Colin at hambone manor
Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 12:15 pm
The sun cracked open like a giant egg, eager to sizzle and fry upon every Oregon tabletop. 8 AM, roofers scuttling about, Spanish flying about like darts and debris everywhere. But I am not daunted, Bus parked on the street under a lovely canopy of 2 trees thick with shade. Tools, parts lovingly aranged waiting for that famous Blue Bus. Then! The man appears, Bus slips by smooth as silk glistening in the morning orange. Colin it is good to see you again. Let's get to work.
I've known Colin socially for a few years now, but this is the first time I've hired him. (webster's says "cheap" pic of hambone you know how it goes) My first sense of Colin is calm. I asked him about it..and the experience with his dad has really sunk in, reprioritized what is truly important in this brief flicker we call life. Well, I think that sums up the feeling of the day. We were like 2 calm Buddha-beavers, working dillegently but with an ever prevading sense of calm for the 12 hour flash.
My Bus is an old gal. She's got rheumatism but a strong back, missing a couple fingers but can still play the piano. I was hoping the Docktor would be able to help. Yes.
After a quick Patient Consultation, we thoughtfully addressed what I hoped to accomplish. Then it was time to get greasy.
We replaced the transmission flange seal. Tricky but not as insane as Bentley would have you believe (step 1: obtain an orangatan. Step 2: you know). While we were there, Colin walked me thru repacking CVs. I've never been there, but not too different than front wheel bearing maintence.
Then came the fun. Replacing the L rear window with a 1-piece. I had an original VW window sitting in my garage for 3 years, figured it was about time to install it. I was delighted to find only a very small strip of surface rust under the old seal, but the vent window frame was a crumbly ferrous mess. Ordered a new seal from OEVeedub (OE VW part, nothing but the best, eh?). Nice meaty seal but guess what it didn't fit right. Didn't have the correct shape to fit around the curves so it was a manly struggle to get that window to fit. But neither hope nor tenacity was lost, and I assure you gentle reader that the noonday sun now smiles and kisses that very glass, bearing testiment to our fortitude and painful limbs.
Then, driveshaft installed circus-strongman-barbell style, new trans oil fed to the Geared Beast, it was time to change my wreck of a shirt and take a drive. No leaks! Smooth running. Colin also thoughtfully adjusted my steering, which feels much more responsive.
I had hoped to address 1,000 other major projects but, unable to slow time, they will have to wait. Some of my doors aren't aligned properly. The steering, though functional, needs a good mechanincal restoration. Engine endplay excessive, with some internal imbalance. I'll git to it.
So, with the afternoon shadows creeping down the block, it was time for that Blue Bus to slip along.
I'm tired, my hands and muscles ache as I sit here writing this. But Colin, at 9 AM is back at it, wrenching, cussing out a stubborn bolt, sharing his wisdom and knowledge with the next customer. I don't know how the man does it, but feel very fortunate indeed to be part of the IAC.
I've known Colin socially for a few years now, but this is the first time I've hired him. (webster's says "cheap" pic of hambone you know how it goes) My first sense of Colin is calm. I asked him about it..and the experience with his dad has really sunk in, reprioritized what is truly important in this brief flicker we call life. Well, I think that sums up the feeling of the day. We were like 2 calm Buddha-beavers, working dillegently but with an ever prevading sense of calm for the 12 hour flash.
My Bus is an old gal. She's got rheumatism but a strong back, missing a couple fingers but can still play the piano. I was hoping the Docktor would be able to help. Yes.
After a quick Patient Consultation, we thoughtfully addressed what I hoped to accomplish. Then it was time to get greasy.
We replaced the transmission flange seal. Tricky but not as insane as Bentley would have you believe (step 1: obtain an orangatan. Step 2: you know). While we were there, Colin walked me thru repacking CVs. I've never been there, but not too different than front wheel bearing maintence.
Then came the fun. Replacing the L rear window with a 1-piece. I had an original VW window sitting in my garage for 3 years, figured it was about time to install it. I was delighted to find only a very small strip of surface rust under the old seal, but the vent window frame was a crumbly ferrous mess. Ordered a new seal from OEVeedub (OE VW part, nothing but the best, eh?). Nice meaty seal but guess what it didn't fit right. Didn't have the correct shape to fit around the curves so it was a manly struggle to get that window to fit. But neither hope nor tenacity was lost, and I assure you gentle reader that the noonday sun now smiles and kisses that very glass, bearing testiment to our fortitude and painful limbs.
Then, driveshaft installed circus-strongman-barbell style, new trans oil fed to the Geared Beast, it was time to change my wreck of a shirt and take a drive. No leaks! Smooth running. Colin also thoughtfully adjusted my steering, which feels much more responsive.
I had hoped to address 1,000 other major projects but, unable to slow time, they will have to wait. Some of my doors aren't aligned properly. The steering, though functional, needs a good mechanincal restoration. Engine endplay excessive, with some internal imbalance. I'll git to it.
So, with the afternoon shadows creeping down the block, it was time for that Blue Bus to slip along.
I'm tired, my hands and muscles ache as I sit here writing this. But Colin, at 9 AM is back at it, wrenching, cussing out a stubborn bolt, sharing his wisdom and knowledge with the next customer. I don't know how the man does it, but feel very fortunate indeed to be part of the IAC.
