1956 Indian Fire Arrow

Photos

City of Cars: Not just in the car business..

Before you is a snap shot of just one of the three rooms hidden away in Pontiac, MI which hold mountains of treasures, motorcycle treasures...

Everything from Harley Davidson, Indian, Triumph, Yamaha and Honda is in this place. I was offered the opportunity to help organize, categorize and eventually start an ebay store to sell it all!

Periodically I'll have new photos of the project or of some of the cool parts that I come across. The picture here is the BEFORE. Below is the AFTER.

A New Adventure

Years ago I started collecting ideas from all over the world, I investigated styles, people, and cultures. I had in mind a place that I wanted to land and a hobby that would allow my anxieties to be washed away, replaced by grease, gas and grime under the fingernails.

I took cues from people I had never met and images like the one here for inspiration. I had few people to call or observe first hand, no one to apprentice under or learn from.

I wanted a project to pursue, bolts to turn and frustration met with creativity and resolution.

I suppose I always knew that asking for these things would inevitably lead to actions which in turn bequeath that which you ask for, for I dove into a business with a friend who shared interests and not dissimilar motivations. Problems began when personalities clashed, fueled by deadlines and self imposed stress.

My interests were tarnished. A once enthusiastic prospect became a dreaded environment. Upset and disinterested in continuing with uncomfortable conditions, I left behind two years of my life.

I couldn't stop my curiosity and need for creativity, my anxiety grew with everyday a wrench wasn't picked up or a workbench wasn't clustered with an explosion of old parts. Again, I was wondering countless pages online, looking for something to kick up my spirits and make me uncomfortable with my idleness.

What I've found is this. Passion begins with an inquiry. That inquiry leads you to ask questions. Soon your questions become educated, more accurate, and people begin to understand, perhaps subconsciously,  that you're truly interested and not just curious. Doors begin to open and people feel inspired by your candid approach to a subject you wish to learn more about. During your journey humility becomes you greatest ally. As time goes on, you become embolden by the knowledge you have gained and your passion soon becomes a part of you. From there you are in control, the sails have filled and the course chosen is done so by you.

My hands ache from lack of use. My mind has been overtaken by thoughts of machines. There is a stillness in the air and water that I cannot disregard, I have been ruminating about bits and pieces, bolts and grease...

And,  from across the way, I see the still and silent waters begin to tremble. Ripples shimmer from just beyond my sight. My sails hang loosely, stretched by the storm that brought me here. I have had my hand to my brow for sometime, scanning the horizon. The ripples become larger and greater in size and soon the winds begin to howl.