Topic: Running out of desire to finish project

[nevernoluck]

Well guys I'm running out of the want to finish my beloved old 650, how do I get past it? I really want to ride but this project has taken since January to get about 80% there due to lack of funds.

[calj737]

Compare the work and money required to finish it versus buying a new bike. 6 months is pretty quick depending upon where you started from. Lots of builds on here that are years in length.

[Vicman]

I hear ya, funds are tough to scratch up. My 71 is all spit shined and ready to run but I need to buy tires and tank sealer to get it finished but that $450 or so is holding me back. Fortunately I have two others I can ride right now.

[Bailgang]

Well guys I'm running out of the want to finish my beloved old 650, how do I get past it? I really want to ride but this project has taken since January to get about 80% there due to lack of funds.

When my 550 was 80% complete that's when I REALLY wanted to finish it up because by that time it was starting to look like a bike again and I was seeing a result to all my work. However I'm not in your shoes and I know how financial priorities can take the wind out of your sails. What you could do is decide what your bike actually needs to get it on the road compared to what you want and see if your budget will allow you to get the things the bike needs so you can get it back on the road and save your "want/wish" list for later as funds become available. The 750 I have now isn't finished to my liking either (lack of funds here too) but it is safe to ride so I'll continue to ride it and get the things I want as the funds allow.

[nevernoluck]

Well guys the thing is I don't have to buy anything else, it took me those months to acquire everything now all I need is to finish it but let me tell you all I have left to do.

Oil pan gasket, 3,000 mile tuneup cause I just regasket the top end cause it was leaking on me too much so I gotta run the valves anyhow, filter change, shift shaft seal, steering head bearings, paint a few emblems, install engine put tank and front fender on, hope like heck it starts cause it ran when parked last winter.

[Stev-o]

Just do it!

[calj737]

Well guys the thing is I don't have to buy anything else, it took me those months to acquire everything now all I need is to finish it but let me tell you all I have left to do.

Oil pan gasket, 3,000 mile tuneup cause I just regasket the top end cause it was leaking on me too much so I gotta run the valves anyhow, filter change, shift shaft seal, steering head bearings, paint a few emblems, install engine put tank and front fender on, hope like heck it starts cause it ran when parked last winter.

Time and tune the motor outside if the frame. Then when you install it, it's know good. Much easier to fire and adjust everything with open space. Installation is the second easiest step after tank.

You can wrap this up promptly by planning out the service and motor work. Best part of these engines is simplicity of firing them. Looking forward to your progress!!!!

[nevernoluck]

I have a few pictures from along the way, it'll look totally different than the blue and gunmetal grey it was

[Bankerdanny]

I feel your pain. I wanted to have my 550 project done a year ago. But my limited time and funds have kept me working on my MG and kept the 550 mostly in storage. At this point my goal is to ride it by Fall.

[nevernoluck]

I feel your pain. I wanted to have my 550 project done a year ago. But my limited time and funds have kept me working on my MG and kept the 550 mostly in storage. At this point my goal is to ride it by Fall.

That's what I was thinking, fall

[fmctm1sw]

You've got plenty of company.  My projects always drag on too.  My 750 still isn't done and I started that in 2010.

[Jerilee]

Stick with it. : )

I've had quite a few projects in the last decade or so, and to date I haven't (really) seen any of them through... and I have to tell ya, it's a huge bummer.

Yes, you hit a point, or many points where you get a little sick or looking at a unending project, or funds aren't coming together soon enough, or you hear the bikes riding by on a beautiful day while you're waiting on that part in the mail, etc, etc.

But I've found in retrospect, there wasn't a one of those projects that I couldn't have finished 5 times over by now if I had stuck to it and saved a little while, or been a little more patient with it.

Just remind yourself it will take time to save for the things you need, and to get it all put back together. But you *will* get it back together. You will get to ride it again.

Personally, I paired down to just one, single project, my 750. I sold my others, and I made a pact with myself, I wasn't going to worry about when it would be done, but *how* it would be done, and that it would get done. : )

Best of luck!

[DH]

Don't try to "save the world". If its buggin you, step away for a bit. When you start on it again, just concentrate on one operation at a time. Do those operations very thoroughly so no mistakes are made. Small steps, and learn along the way, and
you'll see the end in sight. Pretty soon, the big picture will take care of itself.
There will be hints of the finished product, and it'll serve as inspiration. When
you see them, the desire for it to be what you intended will return. When you turn the key and hit start, and the engine rumbles to life, it's all worth it. The pic below is
my inspiration. It took the entire winter and half a summer in 2002-03. It started with a broken off spark plug repair, the discovery of Ebay for parts, and the desire to own/ride what I rode as a kid back in the day. Don't forget that you took on the operation because its something you enjoy. It'll reward you if you give it the chance.
Take it ez and enjoy.

[goldarrow]

You'll probably don't want to read my comment.  But here goes. 

I'll buy your camshaft, tachometer and tach drive gear $50 shipped.  Everything else you can put it up on CL or here in the classified section. Then be done with it.  Now grab your plastic card and go to showroom motorcycle dealer, swipe your card and hopefully 3 hours later you can ride it home brand spanking new.  No dirty fingers. 

