"505Turbeaux" (505turbeaux)
10/09/2013 at 10:36 • Filed to: Booklopnik
4
18|
"505Turbeaux" (505turbeaux)
10/09/2013 at 10:36 • Filed to: Booklopnik | 4
| 18 |
Growing up wrenching on rusted out hulks of forgotten German/Italian/French steel, playing in a band, trying to be a good student in high school and college and dealing with all of my personal life issues certainly had something to do with the skill set I possess, and my station in life, but never moved the needle much in my views on life, and how I interact with it. Last night I was ensconced in reading the news online, seeing more coverage of the NYC biker rage incident, which could have easily been me cutting a few of those jerks off (I did), and I decided to tune out and pick up an old bound friend instead. Now there is probably a library cop somewhere looking for me for my still Dewey Decimal Systemed copy of Robert Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, but I think the statute of limitations has been exceeded, so come get me.
I had always heard of this book, and never really knew if it was a shop manual, some weird Zen tie-in to sitting in front of your bike in Lotus eating Chinese takeout, or something else. Little did I know what I was in for. Pirsig had a fine career as a professor of technical writing at a college in Montana, when he begins to investigate the meaning of good writing, or quality, when he goes down the rabbit hole of figuring out the true meaning of quality, and it’s perception. After going literally insane, and being subjected to electroshock therapy and declared “normal”, he lights off with his son Chris on a Honda, and 2 friends on a BMW for a 17 day journey, where he narrates his philosophy using bikes, life, writing etc as elements on his canvas. A truly great piece of writing and I cannot explain any further until I read it again in full. Been a good 7 years since I read it last. I remember reading this in a particular point in life where my brain was growing stagnant and needed not only something to blow the cobwebs out, but also to see how people inherently bounce back from all kinds of craziness.
Book 2 – possibly a favorite for some here for different reasons, but How to Keep your Volkswagen Alive by John Muir is the second. Along with being a primer to many things mechanical, and the awesome Peter Aschwanden drawings, just the tone of this book as a read is calming. I think I learned true patience by reading it. Actually pretty useful for the shade tree mechanic, there is so much in this book that stands out. My favorite part is just how to warm up an air cooled VW engine. Goes something like, start the car, pull out your pouch of tobacco, roll up a cigarette, and by the time you are half done you are ready to roll. I still have the urge to do this when I fire up an old flat four. Read it, love the pictures. the Velvet Monkeywrench is a great read too by him.
Anyhow, thanks for reading, I needed an outlet for those nuggets of info this morning. Back to the interwebs for me knowing I am going to crack into some bourbon later and get my read on. If you love cars, and are somehow in the need to learn something new, or you just need a bit of positivity related to mechanics, give these a shot.
Sethersm
> 505Turbeaux
10/09/2013 at 10:53 |
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Another favorite from How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive:
Somewhere there's a section about keeping an eye on engine temperature in a bus and if it gets to hot it is a good chance to "pull over to the side of the road, climb in the back with your old lady and ball"
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505Turbeaux
> Sethersm
10/09/2013 at 10:54 |
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hahaha I remember that section well. Sage advice
pdx107
> 505Turbeaux
10/09/2013 at 10:54 |
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Both wonderful books, So happy my 1972 VW campmobile came with a very well used version of Muir's book.
Zen is something I try and reread every couple years, his other book, Lila isn't so bad either.
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505Turbeaux
> pdx107
10/09/2013 at 10:55 |
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I have tore into Lila a few times too, it is great in it's read on morality
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pdx107
> 505Turbeaux
10/09/2013 at 10:57 |
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Indeed, I finally finished it last week. Made me want to run out and get a sailboat, before realizing how silly of an idea that is
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505Turbeaux
> pdx107
10/09/2013 at 11:03 |
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only silly to some. I admit I considered it as well after the first time I read it
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pdx107
> 505Turbeaux
10/09/2013 at 11:17 |
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For me, it would make far more sense to just get the VW in road trip shape...
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505Turbeaux
> pdx107
10/09/2013 at 11:18 |
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do it, I have done it a few times an a VW camper, around the country, back and forth. Good way to figure out alot about yourself and the people with you
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pdx107
> 505Turbeaux
10/09/2013 at 11:28 |
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I'll do my best to get it operational this winter, massive battery shorts, lots of cosmetic issues, and a missing panel for the westy top...
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505Turbeaux
> pdx107
10/09/2013 at 11:30 |
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what are you missing, the luggage rack section? Shorts are fairly easy on those, usually just a good visual inspection will show you what is up. Or hook it up and look for smoke!
madpehs
> 505Turbeaux
10/09/2013 at 11:38 |
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My thermodynamics teacher recommended Zen and Motorcycle Maintenance. Wasn't sure what to expect (he didn't expand on his recommendation) but I truly enjoyed that book all the way through the afterword. That teacher also recommended The Alchemist. He's batting 1000.
Also, this is my first contribution to Oppo. So this is a bit of a test. hopefully this turns out as expected.
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505Turbeaux
> madpehs
10/09/2013 at 11:39 |
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test success, welcome to Oppo.
Alchemist was great too, thanks for the reminder
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pdx107
> 505Turbeaux
10/09/2013 at 11:44 |
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Missing the sink/table/jump seat
one of the battery cables needs to be replaced. I feel when i replaced the clutch I connected something where it shouldnt be and now the battery drains when not running. replaced alternator and voltage regulator as well.
It runs, starts and all that, just the battery drains.
desertdog5051
> 505Turbeaux
10/09/2013 at 12:00 |
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Have read Zen several times. Not in the last 5 or so years, though. Thanks for the reminder.
HiredHand
> 505Turbeaux
10/09/2013 at 12:59 |
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On similar lines of books about cars and motorcycles that aren't really about cars and motorcycles, I submit:
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
Much more technically written than either of the above, Crawford uses a lot of citations and deliberates on the value and nature of work. Fantastic. Although it'll probably make you want to burn down your cubicle.
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
Much more plainly written as a memoir, I took away some valuable lessons from this book about balance and rhythm in life. Definitely recommended.
H4N5 GRU83R
> 505Turbeaux
10/09/2013 at 15:26 |
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LOVE the idiot manual. Great companion to the Bentley manuals. I would read the related sections in both books and it would click much better.
I will admit, I read Zen once and got I got lost many times. Must read it again.
Poundingsand
> 505Turbeaux
10/12/2013 at 11:08 |
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After reading this, I will need to read "Zen" again (for the fifth time). As soon as I get it back from the friend that I loaned it to. A fantastic read that taught me more than I (thought I) already knew about both fixing motorcycles AND life.
I also have the idiots guide, to keep0 my baja bug running strong. A good call on both books!
DavidHH
> 505Turbeaux
10/12/2013 at 15:26 |
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I was also introduced to Zen&ArtofMM in college, many years ago. I believe the best thing the book offered was the idea of thinking for your self, and defining what is meaningful.