Togoster wrote: Good points all. I’ve resigned to taking the blame for all mistakes. I have two items that were not as advertised from eBay and whereas I could have returned them I hung them on the wall in the barn as a reminder to be more careful. Still I like a phone number and if 2 places offer a similar service then I’ll choose the one with a phone number. Better yet it’s always nice when you can actually reach out and touch someone.
I’m fortunate that my work load is past clients and referrals. I’m also fortunate because they are second home owners and aren’t usually in my way. And yes, a service charge is the norm in the city so my clients being from mostly cities in New England wouldn’t think it affront. I don’t charge one because I’ll get the work, it’s not an issue.
I’m winding it down tho, I don’t have the verve for the industry anymore. It’s not so challenging anymore except for the aging body and the deteriorating eyesight.
I curse a lot these days.
Nope, I’m going to become a knight errant like Don Quixote.
Your bike looks great and I’ll be getting some repro side covers and a back fender. I like the clean look as well but realistically the motor should be gone through before getting crazy with the beautification end. At 130 psi per cyl it’s tired, like me.
This will serve as dry run, and with 2 similar bikes to do I’ll get very acquainted with them. The winters are long here and so that’ll be the time to redo them up pretty.
Now I just want to ride them.
Thanks for the reply, I should say that I don’t always agree with me either so anyone can always disagree or point out a different perspective and I’ll appreciate it.
I AGREE! In the STL area, it is free estimate almost every call. I can usually weed out the ones wanting me to show them what needs to be done, what parts are needed, then bid the job to the lowest lowball offer. I usually weed out the freebies / quotes / bids by requiring a call just to try and weed them out on the phone. A good bit of my work are repeats too, but the cold first time callers ALWAYS expect a free visit to explain things to them.. personally. Dealing with the public as a whole sucks.
130 PSI is certainly enough compression to make any motor run. I believe it is primo compression on a SBC, if memory serve me. Of course, a frame off may or may not include the engine overhaul too, but rings and valve seals / lapping it a good minimal build idea. Then SOME do the whole tamale, splitting the cases, and replacing every little part.
I buy a lot of stuff off of eBay, and ordered another set of kaw head gaskets 2 days ago. Although sending stuff back sucks, and takes forever, eBay will toss a bad seller in a hearbeat, if they screw you. Tis the nature of the beast.
My old kaw was sitting dead for at least 10 years before I rescued it. The pic doesn't do it's disrepair justice, and I was tempted to part it to fix my other Kz1000, until I decided to rescue it instead. It had 2 flats, all the locks punched, no air box and 2 flat tires. no freakin title and an Illinois license plate that expired in 2003. (among a plethora of other things wrong) I drug it home in January 2013. I went through the MO abandoned vehicle process and got it titled and licensed after I got it running.
Just a little tuneup action.
I'm guessing the welder dude that did my frame might have been looking for work after this frame was built.