Sammo
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 1,461
Club RR Member Number: 103
|
|
Sept 12, 2020 7:57:30 GMT
|
Morning all I’m sure I’m not alone with this problem but I feel like I’ve hit a wall at the moment! I’ve currently got three projects on the go and can’t be bothered to go near any of them! Let me explain. 1. MK2 Golf GTI 20v Turbo - The engine is sitting on a trolley waiting for me to replace the cambelt and refit the various vacuum pipes etc. The engine bay needs a few bits of paint touching up and the remainder of the loom wrapping before the engine can be bolted back in. I need to run a hydraulic clutch line for the aftermarket hydraulic clutch conversion that I’ve fitted, both driveshafts need rebuilding, the GTI arches need refitting, the electric windows and mirrors that I’ve fitted need the wiring finishing up and the interior needs to be put back together. 2. MK2 Caddy V5 - The engine is fitted and mostly wired up. I need to fit up the aftermarket oil cooler replacing the factory one that doesn’t fit anymore, driveshafts need rebuilding and refitting, exhaust downpipe needs fitting, starter motor needs fitting. I’m sure there are other things required but it’s been about two years since I’ve touched this and I honestly can’t remember what I have and haven’t done with it. 3. E36 323i Track Car - This one is actually still completely standard. I’ve bought lots of track based parts for this but haven’t actually touched the car yet. However while parked outside my house the cat has been nicked so the car can’t be driven because it’s now got no exhaust! I think I’ve got a bit overwhelmed with all the cars. I don’t really know where to start and knowing there’s so much work to do on at least two of them I just can’t muster up the enthusiasm to go near them. I need to get at least one of them finished (probably the Golf) but I just don’t know where to start. Anyone else got stuck in a bit of a rut with their cars? I was doing quite well with the Golf during lockdown and then started to struggle with the whole lockdown situation and ended up struggling to get out of bed for the last few weeks before heading back to work.
|
|
Follow Me On Instagram - @parttimecartinkerer
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 12, 2020 8:18:23 GMT
|
Hi there.This is not unusual and due too the lockdown is compounded.The simple answer is you need to breakdown the big jobs into little jobs.As you say the golf seems a logical choice.Driveshafts stripdown clean rebuild paint tick off list.Cambelt stripdown replace covers back on tick off list.Easy too write about but can be challenging too do.If you can do the jobs with someone even if they cannot physically help company can be helpful.Hope this helps.
|
|
|
|
awoo
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,503
|
|
Sept 12, 2020 9:06:46 GMT
|
Maybe sell one or two of them to relieve yourself of the stress. The bmw would probably sell easily even without a cat and with all the track parts it would go easily.
I would focus on the golf, maybe sell the other one too and get a mate to help you on the final push to get the golf done.
|
|
Last Edit: Sept 12, 2020 9:07:23 GMT by awoo
|
|
stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,836
Club RR Member Number: 174
|
|
Sept 12, 2020 9:08:28 GMT
|
I'm struggling with motivation, I ended up buying another car to go to work in as my Delica needs a engine rebuild finally, I dropped my Saxo onto the floor and now it'll be a massive faff to get it back in the air again, my Vitara is a garden ornament and my S2000 is too nice to drive in work clothes. The new car needs to be modified and I can't really be arsed. I bought some wheels for it but haven't even tried them on yet, and suspension would probably take me a day to sort but I've got other stuff that always seems more of a priority. It's curse word really, I know that once I make the first jump and get on with it I'll be fine again but it's that jump that seems to be getting larger.
|
|
|
|
Sammo
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 1,461
Club RR Member Number: 103
|
|
Sept 12, 2020 9:14:08 GMT
|
Maybe sell one or two of them to relieve yourself of the stress. The bmw would probably sell easily even without a cat and with all the track parts it would go easily. I would focus on the golf, maybe sell the other one too and get a mate to help you on the final push to get the golf done. To be honest out of the three cars the Golf is probably the one that I’m feeling the least connection with. It was my Brothers car which I kind of bought on a whim knowing it needed lots of work and I’ve just run out of steam with it. The problem is I need to do more work to it before it would even be worth trying to sell.
|
|
Follow Me On Instagram - @parttimecartinkerer
|
|
|
|
Sept 12, 2020 9:21:55 GMT
|
I totally get it.
That’s probably why I went and bought the Rezin Rockit..
Carport, due to steel guy. Is stalled. C10 not I’m headspace yet.
This is something we all face to varying degrees from time to time.
