Dez
Club Retro Rides Member
And I won't sit down. And I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up.
Posts: 11,713
Club RR Member Number: 34
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One important thing not mentioned is which bit of old car ownership you actually enjoy.
Do you want to drive it lots, race it, or are you more into the satisfaction of doing restoration or modification to a high standard, or learning how to do things other people can’t? In a lot of ways I enjoy the build more than than actually using the car. It’s part of why I build cars for other people, I get to experience that satisfaction extra times. And quite a few times I’ve built cars for myself, driven them once and sold them. By the time I’d built them the interest was gone.
More recently though I’ve got a bit fed up of building cars for unappreciative customers, so am scaling back business side of things massively, to the point where it almost won’t exist. This is a difficult thing to get your head around as all business models are based around growth, but I basically want to have full workshop facilities to build my own cars and just do the bare minimum here and there for other people to finance it. That way I get to build what I want to build and don’t have to work to other peoples dumb or just uninteresting ideas.
This is meaning a huge lifestyle change and a move of both house and workshop to a cheaper area to make it possible. I honestly don’t know how people work 40+ hours a week for someone else though, I’d never be happy dedicating that amount of my life to someone else.
But to answer the thing about motivation, I used to use build threads to do that, often on here. But even keeping a build thread updated is a big commitment for me now, all mine are miles behind and I can’t really be arsed with them right now. To do one to my standard requires a fair bit of time per post and then you have to mess about uploading all the pics and putting them in the right place. I found Instagram a massive help when tight on time and motivation, a quick post showing what you did in the day you worked on your car (or how you worked through a specific job over a few days here and there) takes 5 mins and when you’re feeling like you’re getting nowhere you can go back and scroll through them, see what you’ve achieved and it gets your brain moving onto what’s next to do. Sort of somewhere between a scrapbook and a portfolio. I even go back and remove some posts to tidy things up so it’s just a fairly solid and positive source.
I follow people off here who also use it exactly the same way, rather than how the rest of the world seem to, and it seems to do the same for them too. It’s then crossposted to FB and we all tend to have a bit of a chat about car stuff. Definitely a positive way to use social media.
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Last Edit: Apr 3, 2022 23:58:44 GMT by Dez
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great to read all this guys
i have a cranky busy job , 2 lock ups miles from home with no power and about 4-5 motorbike projects that i struggle to make time for
i think i need to step away look at what can be sorted the quickest and concentrate on that but possibly move the others out of sight so not to distract from the end goal.
i did get a nice little micra project and bought a few bits for it but a mates car went pop so that got passed to him to get to work before i could start on it so it has to be motorbikes for a bit longer :-(
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But to answer the thing about motivation, I used to use build threads to do that, often on here. But even keeping a build thread updated is a big commitment for me now, all mine are miles behind and I can’t really be arsed with them right now. To do one to my standard requires a fair bit of time per post and then you have to mess about uploading all the pics and putting them in the right place. This is actually the reason I'm trying to get the new posting tool finished : forum.retro-rides.org/page/thread-tool The idea being it takes a lot of formatting and guess work out of updating a build thread. Throw up a set of pictures like you do on IG, caption where appropriate, reorder by dragging and dropping them. There are a few more bits I'd like to sort out on it (drafts for a start), before it is fully live live, rather than in beta live. This ease of use is where all forum software has failed its users. I'm trying to bridge that gap, but it would be easier if I could actually recode whole sections of the forum, sadly I can't ... I'd build my own forum software that fixed all these things, but as per this thread, time/energy is in short supply alongside everything else
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Last Edit: Apr 5, 2022 10:55:50 GMT by HoTWire
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Dez
Club Retro Rides Member
And I won't sit down. And I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up.
Posts: 11,713
Club RR Member Number: 34
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But to answer the thing about motivation, I used to use build threads to do that, often on here. But even keeping a build thread updated is a big commitment for me now, all mine are miles behind and I can’t really be arsed with them right now. To do one to my standard requires a fair bit of time per post and then you have to mess about uploading all the pics and putting them in the right place. This is actually the reason I'm trying to get the new posting tool finished : forum.retro-rides.org/page/thread-tool The idea being it takes a lot of formatting and guess work out of updating a build thread. Throw up a set of pictures like you do on IG, caption where appropriate, reorder by dragging and dropping them. There are a few more bits I'd like to sort out on it (drafts for a start), before it is fully live live, rather than in beta live. This ease of use is where all forum software has failed its users. I'm trying to bridge that gap, but it would be easier if I could actually recode whole sections of the forum, sadly I can't ... I'd build my own forum software that fixed all these things, but as per this thread, time/energy is in short supply alongside everything else Yeah, I’ve seen your post about it but not actually tried it yet. Part of the reason is I only use a mobile at the mo, my laptop died a while ago and I havent bothered replacing it as the only thing I actually used it for was a couple of forums. Drag and drop always seems a lot more of a desktop-friendly function than mobile to me tbh. I’ve been using Tapatalk to post on here for a good while now, which did make things a lot easier. I like the concept of ‘photo with caption’ though as that’s basically all a build thread is.
