Between 485 & 705 SQ/FT Mid-Century Moto Mecca Makeover

[sakurama]

So sorry to hear this news Gregor. Remember kids are resilient, but not as resilient as people think. I came from a broken home and the divorce was just as hard on my siblings and myself as it was on my parents...

So one of the reasons that I've held on as long as I have is that when I was 11 my parents divorced. And like you it wasn't a very common thing in 1977. My defining memory was the judge asking me into his chambers by myself; "Son, your parents are going to get a divorce - do you understand that?" yes sir, "Well, how do you think we should split up the family?" And that's how I ended up with my dad while my brother and sister lived with my mom. My dad had less patience, I was closer to my mom but someone had to take one for the team. As the oldest that seemed to be my job. Perhaps it had no bearing and he was trying to make me feel included but that was the defining moment of my life - splitting up the family.

Messed up right? I can't tell that story without crying even today.

That would never happen now. Most of Nadia and Lucas' friend's parents are split up so it's not unusual but still I did not want that to happen to them. In the end I realized that it's far better that they someday see their parents in love and in loving relationships but separated than together and unhappy.

G

 

[bdking]

Wherever you end up we’ll make some plans, document some projects, and generate some content!

 

[Andrew S]

Gregor, you've made a thousand friends here by sharing your life with all of us. You've inspired more people than you can imagine. I've been lucky enough to spend a week long trip with you, and no matter what you choose for your next phase of life, I hope you'll keep sharing with us.

Don't hesitate to ask for help. I'd wager everyone who knows you virtually or in person is willing to do what they can to assist.

Andrew

 

[Baroquenstrings]

Gregor, like others I'm shocked to hear of this turn of events. Please take care of yourself through this emotional rebuild. It won't be like the house, or your other projects, but it'll be so much more important. I sent you a message.

 

[964haus]

Having just sent a child off to college, I'll share what someone once told me when my son was only 5.
"You get 18 summers with your kids, make 'em count".
If it's a farm, a boat, or a motorbike you want to share with them, do it. You'll never regret it and they will always remember just how cool a dad they have.

(BTW, it was your 950 build you started in NY that inspired me to get one of my own. 10 years ago. So thanks.)

Keep your chin up, Gregor. We're all rooting for you....

M

 

[blz2dwl]

In Happiness, Thic Nhat Hanh shares that treating each outcome as if it was the best thing that could have happened is how we can move forward with peace. Quite a trick, but all efforts to believe that are helpful. And not to be flippant, but sometimes "it is what it is" is a fair assessment. You can't change the past; you can only do your best in this moment. It sounds like your head is in the right place and focused on the future.

You've brought a great deal of inspiration and joy to those of us who've followed you, ridden with you, let our imaginations be captivated by your photography...contributions that cannot ever be repaid. But if talking to strangers through the keyboard helps you organize your thoughts, you've got us in spades.

 

[lilscorpion]

Having just sent a child off to college, I'll share what someone once told me when my son was only 5.
"You get 18 summers with your kids, make 'em count".
If it's a farm, a boat, or a motorbike you want to share with them, do it. You'll never regret it and they will always remember just how cool a dad they have.

This is so very true.

 

[slodat]

Gregor, I understand the focus on doing what's right and best for your kids in this process. I would like to encourage you to consider that perhaps what's best for them is for you to do what's best for you. I just went through (another) divorce. This time with a lot of professional help to guide me through the healing part of it. It has been transformational for me to take the mental time to get to know myself single and reimagine what I want my life to be like. Anyway, just another internet guys two cents. Thanks for taking us on your journey for all these years. Please keep sharing. Steven.

 

[sakurama]

"You get 18 summers with your kids, make 'em count".
If it's a farm, a boat, or a motorbike you want to share with them, do it. You'll never regret it and they will always remember just how cool a dad they have.

That might have been me here. That was the official Idaho State tourism slogan about 7-8 years ago. I remember when Judiaann told me about that and it became a mantra for us. To help us to get out and make the most of the time. We did well in that regard.

In Happiness, Thic Nhat Hanh shares that treating each outcome as if it was the best thing that could have happened is how we can move forward with peace.

