UNmotivated

lately i've been draggin' my feet when it comes to working on my hotrod. i'm so close to being done, but i just want to DRIVE it. i need to get this cowl steering and dash out of the way and i think i'll get back in the groove. i need some inspiration.... or maybe just a kick in the ass! kind of pointless thread, sorry.

 

If you haven't hit that point somewhere along the line you haven't been building hotrods very long.
I hit total burnout on hotrods and cars alltogether a few years and needed time off and finding the HAMB and a couple of truck boards to get to where I wanted to go back to working on projects again.

That wasn't any help but it may let you know that you aren't the only one who has ever gotten to the point where working on the rod seemed to be more like "work" than "fun".w

Now about that cowl steering, what are you using and how is it going to hook up? One of my projects is going to need cowl steering to look right.

 

This is a hobby, some cars get built in a few months others take a lifetime, some projects outlive their first caretaker, you are not alone.

 

I have left instructions for my kids on how to finish my Studebakers and my 53 Ford Courier, just in case.....

 

hahaha!

ya, this is my first build. i get up every morning and go to the shop, but i always end up just kind of staring at it and tinkering around with shit, not really getting anything done.

the cowl steering is what slowed me down. i'm not sure what the box is, i know it's a ford, i think it might be an f100.
i built a support that goes from rail to rail under the cowl and i need to extend the shaft but that'll cost about $350 and i don't make much money. so i'm thinking of cutting the hoop off the pitman arm and welding some nice thick pipe to as my "extended" shaft and making my own arm to drop out the side of the cowl. i'll put a couple pics up tomorrow on my other thread.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=336027

 

I guess I'm a little goofy.....I love to be out in the shop building, fabing, tuning, putzing around other than driving, showing etc.....It's funny when I get out to shows I don't even want to bring my cars out....I do however, enjoy looking at other guys rolling art, taking pics and getting new ideas......of course most of my cars get driven a 1/4 mile at a time....that is where the fun is......for me!

 

Are you forcing yourself to go out there everyday? I know some days I feel like going in the garage and some days I don't. If you force yourself to go out there when you don't want to, I've found it starts to feel more like a chore then a hobby. Remember, this is something you want to do, not that you have to do.

Got any friends with hot rods? If so, go for a ride in theirs, that should make you want to get yours done.

 

Works every time for me!!! (not that there are too many around my neck of the woods)
I guess we all hit that wall sometime - I've been there for the last week or two. Forcing myself to get in the shop and do a total cleanup. I'm hosting a regional Metalmeet this weekend - hopefully that(and a nice clean shop) will get me fired up for next week......

Barry

 

sometimes life has a way of getting in the way..
other responsibilities, and commitments..
at least thats how its been for me..I just try to do what I can with what I have..I get in slumps every now and than..either it be due to lack of funding..or lack of drive at that time..
Just ride the wave..it will come

 

g'day my first car took 2 years to build. my next car took 4 mths because i wanted to drive it i never lost site of how good it is to take that rod for a ride, hook in and finish your ride if you cant afford something just remember that you can always, borrow, beg, or steal. the last being optional good luck hoo roo pete

 

Ask your wife or girlfriend to give you a list of things to do around the house and I think you will find the motivation to work on the hot rod.
Seriously, every job runs into burnout - even the fun ones like a hobby. Take a break and do something else that you enjoy for a day or two then go back with a fresh sense of direction and ambition. Good Luck and lets see some pictures.

 

I'm sure most of us hit that point.Spent 2 years bustin ass to bring mine from the frame up only working on it weekends. Now it needs finishing body work, rear bumper and the engine is getting tired and starting to skip at low rpms. Have the new engine all apart, cylinders honed and block painted and have bought all the parts to build a real strong small block and I just can't get going on it. Hell, I haven't even cleaned it up after sittin all winter.Makes me wonder what the hell is wrong with me.

 

I had a few items that hung over my head like dark clouds during my build. Thing I found was once I went out there and really committed to them, none of them have been insurmountable.

Also, on the chore vs hobby thing. The other day I was in the shed with my mate, Martin, wiring my hot rod. I was getting a bit pissed off that we weren't finished and it was becoming a drag. Martin said, "Hey, we are working on hot rods, how good is that?" And he was right...working on hot rods is good.

Pete

 

Steppin out you have the motivation with the honey do's. When my list gets long I retreat to the garage, It is one hell of a motivator. And yes we all get into that slump, that too will pass if you are a true rot rodder.

 

Well, I started hotrodding in 1952 and still working at it. I never had time to get board with it because I had to geterdone! Now there were times I got disgusted and wasn't making the proper headway. I found the best way to resolve this dilemma was to go watch TV and after a couple of evenings of watching Lucy my "burnout" was cured. Now when the serious burnout hit I soon discovered that about 3 evenings in the house with the old lady bitching about all the honey do's I haven't done was the absolute burnout cure and I haven't had to have an additional cure sinceand that was 40 years ago. Me and the cars are happy ever after. That's how I see it!