I hope you get the message. 

 

[trueblue]

Well guys the thing is I don't have to buy anything else, it took me those months to acquire everything now all I need is to finish it but let me tell you all I have left to do.

Oil pan gasket, 3,000 mile tuneup cause I just regasket the top end cause it was leaking on me too much so I gotta run the valves anyhow, filter change, shift shaft seal, steering head bearings, paint a few emblems, install engine put tank and front fender on, hope like heck it starts cause it ran when parked last winter.

Well hook in, that is only about a wekends worth of work.  Two at the most.  Procrastination is like masturbation, you only end up #$%*ing yourself .

My 650 took me about a year to get on the road then another year and a half to finish it, but by the sounds of it you're nearly there.  Stop thinking about it and just do it.

[78 k550]

Well guys I'm running out of the want to finish my beloved old 650, how do I get past it? I really want to ride but this project has taken since January to get about 80% there due to lack of funds.

I have had some projects for years. Don't worry, go get on a friend's bike. That should get you back in the game.
Watch a couple motorcycle movies.

Paul

[dhall57]

Got my GL1000 in April 2013 and just got it on the road a few weeks ago. I have to be in the mood and right frame of mind to spend time tinker on my bikes. My latest project is a 74 CB750 and if I had to guess I would say it might be a year before its on the road. Remember we aren't in a race here and we aren't being timed.

[Stev-o]

You'll probably don't want to read my comment.  But here goes. 

I'll buy your camshaft, tachometer and tach drive gear $50 shipped.  Everything else you can put it up on CL or here in the classified section. Then be done with it.  Now grab your plastic card and go to showroom motorcycle dealer, swipe your card and hopefully 3 hours later you can ride it home brand spanking new.  No dirty fingers. 

I hope you get the message. 

 

The hard love approach, eh Gold Dude?

[rickman750]

When you start on it again, just concentrate on one operation at a time. ... Pretty soon, the big picture will take care of itself.

I could not agree more!
Break it down into little and manageable chunks. Don't think too much about the big picture, just concentrate your thoughts and energy on one part at a time.

Good luck!

[goldarrow]

You'll probably don't want to read my comment.  But here goes. 

I'll buy your camshaft, tachometer and tach drive gear $50 shipped.  Everything else you can put it up on CL or here in the classified section. Then be done with it.  Now grab your plastic card and go to showroom motorcycle dealer, swipe your card and hopefully 3 hours later you can ride it home brand spanking new.  No dirty fingers. 

I hope you get the message. 

 

The hard love approach, eh Gold Dude?

Sometimes you gotta be tough mentally

[nevernoluck]

You'll probably don't want to read my comment.  But here goes. 

I'll buy your camshaft, tachometer and tach drive gear $50 shipped.  Everything else you can put it up on CL or here in the classified section. Then be done with it.  Now grab your plastic card and go to showroom motorcycle dealer, swipe your card and hopefully 3 hours later you can ride it home brand spanking new.  No dirty fingers. 

I hope you get the message. 

 

The hard love approach, eh Gold Dude?

Sometimes you gotta be tough mentally

I liked your first comment and then I saw the last one and had to laugh cause it was even better, mentally tough I am not but I took part of your advice as I did get a new to me bike, 04 Honda Shadow Aero 750 with 5900 miles for $2k.

With that being said I have a new approach to revive this bike and many pieces of the posts above gave me the idea, I do want to Thank all that commented.

Here's the plan, I've got until good riding weather next season to get it done, I'm going to do everything I originally planned to the fullest and pass this bike on to my cousin in "want" not need of a bike but he's a very respectable young man that deserves some help. All I'll charge him is cost of parts, gaskets, paint, bearings, etc. He will end up with a $300 runner if not less

[jamesv220820]

Well guys I'm running out of the want to finish my beloved old 650, how do I get past it? I really want to ride but this project has taken since January to get about 80% there due to lack of funds.

hey you are lucky I have been on and off my restore for 5 years!

[Stev-o]

Well guys I'm running out of the want to finish my beloved old 650, how do I get past it? I really want to ride but this project has taken since January to get about 80% there due to lack of funds.

hey you are lucky I have been on and off my restore for 5 years!

Nothing to be proud of.  You lost desire too?

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

"Here's the plan, I've got until good riding weather next season to get it done".

No you don't! Here's the way I see it, you have the rest of your life to play with it, tinker on it and get it done. I've walked away from mine many times since I bought it new in 4/75. This last time I had it out for a shakedown spin and the ignition just died a block from home. Did a couple other things to it but not the ignition YET. Too many other things were more pressing and I used up that spurt of allotted time. I should get back to it after the next 2 weeks. Priorities.   

[jamesv220820]

Well guys I'm running out of the want to finish my beloved old 650, how do I get past it? I really want to ride but this project has taken since January to get about 80% there due to lack of funds.

hey you are lucky I have been on and off my restore for 5 years!

Nothing to be proud of.  You lost desire too?

no just light on funds and parts are hard to come by. plus im a fix 2 things break 1 thing kind of guy