Lots of wisdom there. I have worked hard at both the relationship and the house and both seem to be beyond my ability to repair. I would have happily bought the house and continued to work on it but never gotten ahead of it. While not my choice I think giving up the house is letting go of that banana.

Gregor, I understand the focus on doing what's right and best for your kids in this process. I would like to encourage you to consider that perhaps what's best for them is for you to do what's best for you.

These are perhaps the wisest words and I think you're completely right.

It's a crazy market - certainly one of the worst times to buy. I don't have my preapproval letter yet - my 2020 income was way down due to Covid and 2021 taxes are being rushed through. Judiaann has gotten her refinance and once I get the check for my part of the house I can start to look in earnest. Right now I'm just torturing myself.

I have two searches: one for midcentury fixers in Portland and one for a farm west of town. There's a few other things hanging in the balance but we're close to wrapping things up. I've started to pack boxes - alright, Lara has, I'm still working on some shoots.

The thing I'm toying with now is do I sell most of the motorcycles? The ones I didn't think I'd sell. There's potentially a lot of value ******* in the builds I've done but the more $ I have to put towards a place the more freedom I have. I'm not attached to them. In the last few years I've found the thing I love is the building of the bikes - not the holding them. Once I finish them and they work I want to make the next one. I'm selling things left and right - less to move and more $ for the next thing.

Gregor

 

[Bob Heine]

Gregor, wise move. The motorcycles limit your choices for the next residence and the money expands them.

 

[E12-535iTurbo]

Dammit Gregor, I just stop by once in a while to catch-up with some members progress and get inspired. This was not what I was expecting. I'd like to offer you a place to stay to make up your mind but it's a bit off from where you need to be. I too experienced a failed marriage of parents and was offered the same choice: split-up or leave one behind. I made the same choice you did which was not the right one. Did me a lot of harm but was also a great lesson.

Most of what needs to be said has already been said except for one I guess: From now on never break a promise to your kids. It's now more important then ever. If you say you'll be there: be there. If you promise to take them anywhere, help them or whatever: do it. No excuses.

I wish you well.

 

[hewey]

Hey Gregor, as I said on Insta, so sorry to hear about your split. It's ****** and yeh it'll have some really rough patches as you wade through it.

it's far better that they someday see their parents in love and in loving relationships but separated than together and unhappy.

This. This is is absolutely right. I've got a few friends who have split from marriages, and now married to new partners and so much happier for it. But at the same time they've put their kids first and their differences with their exes second, and not used their kids as pawns. None of it is easy, but its worth it.

 

[Choirboy]

Enjoyed the new YouTube video!

 

[paredown]

Just checking in--and was saddened to read the news...

Best of luck in getting re-established--physically and emotionally.

 

[Dr Klaun]

Damn do I hate reading this. As one of the resident renaissance men that truly has the gift to inspire many, I wish you and your family the best for what the future can unfold.

 

[Inand]

I have been following you for years on Garage Journal. I went through the same situation as you are now in 2019. I managed to work another year and went into the famous wall. Met at doctor in the health services who confronted me with: - Are you going to work yourself to death ?
So I left my resignation at work, went to pension. And now few years along the line, I feel I took the right decision. Met another lady and live life as I know it.
Good luck Gregor from the bottom of my heart.

 

[Kriesel]

I've started to pack boxes - alright, Lara has

What does she do for a living? Seems like she's always at your house haha

Sorry to hear about what's going on. Keep your head up, love your kids to the moon.

 

[ayer]

I don't comment very often on ant thread. I think yours is my favorite.
There are worse things than splitting up. Staying together for the children is the wrong approach.
It would have been better for everyone if my parents had divorced, most of time the tension was terrible.

 

[sakurama]

I don't comment very often on ant thread. I think yours is my favorite.
There are worse things than splitting up. Staying together for the children is the wrong approach.
It would have been better for everyone if my parents had divorced, most of time the tension was terrible.

