Big Stu
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| posted on 30/1/13 at 07:36 PM |
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I have hit the motivation wall.
Hi Guys,
Over the last couple of months I have been going out to the garage for a couple of hours now and then but feel like I am achieving next to nothing. I
am looking for some inspiration of what to tackle next to get me motivated on the build again.
So far I have done the following;
Chassis fully welded.
Rear suspension done.
Rear fibreglass tub on but not fixed.
Side panels on and holes cut for front suspension.
Tunnel and rear bulkhead panels done.
Hand brake done.
Brake lines done.
Brake and clutch pedals done, reservoirs mounted.
Steering mounts done.
Front suspension on but not tightened.
The chassis has been painted but there are now a few places that need re-done due to mounting brackets etc. The engine and gearbox are together but I
have not fitted them yet or made the mounts.
The chassis is currently on stands but was tempted to take it done and do a trial fit of the engine and gear box.
What next?
Any advice for me getting my finger and getting the car ready for summer would be appreciated.
Cheers
Stu
Edited to say that I am building a locost live rear axle.
[Edited on 30/1/13 by Big Stu]
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olimarler
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| posted on 30/1/13 at 07:43 PM |
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Hi,
Prob not the correct weather!
But get out in a working equivalent car sure someone can take you out in one. That will
Def motivate you!!!!
Oli
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JC
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| posted on 30/1/13 at 07:43 PM |
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I know where you are coming from! My build has lasted 'a number' of years. Sometimes I just don't know where to pick things up
from! My advice is to make a list of what needs doing and in what order. Then you will know what to do next, and you will see progress as you cross
things off the list. You can get list obsessed though, I did something I had missed from the list and had to put it on, just so I could cross it
off!!!
Once you see progress, it all becomes a lot less daunting!
JC
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Slimy38
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| posted on 30/1/13 at 07:51 PM |
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By the sounds of it, you're exactly at the position where other people give up and stick it on Ebay as an 'unfinished project'. So
be the better person and get yourself over the hump!! Then when you get past it, you can remind me of this very post in about six months time! 
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perksy
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| posted on 30/1/13 at 07:52 PM |
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Think everybody hits the wall at some time or other
Get some pictures of finished cars up on the walls of the garage
Visit somebodies finished project and have a sit or passenger ride, kick tyres and have a chat
Set yourself some small goals and then gradually increase them
It WILL be worth it in the end, You just need to stick at it
Its going to be a lovely summer this year, Trust me  
Good Luck
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rdodger
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| posted on 30/1/13 at 08:13 PM |
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Whenever I feel like that I do a job that is a bit more fun or gives an instant feel good result.
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SPYDER
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| posted on 30/1/13 at 08:18 PM |
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We took 3 years on our Phoenix build for one reason and another and somehow managed to avoid "hitting the wall". We had a few lengthy
breaks for health reasons and always got a "boost" from attending RGB race meets. We also took encouragement from (usually) favourable
comments on our build thread on Pistonheads.
Try looking at your "to do" list and pick something relatively straightforward to get stuck into. Its always good to get an item
completed.
We used to set targets for each weekend. My co-builder, Eldon, specialised in fabrication and welding. I took on mechanical, machining and electrics.
Could you get some help, even if only temporary?
Why not take some pics of each bit of progress and post them up on this thread?
I'm 300 miles from you, unfortunately.
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yellowcab
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| posted on 30/1/13 at 08:28 PM |
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I know exactly how you're feeling, as I'm in the same boat - but I push myself down the garage most nights, and even I spend an hour or
two tinkering, its another bit further development.
Just think - no matter how big or small the jobs you do are, every little helps.
Probably not what you want to hear... but if you want to make yourself feel better about your car - just look at the state of mine in the BEC forum
lol
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Big Stu
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| posted on 30/1/13 at 08:54 PM |
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Cheers for the advice guys.
I used to own a locost but decided to scrap it and build a new one due to various reasons so I know how it will feel once I get it on the road. Well
hopefully it will be better than the last one.
Think I will drop the chassis onto it's wheels, get it out the garage and then tidy up and then do a trial fit of the engine and gearbox.
I will do a list and get it pinned up in the garage as this helped on the land rover build.
Did you guys, strip the car completely once you had everything mounted to paint the chassis etc or just touch up bits as you go?
Cheers
Stu
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40inches
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| posted on 30/1/13 at 10:17 PM |
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I had many down "moments", the longest lasted nearly two years, when I didn't touch it at all 
It isn't unusual at all. The main thing is not to sell it unfinished, just wait until the Bug bites again, because it most probably will.
As regards the chassis painting, I had it finished first, then touched up as I went along, most add ons are bolted/screwed on.
The extra frame for the steering column, for instance was bolted on, rather than welded.
 
Front bracket and strengthening hoop
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dave1888
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| posted on 30/1/13 at 10:19 PM |
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Get yer erse in gear and get the work done.
