Blacked out rear windows.

[DrSquirrel]

It's not the way you were implying it to read.

Anyway the point is just because someone has a slightly modified car or has a non-stock exhaust doesn't always mean they are going to be the worst driver on the road and knock you off your bike. Just the way it seemed most on here were thinking..

I agree. I have a custom exhaust on my car... because it was cheaper than an original!! And being stainless steel means it won't rust and fall off... AGAIN (and for the record, I kept the same bore, silencer sizes and decat).

 

[GrasB]

I agree. I have a custom exhaust on my car... because it was cheaper than an original!! And being stainless steel means it won't rust and fall off... AGAIN (and for the record, I kept the same bore, silencer sizes and decat).

The Alfa has a custom exhaust, but I completely ignored the manufactures specs, mainly because after I'd finished with the engine & turbos every part of the exhaust system was the wrong size. The result is a system that liberates far more power, reduces lag noticeably, sounds nicer & is quieter than the factory fit item most of the time.

 

[Chrismawa]

The Alfa has a custom exhaust, but I completely ignored the manufactures specs, mainly because after I'd finished with the engine & turbos every part of the exhaust system was the wrong size. The result is a system that liberates far more power, reduces lag noticeably, sounds nicer & is quieter than the factory fit item most of the time.

What alpha do you have, out of interest?

 

[GrasB]

What alpha do you have, out of interest?

Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon 2.4 JTDM Q4

 

[slowmotion]

Many people with young kids like the idea that the kids can see out, have some protection from the sun on a hot day and can't be seen from outside.

I don't understand that. Why don't they want their kids to be seen?

 

[snailracer]

I don't understand that. Why don't they want their kids to be seen?

Because they pull silly faces?

 

[Chrismawa]

I think the vast majority of drivers of any sort of vehicle are as considerate as can be reasonably expected. However, as easily-squashed cyclists, we are rightly ultrasensitive about identifying those who may be even very-slightly-more likely to squash us.

And if a car has an after-market modifications this is more likely to squash you than a standard car!?

 

[snailracer]

And if a car has an after-market modifications this is more likely to squash you than a standard car!?

Legal or illegal ones? I would argue cars with illegal mods are definitely are more likely to give you issues. They would also be breaching the terms of their own insurance, assuming they had any to begin with.

 

[fimm]

And if a car has an after-market modifications this is more likely to squash you than a standard car!?

Its a stereotype. Like White Van Man, Chelsea Tractor Woman, drivers of BMWs/Audis, etc. All of which have some basis in reality, but people don't actually believe that "no BMW driver ever indicates" for example.

My parents (in their mid 60s) have a car with darkened rear windows, because they decided they wanted that particular (second-hand) car, and that was how it came. My sister does give them some stick for it, and refers to it as the drug dealers' car!

 

[Rhythm Thief]

I usually weld some bits of old exhaust together when my silencer rusts away. It's cheaper than buying a new silencer and 2CVs sound really good straight piped.

 

[DrSquirrel]

I usually weld some bits of old exhaust together when my silencer rusts away. It's cheaper than buying a new silencer and 2CVs sound really good straight piped.

My rear tube (between silencer and exit pipe) rusted right on the silencer join - tried to weld it on, but that failed too


Driving a car without an exhaust is fun... for 1 minute 3 seconds then its annoying (until the next tunnel).

 

[gambatte]

Years ago I was a young kid.... .... car I had was an Ambasador (yeah, really cool )

Found out the MOT said the exhaust system had to have no leaks and no TEMPORARY repairs. It went in for the test with 3 patches. Gun gum, covered with a sliced open aerosol can (made sure its magnetic first). Exhaust clamps whilst it sets, then tack weld the patch cover. Remove the exhaust clamps.

The patches weren’t temporary and the car got through the test

 

[BenM]

My Spitfire used to blow flange gaskets for a past time, till I fitted an after market Stainless steel manifold and exhaust; Driving with a hole in that particular gasket was interesting, loud and underpowered.

For the record I have no illusions about my distinctly average driving skills in cars or on my bike

B.

 

[snailracer]

As far as I can fathom, there is nothing intrinisically reckless about "modifying" one's car (legal mods, that is).

I think the correlation with risky driving arises with the predominant demographic of those who do: young and male.

 

[Dan B]

I assume there's a correlation which cannot be entirely accounted for by "young and male" or the insurers wouldn't need to know whether a car has been modified in order to calculate premiums - giving them your age and gender would tell them all they need.