Thanks. Honestly things ended three years ago but I didn't realize it. It took me two years to understand that and one of those was covid so it took longer than it should have. It puts me in a very strange place because when people hear now it's seems very sudden, for them. We've been in the physical process for many months and it's only after having resolved a lot of the details that we're opening up about it. Until we knew how things were going to unfold physically we kept quiet so that the kids wouldn't hear about it before we were ready to tell them.

So in most ways we've been separated for a long time but living in the same house. I'm not sad anymore - that stage has passed. The kids are fine and seem to accept it without much issue. Finally moving out will be the next big step. Once we have resolved the last financial details I'll be moving but I can't until then.

What does she do for a living? Seems like she's always at your house haha

Sorry to hear about what's going on. Keep your head up, love your kids to the moon.

She does pet sitting but has been trying to find a job that uses her marine biology degree. If you know of something let me know.

Enjoyed the new YouTube video!

Okay, this whole site revamp was done partly to bring it up to date and allow us to embed videos...

Let's see if that works... OMG! It does. I guess you'll have to click through to see it larger than is shown here but I'm still working on video. Most of my efforts have been on stories on Instagram. I've resigned to shooting and editing mostly on my phone (that whole video was shot on my iPhone) and that has been simple enough to not get in the way.

I've got a few more and I will make an effort to get those going too.

There's a lot to catch up on.

Gregor

 

[gasgas17]

Nice stand. The spools and pick up points on the stand are pretty trick. I am installing new minimalist blinkers on my 790 as I was getting tired of ripping the left rear off the mount. That and the stock ones fill up with silt riding off road. These one's are KTM hardparts from Europe and are LED. Also had to install a LED flasher.

 

[fastev]

Sorry Gregor. Nothing to say that hasn’t already been said. Just sorry.

Depending on which bikes you choose to part with I may be in the market, if for no other reason than to store one until you decide you need it in your life again.
If there’s anything I can do to help, I’m local and available. Say the word.

…
She does pet sitting but has been trying to find a job that uses her marine biology degree. If you know of something let me know.
…

Hmm. A buddy of mine is the operations manager for the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. I’m happy to make a call…

 

[Jblount3]

I have been reading this post a few pages at a time for the last few weeks, and I am sorry to have gotten to the news on the last few pages. I do have to say, you are a hell of an interesting person and have such amazing craftsmanship and pride in everything you do. like many on this page, we are looking forward to next project, and adventures with your kids.

 

[sakurama]

I thought I'd try to catch up on a few things that I've done that I hadn't had the motivation to post with all that was going on. One of them is that Ben and I went to a sharpening class at Steelport knife. I've done a post about sharpening and in that post I said I'd not yet found a knife that I liked despite owning a bunch of chef knives. Well, that's changed.

About a year ago Judiaann was given a knife from Steelport to try out - the company is local here in Portland and from the creators of Finex cast iron cookware. When we got it it was super sharp - as you'd expect. It had good balance, and a nice handle. I liked it right away but after three months it was still as sharp as it was when we got it. Most of my other knives are in a 1-2 month rotation before they aren't cutting well. I did not sharpen or need to sharpen this knife for 6 months.



One of the founders is Eytan Zias, a former chef and then knife maker who was tapped by Ron Khormaei, the founder of Finex, to help him make a great American chef's knife since there really isn't (wasn't) one. They spent a year working on the design, forging and heat treating of the 52100 steel and while it's expensive it's not as expensive as a custom knife. For the price ($400) I don't think there's anything that can touch it for under $1000. The original knife Judiaann got was 62 Rockwell hardness.



I'm of course a big supporter of anything local but it's extra nice when that thing is also better than anything else out there and the company is owned by genuinely nice people who support local business.



The sharpening class was all done free hand on stones which is how Eytan likes to sharpen. I'm not a fan of free hand work but Ben is and he was much better at this than I was.



I think the thing that struck me was how fast the process was. Of course it took all day to learn how to sharpen in five minutes but the results were pretty amazing.



The handles are all Oregon burled maple and each one is unique. You can go to the factory and pick out your favorite - most of the more unusual patterns are sold at the factory where you can see them in person.



