Playing out my string...

So I'm unemployed (again) and things aren't looking great on the job front for the foreseeable future.  I'm thinking of retiring as soon as I can, which puts me on a fixed income and any spending money for GRM activities is likely to be pretty scarce.  It got me thinking that maybe what I should do is perform an inventory on the assorted junk in the garage (primarily motorcycle of the GS1000 Suzuki flavor) and see what I can make using the stuff on hand instead of planning a project based on a long term passion/idea.  I floated the idea of GRMU a couple of years ago and I'm wondering if I should just pursue some of those skills (e.g. welding, riveting, fiberglass layup) and content myself with learning those instead of a finished product.

Have any other Hive members just looked at "what's on the shelf" and tried to make something interesting?

In reply to stroker :

All the time. Me and my father in law make all kinds of weird stuff from piles of junk. 

This is our last project, super splitter. Bunch of stuff Destin for the scrap pile. 2 engines, extended frame, 2 hydraulic pumps and like $40 out of pocket.

I did that a lot after my divorce when money was tight. The agreement I had with my ex was that she could take anything in the house, but I kept everything in the garage.

So I was missing a few furniture items that I built using materials I already had. I build a sofa using a Maxima rear seat. I had used the front seats for some racing rigs that I sold. I then build a desk and a coffee table using steel, wood and paint leftovers that I already had. I did have to buy a plywood sheet, but it cost me less than 50$ in new material to finish all this furniture.

I also built a little electrical trike using an old rusty bike that I found and an unmarked electrical scooter transaxle I had bought for another project but never used. The kids liked it.

Those projects were really fun because they forced me to be more creative and "organic" in my designs. I used to be very rigid in my projects before that point.

If you need ideas, just share some pictures of your junk pile.

You had me at GS1000. 

In reply to stroker :

That's exactly what my MGUAR is going to be. Me using up stuff around the shop. Basically an old MG TD body and Jaguar V12 engine/ transmission and suspension 

I don't have a frame but I can weld one up easily enough. I will use a few sheets of aluminum I have laying around to complete the body. I still have the English wheel and most of my body work tools. 
      The really bizarre part is I want to put my Supercharger on it and just throw a Holley on top. So it will actually be more of a hot rod than a sports car. 

If I had an english wheel and time I'd be working at making aluminum fairings and tail pieces for motorcycles. Seems like you could spend a LOT of time making a piece of metal all curvy. 

Kinds reminds me of the car hobby equivalent of the cooking show Chopped. AKA: sounds like a fun time!

I subscribe to several youtube channels that feature guys building and/or fixing up small-engine bikes, karts and quads for little money.  It's opened my eyes to how much fun can be had for very little $$.

Absolutely make stuff out of what you have. My fabricator does this with all of his custom machine tools.

I love people who make stuff out of what's lying around, my attitude is go for it.

My last bike was a Suzuki GS 1000 L and I'm always interested in making stuff out of other leftover stuff so will follow along.

Sounds fun! From where I'm sitting anyway. If you do it, make a build thread

mazdeuce - Seth said:

If I had an english wheel and time I'd be working at making aluminum fairings and tail pieces for motorcycles. Seems like you could spend a LOT of time making a piece of metal all curvy. 

I started out with a sand bag and some hammers. . The English Wheel just makes the pieces smooth faster. 
Actually now days I just form what I want with foam and Bondo. Then take fiberglass and make a splash mold. Once done It's time for with fiberglass or Carbon fiber. 
No you don't need a big autoclave and prepeg Carbon Fiber with a vacuum bag set up.  You can get 90% of the weight savings  treating it like fiberglass and just use a squeegee to remove the excess resin. 
on something like a hood you might save a pound using prepeg/vacuum bagged/ and an Autoclave.  Maybe Formula 1 needs all that but not hobbiest. 

But the prepreg is so pretty!

I'm not sure what your full time gig was, but perhaps you could get a side hussle going to help subsize doing fun things you want to do? eg. Fixing up and flipping cars. Could be somewhat interesting in itself. Perhaps learn some of those skills you were considering which might help with a side gig?