Author Topic: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?  (Read 11492 times)

bpreynolds

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Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« on: March 26, 2015, 08:28:41 AM »
My recently acquired Triumph Tbird is my first sort of mechanical "project" and while not a rebuild is easily the most advanced things I've ever attempted on a bike - I've cleaned and rejetted carbs, modified the airbox, changed cams and such.  It remains a work in progress or the opposite on some days.  I've mostly enjoyed working on my Geese over the years doing mainly basic stuff like oil changes and some other minor trouble shooting here and there.  

After riding these last 10 or 11 years and probably some 90 or 100k miles total, I'm surprised that I haven't become more adept at this stuff, but then I'm not surprised too.  One of the things I wanted to find out with this Triumph (and my relatively new garage) was to see if doing a lot of work on my bikes was going to be something that I really enjoyed like I enjoy cooking or a few other hobbies.  I didn't start off a master chef and it took some years to develop but it seems like I had at least a modest natural inkling with it and more time in the kitchen only inspired me to spend more time there and be more daring do.  So far, I'm disappointed to say that wrenching has not yet proven this same way for me.  

I do think some people have a natural tendency with this certain stuff.  I have worked with my father-in-law on many home projects.  He used to tear his own houses apart just to rebuild them.  I struggle to even keep pace with his mind when working alongside him.  It is obvious it is something he both enjoys and has a kind of gift for in a way.  I'm beginning to believe wrenching is just not gonna be this kinda thing for me.  

I've learned a great deal and I've enjoyed that aspect of it, and as I stated, I do enjoy doing basic maintenance and that sort of thing, but it remains to be seen if this is something I would really choose to do per se in leisure time and such.  It got me to wondering where others are on this topic?
« Last Edit: March 26, 2015, 08:55:30 AM by bpreynolds »

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Re: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« Reply #1 on: March 26, 2015, 09:04:18 AM »
I hate to admit it......but my mechanic aptitude seems to be fading. Simple jobs now seem to always involve self induced complications. This has me not wanting to do anything other than oil changes and take the bike to the dealer for the rest. Hard to believe I was a helicopter/aircraft mechanic at one time.  :o
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Offline Wayne Orwig

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Re: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« Reply #2 on: March 26, 2015, 09:07:05 AM »
You missed a line in the poll.
One for "I would rather ride, but I don't mind doing all of my own work".
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bpreynolds

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Re: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« Reply #3 on: March 26, 2015, 09:17:19 AM »
You missed a line in the poll.
One for "I would rather ride, but I don't mind doing all of my own work".


 :) That's true, Wayne.  I just assumed we all would rather be riding but I guess there are a few guys out there who in fact would rather be wrenching. 

Offline Chuck in Indiana

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Re: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« Reply #4 on: March 26, 2015, 09:30:59 AM »
I enjoy working on *my* stuff, learning new things, etc. There have been times this last six months or so that it has been positively therapeutic. Working on other people's stuff? Not so much, unless it's Joe's.  ;D
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Offline Rich A

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Re: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« Reply #5 on: March 26, 2015, 09:40:54 AM »
There are few greater pleasures than chuffling down the road on a beautiful day and thinking, "I built this engine."

Rich A

Offline Vince in Milwaukee

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Re: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« Reply #6 on: March 26, 2015, 09:55:47 AM »
I like to keep things as simple as possible when I'm out in the garage.  I have the tools, know how, and patience for basic maintenance.  Anything beyond that, I like to farm out.  It's frustrating to be in the middle of something and realize: hey, i don't have that special part or this job would be a heck of a lot easier if I had such and such a tool.  Also, while I'm still able to crawl around on the garage floor and do things, it's not an ideal situation.  And no, I don't want to buy a lift as I don't do (or want to do) enough work to warrant one.  Getting someone else to do the work who I know and trust is just piece of mind for me. 
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Offline TBShorty

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Re: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« Reply #7 on: March 26, 2015, 10:13:01 AM »
Okay, I'm weird.  I enjoy wrenching as much and some times even more.  I've done restoration and modifying cars most of my life.  10 yrs. ago I bought a basket case Velocette probably good only for parts they said.  That's a challenge for me.  The Velo is now a rolling runner.  My Thunderbird Sport needed lots of TLC when I bought it 5 yrs. ago.  After a year of work and some expense it became my reliable daily rider.  My son dropped a 76 Bonneville in boxes in my garage 2 yrs. ago.  We are building a Tracker style out of it and it will be running down the road this year.  My garage is an absolutely theraputic place for me.  I'm pleased and proud when I finish a project.  At the same time I feel a  bit of a loss and start looking for the next one soon after.  Weird huh?