At the class I picked up my own knife and they just introduced a new 6" blade that I'm going to get at some point. I'm having to rebuy a lot of the cooking stuff as I prepare to move and I've gotten very attached to this knife so not having one wasn't an option.

The latest knives are now 65-66 Rockwell as they've improved the hardening process. My Misano knife is pretty hard but doesn't hold an edge this long and can chip. I have not had the blade chip despite how hard it is which is a testament to their process.



Because the blade is high carbon steel and not stainless it... stains. But I absolutely love the look of it after it's aged and become all mottled and patterned. This is J's knife from the trip - about a year old. I've owned a few other high carbon knives and they took an edge nicely but nothing like this.

So, a year or so ago I said I hadn't found any knife that impressed me and now I can say that I have. This finds the middle ground between a full custom and Japanese steel and is all the more impressive because it's taken this long for someone to that sweet spot.

Gregor

 

[Klokwerk]

Thanks for introducing us to a great knife maker! Those look really good. And as someone who's spent a lot of years in kitchens, having a great knife you can depend on is priceless. No wonder so many of us spend big $$$ for them.
Definitely checking them out.

 

[hewey]

I gotta agree, that stained and patinated knife is a thing of beauty.

 

[burger]

I assume they’re carburizing the steel to get that hardness. Normal carburized hardness is 58-62 Rc. Does that make them brittle? We normally use 4320 for carburizing.

 

[slik560]

Really, really impressive. I'm envious of anyone that can effectively use stones for sharpening. The Steelport knives look amazing, but I'm going to play a hunch and wait for the SAKURAMA brand release.

 

[dr_clyde]

Gregor,

First, I'm saddened to hear of your split with your wife. My parents divorced when I was 16 after a tumultuous relationship, and I can sympathize with your situation. It is rough on everyone involved, and I'm sorry you and your family have to go through this. That said, it sounds like you and Judiaann are handling this like the mature adults we know you to be, and your kids will be much better off for it. It sounds like your head is in the right space, and I'm glad you're focused on the health of yourself and your children before the material concerns of the world. It's just stuff. It's just a house. There will be others. Your time with your kids is precious, and you're right to be putting them first.

I would also like to thank you. You've let us into your life. Even the small window that it is, it has been a wonderful ride. I think I speak for everyone in this thread when we say you have a gift. A gift in storytelling, in images, crafting feelings and creating the spark that makes content interesting and resonant. You can write evocatively, and explain the complex subjects of your projects and hobbies to the uninitiated and we understand with ease what you're up to. We've watched with envy as you've crafted this beautiful home from your hands and mind. I know you'll do it again. You can't help it, it's how guys like us are wired. I personally have become aware of and fascinated by several new avenues of interest, namely MCM homes, Festool, and old electric fans. I have loved watching your adventures with your family and watching your children grow up. Albeit from afar and having never met, I feel like I know you, and that is a testament to your storytelling ability. Don't stop. This is just a new chapter in the Gregor novel. It hurts now, and it will be hard for a while. But you got this. You're ******' Gregor.

 

[fastev]

I’ve taken a couple of Eytan’s classes. He’s a class act, and those Steelports are no joke. I’m also waiting for just the right one in the 6” range to join my 8” version as I have no doubt the prices are going to be increasing. They’re great knives. The fact that they are locally made is super cool!

Funny to read the comment about a Sakamura line of knives. Next time you’re at Ben’s shoot me a message. I’ve got a 2x72 grinder in the tuning phase and a heat-treat oven in the works.

 

[sakurama]

I’ve taken a couple of Eytan’s classes. He’s a class act, and those Steelports are no joke. I’m also waiting for just the right one in the 6” range to join my 8” version as I have no doubt the prices are going to be increasing. They’re great knives. The fact that they are locally made is super cool!

You know they're now making a 6" version. I don't have one yet but may pick one up soon. I have a smaller Shun 7" knife that I use all the time and that the kids like because it's smaller but it's not amazing in any way. I'm teaching them knife skills and there's a lot to be said about a smaller blade and the ease of handling.

