I did an oil change last weekend... in Seattle... in a DIY auto garage.
If you know my obsessive passion to be self reliant, meticulous and procedure oriented, you know the weight and significance of that simple task. Especially, since, I have had to re establish my base after 5yrs in CA. 5 years of rebuilding a retro motorcycle, to rebuilding 2 race bikes and fixing the brakes, differential and transmission in the car and endless hours of perfecting the art of vehicle maintenance on a budget, while not compromising on the quality of the finished product.
If you know my obsessive passion to be self reliant, meticulous and procedure oriented, you know the weight and significance of that simple task. Especially, since, I have had to re establish my base after 5yrs in CA. 5 years of rebuilding a retro motorcycle, to rebuilding 2 race bikes and fixing the brakes, differential and transmission in the car and endless hours of perfecting the art of vehicle maintenance on a budget, while not compromising on the quality of the finished product.
It is more than just changing oil and it sure as hell isn't about posting pictures on Facebook and Instagram, to make it a "cool" thing. It's about having the right tools for the job. Torquing every bolt to the right spec. It's about having access to the right space and environment to learn and do even the simplest of mechanical tasks. And when completed, to kick back, be satisfied with a job well done and relish the fruits of the labor.
I believe the DIY attitude nurtures ingenuity and forces one to do more, with less. It cultivates innovation at the most fundamental level. I believe it is the most innate way to think outside the box.
But, the DIY culture is becoming a niche. Much like over priced "Artisnal" coffee is just an excuse for a latte or cappuccino done right.
Back to the oil change..
You see oil to the engine is like blood to the body. Often people misconstruct a metaphorical reference of gasoline to blood.
If anything, gasoline is exactly like sugar/glucoses
Back to the oil change..
You see oil to the engine is like blood to the body. Often people misconstruct a metaphorical reference of gasoline to blood.
If anything, gasoline is exactly like sugar/glucoses
, synthesized from other complex hydrocarbons (Carbohydrates and sucrose incase of glucose). It is very important, as it helps produce the energy the body needs. But, have too much of it and all you end up with is clogged arteries, diabetes & obesity. Similar to how a 427 Cu Inch big block V8 didn't necessarily make the car go any faster, than a lithe, straight 6 from Europe or Japan did, in the 1960s. It was inefficient, lazy and more often than not clogged up the headers with unburnt carbon.
Now engine oil on the other hand is the most under appreciated fluid in a motor. It is just like blood in a living organism. While it definitely doesn't function in carrying gasoline to the cylinders directly, it ensures that all the mechanical parts in the motor run smoothly. It helps spin the crank smoothly and that inturn spins the belt to the alternator, which in turn recharges the battery and consequently powers the fuel pump to continue pumping gasoline. It lubricates all the moving parts, regulates temperature and ensures that all ancillary components are working seamlessly, so that, your car steers or you stay cool when the world outside is melting at a 120F.
In other words, the easiest way to ensure that your vehicle lasts long, is to do timely oil changes.
Now the task itself is very simple. Open the drain bolt when the engine is warm. Drain the oil. Remove the filter. Put in a fresh one(pre soaked in fresh oil), close the bolt and fill up with fresh oil. Start engine and let it go through a full cycle for a few mins.
Now engine oil on the other hand is the most under appreciated fluid in a motor. It is just like blood in a living organism. While it definitely doesn't function in carrying gasoline to the cylinders directly, it ensures that all the mechanical parts in the motor run smoothly. It helps spin the crank smoothly and that inturn spins the belt to the alternator, which in turn recharges the battery and consequently powers the fuel pump to continue pumping gasoline. It lubricates all the moving parts, regulates temperature and ensures that all ancillary components are working seamlessly, so that, your car steers or you stay cool when the world outside is melting at a 120F.
In other words, the easiest way to ensure that your vehicle lasts long, is to do timely oil changes.
Now the task itself is very simple. Open the drain bolt when the engine is warm. Drain the oil. Remove the filter. Put in a fresh one(pre soaked in fresh oil), close the bolt and fill up with fresh oil. Start engine and let it go through a full cycle for a few mins.
The oil change was my introduction to be mechanically self reliant on my motorcycle and car. It was a simple task that made me comfortable handling a wrench, working with greasy palms, knowing what is important and what isn't important while changing stuff and the concept of torque. Or the fact anything in excess isn't necessarily a good thing.
It started with an oil change on a 95 CB1000. 2 months later I rebuilt the clutch on it; a month after that the forks and the rest is history.
I know my previous post was quite gloomy and somber. I was just writing the state of my mind at that point.
But things have changed and just like how I felt I got a second chance at life in July 2015, I feel I ve been given a second chance to do it better this time. Santa, kept me waiting but did get the approval notice for my VISA on the 26th at 9:36 am.
And hence the oil change..
A new start. A new beginning.
Combine that with my belief that this is the right place with the right environment for not just my dreams and passion but also to sustainably derieve happiness, and suddenly, the significance of this extension to stay is huge. Now I am not saying it is going to be easy. I still have to execute on a lot of plans.
However, it give me a chance to make it count. A higher probability to achieve the goals I have set out.
I am heading for a short break to India now. And when I am back, I will start to chronical the Washington chapter of this motorcycling journey and ofcourse, it will start with an oil change... for the K1200s. 😊