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RK
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| posted on 30/1/13 at 11:38 PM |
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As said a few times, it is a common situation. Pick a small job, doesn't matter what it is, and FINISH it. You'll instantly feel
better.
For example, I wasn't feeling to motivated a few weeks ago - the weather is pretty brutal around here - and I decided that rather than put my
whole dash together again, i'd just replace a couple of switches with some others I had lying around. It took all of 5 minutes, but it worked!
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blakep82
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| posted on 31/1/13 at 02:35 AM |
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Happens all the time. Happening now to me tbh. I keep looking at it thinking this looks like a pile of crap, but keep going out to see it and
you'll look at it and get all excited about it again and get a load done
________________________
IVA manual link http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=RESOURCES&itemId=1081997083
don't write OT on a new thread title, you're creating the topic, everything you write is very much ON topic!
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Daddylonglegs
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| posted on 31/1/13 at 07:39 AM |
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As already said, most have been there. I built a Locost (McSorley +442), even worse than the standard RC Locost as standard width bodywork etc does
not fit so even more faffing than usual.
I started in the summer of 2005, stopped shortly afterwards for different reasons, started again in 2008 and got her on the road summer 2012! Had many
down moments, all of which were worked through mainly by encouragement from the collective on here 
I now look at my car and have a HUGE inner smile when I drive it knowing I built it from scratch. It was a lot of work, sweat, stress at times too,
but well worth it in the end.
Stick at it and before you know it you'll be posting a picture of your IAC on here
It looks like the Midget is winning at the moment......
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mcerd1
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| posted on 31/1/13 at 11:31 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Big Stu
Think I will drop the chassis onto it's wheels, get it out the garage and then tidy up and then do a trial fit of the engine and gearbox.
once its on its wheels you'll get a good feeling anyway, but remember and take a some time to sit in it and make 'broom broom'
sounds - that always helps
[Edited on 31/1/2013 by mcerd1]
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Irony
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| posted on 31/1/13 at 12:19 PM |
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I find a list helps. Then when motivation is lacking just get yourself in the garage and do the smallest job on the list. Then crossing stuff off
the list is a treat!
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40inches
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| posted on 31/1/13 at 01:21 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Irony
I find a list helps. Then when motivation is lacking just get yourself in the garage and do the smallest job on the list. Then crossing stuff off
the list is a treat!
Spot on! That's what I did, and it does help. A lot.
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T66
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| posted on 31/1/13 at 01:27 PM |
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My garage hasn't seen any real activity since October. It's too cold
I have also reached a bit of a cross roads , whereby the exhaust manifold is calling the shots. I haven't made it yet, nor have I bought the
collector for guesstimating where and whether it will fit my current space.
In December I ordered my wiring loom, so it's still progress as I see it. Once the weather gets slightly better, the garage will get a tidy,
tools put back and I find this activity motivates me to start again.
Hardest part is when folk ask you if your finished, or when do you predict it. I feel like I'm not progressing, but small things can take a
couple of hours to fettle, and when finished the car doesn't look any different.
As we say in the North East - "Keep ah had" translated = "keep a hold".
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splitrivet
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| posted on 31/1/13 at 02:07 PM |
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We all get it, it seems the less needed to finish the more it kicks in.
Its a hobby after all which you should enjoy, if your not enjoying it take a break from it for a bit. I think coming onto here and seeing other guys
plowing on starts a guilt trip when theres no need, we are all different.
Cheers
Bob
I used to be a Werewolf but I'm alright nowwoooooooooooooo
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Benzine
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| posted on 31/1/13 at 02:14 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by splitrivet
We all get it, it seems the less needed to finish the more it kicks in.
I've had this the past week, really not far from finishing at all, maybe another week. I've been in the garage for weeks in the cold
getting loads done, now there's a few odd jobs and I can't be arsed. What's all that about?!
I'll watch 'the world's fastest indian' this evening, not seen it for a while and always helps my motivation
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wilkingj
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| posted on 31/1/13 at 05:35 PM |
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I painted a couple of old secondary glazing panels and used it as a whiteboards, writing on the glass side with whiteboard pens.
Make the list of jobs, the more jobs the better. The when you have done one job just cross it off. DONT wipe it off. They you will keep seeing the
jobs you have done. Only clear the board when its completed, then write another list. Even add odd jobs to the list as you go and cross them off.
I believe little and often IS the way forward. OK its slow and steady.
You WILL have motivation dips... we all had / have them.
The weather doesnt help. But it will get better and you will have a few months of half decent weather to be out in the shed.
Dont give up and you will get there.
Witeboards are also for jotting down parts you need, and things to do. I copied them to a notebook to take to work and shopping etc.
Its a good way of doing things. It only cost me a pint for the units, and a dob of white emulsion I had in an old tub in the shed!
 
Cheap Whiteboards
1. The point of a journey is not to arrive.
2. Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
Best Regards
Geoff
http://www.v8viento.co.uk
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