Gregor

 

[sakurama]

I am still struggling with video - the shooting, the editing, the software - all of it. But I'm making progress. One of the things that is hard is that video needs to be simple and I haven't found my "voice" yet so it's a lot of me trying things. The video above of the rear stand was interesting because I tried to just show the process without explanation and use natural sound in an ASMR sort of way.



Shooting the video triples the length of time a project takes but I'm getting better at it so hopefully it will take less time as I go. Shooting photos during a project takes me nothing and making a post isn't really too hard either. Maybe another hour or so.


I cut these parts from sheet, tack welded them together and then shaped them as one piece.



Editing the video takes me forever, I'd guess about 10-15 actual hours. I think that will get faster as I figure out how to shoot less and edit faster.



The point of the rear stand was to practice bending and welding aluminum again. I still want to make the roof rack for the van - either to help with the resale if I decide to sell it (roof racks are the crowning glory of a big 4x4 van) or if I keep it it would make carrying things much easier on our trips.



I used 6mm stock to lift the stand to figure out positioning.



Tack welds on aluminum are tricky because they take a lot of heat and you have to be fast. On the ends of parts the heat on the sheet climbs instantly and the tube is a giant heat sink so the differential is massive. It's something that you'd be good at if you did production work like this but when you weld every few months - it's hard.



So before every project there is scrap to weld to try to dial in the settings and feel. If I look back to when I first started to weld aluminum I've come a very long way. I'm not amazing at it but I'm comfortable enough. Instagram and the many metronome welders who post stacks of micrometer perfect beads are an unrealistic metric.



But the goal is to improve, always improve. Plus, I really enjoy welding aluminum. Maybe because it was so hard to learn it's more satisfying.



The grain here speaks to too much heat and that's a product of... well, too much heat but also not enough speed. But a captured fastener on the inside because who wants to mess with loose nuts?



I used Delrin for the spools and turned the stainless hardware down to make it pretty. Only takes a second and it's a nice detail. Details like this are things I learned from Scott Kolb. They are messages to other fabricators and people who understand the process and are like a secret handshake. No one will ever notice this but me, Scott and probably Sean. And that's fine. That's enough.



I was going to weld these on but realized that if I drilled and tapped them I could replace them with another set that would fit the front forks for when I want to change the front wheel.



So that 6mm spacer is what lifts the stand just a bit so the whole thing isn't on the ground and getting scratched.



So that is sort of the story of the rear stand - it's completely different compared to the video because I can share thoughts about it. I don't know how to do that yet with video. Even more cruel is the 1 minute edit that is required for Instagram reels. There's no real information there - just entertainment.

Video, social and all that is a key part of any business now so it's something you need to do but also it can have value. Translating my voice to these formats is something I'm learning. Along with the tours I'm starting to teach adventure riding - my first US class is going to be on April 3rd with MotoCorsa.

So in addition to trying to learn to weld I'm trying to learn to how to teach. And I'm learning how to get pre approved on a mortgage, how to pack my things in stages so that some of it can be unpacked for an undetermined time in an apartment. Also, I'm trying to learn how to prioritize what makes me happy. How to sit with the things that don't and be okay. I don't think any of that comes across in the video.

Gregor

 

[fastev]

You know they're now making a 6" version. I don't have one yet but may pick one up soon. I have a smaller Shun 7" knife that I use all the time and that the kids like because it's smaller but it's not amazing in any way. I'm teaching them knife skills and there's a lot to be said about a smaller blade and the ease of handling.

Gregor

So, right after I posted my message I got an email from Eytan. Picking up a 6” Steelport Monday.

Totally agree on the smaller size. I made my son a dull aluminum blade some time ago to practice with. He’s now our sous chef making an impressively even dice and mince with my Yoshikane knives.

 

[mittenjeeper]

Sorry to hear the bad news, but there are much worse things in life than a divorce. I am a divorced dad with a teenage daughter and we have a good relationship because I have made her a priority. She is a busy teenager with school, work and friends, but we still see each other often and make the most of it. Time together is about quality, not quantity. You will all be just fine. We are all here for you!