I know retrospectively that I sold the Taunus Transit partly for that reason and partly in response to being made redundant (not financial just emotional)
I am sure between the responses on here, you will find advice and motivation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 12, 2020 9:24:39 GMT
|
I'd ask what would you do with each car finished. Will you do enough track days to need the e36, do you need a van, when would use to golf?
I'd work that out and the sell on what you won't end up using. Having one project you want to finish and use might lighten the mental load help get that car on the road.
It's not a hobby if it's not fun
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 12, 2020 9:36:24 GMT
|
Par for the course. I’ve got an RS2000 that just needs two brake pipes putting back on & bleeding after a full restoration. Those same two brake pipes have just wanted fitting for the last 9 years 😀 I can’t raise the enthusiasm level high enough to fit them & obviously haven’t done in the last 9 yrs. it’s been sat in my garage all that time.
|
|
|
|
75swb
Beta Tester
Posts: 1,014
Club RR Member Number: 181
|
|
Sept 12, 2020 9:38:17 GMT
|
If you've the storage space I wouldn't sell them, I reckon you'd regret it in future. I think you're right to focus, and my gut feel is the van. Can you source new, or even used driveshafts to save the work and get it on the road? I would make a list of all the jobs to get it an MOT, even if they're not the final iteration, get all the required parts, and maybe see if you can convince a mate or two to help for a weekend and you'd have most of that done. Just driving it will motivate, and do not underestimate the power of some company!
I've got the clio with the timing slipped which I'm concerned is beyond me but is taxed (rego'd) for 12 months, so it can sit on the road and I have a year to learn the skills. The lada needs the clutch bleeding, electrics sorting, carb setting up, brakes sorting, and maybe new seats. All things I can do, but I just lack time and weather to get into it (only just spring here and no garage). But I love using it in summer so there's my deadline. For now I've put some wheels on the T5, gonna order some lowing springs, working on some sounds, sorting a cut and polish and some decals, and fitted some sound deadening today. It's a long way from perfect, but the fact I can drive it helps motivate. I reckon if the caddy was mot'd and driveable you'd be inclined to do more to it!
|
|
|
|
Sammo
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 1,461
Club RR Member Number: 103
|
|
Sept 12, 2020 9:49:05 GMT
|
I think part of the problem is doing this all by myself. My Brother doesn’t have the time to come over and help due to his job and although my mates are into cars they have zero interest in actually working on them.
|
|
Follow Me On Instagram - @parttimecartinkerer
|
|
|
75swb
Beta Tester
Posts: 1,014
Club RR Member Number: 181
|
|
Sept 12, 2020 9:49:20 GMT
|
Also, can we get some pics please! Sound like cool projects!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 12, 2020 10:04:27 GMT
|
Like pretty much everyone else I know how you feel, since lockdown I seem to have lost motivation for just about everything. Almost everything I do lately feels more of a chore than for the fun of it. Hopefully it'll pass, but in the meantime I've started to pay a mechanic to work on my car, that way the project still moves forward, it's not on my mind all the time, and hopefully when they're done my mojo will return.
|
|
|
|
Sammo
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 1,461
Club RR Member Number: 103
|
|
Sept 12, 2020 10:05:01 GMT
|
|
|
Follow Me On Instagram - @parttimecartinkerer
|
|
|
|
Sept 12, 2020 10:21:22 GMT
|
This might get a little philosophical, but I like my philosophy practical so hopefully that will help!
Motivation, like everything else, waxes and wanes. Everyone needs to decide what to do with the waxing and waning.
Do you decide that they are a sign your interest is waning, and that you need to go find something else to do? If so, you will need some techniques for finding new and interesting things to do (I'm less of this bent, so won't be able to give good advice). It's a route to experiencing lots of things and being an interesting person, but not necessarily finishing much. You'll need to learn to be ok with not finishing things, and focussing on the journey.
Do you decide that it's something to be weathered and fought through in pursuit of the goal you've chosen? If so, you'll need techniques for managing low motivation. You'll need to learn to be ok with your goal being distant, and avoid the trap of pinning your self worth on something being finished (because nothing is ever truly finished).
Most people sit somewhere between the two. I lean further to the 'chosen pursuits' end than most, but like to keep my hand in with a couple of varied things that don't take up too much time. Where do you want to sit?
For me, my chosen path means finding techniques that manage motivation. Here's what works for me.
