Topic: Shop longing...

[Shenanigans]

My 550 was built between my neighbors house and my fence. He was a life long hot rodder, (33 coupe, 69 Chevelle with an LS6) who retired a while ago. He usually works on and flips old corollas but that winter it was slow so my 550 found a spot. He had everything I needed to work on the bike, blasting cabinet, grinders, vices and welders all shaded from the sun. The bike was finished and put on the road and some more corollas moved in.

That was alright, the bike was together and anything else I needed I could do in my drive way with the tools I did have. It limited my options to what progress I could make but it was still on the road. For anything else I needed done I had another friend, who I turned onto 750's, that had a garage that I could borrow from time to time. But now since "times are slow" his garage is filled up with industrial washers that he works on for a living. If I bribe him and move some of the stuff around I could maybe use it long enough to get a top end job done, if I hurried.

There is barley a place to park a bike at my apartments, my parents house is way too far away. So all I have is a backpack full of tools and a brand new tool box sitting in storage that has never been used. I cant let the bike sit like this, she has treated me far too well and deserves better. I want to make progress. Right now she sits, coincidentally, in the same place the day I brought her home for the first time. When I did not know where to put it.

So for everyone who has an established working place for your bikes, where did you start?

[Inkscars]

In the past, I paid the extra 8 dollars a month at a storage unit to have access anytime of the day or night.
It cost me, 26 dollars to rent a space big enough for a tool box, wash cabinet, and a blast cabinet. The less you come in or out, the less suspicious.
Followed a friend in there on a bike, a few hours later, came out in a car. The most important part is to make sure you never leave the bike HOT or running inside the storage unit, unplug everything before you leave, and bring cardboard boxes in to layer to floor to keep from making a mess on the floor.
one of the key things was to run recon on the local storage places to find one that is either, run by young people, or innattentive people.
You usually have to pay for a month up front, but if you wanted to keep it as a shop, you can usually get a discount for 3 months, 6 months or a year. They have power and lights already in the units most the time.

Happy hunting! this is the best way I could work on my stuff, when i lived in apartments, other then just riding bikes up the stair wells.

[Duke McDukiedook]

My garage that my bike shares with the Del Sol, I have to move one out to work on the other (one car garage).
But, it has a roof over it and room for my tools so I can't complain.

[MacM2010]

I've seen motorcycle covers that work kind of like tents...  Here's a link to one, but they're pricey. 

http://www.cycleshell.com/

Of course, that only helps you with parking.  Work, on the other hand, is tricky (though Arizona has more sunshine than a lot of places). 

I put up a thread about a similar situation, which was luckily rectified by moving to a place with a workspace.  But here are other ideas from smarter forum members than me:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=38139.msg395729#msg395729

Anyway, from one renter to another, good luck.

-Mac

[CaféElite]

Any other cool sohc peeps in your area? If so try and hook up with them.

Are you married? Got kids? First floor appartment? If no wife, no kids and your on the first floor you got a ton of options. If your kitchen is big use it. If not then I suggest getting some 2x4's and two sheets of plywood. Make yourself a nice base out of the 2x4's and then nail on the plywood. Painting said plywood is up to you but I thought helped cut out the wood smell. Put a tarp down in your living room or upgrade to a apartment with another bed room and then put down your workshop floor. Done...

[Gordon]

I got my start working on my '71 VW bus in the parking lot at my apartment in Austin, TX.  I had the whole engine out to replace the exhaust and do some other work on it when the manager came over to tell me I can't work on my car in the parking lot.  I told her it was going to be a while.

[mgbgt89]

I used to live in a tiny apartment. It was first floor, but sadly my bike wouldn't fit through the door way. I did rebuild the engine in my eclipse in the living room though. That was a #$%* to get through the door. We carried it in strapped up to a 4x4 post. Not an easy task since i'm only 135 pounds.

I never thought about getting a storage unit. I didn't realize they came with electricity and such.

[Shenanigans]

I always figured I would just front room it for a while but my roommates don't want their dresses to smell like oil...   I like the storage unit idea, but I dont feel like I have enough tools to make proper use of it yet. I always liked the idea of putting 2 cargo containers together and cutting out the middle wall, one seems much too thin. However today I got the news that there might be an open porch!

Anyways what about tools? I have the basic stuff but now I have to focus on either a blasting cabinet and air compressor or a welder. Most likely everything from Harbor Freight.


Actually I have the best solution of all, someone just open up a vintage motorcycle shop in Phoenix and hire me! 

[CaféElite]

Anyways what about tools? I have the basic stuff but now I have to focus on either a blasting cabinet and air compressor or a welder. Most likely everything from Harbor Freight.

Seriously for your living situation I would suggest just finding another SOHC guy close that has this stuff and see if they will let you come over and borrow it for a small fee (12 pack). The air compressor is not a bad idea but to be honest from a tool perspective I almost rely completely on my cordless impact for all my needs. Only thing I really need the air compressor for is blast cabinet (dont use that often), blow things off, and air up tires.