Maintaining Project Enthusiasm Help Desk Needed!

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I'm trying to find out if others have had issues with maintaining momentum during restoration/rebuild projects.

I started my current 500 project on the 3rd September 2022 having progressed without difficulty up to the 23rd May 2024 when I first started up the engine. Any periods where little or no work was done was primarily due to it being too cold in my garage to work or sometimes delays in sourcing a part or minor glitches in my personal energy levels. There is also of course living ones life outside of sohc - ones  family, personal, domestic obligations/rewards, social life.

As a result of some poor petrol pipe in my temporary petrol tank number one carb has started flooding plus that cylinder is not running as hot as it should. It has also come to light that the replacement needles & Emulsion tubes from DS are nothing like the originals.

I now have the right brassware so need to accept that the carbs need to come off again -  pull my finger out and get it done.

My issue is I can't seem find the enthusiasm to move forwards. I've been bitting and bobbing with cleaning up the points mounting plate as an avoidance tactic.

I'm hoping that this is not an unknown experience so I am reaching out to sohc members for a solution/fix.
What have members done to get back on track with a build?
I need a new batch of  "Round to its" to go back into the garage and just get it done - wtf can I find those Rountuits?

If posting is seen as un-manly a PM would be ok with me. My Johara's Window is wide open.https://www.communicationtheory.org/the-johari-window-model/

[Orcade-Ian]

Ted, you are not on your own and I freely admit that I go through phases where I just can't be arsed - usually because of an unobtainable part or interruptions from other sources.  This spell of shite weather hasn't helped either.
A case in point is with my very low mileage V12 XJ-S convertible.  When I got it a few years ago, I ripped into it, replacing all the rubber injector pipes and stripping and cleaning all brake calipers.  It ran perfectly until on the way to the MOT station, when the ABS light came on and stayed on.  I shoved it at the back of the workshop and it hasn't moved since!
Something or someone will suddenly inject me with enthusiasm and if I live long enough, it will get sorted - it's only a machine!

You need to go and visit a mate who is well into a project - the infection will spread!

Ian

[DomP]

I'm in the same boat Ted, annoying replacement gauge issues that I can't seem to solve have done it this time.  It would help if the suppliers who sold them to me would show some aftersales support but they really can't be bothered now they have their money.

I've also got my workshop build underway which is a distraction to 'project 550' not to mention  repainting all of the house windows and a certain football tournament that's dragging me away.

I will return to it though at some point

[Laverda Dave]

I'm going through that that particular period right now Ted so you are not alone! My build was progressing well until the last couple of weeks when it's been one issue after another with the broken ignition key, the stripped steering stem and the tang breaking off the indicator mount. All these little things mount up to the point where enthusiasm wains and everything seems to become a chore rather than the enjoyment and relaxation of a restoration with plenty of fettling time.
I've ordered a replacement steering stem but until that arrives I've decided to actually ride the bikes I have previously restored especially now the weather has improved at last!
Hopefully when the replacement stem arrives and I get it powder coated my enthusiasm will return to strip the front end down to fit it and the rebuild can progress.

[Laverdaroo]

Ted, you’re only human mate, I’ve been to ing and fro ing across the Atlantic so my builds have been in fits and starts. The carbs are holding you up cos you know that it’s not your favourite job so putting it to the bottom of the list.  Fitting the air filters I have means that getting the carbs off now is REALLY fiddly instead of just a pain but once I’d done it my enthusiasm resurfaced and I’ve been back on it but for ages I’d just go out have brew sitting and looking at it then come in going, ‘nah, not tonight’.

Happens mate, just get into it but ensure all is tidy in the workshop, rearrange yer stuff so it’s all in its place  and all is re set ready to go and rip into it, you know you’ll be into it once you start. It’s one of those ‘But I’ve already done that once FFS, I’m going backwards’
I found getting a white board and writing all the jobs down so you can focus your time and get the joy of crossing them off once complete. By crossing out the jobs but leaving them on the board means you can also SEE that the jobs are getting fewer and things are moving Which can help egging you on and keep enthusiasm going
Get cracking mate, you can do this


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[Laverda Dave]

That's a great piece of advice Roo about the white board (I've seen similar on car restoration shows) but not thought about doing myself but it does make sense and does provide the 'look how far I've come' progress updates.
I've always found the worst thing to do is to throw the tools down if something goes wrong and just leave everything where it lays. It is always worse when you go back into the workshop and it's a mess, partial defeat before you even get started! I always put the tools away and tidy up a bit, it also takes away some of the sting of a bad day! Worse thing to do is to go back in a bad mood because you feel you have to, that is a guaranteed bad day in the making for sure😠.
The fundamental thing to remember is we do this because we ENJOY it, it's not work, our livelihood doesn't depend on it, it's supposed to relax us. As you say, we are only human and it's all ok to take a break from it in order to reignite the enthusiasm.
I find watching a bit of Alan Millyard helps to fire me up again, anyone who can build a V10 motorcycle (and a lovely 1930’s style V-Twin Velocette) in a single garage puts a broken ignition key into perspective!