 

[jonshonda]

Both my wife and I are children of parents who should have never gotten married to each other, or after their second divorces.....maybe ANYONE? My wife and I both said early on we don't want to put our kids through that, and are trying our best to be good partners, but it's very hard at times. And I hate to say it, but our kids are 90% of the reason we are together.

With that being said, the worse thing you can do is speak poorly of your former partner. Remember that they are your kids father/mother, and what you say not only effects how they feel about their other parent, but about you as well.

 

[slik560]

Given your attention to detail, I'd love to see your ideas & or methods of packing and organizing. Anything.

 

[Kirmet]

Best of luck to you and your family. Sad to see you leaving the house project behind, I love all that warm wood you’ve rehabbed and additions to the old place.

 

[sakurama]

Best of luck to you and your family. Sad to see you leaving the house project behind, I love all that warm wood you’ve rehabbed and additions to the old place.

The situation may be changing. J can't get a refinance unless major repairs are done and she wants to move on so, if we can work things out, it may turn out that I do get to keep the house. There are many moving parts and I need to talk to a real estate lawyer to see what the options are for me to buy her out. The other option is we sell to a developer who bulldozes the lot and puts up a Mcmansion...

Meanwhile...

I wanted to have a bike in the 1 Show this year. Despite all the drama in my life. I was invited to the Handbuilt Show in Austin but because it's so close to the 1 Show and right in the middle is my mothers 80th birthday it wasn't feasible. But the 1 Show is my "hometown" show and also an excuse for me to keep building. To keep pushing the reinvention of myself as a builder.

I had two choices: The Rickman Triumph was nearly done and once completed I could sell it and pocket the money which I certainly need for all the things happening. Or I could try to build my 890 into something cool. It would cost more, make me no money but at least it would be simpler.



Simple - I like the sound of that. Sadly I don't make smart choices - I make choices that my heart wants, the ones that excite me. I thought I'd be able to keep this reasonable. Simple. Mostly just bolt on parts. But I felt bad about that. My builds aren't just bolting parts on - they need to be different.





I have been collecting parts for the 890 for months now. It's a damn near perfect bike but it could use a few small things and my thought was that over a longer period I could build a video series that would talk about each change, one at a time, and why I made them.

Then I decided to turn this into my 1 Show bike.

I started this about 1 month ago and because of all that's going on didn't post anything here. I did start an ADV thread about 8 months ago when I had the idea to build the bike. As of today I have just over three weeks to go.



Since the 890 is not an old BMW that is functionally and aesthetically challenged is it worth trying to make a "show" bike? Is an adventure bike "show" worthy? What would I do or could I do if I'm not changing the fundamentals of the bike? Something I learned about myself while building the saku-moto.com website was that all my builds are monochromatic. I like the idea of color but i never do it. Sort of like how I dressed when I lived in NYC. Color sounds nice but I wore black. All the time.



As you can see the only color on the 890 is the bodywork and the frame. That damn orange frame. Sure. I could strip the bike and powerboat it black - there's a lot of blacked out bikes. Been there, done that. My favorite bikes are my Rickman and my Champion because they have nickel plated frames. I love those frames!

So besides the "bling" the nickel sort of highlights the frame - the structure of the frame. It makes you consider it as the framework or skeleton of the bike. I've always loved that. Maybe I could do that to the 890? When I did the tour in the fall I pulled off the side panels to make the luggage go on easier and I loved the look of the trellis subframe.





(side note: this wiring harness is terrifying - literally more wires than every motorcycle I've ever owned combined)

I don't think the 890 is a good looking bike. It's a fantastic motorcycle but not good looking. It's too complicated and busy and the shapes aren't pleasant. How do I fix that? How do I make the bike into something that makes me excited when I look at it? What if I nickel plate the frame like an old Champion? And black out the rest? Oh, and also make it work way better too.



If the subframe is exposed it's now a design element so I need to cut off all the tabs that I don't need; passenger pegs (I'm single now - won't need those!), cover attachment points, luggage rack mounts... it's all got to go to make the frame as simple as I can.



