I've been working on my Harleys for a couple of weeks now and I'm getting to the point to where I really like having an ongoing project in my garage. Maybe it's a sign I'm aging (cause I'm sure as heck not maturing). But I was wondering, any weekend warrior mechanics/wrechers/gearheads?
Sounds cool. I have nothing all too interesting to say, but since no one else has joined in... When I owned a vehicle (going on two years now car-free and loving it!), I found myself spending more time under it than inside of it. I never had any cool projects like you, but I did learn a lot about the function and maintenance of a car. In addition to the standard tune-ups, oil changes and filters, I at different times found myself working on my own breaks, doing a coolant system flush, and replacing various malfunctioning parts including the starter and the distributor. For some reason nobody ever believes me when I say I replaced the distributor... :suspect: I also do my own mechanics on my bicycles. Not that I'm that great or anything, just like with the cars, I'm probably the slowest mechanic you have ever seen, but I get it done! There is something so inexplicably prideful about breaking out the tools and then seeing your efforts pay off. Whenever I hear the first VROOM in the car or rode 10 feet without the wheels falling off of the bike, it was quite a rush. At one point, I even thought of working as a mechanic instead of pushing through the process of becoming an interpreter. I probably made the right choice, however :shysmile:
There is a lot of pride in getting a machine working like it should. I admit I do the work on my wife's Toyota (which I hate) and my Nissan truck (which I love) but I need a machine that will still be cool 50 years. I would love a 1960's era truck or muscle car. Something that just oozes soul. My bikes are like that. As I work on them and learn more about them I feel more connected with the soul of the machine, almost like it's an art. It's tough to explain but there is an art to removing a rusted in place stud on an exhaust flange or grinding a rear fender into a completely new bobber style masterpiece. Anyhow...I'd like something with 4 wheels and a story to tell to work on as a long term project. Something Steve McQueen might have driven.