1. Accept that there are times where you will feel demotivated. Don't beat yourself up about it too much. A drive to get out of it is good, something that pushes you further in is bad. 2. Choose what your end goals will be, and spend time working through them so you trust them. If your current fleet doesn't fit your end goals, change it so that it does. Goals can change, but it heps if you pick out some ones you really like and have worked through practically. Do you want one working really good car? Probably sell the others. Do you want a few cars that aren't quite as fully developed, but you like the variety? Sell the ones you don't like and keep the ones you do. 3. Find little techniques to help do stuff while you're demotivated. I like the 'zero sum days' practice. It's a tool for working your way out of slumps. Basically you do at least one thing towards your goal a day, no matter how small or how unimportant. Put one jubilee clip on? That's progress. Bought a new jubilee clip? That's progress. Researched the jubilee clip that you think you'll need? That's progress. You'll be amazed at how far you can push things forward through times of demotivation just by doing one little thing at a time (although it usually takes someone coming in from the outside to notice how much more it's moved). 4. Accept that the end goal is probably going to be a slog to reach, and learn to appreciate the journey. If you can't do that (and it's hard to appreciate the journey when there's vast swathes that are pants), split it down into smaller goals. Break the project down into each individual task you need to do to get it done, and work towards each of those. The breakdown should be small enough to be able to tick off one or two things a week, which will help prove to your doubting mind that progress can be made, and is being made.
Hope that helps!
|
|
|
|
awoo
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,503
|
|
Sept 12, 2020 10:25:30 GMT
|
bmw looks too good to track to me (just looking at it on the surface), I would sort the exhaust and run that, sell the others.
a golf turbo project would still sell, they're pretty desirable and theres plenty of people out there for them, I think they're probably one of the few project cars that would still sell at a decent rate when half finished. (purely speculation and I may be completely wrong)
I know how this feels though, I have a vespa which I finished to highest standard I could, took it to get "professionally sprayed" (at a place called body works, longridge avenue, Sussex in case anyone is looking for a review on google, never go there, the worst place ever) only for the idiot to spray over surface rust, clear lacquer over dirty finger prints, overcharge and do a number of other bad things.
completely ruined it, it's great other than the paint but I can barely even think about it let alone look at it or ride it.
these things can end up being a bit of an anchor, if you can sell up and finish off the easiest one it might be the best way? it would be good for your head at the very least.
maybe need a community garage thing where people help each other out, just to get over the hump or get you started again
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 12, 2020 10:39:45 GMT
|
What I would do (not saying do it lol) Get BMW tidy and stick some kind of exhaust on/mot if necessary. Sell it.
Use money to get one of the others finished (pay someone to finish it off)
Whilst one away, work on the other yourself.
Mk2's are doing strong money atm.
My mk2 would be getting finished atm if my mate would let me take it to his garage 😂
|
|
|
|
fogey
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,592
|
|
Sept 12, 2020 13:00:33 GMT
|
Sadly this is why you see so many 'unfinished projects' up for sale, but the truth is, you're not a real petrolhead unless you have 3 or 4 projects on the go at one time . . . .
As above, concentrate on the car you'd most like finished first and then move onto the next.
However, I know the feeling well: the difficult bit is getting off my backside in the first place but once I'm out in the garage I'm actually quite happy tinkering away.
|
|
Last Edit: Sept 12, 2020 13:02:54 GMT by fogey
|
|
|
|
Sept 12, 2020 18:29:01 GMT
|
I have to imagine the end result if i loose motivation but usually its only a day or two and I'm back at it. Agree do small amounts each day or week / its progress. When building my Jeep i had a list of 85 jobs left to complete and worked through the list through one Summer till all finished / took Jeep for mot / failed on one brake light bulb / after that experience it seemed easier as i could look back knowing with some continued motivation projects can get finished
|
|
Last Edit: Sept 12, 2020 18:29:24 GMT by Quasimoto
Started out with nothing and have most of it left.
|
|
75swb
Beta Tester
Posts: 1,014
Club RR Member Number: 181
|
|
Sept 12, 2020 18:50:45 GMT
|
Not a huge fan of The bm as a roadcar but big fan as a race car! Sucks about the cat. I'm in the same situation with getting started on the ones that need my attention tbh, so the little non-mechanical bits on the van are all I've done for a couple of months, but it keeps it ticking over. When I was doing the engine swap on the van another pair of hands would have made it 1000x easier but none of my mates were interested. Started it on my own, and had my 80 year old neighbour walk up the drive and help out. Not sure I could have done it without him. I'd write the list and see if you can tick a couple of easy ones off to start building some momentum.
|
|
|
|
75swb
Beta Tester
Posts: 1,014
Club RR Member Number: 181
|
|
Sept 12, 2020 18:52:06 GMT
|
Those are gonna be cool as a cucumber!
|
|
|
|
|