Still, onwards and upwards, no sympathy needed as this might just be an excuse/justification to move to a new industry or way of working where I'm not constantly stressed, hassled and on-call.
Just wanted to let everyone know that I'm available for any earning opportunities, services, work etc. I have a trailer now, so could collect sick bikes and deliver back if necessary.
All makes covered, but please, no VFR valve clearances
Mate just had his done- what a job!
VTR ones are easy in comparison.
I am considering how exhaust manufacture might be a possible way forward- bespoke systems, one-offs, big-bore, link pipes/adaptors, can rebuilds etc.
I'll also be in a position to offer frame extender plates so that rearsets can be easily fitted to Storms, and a couple of other ideas, and not just for Storms but other bikes, too, as the Storm isn't a popular enough bike to make a living out of parts and work on its own.
I have out together a jig (frame, cases, heads, swingarm etc,) so that systems can be fitted properly; that way they'll just be bolt-ons to Storms and I wouldn't need to have a buyer's bike for fitting, although that could be done as well.
I need to cost production, and probably the best way would be to make an exhaust, but in order to be able to do that I need a Tig welder and a variable-angle chop saw.
Both of these don't cost very much, but at the moment I'm not in a position to invest money on equipment, as I didn't predict losing my job and therefore have no investment nest-egg put aside.
Not broke, but with mortgage payments needing to be covered every month I need to be careful.
And don't want to have to sell the Storm to buy equipment!
So has anyone got, and is willing to lend, either of these pieces of equipment?
Naturally, I'd take good care, and pay for any consumables, blades, gas etc.
I was in engineering a few years ago, and could then lay a lovely little Tig weld in stainless, and I'm used to working with it, but would have a lot of remembering to do!
If this looks like a goer, I'd need to buy a lathe, milling machine, ventilation gear, and rent out a workshop, but this would be enough of a trial to see if the costings make any sense- no point working all week to produce something that costs the same as an imported Yoshi or Moriwaki one, for example.
Back-of-a-fag-packet calc's so far indicate that it would probably be a part-time rather than full-time occupation, but I can turn my hand to quite a few other things to fill the rest of the day, so it looks possible at the moment.
Could just be the best thing that's happened to me in a long while- we'll see....
as he's completed train and trailer now.