Can I remind you that I'm in the middle of a "divorce", possibly moving into an apartment and have less than a month to complete a motorcycle for a show that I don't really need to enter...

Gregor

 

[Choirboy]

Gregor: "The bike could use some small things"
Next photo: rear half of bike cut off
Yep, I could see that one coming...

 

[bunks-tj]

Can I remind you that I'm in the middle of a "divorce", possibly moving into an apartment and have less than a month to complete a motorcycle for a show that I don't really need to enter...

sometimes when there is turmoil, its grabbing ahold of something you can control that makes you feel like the world isnt spinning around you.

 

[elvee]

The situation may be changing. J can't get a refinance unless major repairs are done and she wants to move on so, if we can work things out, it may turn out that I do get to keep the house. There are many moving parts and I need to talk to a real estate lawyer to see what the options are for me to buy her out. The other option is we sell to a developer who bulldozes the lot and puts up a Mcmansion...

Meanwhile...

I wanted to have a bike in the 1 Show this year. Despite all the drama in my life. I was invited to the Handbuilt Show in Austin but because it's so close to the 1 Show and right in the middle is my mothers 80th birthday it wasn't feasible. But the 1 Show is my "hometown" show and also an excuse for me to keep building. To keep pushing the reinvention of myself as a builder.

I had two choices: The Rickman Triumph was nearly done and once completed I could sell it and pocket the money which I certainly need for all the things happening. Or I could try to build my 890 into something cool. It would cost more, make me no money but at least it would be simpler.

Simple - I like the sound of that. Sadly I don't make smart choices - I make choices that my heart wants, the ones that excite me. I thought I'd be able to keep this reasonable. Simple. Mostly just bolt on parts. But I felt bad about that. My builds aren't just bolting parts on - they need to be different.

I have been collecting parts for the 890 for months now. It's a damn near perfect bike but it could use a few small things and my thought was that over a longer period I could build a video series that would talk about each change, one at a time, and why I made them.

Then I decided to turn this into my 1 Show bike.

I started this about 1 month ago and because of all that's going on didn't post anything here. I did start an ADV thread about 8 months ago when I had the idea to build the bike. As of today I have just over three weeks to go.

Since the 890 is not an old BMW that is functionally and aesthetically challenged is it worth trying to make a "show" bike? Is an adventure bike "show" worthy? What would I do or could I do if I'm not changing the fundamentals of the bike? Something I learned about myself while building the saku-moto.com website was that all my builds are monochromatic. I like the idea of color but i never do it. Sort of like how I dressed when I lived in NYC. Color sounds nice but I wore black. All the time.

As you can see the only color on the 890 is the bodywork and the frame. That damn orange frame. Sure. I could strip the bike and powerboat it black - there's a lot of blacked out bikes. Been there, done that. My favorite bikes are my Rickman and my Champion because they have nickel plated frames. I love those frames!

So besides the "bling" the nickel sort of highlights the frame - the structure of the frame. It makes you consider it as the framework or skeleton of the bike. I've always loved that. Maybe I could do that to the 890? When I did the tour in the fall I pulled off the side panels to make the luggage go on easier and I loved the look of the trellis subframe.



(side note: this wiring harness is terrifying - literally more wires than every motorcycle I've ever owned combined)

I don't think the 890 is a good looking bike. It's a fantastic motorcycle but not good looking. It's too complicated and busy and the shapes aren't pleasant. How do I fix that? How do I make the bike into something that makes me excited when I look at it? What if I nickel plate the frame like an old Champion? And black out the rest? Oh, and also make it work way better too.

If the subframe is exposed it's now a design element so I need to cut off all the tabs that I don't need; passenger pegs (I'm single now - won't need those!), cover attachment points, luggage rack mounts... it's all got to go to make the frame as simple as I can.



Can I remind you that I'm in the middle of a "divorce", possibly moving into an apartment and have less than a month to complete a motorcycle for a show that I don't really need to enter...

Gregor

You are an idiot. And I say that in the best possible way. Forget logic and reason, take the hardest path and grow from it.

Good for you for embracing the crazy and insane. It is probably the best way to keep yourself sane through everything else.