Offline Chuck in Indiana

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Re: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« Reply #8 on: March 26, 2015, 10:47:46 AM »
Quote
Weird huh?
Not really. I *need* a project, enjoy working on it, and start looking for another when it's "done." <shrug>
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Offline rboe

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Re: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« Reply #9 on: March 26, 2015, 10:58:42 AM »
I enjoy it to a degree. When it came to my star gazing hobby I found I enjoyed building chairs, cases for scopes and such more fun than actually using them. On the bike, I prefer riding to wrenching. Being cheap, I wrench until the project is way over my head (if a project is just a bit over my head I'll tackle it because it's a great opportunity to expand the horizons). At some point I suppose I'll lack the strength to properly torque or untorque a fastener; by then I'lll be riding a scooter......

Guess I'm a wee bit old school, part of riding a motorcycle was keeping it up. The way they build bikes today, changing oil may be as complicated as it gets for an owner. This is not a bad thing.
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Offline Rotten Ralph

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Re: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« Reply #10 on: March 26, 2015, 12:16:43 PM »
I hate to admit it......but my mechanic aptitude seems to be fading. Simple jobs now seem to always involve self induced complications. This has me not wanting to do anything other than oil changes and take the bike to the dealer for the rest. Hard to believe I was a helicopter/aircraft mechanic at one time.  :o

Sounds like a condition that I also suffer from.
My side car outfit quit a few times on me while riding but then started right up. An internet search found that the 40 A circuit breaker was usually replaced with a 50 A to correct this.
Simple job - $5.00 part. When finished, I had no starter, speedo light, or turn signals. Went back over everything I did, put the old 40 A back and......same symptoms.
Finally, after the third going over I found a ground wire that had fallen behind the wiring harness when I cleaned up the ground connection.
Saved myself towing, mucho embarrassment, and more that a few dollars! :-[ :-[

Simple job! ::) ::)
 
« Last Edit: March 26, 2015, 01:53:43 PM by Rotten Ralph »
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Re: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« Reply #11 on: March 26, 2015, 12:39:29 PM »
I have enjoyed winter projects the last couple winters. Gives me something to do instead of sitting ont he couch and watching TV. I also like to help out younger riders who don't have the knoweledge or ability to work on their stuff. Just last Saturday a young lady dropped off her Ninja 250 that quit on her last fall. She asked if I culd get it back up and running. What was really a simple carb cleaning turned into:

Clean the carb and shim the needles
New coolant
New spark plugs and wires
Clean the gas tank and petcock
Adjust the valves (boy do Guzzi's spoil you)
Clean up a wiring mess from decades past
New tires
Shim the cush drive
Fabricate a new license plate bracket
New brake pads
Bleed the brakes
Lubing and adjusting all the cables
Clean, lube adjust the chain
Check wheel bearings
Oil and filter change
Clean the air filter

Once I got started I couldn't stop. I have about 12 hours of work in it, better than a case of beer invested.

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Re: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« Reply #12 on: March 26, 2015, 12:46:31 PM »
Not really. I *need* a project, enjoy working on it, and start looking for another when it's "done." <shrug>

 ;-T. I have ongoing running/riding projects, my current winter project and the next project waiting int he shed. Don't wanna get caught without a project.
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Re: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« Reply #13 on: March 26, 2015, 01:13:19 PM »
My first Guzzi I had less money, more time, controlled workspaces, and a much younger body. I tore it all apart and put it back together.

This time around I have more money, less time, no workspace, and a much older body. I change oil, batteries, and adjust valves. Minor tweaks such as a windshield, sure, no problem. But if it's any deeper in than the upper end, it's off to the shop.
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Offline mtiberio

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Re: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« Reply #14 on: March 26, 2015, 01:19:06 PM »
you left off: used to love it, but as I get older, it has become less fun...
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Offline Arizona Wayne

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Re: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« Reply #15 on: March 26, 2015, 02:02:54 PM »
Bought my 1st bike, a 2 smoke Yamaha in `62 with little $ to pay someone to maintain it for me, so that's why I bought it(simple design) and began my mechanical OJT life.   Years later I had a real mechanical job(appliances, heating, cooling) and all those added up to maintaining my more complicated bikes to a point.    7 years ago got a MC lift to make working on MC/scooters a heck of a lot easier as my body isn't as flexible as it used to be now.  But now I have to be in the mood to work on my rigs(7).  ::)  Having more than 1 allows me to put off projects 'till I can't any more if I want to ride X rig for A trip.  Paying someone $80/hr. for something I can do @ home just doesn't make sense to me.  Being retired time is not a factor.

Offline rodekyll

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Re: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« Reply #16 on: March 26, 2015, 02:24:28 PM »
Who is this Monica Belluci?

