Page 79 - Issue 47

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I should use a different word for ‘right’ decision I made was saving all the old parts in
here. How about ‘better’ or a phrase like ‘less the new part empty boxes--at least I knew what
destructive?’ The notes a builder kept before I had already replaced. I also made sure to put all
mothballing their project will become the guiding bolts and screws back in their original location
light when they get back at it. Trying to remember when removing a part. I didn’t lose anything,
where you left off—what was broken, what was and I knew where everything was supposed to
replaced, which threads were stripped, what bolts go, mostly. I also followed some advice from my
were torqued--can make getting back up to speed dad and bought a spool of wire and a bag of
on something tougher than it needs to be. If taking cheap fender washers. I used a punch to brand
notes works for you and stick with it. This routine pairs of washers with the same number. This let
and others have both worked for and failed
me. I am always looking to try something Some things I tried did not
new as long as it might work better.
This past summer I had to transfer an work. Notes on paper didn’t
old project (a 1970 Arctic Cat Panther
snowmobile with a 634 Hirth and factory stand up when exposed
memory getting my mechanical legs under me and elements.
side pipes!) from one storage space
to traditional garage
to another. When I fi rst dug into this
restoration project in 1990 or so, I was just

had no concept of how long something
me mark what something was and where it was
would take to get fi nished. Today, it still takes me
supposed to go on the chassis. I can still read the
a long time to complete a mechanical task, but
punched numbers through the dust and grease. I
I like to think I’ve learned a few shortcuts in the
don’t have to worry about putting the rear bogie
past couple decades to make sure I screw up less.
Also, changing addresses a few times, as well as
jobs, can get in the way of making progress—it
I think I am going digital for my next project. I
sure did for me.
have enough old cell phones around the house
to make one a dedicated camera for taking
Some things I tried did not work. Notes on wheels in the front and vice versa.
paper didn’t stand up when exposed to traditional pictures of what I take apart with the hopes of
garage elements. My handwritten notes in a getting it back together again. I can set the
spiral notebook were tough to read between the phone to automatically upload pics to the cloud
greasy fi ngerprints. The labels I taped on each when I leave the garage and get back to the
individual wire had long since fallen off. I do have house. When it comes to reassembly, an old
one drawn wiring diagram I think I can work with, laptop will work fi ne as a picture viewer in the
though. Taking apart more than one area of garage where I can go back in digital time to see
components was a mess to keep separate. I had where something went. I wouldn’t use my regular
the engine tore apart, the wiring in a pile and the phone because one good drop in an engine bay
rear suspension disassembled. Plastic bins would can mean a shattered screen no matter what
have been nice, but of course, I used cardboard protector I use. The slim size of a phone should
that soaks up oil and fell apart as soon as I tried to let me get in where a point-and-shoot won’t fi t. If
move anything. Perfect. it works, great. If not, I can always go buy some
I was happy a few ideas worked. One good more washers.

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