Security

[moggiethouable]

I noted an article on the BBC website today on keyless entry and how modern vehicles are being targeted by savvy kids with lap tops.
I also noticed recently a new JLR 4x4 fitted with a thatcham approved disklock, on top of all the modern security, sensible fellow.
It occurred to me a reminder of Morris Minor security would be pertinent, regardless of the fact we use keys.
Disklocks are around a hundred pounds, are an absolute swine to remove without a key and slow down tea leaves attempts dramatically, for a standard steering wheel the large size is required.
The beauty of a disclock is they are bright yellow, spotted a mile away and a preventer therefore.
Etching kits are 25 quid, by etching front and rear screens and windows with the car number plate you put off cloners, who would have to replace all the windows.
A battery "discarnect" under the bonnet when removed, removes all electric power, pocket sized and easy to reattach they are very useful, or fit a switch internally that cannot be found, or why not fit both?
Trackers the jury are out on, for a tracker to be useful your car has already been nicked, my feeling is prevention is better than cure.
I have all of these fitted except the tracker, when it comes to my pride and joy, I take no risks and no prisoners.
I hope this is of some use.

[les]

Here’s another thing to add to your collection !

IMG_3475.jpeg (1.56 MiB) Viewed 44899 times

[simmitc]

And the gearstick - handbrake locks. Again, bright yellow and much better than nothing. There are locks for quartlights. For sliding windows on a Traveller, use the display case locks found oin sliding panels in shops such as jewellers.

[svenedin]

I've always thought that if they really want it they'll just pick the car up onto a low loader and it will never be seen again. It's not really a car that a joyrider is going to pinch. It isn't going to go anywhere very fast if they even know how to start it. The choke seems to be a total mystery to anybody under about 50.

Stephen

[les]

We all try to cover all bases but you’re right, towing away or low loader, what can you do. I had a car where the handbrake cables were cut and towed from a car park. This was in the 70s. I got it back minus many parts, I’m still looking for the low life.

[geoberni]

All this Keyless, Proximity Key stuff is yet another example of Designers showing off and not thinking of wider consequences of their new gadget.

Who really needs a car that unlocks itself as you walk up to it?
Along with the issue of extra bright lighting, making many modern cars light up more at the front than a European Trucker does.
Then we have the constant winking of 'corner lighting' aka Winking Fog Lights.
The cars you see with moving light bars for indicators, travelling from side to side... they're only legal because one of them is flashing On/Off as specified in the Regs at not less than 60 nor more than 120 flashes per minute. The other 30 or so LEDs, which give the chasing display, are not actually recognised as the indicator!

It's time governments put a stop to all this bending of the Regulations to suit their inflated designer egos.

[moggiethouable]

Here’s another thing to add to your collection !
IMG_3475.jpeg

Yes I like that, at first I thought it was a bear trap, you know, a thing with teeth that slams shut around their ankles, now theres a thought..........
I'm getting carried away now.
I am not sure any of our minors are going to be stolen with forklifts and low loaders, that's for Ferraris stolen to order, but there are idiots out there that will pinch anything just for the hell of it.
A reminder to people is what I intended, we get relaxed about scroats, sadly as fast as we bang em up, another comes along behind him.
I have always felt 2oz of prevention is worth a cwt of cure.
Anyway, happy motoring and lets hope this winter weather passes over quickly and we can get on with moggying.

[les]

Not sure I like the comparison and graphic detail

[simmitc]

lets hope this winter weather passes over quickly and we can get on with moggying.

Who stops for winter? one of the beauties of the Minor is that it can sit outside under a foot of snow and still start furst touch of the key. Heated screens were made for frost.

[svenedin]

I just had a look at Disklok on the manufacturer's website. It seems the large size is no longer sold.

Stephen

[les]

Well my Minor is up on axle stands until spring, I’ve got a much more comfortable car for winter use. Use the Minor all year by all means but not me nowadays.

[svenedin]

Well my Minor is up on axle stands until spring, I’ve got a much more comfortable car for winter use. Use the Minor all year by all means but not me nowadays.

