Author Topic: Depressed... (Read 2705 times)

ASCSurveyor · « **on:** July 22, 2007, 02:34:30 PM »

So I'm depressed. Every time I look at the bike, I see something else that will need replacing or something that needs fixing that I don't know how I'm going to do it. It was a deal I thought I couldn't pass up. I have all these ideas in my head, but I realize how long it's going to take and how much work will be involved.

As another hobby, I do photography. Nothing fancy. I enjoy throwing some music in my ears, going out somewhere and just shooting. Sometimes it comes back good, sometimes I get nothing. But it's always relaxing to me and I find peace within myself, regardless of what's going on in my life.

So as I sat here, watching another one of my threads with 7 views and no replies (a watched pot never boils, right?

), I grabbed my camera. I walk outside and took the cover of my newly purchased bike. Next to my SV, it looks drastically different. The paint is dull. Exposed metal collects rust and dirt and grime coat every nook and cranny. I start shooting.

Even if it doesn't run yet, it's still a work of art to me. I dream of the day that yellow paint will replace black. A fairing will cover the gauge cluster and the spokes will reflect the sunlight onto the ground durring an afternoon ride down to the beach.

Someone assure me I haven't made yet another huge mistake in my life.

333 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 22, 2007, 02:45:21 PM »

Love the pics. I'll look for the other threads to see if I have any words of wisdom.

Who am I kidding?

Glenn Stauffer · « **Reply #2 on:** July 22, 2007, 02:47:58 PM »

Nice photos. If you want to do a whole series and have them featured on the SOHC/4 web site, let me know.

These bikes are never a mistake. My first bike was a '77 550K that looked terrible after spending several years of its life sitting outside in an apartment parking lot. After replacing the blown head gasket, giving it a good going over mechanically, and cleaning it up just a bit, I had many years of fun. My other bikes were better treated and are a lot nicer to look at, but that hasn't made them any more fun to ride than that tattered 550.

cb750frank · « **Reply #3 on:** July 22, 2007, 02:54:46 PM »

Don't feel bad. I bought my 1975 cb750k about 2 and 1/2 months ago. Do to a wife, 2 year old, house and a lot of overtime at work to make ends meet I have not accomplished much. I am also 4 months into a transmission swap in my 1968 camaro. Although the new bike sidetracked that project. I guess that's life. I will have my retirement years to play with all of my toys. Great pictures. Hang in there.

jalfonso · « **Reply #4 on:** July 22, 2007, 03:06:03 PM »

Hey, there's no need to be depressed! First of all these bikes take some time to get back on the road and longer if you want to do it right. I imagine it wouldn't take so long if you had a big pot of money and a huge block of time to dedicate to the bike's resurrection. Unfortunately for me those two items don't come together to often. Patience! If you really want to restore the bike you will do it.

What I do that helps me get my head around my projects is make a list of the things that need to be accomplished and then check them off when you complete one of them. For me it's a visual picture of my progress. The trick is not to get overwhelmed when the list turns out longer than you originally planned. If you list is like mine it most certainly will be longer than you thought!

Plus it will help you prioritize and stay focused on what really needs to be done and what would be nice to get done.

As far as your photography go, I REALLY like the pictures. Nice depth of field and great shadow work. When bike starts working on your patience, just grab the camera and take some pictures of something! Go back to the bike when you're in the right frame (no pun intended!) of mind.

Have fun!

John

jdpas29 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 22, 2007, 03:28:07 PM »

nice photography work there, bro.

buying a CB is never a mistake unless you don't plan on riding one. the joy is in the riding. these bikes are special. my 78 750K has brought me much joy in a short period of time when i really needed it. i'm getting all mushy... sorry.

OldSchool_IsCool · « **Reply #6 on:** July 22, 2007, 03:39:26 PM »

...to repair Japanese motorcycle must have great peace of mind...