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Yeah, I’ve seen your post about it but not actually tried it yet. Part of the reason is I only use a mobile at the mo, my laptop died a while ago and I havent bothered replacing it as the only thing I actually used it for was a couple of forums. Drag and drop always seems a lot more of a desktop-friendly function than mobile to me tbh. I’ve been using Tapatalk to post on here for a good while now, which did make things a lot easier. I like the concept of ‘photo with caption’ though as that’s basically all a build thread is. It was with mobile users in mind that I started it, another area that forums have been running ten years behind the times. It isn't right yet, I want to add Up and Down buttons next to the picture/caption combos so they can be shifted that way too, but it is getting there.
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Something that's not yet been mentioned is the importance of not forcing it upon you when you're not really up for it. There are certain times or specific jobs that lead to us putting off working on projects. Forcing yourself through guilt is probably the worst thing you can do in that situation. We have enough things in life we can't really say no to so adding another unnecessarily won't help.
I forced through a midget restoration once, using every spare minute to progress the project and it ultimately led me to take a ten year break from cars and the whole scene, taking up archery of all things to fill the gap.
Look after your projects, however many you choose to have by all means but llook after yourself first.
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Yeah, I’ve seen your post about it but not actually tried it yet. Part of the reason is I only use a mobile at the mo, my laptop died a while ago and I havent bothered replacing it as the only thing I actually used it for was a couple of forums. Drag and drop always seems a lot more of a desktop-friendly function than mobile to me tbh. I’ve been using Tapatalk to post on here for a good while now, which did make things a lot easier. I like the concept of ‘photo with caption’ though as that’s basically all a build thread is. It was with mobile users in mind that I started it, another area that forums have been running ten years behind the times. It isn't right yet, I want to add Up and Down buttons next to the picture/caption combos so they can be shifted that way too, but it is getting there. The one thing that puts me off doing a build thread is the picture hosting. I had a lengthy resto thread on the old practical classics forum and hosting pictures became a real pita.
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alx
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 367
Club RR Member Number: 21
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One important thing not mentioned is which bit of old car ownership you actually enjoy. Do you want to drive it lots, race it, or are you more into the satisfaction of doing restoration or modification to a high standard, or learning how to do things other people can’t? This mostly - "the satisfaction of doing restoration or modification to a high standard, or learning how to do things other people can’t?"I've had the RX7 for 20 years nearly so it's basically part of me now and I like to modify and tastefully improve things to as high a standard as I can. The other cars are not as attached to me as the RX7 but still have some pull for me to want to progress them, for many different reasons. Just a small update on things in my world....I took the advice of chopping everything into bitesize chunks and have progressed on some not-fun wiring jobs on the RX7. Even though they are not fun jobs I didn't really have any stress, I just chugged through them and if one became a pita I moved to another and swung round to the original one after a bit of reflection on how to tackle things. Unfortunately got COVID last week and felt pretty $hite so progress slowed (but didn't stop). I brought some little jobs back to my workbench in my cellar and carried on with them when I felt like it. The massive whiteboard I now have on the wall next to the RX7 is covered in jobs to do and it helps to break things down rather than having the big picture rattling round your head. A 42" TV is now on the wall in the workshop, connected to a Fire TV box and Echo dot so I can shout out what Spotify playlist to have playing or move onto the next video on YouTube, without having to move from the car. Tried watching a film but that got too involved All the advice in the previous pages has been invaluable and hopefully it'll come in useful for others. Cheers RR'ers, you're legends! AL. Pic for mojo
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Last Edit: Apr 7, 2022 13:50:10 GMT by alx
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Apr 10, 2022 12:22:10 GMT
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Hi , its been a while since i’ve stuck my nose in here, Early 2019 Mrs Prime decided she didn’t want to be Mrs Prime after 25yrs anymore, so my life fell apart completely. Then the Covid thing hit, so that stopped all divorce and house sale processes and as an HGV driver we never stopped ,got completely manic ..... Anyhow eventually the divorce was done, July last year i moved into my own home, i had to to get shot of a load of my ‘ stuff i’m going to make one day’ projects. ( 3 6yrd skips just for garage and garden stuff)
So long story short, new house has gotten a slightly bigger garage than last one, i’ve still got my Disco td5, but now run a modern Insignia as a daily, Still doing 50+ hours a week,
Its strange, the house is mine to do as want, so is the garden etc etc ... but the Garage, that always felt that's “My Space” and i need to get that done this year.