I do use my Minor all year but I no longer like driving it at night. I find the "eco" LED street lights very dim (if they are even switched on), oncoming headlights blinding (due to the brightness but also the height of the cars these days with so many being SUVs) and really I think I could do with a new windscreen as thousands of tiny scratches tend to scatter the light. Sometimes it's a wonder I get home at all! I had a horrible experience recently on some very narrow, pitch black, country lanes. I didn't know the roads at all, they were bendy, hilly and every so often an SUV would speed at me with lights that would light up a football stadium. I was left blinded hoping I wouldn't drive into a tree so I had to drive very slowly. Bends and hills are difficult with the dip switch on the floor and the pressing need to change gear at the same time. It actually scared me a bit and I have been reluctant to take the Minor out at night since. I had been out for a very nice dinner but the drive back rather spoiled the whole experience! It didn't help that the GPS took me via a ridiculous route and I was worrying that I would run out of petrol......

Stephen

[Chief]

I noted an article on the BBC website today on keyless entry and how modern vehicles are being targeted by savvy kids with lap tops.

I saw the headline for that (or I presume it was the one you're referring to) about the systems being sold for £20k online. I didn't read the article but my initial thought was, considering I've seen online videos about such devices and they retail for as little as £10, the markup seems a bit steep.

one of the beauties of the Minor is that it can sit outside under a foot of snow

looking like a giant Christmas pudding.

Oh and just to point out, Mr Bean would carry his steering wheel round with him to stop theft, and that is something we can also do

[moggiethouable]

I just had a look at Disklok on the manufacturer's website. It seems the large size is no longer sold.

Stephen

It is Stephen, though I must admit at that price I would probably buy one of the cheaper bar style varieties, which probably works well too.
I had no idea they had gone up that much in price, you need that Halfords club discount.
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-s ... ing-locks/

[geoberni]

It is Stephen, though I must admit at that price I would probably buy one of the cheaper bar style varieties, which probably works well too.
I had no idea they had gone up that much in price, you need that Halfords club discount.
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-s ... ing-locks/

Halfords could well be disposing of old stock which they are holding.
Halfords are also not offering the standard Yellow one, hence the higher price.
As Stephen says, the manufacturer's shop no longer lists the Large option on any model. https://disklokuk.co.uk/product-category/disklok/

[panky]

I got my disklocs second hand on eBay a few years back. They are a very good deterrent but I've got to say they are awkward to fit and remove in a Minor with the door shut, plenty of chipped paint on the door top to show for it.

[geoberni]

I got my disklocs second hand on eBay a few years back. They are a very good deterrent but I've got to say they are awkward to fit and remove in a Minor with the door shut, plenty of chipped paint on the door top to show for it.

I doubt I'd even get it on in my Splittie, I can't even raise my fingers to acknowledge another driver without hitting the screen

I do have a simple bar/baton type that I fit regularly, even when he's in the garage.
I brought a wheel clamp when I got the car, haven't used it because I need to modify it to be secure on the narrow Minor wheels....

[svenedin]

I'm sure the Disklok is very good but the bulk and faff of fitting it would really put me off. I know what I'm like and if it's difficult or awkward I just won't use it when I should. Perhaps I will look for something a bit simpler. I do have a bar type steering lock somewhere but I'm not sure it will fit the Morris.

Stephen

[moggiethouable]

Halfords could well be disposing of old stock which they are holding.
Halfords are also not offering the standard Yellow one, hence the higher price.
As Stephen says, the manufacturer's shop no longer lists the Large option on any model. https://disklokuk.co.uk/product-category/disklok/
[/quote]
I thought I would take a look and what I found is quite positive.
The three sizes that were have been melded in to just two.
The medium now goes up to the large size dia. of 44cm.
Given my standard steering wheel is 41cm ish, the medium will do the job.
The additional 30mm being taken up by the rear overlapping plate, so it doesn't fall off of course.
https://disklokuk.co.uk/product/disklok-gold-edition/
When I bought mine there were 3 sizes available, a long time ago.
Anyway, they are available from the manufacturers.
Getting back then to the original point, I think they are a highly visible deterrent to theft, fiddly and cumbersome yes, until you get used to them, but who cares if it guards my pride and joy.

[svenedin]

In that case I'll have another look.

I must admit I am more worried about vandalism than theft. Keying the paint, slashing the canvas roof or worse. My convertible is incredibly insecure. I never leave anything in the car.

I am intending to do some electrical work soon, fitting a USB socket, so at the same time I may well fit a hidden switch that interrupts power to the coil.

Stephen