Offline JoeB

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Re: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« Reply #17 on: March 26, 2015, 02:31:35 PM »
Only if everything is going as planned.
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Offline GearheadGrrrl

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Re: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« Reply #18 on: March 26, 2015, 03:31:59 PM »
I do enough repairs to get by, but I met some airheads in Florida who live to wrench... Bring a bike in need of total rebuild and they get excited, consider it a challenge. This applies to just about anything with wheels- They'll put aside wrenching on their airheads to fix a friend's car or whatever! Yet they don't put on a lot of miles riding, maybe a couple trips to rallies a year... They're more into wrenching' than ridin"!
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Re: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« Reply #19 on: March 26, 2015, 03:42:22 PM »
Who is this Monica Belluci?
.  
And she's 50!
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« Last Edit: March 26, 2015, 04:54:43 PM by Matteo Manfredi »
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Offline AJ Huff

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Re: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« Reply #20 on: March 26, 2015, 03:47:01 PM »
I am awesome at breaking things and dismantling, sometimes (often?) breaking while dismantling. I'd rather not wrench at all. Too frustrating and leads to depression. I can change my oil though.

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« Last Edit: March 26, 2015, 09:46:56 PM by AJ Huff »
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Re: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« Reply #21 on: March 26, 2015, 04:54:34 PM »
There are few greater pleasures than chuffling down the road on a beautiful day and thinking, "I built this engine."

Rich A

 :+1


Offline Chuck in Indiana

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Re: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« Reply #22 on: March 26, 2015, 05:03:17 PM »
There are few greater pleasures than chuffling down the road on a beautiful day and thinking, "I built this engine."

Rich A
Yep, Or flying along, looking out at the wing, and thinking, "I built this entire machine.."  ;D It still amazes me occasionally that we can build a machine that flies.  :o  ;-T
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Offline rodekyll

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Re: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« Reply #23 on: March 26, 2015, 05:24:43 PM »
I do get satisfaction out of folks' expressions when I tell them every nut, bolt, and surface on the bike has only MY fingerprints.

Offline Guzzistajohn

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Re: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« Reply #24 on: March 26, 2015, 05:33:05 PM »
I'll do oil and tire changes, anything more involved than that I take to someone else. I have an old guy I call Dr. DelOrto thats been nice to have around over the years, he tunes for beer. The last time I had a bike @ Harpers it was because of something I f@#$%d up. That's when I decided my time was better spent doing my job or having fun riding.
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oldbike54

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Re: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« Reply #25 on: March 26, 2015, 05:41:03 PM »
Yep, Or flying along, looking out at the wing, and thinking, "I built this entire machine.."  ;D It still amazes me occasionally that we can build a machine that flies.  :o  ;-T

 Occasionally flies , or flies occasionally  ???

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Offline Warren Rhen

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Re: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« Reply #26 on: March 26, 2015, 05:59:30 PM »
You missed a line in the poll.
One for "I would rather ride, but I don't mind doing all of my own work".

What he said
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Offline jbell

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Re: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« Reply #27 on: March 26, 2015, 08:10:15 PM »
Not really. I *need* a project, enjoy working on it, and start looking for another when it's "done." <shrug>

 :+1

I enjoy wrenching when it is going right, not so much when corrosion has the upper hand.  Absolutely love it when I have to come up with a makeshift tool and it works. 
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Offline segesta

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Re: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« Reply #28 on: March 26, 2015, 08:19:57 PM »
I am the classic "there's a bolt left over when I put it back together" guy. I own two modern bikes (Ducati and Guzzi) and with their technology and expensive parts I am happy to write a painfully large check to a professional mechanic vs a painfully much larger check to the same guy when I screw something up.

For those of you with the interest and aptitude to do serious mechanical work on your bikes: ti saluto.

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« Last Edit: March 26, 2015, 08:22:13 PM by segesta »
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Offline toma nova

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Re: Poll. Is Wrenching Zen for You?
« Reply #29 on: March 26, 2015, 08:25:21 PM »
Uncle Sam trained me as an aircraft mechanic and I've been breaking my vehicles ever since.

I love wrenching, challenging myself with new things, researching tasks online, etc.  The only time a car goes to the dealer is for warranty and to the local tire shop for new tires (after I've researched and bought them from Tire Rack).  My bikes have never been in a shop (never anything serious enough to need that) - wheels get dismounted and carried in for new tires.

I have the money and garage space for a project, but the time seems to get away from me.  Maybe I need to get a project then just prioritize the time for it.

Before my first Guzzi (1200 Sport), I almost bought a TBS - now may be a good time to start looking for one again as said project.

Oh, and if Monica Belluci beckoned, the tools would hit the floor quickly!

Tom
« Last Edit: March 26, 2015, 08:26:37 PM by toma nova »
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