Some "Need To Do’s" Done, Some Not!

Being that my last blog entry was back in February one could say that I’m not much of a writer.  And with that said probably not much of a rider either!  I do follow about 30 some odd other blogs and greatly enjoy their stories with the exception of one.  I can’t seem to find enjoyment reading about some aged motorcycle guy’s “self proclaimed” sexual prowess and/or his vulgar vernacular writing skills.  I guess some think that’s funny and that prompt is sufficent to entice his skill level.  Sad!

            I’ve managed to get a few “To Do’s done and have left “Cy” (Our nickname for the 82 cb900 custom) under wraps and neglected. Not unlike the previous owner did for probably the better part of 4 or 5 years.

Just an FYI of the underlying purpose of this whole garage stuff abatement thing. About a year ago my old brain came to life one afternoon, “Hey bud, how come you’re so anal about trying to keep your $30,000 truck so spotless?  Then you just leave it sitting in the driveway, out in the elements day and night.

It’s sat outside since it came home "new" back on 9/11/07. Covered in tree pollen, bird poop, bug poop, water spots and jet engine residual. But you somehow manage to keep a lawnmower, table saw, compound saw, yard equipment and other junk inside in the garage! So let’s logically think about this for a moment.  God I hate when the logical side of my brain wakes-up every now and then. It always cost us money and a boatload of time! Anyway I had this novel idea that maybe our garage could be used to keep my truck in. Whoa, new concept. Less time cleaning, less money on water, soap, ArmorAll, polish, wax, etc. Hey I might be onto something here. So with that said and some questionable handy man skills I began the “His Do List”.

Sidebar: There has been a "Honey Do List" since Eve's first conversation Adam.  So I'm officially declaring the "His Do List" with all the rights and privledges granted heretofore.  Females should feel free to accept and begin any "His Do List" items upon consultation with the originator.


Now , the rest of the story. First I needed a building of some sort to put things in and begin to clear out the garage. Keeping in mind the potential cost, I elected to buy and build a 8 x 10 foot metal shed out in our tiny backyard. Twenty four concrete blocks supporting a solid 2x6 and 2x4 framed floor. Then attach the building to the floor and presto, here’s what you get. Oh and I'll need custom build shelves inside to fit the mower, pressure washer under. I'll also stick in a couple of metal cabinets from the garage and anything else I can cram in.

BTW- Skip the date on the pictures, I'm too lazy to change it!

Now all the yard equipment, outdoor tools and both the table and compound miter saws can stay out there and not take up floor space in the garage. It took about two weeks to final put the lock on the doors and claim it completed. I almost forgot to mention that during the shed build we also got our first outdoor smoker. Of course that took some rearraigning on our tiny little 10 x 10 deck.

I've Never Smoked Anything In My Life! (We're Talken Bout Meat Here, Give Me A Break )

Number 2 on the “His Do List” was to build some kinda box to contain one of those 10’ x 20’ car awnings that we bought back around 1998.  The cardboard box it came in had seen better days and resembled something left for dead. It was a duct taped mess! After a weeks worth of drawings, hardware store trips and busted knuckles I finished up with this.

A 80” x 18” x 11” reinforced plywood crate with a set of fixed roller wheels attached to the bottom, reinforced (Ski-Rope) double handles, hinged fold-up top monster. The old cardboard box with everything in it weight a ton, this new one weighs a ton and a half. Yep, I'm guilty as charged of over building everything I do and this is another prime example! Is there a syndrome name for this besides anal? God, I hope so!

Third “His Do List” item was to consolidate 30 years of motorcycle and auto mechanic’s tools that were either scattered all over the garage or kept in one of the three small tool boxes. I was blessed to find a fellow that sold me this box for a hundred bucks cash. Still trying to keep those cost’s down to a minimum.

Fourth on the “His Do List” was the need for a dog-gone work bench in the garage. Now I had to be creative with this little project. I sure didn’t want to fill up the cleared out space I had just gotten with a hard mounted/fixed work bench. So interneting I went.  There I found a couple of guys who had built wall hinged workbenches. Hmmm, that's a great idea! So pencil hit the paper, tape measure hit the wall, get the saws back out of the shed and off to the hardware, again. I finished up with this.

A 6’ wide by 2’ deep fold-up work bench with removable legs. It’ll latch up onto the wall out of the way should we ever need to get the Ms. little Camry in the garage for some reason. I’m sure I’ll use this allot when I finally try to bring some life back into “Cy” the 900.

The fifth little project didn’t come off the “His Do List”. I pulled this one from the “Honey Do List”. It had been there a while and I needed to get this done before Mother’s Day. The Ms. had mentioned several times here recently that she wanted one of those Scentsy fragrance things for the front entry hall. The problem here was those little jewels are electrically operated and we don’t have a receptacle in that hall. So I make up a plan of attack, gather up materials (Hardware store again) and proceed to knock a hole in the wall. That sounds bad doesn’t it! Really it wasn’t a big deal nor was the project as a whole.

Now when you enter our humble abode we attack your sense of smell.

Our sixth and seventh projects will also come off the “Honey Do List”.  While these are going on I’m gona sneak some time in for Cy the 900. But first I’m gona have to unstick the brakes (I can barely push it around) then get a new battery and anf time permitting start the Seafoam soaking of the carbs. 

The sixth project, the hall bathroom, will take some time and a good chunk of money.She wants the bathroom de-wallpapered, and the remove all the old fixtures. Sink, cabinet, toilet, everthing. Basically strip it to bare walls.

17 Years Of  Use Has Taken It's Toll

Then we’ll stucco texture and white-wash the walls and finish it off with an antique style western vanity sink /cabinet combo and I don’t have a clue what kind of porcelain throne. But I’m sure it’ll be nice whatever it is.

Seventh on our list is to repaint the entire kitchen.

Walls, ceiling, doors, trim, etc. Of all the home improvement things to do to a house I believe painting (Of any kind) is the one task I absolutely can’t stand to do.  But it’s gona get done one way our the other. Maybe while all this is going on I’ll find just the right amount of “Spare” time to clean up that truck still sitting out in the driveway and put it into it’s new inside home. And as for “Cy” the 900.  He sits silent and lonely. Eager for his spark plugs to ignite and his chambers to explode once again. In faint whispers he utters , “How much longer must I wait to again feel the open road!

Chigger







UPDATE: Now We're Getting Someplace!



Typical Holiday Garage Space Comsumption

Cy came out of hiding and scooted over so the buggy could get in the barn.



Tucked in safe and sound. Home at last!