Building in an Apt. ....no room....

[caffeine]

Just curious. I am about to finish up my panhead bobber, and am looking for a car to work on......1 problem. My parents garage is filled with 6 bikes (3 are mine) and I live in an apartment.

whats a man to do? i just blew the big on on a nice motor and tranny for my panhead...so short on cash.

any ideas?

Ive built bikes in my apartment before, and that wasnt an issue (except for the oil incident that seeped through the carpet to downstairs neighbors couch, and starting up a bike inside to see if it started (sure as shit it did, first kick!))

also, whats a fun project for a 21 yr old who is a motorcycle gear head? I like 51 fords and mercs but dig 30's tudors...

also, i live in NJ...and right now there is ice and snow on the ground http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

-Rob "caffeine"
http://www.kustompinstriping.com

this is the build im about to finish before summer. http://www.robtimko.com/choppermentary/


http://68.38.68.127:81/choppermentary/010302/IMG_2209.JPG

[InPrimer]

get your priorities straight you say you "own 3 bikes" and NEED a car to work on? WTF reminds me of the chef who could't anything cooked because he was watching all the pots that were cooking.... in other words do ONE THING AT A TIME unless of course you are an octopus...

[Elrod]

Maybe there is some good advice Here.... (http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=336930&Forum=A ll_Forums&Words=4907&Match=Username&Searchpage=0&L imit=25&Old=allposts&Main=336605&Search=true#Post3 36930)

[caffeine]

they are all completed...i just "cant" sell them.(and really have no need to) they are all in perfect running order and I ride them all the time. so after this one is complete...rather than build another bike...im looking for a car.

sorry if that was missunderstood. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

im 21 my priorities right now are buying a house, which is in the works but probably wont happend until next year. I guess i could hold off on starting another project.....but what fun would that be? hehe

[52Chief]

I'd save my money for a house to keep all your projects at. Then there's no need to worry. My husband and I got kicked out of an apartment for our "old ugly piles of shit". They leaked oil on their *gasp* asphalt. We couldn't do anything to them there either, no even change a spark plug. As soon as anyone saw our hood up, they'd call up the bitch manager to come yell at us. (God forbid I check my oil??) Yes, I am still bitter over it.

So just buck up and either sell the bikes to buy/have a place for a car, or wait.

[Broman]

Your only 21 you have THREE motorcycles, you are trying to buy a house, and you HAVE to find a car to build.

Enough said.

Go polish your dad's gold chain and don't come here crying about this BS anymore.....

I am 31, I have ONE bike that I can barely afford, I am looking to get into a different house because I HAVE to - my family is getting bigger, and I am building one car that I haven't had the money to spend on in over a year....AND I AM COLLEGE EDJUCATED!!!!!!


BYE!

[caffeine]

sorry, i moved out at 18, cuz i busted my ass working in NYC and made/make good money,

parents never bought me a thing, some people on this board and other boards know me.

also read my post. never said i HAVE to find a car.

do i have it easy? yeah...i actually do. but i paid my OWN way through college and went on the weekends cuz i worked full time and commuted 1.5 hours each way. im also very dedicated to my job. my father doesnt wear gold chains, and is a hard worker as well. i havent judged any of you. and my 3 bikes were built BY ME FOR ME. with my OWN money. since i was 15..i spent money on a 65 panhead basket case from my confirmation money and finally got it complete last year with the exception of a aftermarket mirror i need to throw away.

im not crying, was simply asking how people dealt with living in an aprtment and building a car.

i was looking for options like: pros and cons of renting a garage etc. as the house i may buy might not have a big enough garage.

i was not born with a silver spoon if thats what your implying.

[ray]

take up smoking crack. you're gonna have to sell them bikes to make the down payment on the house. then you'll have so much to keep you busy with the house that you will not have time for any projects! catch 22. might as well take up some more self destructive vises.

and i put cardboard under my bike in the house, even after weeks of dripping the oil never got as far as the carpet. even when the cardboard was oil soaked and touching the carpet http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Ryan]

All of the newbies giving this newbie a hard time - shut your pie holes. Who do you think you are? The kids accountant? Jesus... Some people just look for drama.

I built my first hot rod in a storage facility that I payed $65 a month for... Might look around and see what you find...

[Elrod]

I lived in an apartment. They had garages on site that was $75 a month extra. I also have friends with shops that I could take work to if needed.

When we found an apartment, one of the requirements was that it had a garage on site. We adjusted for the old cars.

[caffeine]

and you didn't even spell "educated" right.

[Unkl Ian]

Do your reasearch.
Buy tools and learn how to use them.
Watch the HAMB classifieds.
Hit the swap meets for parts,
make a plan and stick to it.
The sooner you get your own garage the better.

Actually,Kulturepimp is selling his bitchin truck right now.That would be a cool ride.