John A. has it right, divide and concur, forest and trees, however you want to say it, you can only wrap you mind around one problem at a time. Pick the problem that is the biggest obsticle to your personal peace and tranquility and work it until you are satisfied.

Oh, and consider poetry as a complement to your photography.

ASCSurveyor · « **Reply #7 on:** July 22, 2007, 06:15:34 PM »

Thanks guys, as always.

I'm going to start going over the bike w/ a pad and paper tomorrow, making of list of things that need to be replaced, outright. I have a dinner to go to, but I made desert tonight, so that should free up some time tomorrow night.

Worse part is, I told my brother and sister-in-law about the bike tonight and they flipped. Gave me a lecture on how I can't afford to do something like this. I then asked if storing the bike in their shed over the winter was going to be a problem... yeah... it was. It's like I'm some teenager buying bike, only I'm 27.

Kind of frustrating when your own brother won't support your interests.

my78k · « **Reply #8 on:** July 22, 2007, 06:50:44 PM »

Well...there are brothers and then there are brothers...when the biological ones don't step up you turn to like minded buddies...like us on here.

You're not experiencing anything that we all haven't felt at one point.

I just found out that I am getting my 78 750K back after a few months hiatus. I inherited it from a buddy and I kinda hit the wall on the project and talked about selling or parting out...well he said it was an emotional thing and didn't want to see it go so I sold it back to him for the money I had invested in parts (although we never really did exchange cash). Well due to an impending divorce he wants out of it again...to tell you the truth I am actually quite happy! Not about the divorce but about getting the bike back and getting my hands dirty again with it! The other part that changed is I bought a cbr600 as a daily rider so when I start to get frustrated (wich I am sure I will!) I can hop on and ride....

Now as for the storage...I'd offer up some garage space but I'm a bit far north for ya up here in Toronto!

Dennis

Somemonkey · « **Reply #9 on:** July 22, 2007, 06:57:06 PM »

Dude, I think we've all been in the same boat at one time or another. I got my bike for $300 and had it running in a couple days. When I went to bed at night all I could think of was how I'd be riding all over the place just as soon as I replaced _______(fill in the blank)

Well, it seemed like every day I was finding something else that needed to be replaced and I started to think I would never get that bike on the road without spending a small fortune. The bike in question still isn't on the road for more than a couple hours at a time but I've finally come to the realization that unless I get another job, it's going to take lots time and patience before she's 100%.

Like you I've tried to distract myself with something that I like doing. Instead of photography, I've chosen to write about my experiences. Though my poor writing skills aren't as good as your photography, my blog is something that helps me get through the days I'm not riding.

Keep the faith! Your bike will come together before you know it and you'll be glad you started the project.

Gordon · « **Reply #10 on:** July 22, 2007, 06:59:57 PM »

One thing to keep in mind: Once you have the bike back on the road again, never tally up all the money you've spent on it. You'll get depressed again immediately!

Just ride it and enjoy it!

BobbyR · « **Reply #11 on:** July 22, 2007, 07:25:16 PM »

I have been where you are a few times. This winter I upgraded everything I let go in my first two "refreshes" and was to spend the season not wrenching - just riding. Well the fork seals let go, master cylinder let go, rebuilt carbs leaked. So all my trips so far have been short shake downs to see what else would crap out. I took her out for a good long run today out on the open road, she purred like a kitten and I almost hit a ton. I ran out of balls, the bike had plenty left. Somehow all that resentment melted away today. Hang tough brother, it will be worth it.

OldSchool_IsCool · « **Reply #12 on:** July 22, 2007, 07:42:45 PM »

If a garage doesn't turn up for you, get a cover for a large gas grill. The felt-lined waterproof type. That's how I stored 'Ol Yeller it's first fall and winter until I could clear out garage space. Just be sure you don't put the cover on a wet or hot bike. Wait until she is cool and dry.

jtb · « **Reply #13 on:** July 22, 2007, 07:58:30 PM »

Quote from: Gordon on July 22, 2007, 06:59:57 PM

One thing to keep in mind: Once you have the bike back on the road again, never tally up all the money you've spent on it. You'll get depressed again immediately!

