. Better exhaust manifold and downpipes instantly add 10-15bhp and the 1998cc has been bored out to a 2.7l. I'm sure the 2.5 can be increased to over 3l and must be good for 225+bhp when tuned. Plenty of room in many Triumphs for engine upgrades too, like this one with 434bhp and enough torque to actually wheelie:

http://www.chriswitor.com/proddetail.php?prod=11secondRWYBTriumph2000Streetcar

It's a lot of work and expense though, so hence most people just buy a Subaru.