[fordnutz]

Ryan is rite. This board isn't about how big your wallet is or ragging on someone because they have a good job. His question was valid. How do you guys that don't have a garage go about building a car. I built a bucket in my parent's rec room in the early seventies. A buddy built one in his parent's basement. Blew people away to see a car in my parent's rec room. The dirty work I did outside. Do what you have to do. Not everyone here is dirt poor, and we aren't all lifestyle guys, the common binder between us is the cars. And that is what it is all about. Nutz.

[daign]

Check your local classifieds for Garages to rent. I have a friend who rents a 2 car garage here in LA for $75.

Looks like that bikes gonna end up pretty cool. Dig the knobs.

-Dane

[OldCarPilot]

Whew... I'm tired after reading this thread. Who cares if he owns 3 bikes? I own 4 cars and am FAR from wealthy.
Anyway... Like what has been said there are a bunch of apartmens around with garages, but the don't really like you doing anything in them.
For now just get the house sorted out and save that extra cash. The more you put down the better you are. Or get a running project car and do small things to it until you have your own space. Or better yet kick the bikes out of the garage and take it over!

[OGNC]

My best friend owns his own shop and lets me run-a-muck out there. In fact he lets me store/work-on my A-pickup out there and pesters me to come up there and work on my stuff on nights when he is working late. I think he likes the company and I like having a place to work on my stuff. Works out great for both of us.

[caffeine]

thanks, i think i need a storage space another garage anyway. I like the feeling of goign somewhere to do work..rather than it being in my own home. like..when i lived home..i just went in the garage...

now i live about 15-20 minutes away, when i go there....i feel like i "need" to get work done.

i pay my parents 75$ a month now..and put flooring down in there garage. if i rent another garage, it would have to fit my bikes and a car as it would be pointless to pay 2 rents.

im looking at a place by me..just has a bunch of those storage trailers on the lot...but hald of them have 220 run to them..i think they charge about 250 a month and can fit a car in there with room on the end for a few bikes, but still shopping around..

thanks for the advice! most likely im buying a townhome as my first home(nj is expensive for houses, but thats where my job is) so i might not get a garage..or get a 1 car garage and pissed off neighbors.

[daign]

[ QUOTE ]

....AND I AM COLLEGE EDJUCATED!!!!!!


[/ QUOTE ]

This was a joke I hope. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif The kid didn't ask for a critique on his families financial status or his own. I'm sure you wouldn't want me critiquing yours. Your words are transparent and everyone sees through em.

Caffeine you are paying enough for your parents garage to rent your own garage or storage space. Tell them to lower the rent or you're movin! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

-Dane

[OldCarPilot]

Hey caffeine,

What part of the world are you in? Should put some more info in your profile. You never know who is near you that can help you out.

[FRKSHO1]

dont let the hazing bother you, they all treated me like shit too. its not your fault that you spend your time and money in a productive way. for all of you whiners that are jelous of him call me or pm me. ill set you up to make some good money in your spare time and then you can have what he has. i am 37 and it took me until now to figure out how to make good money, and it is less work than my autobody job where i made a measly $110,000 a year and never saw my family. as for space i just bought a temporary garage for $149.00 , i poured a cement slab 12x30 for $500.00 and i now have a weatherproof garage that is 10x20 and it only cost less than $700.00

[Donzie]

Ok, I wouldn't do this for just anybody but you sound like a hard working (young) guy looking for a new project.
You mentioned you like '30s tudors. I've got a complete '29 Model A tudor sitting in my garage I'll sell you for $3000. I'll keep it here until you have a place to put it and I won't charge you any storage.
Let me know when you want to send the check. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Tcoupe]

I've used storage buildings too....had one that was big enough for 1 car and alot of parts, engines, boxes and etc, it was $75 a month. Another idea...I have at times rented shops/small warehouses with friends...from experience you should pick who is included very carefully, things could get ugly when you're in a shop with people you dont know very well.

[porknbeaner]

I'm not absolutly sure what confirmation money is but it sounds like a deal to me. Can you still get it at 50? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Now not to judge, I think you're alright, if not ambitious. And I'm not absolutly sure how things work where you're at but stuck woth your dillema about 20 years ago(give or take) I rented an old warehouse and built and lived there.
It wasn't a chick magnet but the offices made a pretty good apt, and my shop and living room were combined. Give that a shot.

As for cars I can't make that choice for ya. Perhaps a street rod project is a good starting place. My first legal ride was a '58 Buick, then after that I had a '55 Ford. I did help build and build a couple of street rods at the time, and I still think that late '20s early '30 Fords are the easiest. Though they lack the practicality of a later model boat. But it doesn't sound like you got a family.
And if your living in a warehouse, got a car tore all apart all over the living room and find a chick that digs it you got a keeper.

