It's a thin line between love and hate

A

alexmac

Been Around the Block
Does anyone else have a bipolar relationship with their bike?

There are times when I am so proud of it and want to shine the shit out of it. Then there are times (like now) when
I want to pour gas all over it and set it on fire.

My bike has been "under re-construction" for most of the summer. I think I have ridden it 5 times since May when I bought it.
It seems it's one thing after another. Just when I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and have it back on the road again...
something else happens.

My latest setback was a few days ago then I lost my balance while setting it up on the centerstand after a work session. I had the foot
pegs off because I needed to access the engine covers. The bike when over and even though it didn't go over hard... it bent the rear
brake pedal and put a small dent in the oil filter cover.

.... where are my matches. :mad:
 
I feel your pain man every time I think I am finished there is something else that force me t buy new parts and rethink of how my bike is supposed to be
 
My bike did this last year in the early spring when I was stranded 5 times in 2 weeks thanks to a charging issue... but not a hiccup since.
 
I feel you, I definitely feel you.

But the goods are better than the bad!

At least that is what I tell myself...

I've ridden my bike about as much as you have lol.
 
Methinks you should take up another hobby. Bikes (cars and just about everything else) have moving parts that wear and break. Its an ongoing thing. I have a question. Why do you want to burn the bike when you say you lost your balance that caused the bike to fall over?
 
Hoofhearted said:
Methinks you should take up another hobby. Bikes (cars and just about everything else) have moving parts that wear and break. Its an ongoing thing. I have a question. Why do you want to burn the bike when you say you lost your balance that caused the bike to fall over?
Click to expand...

oh please ::) You have never had a moment when you have been frustrated with your ride.
 
I tend to get pissed at induvidual parts/ systems, i.e. charging and/or fuel, electrical systems. Or myself when I do something dumb. My bike fell over earlier this spring cause I neglected to shorten the kick stand after lowering my bike. I parked in the wrong spot( the bike was almost straight up) and a gust of wind knocked her down. Broke a bar end, turn signal, and scratched the side cover. Bikes fault? Most certanly not. Was I pissed? Most certanly. Shit happens. I used to get pissed at inanimate objects, I also think that goes away with age and experience. With failure eventually comes victory, after persiverance.(SP?)
Good luck, dont set your bike on fire. You might set yourself on fire at this stage of the game. :D
 
I just got back from a week at Bonneville and have been racing for the best part of 50 years. You haven't a clue what frustration is. : - )
 
I am sure I don't. ;)

Sometimes it can be cathartic to vent some frustration at the trials and tribulations of owing/caring for a vintage bike.
Sharing some stories can help one know that others have shared that struggle.. and find some comfort in that.

Tomorrow is another day... and the parts are in the mail
 
+1 Hoof. Racing takes you to a whole new level of frustration and challenges.

The only thing or person you can be annoyed with if you knock a bike over is yourself - and that's who we are usually POd with. It's something dumb we did. Admittedly that hasn't happened to me for at least 5 minutes. Tired, getting annoyed that something isn't working followed by silly move(s) and so it goes on. Time for a break.
 
How do you get pissed off at an inanimate object? If you run into a tree do you want to chop it down or do you feel stupid?

Teaz. Just got back yesterday from Bonneville. Sidecar was singing. Had a best sped of 129.475. And its still in one piece!
 
I dunno... do you call the SPCA and hide the ammunition if your wife says she wants to kill the dog for digging up the garden?

Lighten up
 
alexmac said:
I dunno... do you call the SPCA and hide the ammunition if your wife says she wants to kill the dog for digging up the garden?

Lighten up
Click to expand...
Depends on your wife. ;D And how much you like your dog.
 
Hoofhearted said:
How do you get pissed off at an inanimate object? If you run into a tree do you want to chop it down or do you feel stupid?

Teaz. Just got back yesterday from Bonneville. Sidecar was singing. Had a best sped of 129.475. And its still in one piece!
Click to expand...

Congrats Hoof. How much faster do you need to go next year to beat your own record? I cannot imagine what it feels like lying down 2 inches from the ground at over 120. Besides, If I lie down like that in teh afternoon, I take a nap....:)
 
BJ's Guide to the Restoration,Renovation, Repair and Maintenance of Old Motorcycles

1. Drink a beer
2.Take parts off, fiddle with them,clean them ,shine em up,bang on something to show wifey ur working,reassemble (if u remember how).
3.See if it works(it won't).Dumb ass.
4.Scratch head.
5.Scratch ass.
6.Drink another beer.
7.Repeat Step 2.
8.Repeat Step 3.Same results? Dumb ass.
9.Get Manual.
10.Drink another beer (or 6) whilst reading manual.
11. Fall asleep on couch while reading Manual.
12.Wake up at 1:30 a m ,realize u gotta go to work in 5 hours, and stagger off to bed.
13.Repeat process tomorrow.
Please add any insights u may have.Carry on.BJ
 
Usually when I cant find a workable solution or get hit with a set back Ill just walk away. (Insert the Point Break joke here where Utah says "I walk away")

Then in 2 or 3 days sometimes things will become more clear and Ill approach from another perspective and the solution presents itself.
 
alexmac said:
My thoughts exactly...
Click to expand...

Hahahah...typical scenario for me...

Week 1:

Friend: "You just got your new (old) bike, let's go riding!"
Me: "hmmmm probably not, not familiar with these vintage bikes and need make sure everything is good on it and re-do some of the seals and gaskets."

Week 2: Got lazy and didn't do anything...

Week 3:

Friend: "Bike ready? Let's go riding!"
Me: "yeah i got it up and running pretty well now! but I'm hearing a lot of noise coming from the top end...not sure what it is...better ask the forum guys and make sure it's normal before I ride and blow it up"

Week 4:

Friend: "Get that problem sorted out? Let's go riding!"
Me: "Yeah ok, cool let's go...it was just piston slap...I heard wiseco pistons are pretty loud"

Go for a ride...didn't check gas...ended up having to mix the gas and 2-stroke oil at the pump...without good measuring. Fouled plugs...bike stalled like 3 times on the ride...meh.

Week 5:

Friend: "let's go riding!"
Me: "Eh I took some things a part to clean up and paint..."

Week 6:

Friend: "bet your bike is starting to look better! let's go riding!"
Me: "eh...I dont have a seat right now...I took the stock one off and ground off the tabs on the frame..."

Week 7:

Friend: "got your seat done? Let's go riding!"
Me: "eh...I ended up taking the front end a part as well since I want to rebuild the forks...."

etc etc.
 
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