Just ride it and enjoy it!

Don't keep a running total in your head, either. Above all, don't let your wife know what the tally is up to. (She probably knows anyway)

If I can remember the way it was put to me a couple of years ago, it was something like "I'm sure glad you only spent $455.00 for that bike, BECAUSE YOU'VE SPENT 2500.00 more."

Great work with the camera.

turtle · « **Reply #14 on:** July 22, 2007, 08:07:52 PM »

Great photos. We have one of these too. It will be some time before it gets the full treatment but in the meantime it is running well and we are having fun.
Don't count the costs - after all, how much does it cost for golf clubs and membership (or a boat and fishing gear)?
Isn't this what you work for and what makes life worth living?

Gordon · « **Reply #15 on:** July 22, 2007, 10:21:25 PM »

Quote from: jtb on July 22, 2007, 07:58:30 PM

Don't keep a running total in your head, either. Above all, don't let your wife know what the tally is up to. (She probably knows anyway)
If I can remember the way it was put to me a couple of years ago, it was something like "I'm sure glad you only spent $455.00 for that bike, BECAUSE YOU'VE SPENT 2500.00 more."

Just tell her you know some guys who spend that much in one night at the topless bar!

Skonnie Boy · « **Reply #16 on:** July 23, 2007, 12:30:16 AM »

In the 5 months I've had my K3, its been running for exactly 1.5 months. The man I bought the bike from bought it only a month previous from a reputable dealership in town. Within 2 weeks, the ignition coils fried, the carbs became filled with sediment and I began my lifelong fight with fuel tank rust. Short of going through all the wiring, I've had to learn virtually everything about my bike, and how to fix it myself. Most recently, I rebuilt the carbs and discovered that after 5 minutes of running, the bike had deposited a dollar bill-sized stain of oil on the ground from the clutch case. That's another 10 day's wait for a new gasket. But the few weekends I had of riding through the hill country, hell, even riding to work, made me not even question why I'm putting myself through all this.

Your pics make me think you already know why you're doing this. Nice lens work.

ASCSurveyor · « **Reply #17 on:** July 23, 2007, 03:55:39 AM »

I'm single, so I don't have to worry about the Mrs. getting on me about spending money.

I have a cover for the bike. It was originally for the SV, but since that never stops moving, I'm using it to cover the CB.

Told the folks last night. They were more understanding than my brother, but still didn't really give me any vote of confidence. $:-\$ All it really does it motivate me more at this point.

Also, got my check in the mail for mileage at work. $40! So the spending begins...

burmashave · « **Reply #18 on:** July 23, 2007, 11:03:25 AM »

Every word above is true. I decided to restore a bike because I knew that a car would give me ever so much more anxiety about the number of jobs to be done. These Hondas are actually quite manageable, all things considered.

I bogged hard at one point, but what helped me was to prioritize everything that would get the bike on the road first. Truth be told, I continued to work on cosmetic stuff after I decided this, but the only thing I was concerned about was the mechanicals.

masonryman · « **Reply #19 on:** July 23, 2007, 02:25:48 PM »

I took this bike apart 4 years ago, it sat for 2 and I have being walking around it for 2, someday it will shine. But now the sun is out and it is a beautiful evening and I am going for a ride.... just don't tell the 550.

http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=17317.msg250339#msg250339

Be back later

Mark

marcshep · « **Reply #20 on:** July 23, 2007, 04:37:41 PM »

I have a '77 cb750f that i got for a song and a dance but has been a labor of love since. (and a large portion of my paychecks)
Just keep working on it and it will be in your heart for a long time to come.

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Author Topic: Depressed... (Read 2705 times)

masonryman

marcshep