Sing it, Otis

So, here's the deal. The real mo-jo-lishous, factoid, no-hold-barred, tell it like it is reality check.

The bike. This bike. Wow... I dunno where to start. Or maybe the finer point is, I dunno how to finish.

Changing this thing and working on it; having a project to transform and a distraction from some of life's not so finer moments... all that has been a tremendous thing. Now, I think more of my true self is coming through. Some of that is impatience, or maybe it's easily distracted-ness.

Actually, it's probably just frustration. A lot of it. Seems like at each turn there's been two ways to consider the next part of something or the next phase of this build. There's the 'right way to do it' and there's the 'way I must do it'.

Sometimes they are in fact, one and the same. The rearset foot pegs are a prime example of those two being the same. Bolt-on goodness that function, look great, feel great... and to quote Cousin Eddie "they're a quality item".

Not always was I able to approach problem A and B with the same caution to the wind, wild abandon. I guess this was the only time. No wait, I suppose the exhaust pipes would be considered in this category; had to have them and they're great looking, etc. The rear subframe and seat were, too. Big items in the cost department, gifts aside, that were look good, feel good, but transformed much of this build, since I'm not a welder or a machinist currently, not do I bear the machine to be a machinist. Currently.

So here's my point. Well, maybe it's a two-parter. I'm once again at the mercy of an expensive part to move along. Move ahead. Get this thing running again.

There have always been these phases for me and this bike. The buying phase, the teardown phase, the painting phase, the rebuilding phase, the mechanical phase, the electrical phase, etc. And each of them saw huge changes, both internally and externally, as the bike started to change in looks from one thing to another. Not that what it's ended up looking like or being is any sort of masterpiece, but it's my vision or perhaps more pointedly, it's what I ended up with. Compromises are everywhere in life and can be found all over this thing. It's an OK thing for me; just stating it for the record, your honor.

So, there are things needed to finish. Expensive things, considering my current black-to-red levels. And these things needed, they are not of the visual variety. They are necessary items for which a mechanical thing to function, but a shame they are costing what they are. A little like putting a 20K roof on your house. You spent a lot of money, but your house still looks the same.

So here's my two-parter point. One, I need expensive things to finish, and two, my excitement levels are fluctuating somewhat. Perhaps defeated may be the word, though strong one it may be.

The expensive things needed still will not guarantee success. I am somewhat haunted by not running some fuel stabilizer through the system when it was running, so I could maybe avoid what I'm expecting will be an issue. Namely the carbs will have gunked up fuel all over them and the bike still won't run. This perhaps won't be the case, and sometimes I can get a little 'expect the worst' from time to time. But I'm honestly trying to be a realist a bit here and not have the head in the sand too much.

Can only hold your breath for so long.

Then there's the fact that most things on this build are connected or affected or otherwise related to a part next to it. Which makes sense; it's a motorcycle and most of them don't have extraneous stuff bolted on for no reason. So, part A moves part B, and both attach to part C. Since I need to buy a part C, I can't really finish parts A & B until C is purchased. So these visits to the garage sorta get more and more frustrating, like this weekend was, because there's only so much that can be done with the limitations of budget. I go there, I tweak this or that or paint this part or that or otherwise, play some music, drink a beer (or lots of water these days) and spend a couple hours getting greasy and trying to get excited about how it's all going along.

The second part, or maybe I'll say additionally since I think I've lost count at this point of my ramblings this morning... is I feel like there's always something unforeseen or troubling or needed or necessary around the corner; something I won't be able to buy either. Case in point; buying the battery is a big undertaking, then I need a charger or the thing will be dead with these AZ summers in a matter of weeks. Then I need this M-Unit to wire the thing up. So, I can spend (if I had or choose to do it anyway) a little north of $500 for these things that the bike won't run without, and then may discover something else (likely will) that needs attention or money thrown at it. Buying these things still doesn't guarantee the bike will run.

And I don't doubt that the nature of building a custom bike is this very thing; changing it, sculpting it, making it your own, and then conquering the gremlins and problems as they appear. Those parts I get and completely understand. I guess in the end, I'm feeling a little bit like it's been a little inappropriate of me to have bought this bike when I did. Or perhaps better said; maybe I should be just considering this bike a work in progress and just accept that definition and not get discouraged by the lack of funds or lack of riding time.

Years ago we almost bought a boat. Didn't know anything about boats myself, but the idea of docking a boat on Lake Michigan and spending the weekends sitting around on the dock, hanging with neighboring boaters, cruising down the river... all good stuff. Now, if the engine suddenly needed 5K worth of work, or the storage fees are astronomical or had to be towed to Wisconsin each season and we didn't have a tow vehicle... all these things ad up. I could afford to buy the boat. It was the rest that adds up.

Several years later I almost bought a Ferrari. Not a new one, no way. But my dream one, which at this point was always 15 years old and far more responsible amount to purchase. Even insurance was agreeable somewhat. But when the 8K tuneups and oil changes come around, forget about it. I could afford to buy the car. But the rest...

Honestly, I've enjoyed many an evening and weekend working on this bike, for sure. And now that it's getting close to be able to hit the road again, I'm just getting a little bit off my rocker to make it so. Life is busy right now, and so when I do find time to work on her, it would be nice to make some progress. To have that time actually bear fruit. It's just feeling a bit like I've been working on a painting for months and months and now I just want it completed and hanging on the wall. To use what I've been working hard for a long time on.

Otherwise, it's just another day spent in neutral. And shifting out of that gear is getting harder to do.