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alx
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 367
Club RR Member Number: 21
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Jul 19, 2022 11:21:37 GMT
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Bit of an update. I committed to attending a show on 23 July this year and this has given me a target to aim for. Much mojo returned, lots of work done and almost ready to go. A few pics.......... Cheers AL.
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Last Edit: Jul 19, 2022 11:37:18 GMT by alx
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alx
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 367
Club RR Member Number: 21
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Jul 19, 2022 11:24:02 GMT
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Ooooh, a quote I heard that has assisted me in getting stuff done that I thought was relevant:
"Perfection is the enemy of good"
Makes a difference when you think about things like that.
AL.
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Last Edit: Jul 19, 2022 11:38:10 GMT by alx
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Jul 19, 2022 13:19:49 GMT
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I'm only finding the middle thing (inspiration) at the moment, but I found ways to increase the enjoyment.
During Covid I sold both my project cars to buy 1 ready to drive fun car that I could enjoy now with the kids, rather than stressing about when/if I would ever get the projects on the road to enjoy. The car I bought isn't quite as aesthetically pleasing as what I sold, and I don't have a history with the brand, but it is a stack more fun to be out there driving it every week or so than it ever was stressing about when I would find hours to do a particular job on a project.
Before that happened I picked up a couple of parts for a project as an impulse buy which I found beautiful. They were cheap enough and rough enough, and of a style that I don't mind if it takes me 10 years to complete, or if it is never drivable. This means I can collect little bits with time and even gathering bits can be a fun adventure which can squeeze around my obligations. A few weeks back during a hospital stint I took the opportunity to buy a car that I have long wanted to build, so cheap that there is nothing to lose in working on it, and rough enough that I don't feel guilty messing with it. Because I have the other classic on the road building this also has no time limit to stress about, and I plan to build this one with a mate, dedicating a day at a time whenever he can make the trip across town to share in the cutting and welding.
I still need plenty more time and money, but this restructure of the collection has removed a lot of stress and created a lot more joy.
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Remade In Australia thereimaginarium.com.au
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Jul 19, 2022 13:34:41 GMT
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Glad to see the mojo's back! Killer RX7 too I have a mate who would be insanely jealous, he's wanted one for ages. Also, I feel bad 'liking' your post optimusprime. Sounds like a curse word time to be honest! Glad you're coming out the other end of it though, and with a place with a larger garage sounds like a win
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Jul 25, 2022 12:33:39 GMT
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What kicks me up the butt? Knowing my brother is coming down, he is into cars just as much as I am, it's a shame he lives so far away, I think we'd both have a lot more drive to learn and build if we were closer together.
I don't know how to explain it but I just get a bucket more done when he's about - not because he's doing the work because generally he's just there watching me or spouting off other ideas. Dunno, I just feel more effective as part of a team than a one man band I guess - lack of self confidence at play there I guess.
Neither of us are certified mechanics in any way - I buy food as a day job for example so it's a lot quicker to research things and learn things together than alone I guess.
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Jul 25, 2022 20:02:10 GMT
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I'm interested in this thread, because I'm having a very hard time trying to motivate myself to continue with the Morris Oxford wagon project. When it first arrived... an embarrassing 4 years or so ago, I was all excited and eager. I got stuck in and the floor was welded, all the under car stuff done, wheels and tyres etc, interior out to repair, etc etc etc. Then it had to move outside as I needed the space for my business, and curse word all has happened since... and I'm struggling to A, decide what the end result is for it. B, be arsed to do anything with it. I mean... everytime I uncover it I'm reminded of why I bought it, and how much I love it. But then it gets covered back up and forgotten. I know that time is a factor, I have a small business to run, an couple of properties I'm renovating, a family, a dog, and some motorbikes which all seem take priority. Plus now it's outside, it's too daunting to get motivated. My wife does kick me up the to finish/sell it, but it just sits and waits!
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Jul 27, 2022 10:14:35 GMT
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I was thinking about this post an awful lot over the last couple of days - not because i've got masses of magic advise but because i realised i'm not alone and so many of us have the same issues.
