I think I’m finally back to fully sane. As fully sane as I get, anyway. Today I went back into the shed to redo my carbs. I’ve stripped them, ultrasonically cleaned them, blown them through, fitted all new seals and reassembled them. The float bowl seals were being problematic. I fitted them, but rather than risk it I took them off again and went to some pains to make sure they seated properly. Then I did a bench set of the carbs.
I cleaned a few other bits while I was working, just because the ultrasonic bath is so groovy.
Also I bit the bullet and listed the Harley for sale. I’m just cutting my losses. I thought I was going to have to reduce it to eventually sell it, but someone has put a bid in for the initial price already. Cool. I just want it gone.
The thing was, as I was pottering around in the shed I realised I was properly happy. Happy that I have the tools for the jobs. Happy that I have enough experience to be able to do the jobs. Happy the I’d got the ball rolling on selling the Harley. Just generally happy. The anxiety must have been sapping more of my life than I thought. I’ve been stressed or not stressed, no other states, really. A week or so ago my brain started speeding up again. Now I am feeling positive and happy. Hooray! Gawd bless the NHS and the loony pills!
I’ll sell all the accumulated Harley bits after the bike goes. I’ll be down to one bike that will do it all and should last me forever. I am starting a new job around the corner, so I don’t need a back up motorbike. If the VFR is off the road for any reason I can pushbike in. And working for Sainsbury’s has made me a pretty damn good driver, so I should have a steady job for as long as I want it. I’m through with rushing and raging. Steady and safe gets the job done.
Tomorrow I’ll fit the cleaned carbs and set them. If I do it early I’ve got loads of time to swap them back if there’s any issue, so I’m able to get to work if they give me a shift for the next day.
Once the bike is boxed off I’m concentrating on running.
And gardening. I had no interest in the spring return to gardening this year, but as I’m getting better I’m really going for it. I’ve pulled up the fruit trees and planted an bunch of flowers at the bottom of the garden, as the dahlias break surface in the raised bed I’m moving them to the bottom of the garden until the first frosts. I’m putting smaller plants in the raised bed so it doesn’t get overgrown. I’m thinking of buying a bunch of railway sleeper type beams with the Harley money and rebuilding the raised bed. I’ve done it twice using planks but they come away and the uprights rot. It’s not a very long term solution. If I do it once with sleepers that should last 15 years.
I’m making plans and getting stuff done. Everything was on hold while I was loony. It’s really, really good to be back.