[magpie114]

Definitely not alone! I've had spells of frustration too due to things going wrong or customer poor service. Always best to take a break, theres no deadline to meet.

I found getting a white board and writing all the jobs down so you can focus your time and get the joy of crossing them off once complete. By crossing out the jobs but leaving them on the board means you can also SEE that the jobs are getting fewer and things are moving Which can help egging you on and keep enthusiasm going

This is a great idea and it really does help. I've been using a small whiteboard for sometime not only listing jobs but info too such as torque settings.

Alan

[Deano400]

Agree, making a list and ticking them off helps. I don’t make a long list as this can feel a bit daunting as well. List of 6 that are a priority, tick them off then add another 6, leaving the original 6 in place so you can always see what you’ve achieved. I also make sure there’s a couple of quick wins on the list to get me going.

[Seabeowner]

Ted lets face it carbs are not any of ours favourite bits to work on. There are jets and valves and hidden passageways. Petrol dribbling everywhere. The smallest specs of dirt mess the whole things up Then they make them a pain to remove and replace without damaging anything.
As said keep careful notes of what you have done and what bits are where and don't rush and just carry on out of frustration. Walk away.
Hopefully it is warmer now where you are and that makes them a bit easier to remove.
I'm just cleaning off the paint I sprayed on my tank earlier with a view to starting again on Thursday.
Phil

[Mike_Berkshire]

I completely relate to this; I am very easily put off by the smallest setback. The whiteboard approach works well for me. If there is a job I don’t want to do I break it down into tiny microjobs and force myself to do at least one. Often once I start I get a bit of momentum going and get at good way through the list. I’m always running out of steam and it’s usually because reality doesn’t work out how I envisaged it and i get despondent. You’ll get the mojo back soon enough!

[mickwinf]

I'm with you Ted, very little motivation at the moment but wait until the enthusiasm comes back rather than push yourself too hard.

[Laverdaroo]

Completely agree Dave, the whiteboard works a treat and for about 15 quid you can get a magnetic one too so notes, cards etc can all be stuck to it, handy! Amazon 800 x 600mm


Always gotta be a tidy workshop or your days ruined before it’s begun through frustration of a sh*those and not being able by to find stuff.
I’ve never been a throw it down and have a tantrum sort, making things worse and you thenn have to replace/repair/ sort out broken kit. Nope, just walk away and come back another time. It’ll still be there.  When jobs are forcing a go slow dont class it as ‘homework’, there’s no timespan, just do it when you feel like it but I guarantee you’ll do it and then think, “what was all the fuss about, that wasn’t that bad”

Like I said, I think  it’s just the thought of RE doing things, gives me the hump so feel for you Ted.

Now come on, fresh eyes, a renewed vigour, go fishing, listen to some crap radio for the day and enjoy looking at the scenery. You’ll have it done I. No time after that.

PS, don’t forget you renew your fishing licence it’s open season again


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[taysidedragon]

I sympathise Ted. I've always been a put it off for tomorrow kind of guy. I find it difficult to keep enthusiasm going when there are setbacks. Leave it a few days, do something else you enjoy, then get back on it with some new enthusiasm.
My 400f started running rough at low revs and not picking up smoothly when opening the throttle. I drained the float bowls and the fuel was dirty, must have picked it up when filling up. I knew that I had to take the carbs off to clean them out but kept putting it off. I've been using the bike and putting up with the problem.

I finally bit the bullet yesterday and got the tank and carbs off. Everything is cleaned out now and ready for reassembly. I feel happier now that I've got on with it. Let's hope it goes back on ok. 🤞

You'll know when you're ready to crack on with yours. Take your time. 👍

[Bryanj]

I find that CBA sets in along with the dearly beloved and "we need to"s

[mickwinf]

after this thread i got some enthusiasm back and took Lazarus out for a test ride. still got some issues but had some improvement so now ready to push on. Will be the same for you Ted.