 

Man these are all truths......I had done this for a living for 22yrs and just got so burnt out I didnt even want to touch my stuff.....well 8yrs ago I switched jobs closed the shop I kept the building....I went on a 1 yr break from all of it.....then I started back I turned my shop into a giant toy box I got my 2 boys involved I have about 7 cars going right now .... but the trick I use is when I go down I dont set an aggenda... even if all I do is sit and draw plans or sit and picture changes or what ever its still constructive and fun.... its now a joy to go down and put some tunes on and make some sparks or do a carb ... or take one for a drive or a wash and wax.... the thing is dont view any of it as an I have to..............just one mans oppinion ...... now go have some fun.....

 

i've found that the lack of funding is a real rod progress killer
then there's the " i just don't think it's ever gonna get done" syndrome.........

i started Lil Beast and money was flowing good....been so behind the last few months on the bills...and spring is here..or at least it's supposed to be, f&%#$@) michigan for ya!!!!!!!!!!!!
but then i found a cheap $25, well i only used $5 of my money, my bud Bob thru in the other $20, distraction at the swap meet last weekend..i bought a mini bike!!!!!!!so now i have to find a motor for it , so i can get it ready to drag it to the Hamb gatherings with mini's involved...

but trying to squeeze the cabagges out to go pick up some steel to start laying out the rear frame section and figuring out the x brace that i need to build to stiffen Lil Beast frame....and Bob picked up a baby arc welder that i think will work well enough for me to start tacking the rear frame together enough to get it to a REAL WELDER....tires are my holdup right now...and a dash and ..............and ..........and.....

 

Just what is the final goal? Having a project to work on or driving finishing a project? You don't need a vehicle to attend most meets, swaps etc.

 

I've been draggin' ass on my Bel Air lately. All it needs to drive is the gas tank cleaned out and resealed. But it's such a chore to take it off and clean/seal it, I've been putting it off for the last couple of months. It doesn't help that there's 12 or 13 gallons of gas in it. I just need to grit my teeth and do it I guess. Not looking forward to it though.

Then again, being "Bel Air Lazy" has allowed me to get a lot more done on my pickup lately.

 

This one's easy.

Know what the real cause is? You don't really know what you're doing. Don't take that the wrong way, bear with me for a minute.

When a person has a clear plan in their head.....Like step by step model building instructions. Then they get excited and want to make it happen.

When a person has excellent tools, skills, and shop space.......They get excited about what they can accomplish.

When a person looks at a task.......And all they see is the start point, and the finish point, and cloudy grey area in between......They lose motivation.

So size up your current grey area. What's the greyest?

Now go find yourself a non-car task that will force you to focus on the grey area, build a swap meet wagon, refinish a piece of furniture, customize your kid's bike. But do it to the best of your ability, and use that task to acquire a new tool and a new skill.

Repeat this exercise until you look at that car and see a clear step by step game plan that you can accomplish.

good luck

 

grey areas are a bummer. Every time I lose my motivation a phase that has no clear path end to end is involved. I go do something that I have done often enough that I don't have to think about it. While the hands are busy, the mind is free to develop a solution to the grey area problem and motivation returns.

 

There are a couple of good threads on here somewhere about setting up cowl steering using a Mopar alunimum box. Pretty straightforward and simple and not bank breakers.
That might help solve one problem. Even if it just gets the brain working in the right direction. The "oh yea" factor is big around here.

One here that might help
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=305256&highlight=cowl+steering+mopar+box

This is the thread that he refers to in the above thread. Go to page 7.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=260588&highlight=cowl+steering+mopar

Actually the whole thread has more great ideas and solutions than one guy can absorb.

 

I had one of those discouraging days today. I was out in the garage all damn day, then keep changing how to tackle a problem. By the end of the day I'm basically no further then I was at the beginning. These are the days that are unmotivating for me, hopefully tomorrow will go much smoother.

 

man after 25 years as a mechanic by trade and 150 ish cars over the years iam amazed i still like working on them.
and when iam laying on the cold concrete at nite pulling a tranny or somthing ,after working a 10 hour day ( not as a mechanic anymore) sometimes i wonder whats wrong with me,but its that or watch tv and mold on the couch so in the garage i go,
plus i keep thinken ill get one of my current projects going and be able to drive it!!

 

its the unknown stuff that usually slows me down- something i've never tried before, especially since i work alone... it is VERY possible to over think things- sometimes you just have to get at it... it may take a couple(or more) tries and some frustration , but you will have a breakthrough! and renewed motivation... i learned this years ago, and still find myself needing to be reminded on occasion... it will always suck not knowing something or screwing it up over and over, and it will always feel great once you get it right..

 

What pisses me off is people that have the means to work on their projects (tools, shop, etc.. etc..), and drag their ass, when there's a lot of us that have the drive and desire to get into the hobby, but can't because of whatever reason that keeps us from doing it.
It's disappointing, really.. and a bad impression.