I was always just mechanical as long as I can remember, and everything I've done in life I've taken to the max, but by far most of what I know came from the internet. In my early 20's I started flying airplanes, then at 25 I decided to build one. I knew nothing about the process, didn't have a single tool, and no experience, but I learned to drive rivets and work sheet metal from the web. I got it 80% complete then sold it when I got into sportbikes and racing. I built a few racebikes, racebodies, some carbon fiber parts and taught for a race school to support my habit, but after a few years I quit and sold everything motorcycle related I had. I bought an 18' Hobie catamaran, completely rebuilt and refinished the hulls, and raced that around the NJ shore areas for a few years. I had no idea how to sail when I bought it, but I ordered some books online, and joined a Hobie forum. In 2005 I ran across my 04 Chopper, got a great deal on it, and started riding. It broke down right away and since it was still under warranty and I knew nothing about them I put it in the shop. They had it for 3 weeks, and when I got it back it still wasn't running right. I decided to learn the thing inside out, and between this forum, Club Chopper, and a couple of local guys I got into fixing it myself. Soon guys were bringing me their Big Dogs to fix because we don't have much for dealerships around here, then everyone was bringing me their shit to fix and after awhile I just always seemed to know what to do, and if I didn't I asked here. I truly enjoy working with my hands, and especially working on bikes. Some of my friends don't understand when I pass up riding on a nice day so I can wrench on something, I enjoy fixing them as much as riding them. Because of my motorcycle obsession I've gone through 2 engagements and countless relationships, but not one regret. It's 2:06AM and I'm still at my shop, been working on my Redneck all day, I watched the clock flip to 2012 between weld beads. The one thing I can say is that no matter what you need to do, you can find out how on the internet. It would take me 50 pages to list all the shit I've learned to do from Google, from Vacuum bagging Carbon Fiber fairings to TIG welding to Basement Drainage systems, I've learned it all from the internet. I don't have much pity for dudes who say they "can't do it", since all I've ever said was "let me google that"!
. And amount of tools that I own has an increased significantly since I bought my first Harley.
