Where to work

[SamD]

First off, I'd like to thank the forum for infecting me with resotre bug...now I will have no life...but I do have a porblem...
I'm moving cross, well half way, cross the country(WI), and while I found an apartment building that has an indoor spot for my bike(78 GS400), I don't think that'll be the greatest place to work on it. I'm sure other people have dealt with this issue, just wondering what you guys had found. I was thinking of renting something like a u-store and going there on the weekends with a heater...Any other ideas?

[jhw84]

I dont suppose you are moving to be close to any family?
I live in an apartment close to my college, but keep the bike Im not riding (read: repairing) at my dads house. Not only is there no where to work on one here (specifically said in the lease "no automotive repair is to be done in the parking lots" and "motorcycles are prohibited indoors"), but my dad has all the tools I need over there (14 miles away).
If you can afford the storage unit, Id say go for it. I would do it.

[KGB]

I'm renting a storage unit near by, it's less than 1/2 mile.
First month $1, then about $90 a month.
I went big, 2 bikes and some house stuff.
They told me I need to remove the tanks off the bikes.
No fuel allowed due to fumes.
I replied, reasonably, if the tanks are full, then there won't be any fumes.
I tried to explain, again reasonably, that fumes are caused by a less than full tank, regardless of vehicle or storage type of conatiner.

they replied, it's in the contract, no fuel.......

So what am I gonna do? Fill the tanks, run the stabile thru them and puch them into the container........at night

[CamaRod]

Kitchen

Its what i do




do you need an engine stand



frame jig



And frosty beverages

[bj]

Ahhhh...to be single.

[danbouck]

lmao My girlfriend would shoot me and then throw the bike out. Unless she can burry the bike with me hmmmmmmmmm.....

[CamaRod]

yeah my girlfriend always bitches at me, because my appt smells like a garage. But i figure she's gonna gonna be bitching at me about something, either way i just block her out, and tell her to make me a sammich, j/k

but seriously honey, if you read this, can i get a sammich

[SamD]

yeah I have friends back home that work in their livings rooms...but being on the 12th floor and living with a roommate who I don't think will apreciate it...it's no go...I'll give the u-store a try and see how long it takes for them to kick me out

[danbouck]

I'm glad you posted this it made me gut the shed, insulate it and turn it into a nice little bike shop

[mixongw]

A friend of mine was evicted after one night in his new apartment. I seems it was on the third floor and he had a little problem making the turn at the top of the first flight of stairs with his Triumph Bonnie.

[ddaum]

Boy did I just get a good deal. I live in a tiny two bedroom apartment, no garage, no where to work on my bike during winter. SO, I was looking around at all the different self-storage places in town and I came across this place that has a main facility about two miles out of town, but the lady said she had some units right in town, but no office there, only gates that open at 6am and close at 10pm. Just for the hell of it, I asked if any of her units had lights in them. She said that she had a 6x12 unit with a light! Perfect! and only $42 a month. I went to WalyWorld and bought a converter to make the light bulb socket into an electrical outlet, an extension cord and a flood light and hooked myself up with a tiny motorcycle garage for the winter with free electricity and only $42 a month! The lady was REAL laid back, nothing in the contract about vehicles or gas tanks. I just plan on being careful, responsible, and clean while using the unit. Here are some pics:

[themess]

where to work

I really like what CamaRod and DDaum are doing to work on their bikes.

In college, we rebuilt a few car engines while living in the dorms. We'd pull motors in the parking lot, using 4 to 6 people and muscle power and 2x4s. It's miserable work in an Iowa winter. Then we'd sneak the motor in during the middle of the night. We protected the floor with cardboard, and only used minimum amounts of solvents, and that only with the windows open. The heavy cleaning was done when the block and heads were boiled at a shop. As long as odors and noise are prevented, no one will know what is happening.

Tom

[duaneage]

Try to make friends with someone that has a garage, that is one way. Climate controlled storage sheds are great but your going to get in trouble sooner or later working on the bike. If you have a job you might get a boss that will let you work on a bike occasionally there, I built a subwoofer and wired an extensive car audio system in the loading dock of a company I worked at. Came in at 8 PM, worked until midnight, and cleaned up really good everyday. Teaches you to be neat it does.

I have a two car garage that is insulated for year round comfort, has 3 x 20 amp circuits, an air conditioner, two kerosene heaters, great stereo, every tool you can think of, and eight 4ft fluorescent lamps on the ceiling for illumination. I could paint cars in there it is so bright, and the heaters can get it to 90 degrees in the dead of winter.

I served my time in "no garage hell" with the last 7 places I lived, I earned it.

[Cracker]

Renting a storage unit is your best bet. I've done it on 2 occasions but be careful, some are very picky about stains so be sure to cover the floor.

[RobGS850L]

Reading this thread reminds of starting my just finished '71 Honda CB 750 for the first time in the middle of my dining area in my 1 bedroom apt with the telephone in my hand and my wife (girlfriend at the time) on the other end listening. That was 20 years ago but it still brings back great memories. She'd hear me coming home open the door and in I'd go. Better than an electric garage door opener. 8)