when to quit ?

[James.A]

My spare time project for this week is a new header for the bike pictured in my avatar. While removing the mufflers, I decided that it would be a travesty to hang grungy mufflers on a new header, so much effort was applied to cleaning and buffing my "soon-to- need-replacing" mufflers. With the Krausers and mufflers removed, it seems a shame not to do the rear wheel. Can't have a shiny rear wheel following a dulled out front. I am currently planning to take the exhaust nuts to a friends shop to put them in the blasting cabinet. I'm not a nutso clean freak, but this is taking on a life of it's own. Where do YOU draw the line on detailing?

[gambrinus]

My friend you have fallen victim to what is known throughout the antique car world as "ship-fitters disease". From TerriAnn Wakeman's TR3 site:

" A boat owner noticed that a light bulb was burned out in the cabin and went to replace it. While replacing it he noticed that the socket was cracked and decided to take care of it while he was at it. After removing the fixture he noticed that the wiring insulation was frayed. Since he already had the fixture off it seemed like the easiest time to replace the frayed wiring. He removed the wiring and exposed the wood underneath. He could clearly see dry rot on the beam. Well since he already had the wiring off... And before long, the boat was in dry dock undergoing a complete refit because a light bulb burned out in the cabin."

[Flash]

Well, it started as a "squeak" under the tank, and I figured that, if I had the tank off, I should probably.....



I really don't think there is a quitting point.

[USERNAME]

you can treat your detailing like your riding...when do you stop? when you reach a destination? well, only temporarily, then you go again. it's about the journey.

if youre happier cleaning the bike than riding, well, i guess that's good. it's nice to be a happy person! if youre unhappy and the bike seems to own you instead of you owning it, well, the solution is simple. sell one of us your bike at 50% of market value.

there's something to be said for doing the job right, all the way through to the end, and there's something to be said for saying, 'awww, screw it, im going riding.' there's also something to be said for knowing how to be happy and which one to say when about what things.

if youre happy, youre doing it right.

[fetishbear]

Originally posted by Flash
Well, it started as a "squeak" under the tank, and I figured that, if I had the tank off, I should probably.....



I really don't think there is a quitting point.

If I had a workshop that looked like that - I'd want to work on 'em all the time.

[gambrinus]

Flash, I don't know what to say other than "HOLY SH*T!" That is a NICE garage. How about more pix of that beauty hidden back there in the corner...


RW

[Flash]

I should finish the sentence.



Well, it started as a "squeak" under the tank, and I figured that, if I had the tank off, I should probably.....

...do it right and have it shipped to someone who could do a complete and proper restoration.



The photo was taken last winter at the shop that did the restoration. My garage is nothing like that photo. I don't see any lawn equipment at all.

But after 16 months, of ownership, I'm still tinkering with it.

The story is here

[James.A]

username-- I want you to know that I am happy 100% of the time. Obviously some of our members are willing to go all the way with detailing(Flash). I am not. It's silly to think I would dismantle my only ride during prime riding weather just to clean it.

So, the question to you, my friend, is "where do YOU draw the line on detailing"?

Tomorrow; the front wheel spokes and suspension.

[YB in IN]

What is this "cleaning" thing that everyone is talking about?

[USERNAME]

Originally posted by woodnsteel
username-- I want you to know that I am happy 100% of the time. Obviously some of our members are willing to go all the way with detailing(Flash). I am not. It's silly to think I would dismantle my only ride during prime riding weather just to clean it.

So, the question to you, my friend, is "where do YOU draw the line on detailing"?

Tomorrow; the front wheel spokes and suspension.

your question is timely, im about to find out. till now, my bike has been pretty clean. i rode through some awful rain this past weekend, and also about 6 miles of dirt. my bike is as dirty as it's ever been, which isnt very dirty. maybe i'll take before and after photos, and then share.

i'm thinking i'll spend time detailing that i could otherwise spend riding, but being here in austin, i have a whole autumn, winter, and spring ahead of me of great riding weather, so i feel like i can take it for granted.

i can tell you this...i draw the line at removing any parts save the seat and windscreen.

[JetDoc]

Originally posted by YB in IN
What is this "cleaning" thing that everyone is talking about?

I'm with you, Garth. My LT gets washed when the dead bug bodies on the windshield are too thick to see through, but I'd rather spend my time smashing bugs than washing them.

[jgr451]

I cleaned my snowflake mags really well once.



It did take a long time though.I wonder why that is?

[Ray1505]

It seems every time I clean by BMW it rains and the bike just gets real dirty. I can not see the dirt when I am watching the beautiful scenery go by. When it comes between cleaning and riding the riding always wins!

Ray

[USERNAME]

30 minutes, from getting the hose out to telling my SO, "um, i need to go dry it off for a few hours."

it wasnt that dirty.

[sfzendog]

I remember seeing an ad somewhere for Stainless steel pipes for BMW's. I have a GS1150 and just replaced my Laser muffler (Titanium, for sale) with a Staintune. It looks funky next to my blackened headers, but I cannot find this ad for stainless pipes anywhere. Can anyone help?
sfzendog