Any question answered...

Yes. The Sunday market by a day.

Of course. You've got my number haven't you?

Just checked, yep- I have got it, I'll give you a call tomorrow, thanks Andy.

Also- thanks for the offer James, you're a bit further away from me than Andy!

My sound system has started to make a whistling noise when it is turned on, gradually getting louder until it makes a big pop. After that the sound is find.

My question - Is it likely that it's a duff capacitor or two?

Headset press?

what is the lowest stack 1 1/8th headset I can get ?

the crank bros ones are pretty low and discounted at the mo as well.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=24980

what is the lowest stack 1 1/8th headset I can get ?

17.93mm, but it involves buying two expensive* headsets:
https://www.lfgss.com/thread39454.html#post1266677

*Obviously not very expensive if you get the Cane Creek at a huge discount as above.

Ok I think I may be better off purchasing some forks with a longer steerer rather the ones that I've found that are on the short side...

do I have to run sram cables with a sram force groupset or will regular (cheaper) cables work

Shimano and SRAM cable is the same, Campag has a slightly different specification.

You can use what you want, although nice cables, and in particular good outer does make a difference to shifting quality and brake feel.

Make sure that you cut the housing ends cleanly at 90 degrees and debur the end- if this is done badly it introduces a lot of slop into the system.

Finally, with SRAM you really do need a long loop of cable going into the rear mech- don't be tempted to stint there as it really does have an impact.

thank you

What happens with unclaimed paypal accounts? if the person makes an account in that email can they claim it?

Bought something off ebay from what I suspect is an older gent and don't want to confuse him. I thought you had to have a paypal account to use ebay anyway?

Don't get your second sentence, but in my experience, no PayPal, no ebay.

maybe he was grandfathered in

do I have to run sram cables with a sram force groupset or will regular (cheaper) cables work

You can use what you want, although nice cables, and in particular good outer does make a difference to shifting quality and brake feel.

Also be aware that inners with a plastic outer coat will be an absolute sod to thread into the shifters. But it sounds like you aren't going to have that problem as only posh inners get to have their own plastic jacket :)

can you have threads cut into an alu steerer ? (pretty sure you can, just want to be sure)

Two immediate problems spring to mind; the thread roots are a stress riser, which is a bigger problem in aluminium with its short fatigue life, and the fine threads might shear, or at least wear fast, when the large diameter headset locknut is tightened against the upper cup. The combination of large diameter with small thread pitch gives a very small thread helix angle, which means a high thread shearing load for a given tightening torque.

tl;dr
I wouldn't. I think forks from the olden days had steel steerers for a reason.

Thanks Tester, helpful as ever.

Next questions.

1. Can you cut threads into a titanium steerer? (forgive my poor knowledge of metals and their properties.)

2. Does anyone have some nice carbon forks, preferably straight blades, with a 1" threaded steerer that is 22cm (or longer) in length... That I can afford.

Being greedy with the questions now...

Anyone got experience of sending bikes or wheels from Germany to UK? Need to find out the most cost effective carrier.

Cheers

somewhere to get knives re sharpened in London?

Just buy a sharpening Steel?

Thanks Tester, helpful as ever.

Next questions.

1. Can you cut threads into a titanium steerer? (forgive my poor knowledge of metals and their properties.)

2. Does anyone have some nice carbon forks, preferably straight blades, with a 1" threaded steerer that is 22cm (or longer) in length... That I can afford.

I have some kenisis K2's you can have for next to nothing. Not straight blade, but hey. 23cm-ish steerer. I'm after some steel forks I can fit fatter tires into...

somewhere to get knives re sharpened in London?

One of these works fine for me, no skill required.
http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=60002&cat=1,51222

1. Can you cut threads into a titanium steerer?
   

That would be a terrible idea. Not that there are many Ti steerers out there, but the combined cost of cutting the thread (normal tools won't do) and the value destruction of doing so would cover the cost of a new carbon fork with steel steerer.

need to get knives sharpened again, i have a steel to re hone the blades

Paypal

Just tried to pay for an Ebay win and PP say my account has been randomly selected for new security vetting.

Until I validate my account (phone number, photo ID ffs) it has been limited and I can't make payments or close my account.

V. hacked-off as someone has just been in touch on Retrobike saying my payment (for goods they've already sent) has been cancelled pending reversal.

A quick google suggests PP can do this for pretty much any reason and there are no shortcuts: anyone been through the process or have any advice.

not much you can do. you can however pay for stuff through paypal without having to log into your account. do that till paypal finish fannying about