Expectations

I had some expectations for this summer. I bought a new/old motorcycle. I got the Chevelle running again(!!). I thought that I was going to be out on the bike at least a couple of times a week, and that I'd take the Chevelle to the dragstrip several times this season.

What has happened is that the Chevelle made it to the dragstrip once. Then I realized the steering needed work, and it has sat since that work started. The steering box conversion was not without its troubles, and I just haven't had the time to invest in that I'd like.

Much the same is true with the BMW. It runs exremely well. I've had no engine or transimssion problesm. The major functions of the bike are fine, but I've had little things come up: headlight relay bad, speedo problem, and the Unidentifiable Noise. These things have either made me wait on riding to fix them, or made me fearful of riding it further. The great Unidentifiable Noise is the worst of them. It's a little tick in the valvetrain. Being new to BMWs I'm lost as to what the nature of it might be, and I don't have the luxury of free time to take it apart and examine it. I'm pretty certain that if I start taking it apart in any fashion whatsoever, it'll just sit there like that for months, and I have no desire at all to see that fine machine sit there unattended in pieces. So, there it sits with only the very occasional short ride to keep the parts loosened up. Heck, I don't even have much time for short rides. It's been a bit of a disappointment.

Let's hope that all this suspension of mechanical activity is just the result of a busy summer. I hope that things will be different next year. I still read all my car magazines. I'm even going to the Jungle Park Reunion this weekend (September 30th) to take photographs. Actually, the new Nikon is part of my reason for being too busy to undertake mechanical projects. I'm trying to get started in a new career with writing and photography, and I'm expending free time doing it, free time I'd normally while away in the garage. I'm certain it will have its payoff, but there's a tradeoff in regards to my current leisure pursuits.

What can I say? Sometimes you just have to make compromises. I'm trusting that my compromises will be very worthwhile down the road a piece.