Right back at it, again.

In the last month, I've actually spent some time in the shop! First, building a long-promised table for my mom (almost done), then, getting the Puch Stripped. I have a challenge - paint, replating and dealing with the rusty pipes, cleaning up the frame and cylinder head...

And, new tires, after they blew out on the last ride to the garage. She was telling me that it was time to get to work...

Falling in love again...

I worked that Benz. More, way more hours under that thing. When I twisted my little 11mm line wrench for the last time, and the hydraulic fluid flowed with nary' a leak - every painful moment was worth it. There was more cutting and re-threading involved than I care to share.

The exhaust did not surrender - it fought to the last and was duly vanquished.

The brakes bled gallons.

When I took the first ride in what felt like an entirely different car - floating along with the power coming on in a classical wave - nothing better.

I'm still riding the puch all original. Looks like I'll be re-chroming the pipes and making do with many of the parts I have on hand - the proper way to do it. I'll be fighting the temptation to buy a Triumph. I'll be repainting a Motobecane bicycle and experimenting with zinc plating and silverleaf. I'll bring the BMW back to riding condition with some new cables, paint, wiring and a pair of new clip-ons....

All in all, many more mistakes, triumphs, fleeting moments of regret and mechanical challenges to come!

MercCrucible Update

At first, straight forward. Rusty line, fasteners, normal stuff. A challenge for sure. Had it all together, one last fitting on the end of a hydraulic line didn't thread right. I've spent 10 hours working on that one fitting. At this point, I've cut out the line - my cousin offered to remake it for me tomorrow. Here's to hoping. Haven't touched the exhaust or brakes.

To update the analogy of a challenging exam:

Things start well, the questions are a challenge = pulse quickens as your preparation and focus pay off and pour on the paper. 45 minutes in, and you know you're ahead of the game.

The room is dead silent.

In the distance, down the hall, a dull thud. Then another, much louder. The door to the hall bursta open - a flash-bang grenade rolls in and explodes. Your ears are ringing, you can't see - the first row and proctor are on the floor. Some are moving, some screaming - all as a band of German paramilitaries fan out across the room through the mist and chaos.

They're looking for you - the one that dared to crawl under a specimen of rolling national pride - the one that dare lay his American hand upon the delicate underbelly of a Mercedes Benz.

In and out of consciousness, tied down on the proctor's table. Hydraulic fluid drip, drip, drips into your eyes from a perfectly engineered torture device suspended above your head. Your captors sprinkle rust flakes into your face. One even throws the occasional box wrench onto your chest.

Why should I have expected it to go any other way?? :) Love it. Been riding the Puch by necessity - brilliant!

MerCrucible?

I traded out a few complications in my life - the Range Rover and BMW 535i, for something new.

The car, to me, means a move towards simplification, reliability; shoring up a better foundation for projects to come.

For years, my cousin's told me that Mercedes made before 1996 are some of the most dependable and over-engineered cars ever made. In particular, the series known as the w124, produced in the late 80's and early 90's, seems the business. I found an estate version, and bought it.

212,000 miles be damned. Most solid, nicest car I've ever owned. Tomorrow, I get serious about the mechanics. I'll be replacing two magical spheres, called "accumulators." These glands use the fascinating power of hydraulics to keep the car from bouncing like an empty school bus (which it does now). Also, hoping to simply bolt on some new exhaust system components and bleed the brakes.

I feel all together different about the coming adventure. I've studied with an academic bend. Applied myself to preparing the workspace, sought guidance, collected the proper documentation. It feels like my first exam in a challenging college course - the first time you feel like you really have to try to nail it - but know that in the end, you can. Let's see where we are in a few days, then back to the Puch. Promise.

This is what I'm talking about

This is James Dean. This is James Dean on a Puch Twingle. This makes all the difference in the world. I'll see you on the street...

Thanks for finding the photo Frankie! Check him out - Handverker - frankieflood.blogspot.com

What a day...

So, I haven't posted in a while. My life has played out in a series of truly boombastic errors and calm, smoldering victories. In sum, here they are:

Errors:

Purchase and follied restoration of a BMW 535i. Sold last week. Good lesson, financial loser.

Packed new car too tight, shattered rare rear window. Big Loss, but convenient for moving large things that now stick out the window-hole, where the glass should be.

Forgot crucial light fixture parts at ikea, for the second time in a month. Just sucks

Not an error, but sucks: BMW started today - had to call Matt to see if the megagallons of white smoke pouring out of the crash-side cylinder were normal. He assured me that it was routine, and that they "smoke like banshees" after they spend on the sides. No engine damage, bit the tank and headlight shell are dented, valve cover is chewed up, and turn signal is busted off. Good work ahead.

My cat, Rudy, has some funky brown shit in his eye, might have to go to the vet. Ugh.

Victories:

Now a homewoner - bought a nice duplex bungalow with my mother in bayview. Good move, but the last 10 days of moving myself, and mama out of her dirty lair have been a bit much. My girl, Sonja, has an uncanny talent for packing, unpacking, organizing, junk removal, and taskmistressing.

Got a 1990 Mercedes Benz 300te Wagon with tons of miles. Needs work, but already the best car I've had. I can really really fit in at my cousin's shop, Black Forest. Plus, a whole new marques' worth of t-shirts and ephemera to buy.

Got some used Milwaukee power tools - all worth it.

Have a nice kitchen, finally. Pics to come soon.

Have a nice garage, pics to come soon.

Puch still runs, and soon, there will be time to mess with it!

Cheers, all...More moto content on the way.

Non-moto, heavy metal

Getting ready to leave DC. Next week, I move. I also have the huge opportunity to put the kitchen together - it's an empty shell with some period cabinets and original cast iron sink (ca.1925). So, I decided to get this:

Picking up in Madison on Sunday. It's got history - real pro stove, everything works for $100. I want to either find or make some matching knobs after I clean it up. I'll put a Wok ring on the burner with no grate - PERFECT!

My favorite part of the movie RATATOUILLE was the kitchen hardware:

I think I can get that dirty old stove closer to what you see here (if it weren't digitally generated)....stay tuned, and prepare for a meal cooked on a proper stove!