I have an old VW i've had since i was 18 and i've been trying to restore it for the last 20 years. 3 house moves, lack of garage and relearning how to do things properly haven't helped, but my latest obstacles are a young family, dog, work, mrs who doesn't fully appreciate the length of time things take - all the usual stuff. I also live on a quiet little street with lots of kids so feel obliged to not make noise after 8pm.
Things are a struggle especially when me and my Mrs balance working around our kids meaning neither of us have much free time. She also has a habit of planning my spare time for me.....
There are 4 things I have found have worked for me a little:
1) Put your foot down. Tell the family on a certain day you are booked on some spanner work for 3 hrs. If you don't put your flag in the ground and just wait to see if you have a spare afternoon, chances are you won't, and if you moan it will be pointed out you didn't mention anything previously. If you get the ok, then the booked time is something to look forward to so a mojo boost.
2) Be organised and tidy. This is a great task you can do late at night or over the course of several 10 minutes. What little time i do get is precious so i don't want to spend the first half hour finding all my stuff. Make your area work ready. If you spend 10 minutes here and there it also feels like progress so is a mojo boost.
3) At the end of your session write a list. Often it can be weeks before i can work on my project again by which time i've forgotten what i was working on last time. Make a 'handover' list to yourself so you can set off exactly where you last left. I find writing to-do lists in general can just overwelm me but a reminder of the last session is really good.
4) Sometimes, just throw some cash. I'm naturally really tight, pay for things when i think i can afford things, etc etc. I've learnt though time really is money and sometimes to move a project significantly on you sometimes just have to throw some cash at it. An example - i bought a turn-over jig for my bodyshell. It was a few hundred quid but it means access to all the hard bits is way easier than lying on your back so this boosts moral and moves things on quicker. It felt wreckless buying it and made me queazy at first but then i justified it. It also means I can also casually wonder into the garage and admire my progress further boosting mojo.
So there are no magic fixes other than coming into loads of money and giving up work, but the above has been working for me and over the last year i've made more progress than over the last 20.
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Last Edit: Jul 27, 2022 10:19:38 GMT by toast00
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alx
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 367
Club RR Member Number: 21
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Jul 27, 2022 11:09:24 GMT
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There are 4 things I have found have worked for me a little: 1) Put your foot down. Tell the family on a certain day you are booked on some spanner work for 3 hrs. If you don't put your flag in the ground and just wait to see if you have a spare afternoon, chances are you won't, and if you moan it will be pointed out you didn't mention anything previously. If you get the ok, then the booked time is something to look forward to so a mojo boost. 2) Be organised and tidy. This is a great task you can do late at night or over the course of several 10 minutes. What little time i do get is precious so i don't want to spend the first half hour finding all my stuff. Make your area work ready. If you spend 10 minutes here and there it also feels like progress so is a mojo boost. 3) At the end of your session write a list. Often it can be weeks before i can work on my project again by which time i've forgotten what i was working on last time. Make a 'handover' list to yourself so you can set off exactly where you last left. I find writing to-do lists in general can just overwelm me but a reminder of the last session is really good. 4) Sometimes, just throw some cash. I'm naturally really tight, pay for things when i think i can afford things, etc etc. I've learnt though time really is money and sometimes to move a project significantly on you sometimes just have to throw some cash at it. An example - i bought a turn-over jig for my bodyshell. It was a few hundred quid but it means access to all the hard bits is way easier than lying on your back so this boosts moral and moves things on quicker. It felt wreckless buying it and made me queazy at first but then i justified it. It also means I can also casually wonder into the garage and admire my progress further boosting mojo. So there are no magic fixes other than coming into loads of money and giving up work, but the above has been working for me and over the last year i've made more progress than over the last 20. All excellent advice and along the lines of how I have clawed my way out of the mojo slump. Also, as per biturbo228 's advice on previous pages, not having zero-sum days is a help. I'm not really a tree-hugger type person but this advice actually hit the spot linkParticularly the bit about forgiving yourself. It makes a big difference to how you view the situation. Good luck AL.
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skinnylew
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 5,546
Club RR Member Number: 11
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Definitely identify with this thread in so many ways. Too many projects not enough time always. House stuff always gets in the way, work gets in the way and then sport gets in the way! I still play football and love watching sport which leaves very little time to tinker with anything! Might need to prioritise some things as people have suggested and cull some projects sadly
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alx
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 367
Club RR Member Number: 21
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A couple of shots of the recent 7's Day at Bicester Heritage Centre. Good day and more RX7's actually running and driving than I've ever seen in one place before :-) Obligatory Convoy shot Lots of rotaries Cheers AL.
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Last Edit: Aug 2, 2022 13:57:48 GMT by alx
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