Here’s my list of mechanical-esque accomplishments this weekend. My friends who buy crappy vehicles and rebuild them for the hell of it make fun of my less than techinical motivation but they can go to hell. I don’t mind paying people to do things I don’t want to but given the proper motivation I can and will pick up tools on occasion.
- I got an 8mm hex wrench to finish swapping the parts on the SV. I ended up at 4 different stores because I refused to buy a set of 8 wrenches from 2mm-10mm when I already had 2mm-7mm and only needed an 8mm. I don’t know why I didn’t think of Sears in the first place but Home Depot, Lowes or Auto Zone should have had one. With my fancy 8mm wrench I replaced the shifter on the rearset, bolted that baby back on and I was done. Aside from a few scuffs on places that really don’t matter, she’s as good as new!
- I replaced a headlight on the wife’s car. Now this really isn’t that big of a deal save the fact that modern import cars are a bitch to get around. They cram so much plastic and whatnot under the hood that you have to contort yourself, especially if you have big bear paws like I, just to put the retainer clip back on. Add this one to my brownie points total.
- I replaced the DVD player in our bedroom with one that actually works. I don’t use it but the little lady does to watch her various chick movies via Netflix. The one I replaced was the first DVD player I ever got (like 7 years ago) and it finally stopped reading discs. We picked up a Philips Progressive-Scan for $45, which isn’t bad, given the usage pattern. Amusingly enough the old player was old enough that it was hooked up via coax cable. DVD players don’t even come with coax anymore so I had to do some rewiring for optimal ease of use.
- I installed a fancy 200° viewing angle peephole in our front foor. There wasn’t a peephole, of any sort, there previously and without windows at the front door (which I actually prefer) it was hard to tell if a stranger was about to stab you. This too was an easy task but there’s just something about drilling a 9/16″ hole all the way through your front door that’s disconcerting.
no you aren’t