OH by the way, I ain't gonna appologize for these guys, they are what they are. I like 'em like that but some people don't. Hell, I've even seen editorials written about 'em. Sometimes they get under your skin. But at least they're real.

[caffeine]

ill fill it out ASAP. I wandered over here as Ray(safarinut) and unkl ian dragged me over from the pinstriper boards..

im a pinstriper in central NJ. (just a hobby) but i stripe everyday!!! (when im not building or riding or polishing gold chains ya know! haha)

I work in Information Security for Dow Jones, though for a living.

http://www.kustompinstriping.com

-Rob "caffeine"

[FRKSHO1]

also if you have good credit i can finance your house with no money down, and i dont charge HAMBers any fees, then you can build a metal shop in the back for around $20,000, 1000 sq. feet

[Broman]

[ QUOTE ]
....AND I AM COLLEGE EDJUCATED!!!!!!


[/ QUOTE ]

Yes I was fully aware of my spellification.....

Sorry to be an ass, just came off as a spoiled brat. If you aren't - good. It's just that see alot of that stuff going around. Kids following the "chopper" trend on dad's dime and they see a Hot-Rod one day and say HEY I want one of them things.....

You made an easy case to be one of those guys....

Prove me wrong, get a car AND a house, throw a garage in too. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[caffeine]

my credit is a 768 or something last i checked. what sucks is..i just renewed the lease on my apt http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

also still shopping around deciding what i want, saving some cash a long the way.

-Rob

[52Chief]

Have you looked into renting a house? Maybe a lease with option to buy?

I don't know about house prices in NJ, but they are HELL in California! My rent is more then most peoples house payments.

[52Chief]

[ QUOTE ]
i made a measly $110,000 a year

[/ QUOTE ]

Was that a typo? I'd love to earn a measly $110,000 a year!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[caffeine]

my rent is 900 a month for a bedroom apt.

townhomes are going for 200k

[spudshaft]

If your just looking for storage at this point, you could start assembling the parts for your car project and stash them in your apartment. Then, when you buy a house, it would be pretty much like a 1:1 model kit.

[wayfarer]

Glad I don't live where you guys do. My wife and I just bought a nice 3 bd/ 1ba house with a detatched 2 car garage for $75,000. My house payment is $500/mo and that includes taxes and insurance.

[Buick59]

I feel you pain man. I live in an apartment too.......but Im married to the manager. I stored my 58 Apache in our car port. But my 26T is stored at a friends house, my hemi engine stored at another friends house. Find somebody that will let you mothball your shit at their place. Or you could try a storage place. I have known a few people who have done this.

Im too poor to even rent a storage unit. Any extra money I make is thrown into tuition or photo shit. Good luck in what ever the hell ya do.


Mike

[Paul]

good looking bike you got there.

is there enough room to build a small car where your other bikes are stored?

if there is you could move your bikes into your apartment with you and build the car in the garage..

or better yet find someone who already has a shop with room and share expenses there.

it would be cool to have a club garage, not only for shared space costs but tools and equipment too.

it would be inspiring to be surounded by other projects.

Paul

[52Chief]

My rent for an older two bedroom modular home is $1200, and that is a STEAL! I'm sure other SoCal people can agree.

We don't really have townhouses here, but condos are $220,00+, and houses are double that to start. In the paper "starter houses" (which here are older two or three bedrooms/one bath houses in less desirable places) are around $300,000. But I guess you have to pay for this weather!

[FRKSHO1]

no typo on the $110,000. and i am not bragging by any means. i would love to share the wealth with all of you. i am just pissed that i had to blow out my l knee, tore my rotator cuff on my r shoulder, broke my neck, etc. working for someone else for twenty years, then i figured out if you want to make really good money, find someone else that is doing it and copy what they do. soon you will be there too.

[caffeine]

same exact prices here!!!!!!! and we get crappy weather!! hey...no fair!!!

i pay 900 amonth for a SMALL 1 bedroom apt. SMALL

the townhome is 200k 2 bedroom no garage no basement

[Broman]

Townhouse for 200k.....
RENT for 900/mo.


New suggestion, move the hell away from there.

900/mo. will buy a $100,000 house easy in the midwest. Key word BUY. Rent is half of what you are talking about.

I hate so say it though you better learn how to part with your bikes man. If you get too attached they'll be your undoing. Besides getting rid of something is a great excuse for starting something new... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif


P.S.
I appologize for jumping your ass - I am getting cranky in my old age... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

[52Chief]

Well then, you should move out here then! Same prices, better weather!!

[FRKSHO1]

the payment on a $200,000 loan at todays rate is $1000.00 there is also loans that start at$700.00 a month, pretty affordable.

[tokyo]

look at this...something i know about...i;m in philly, my wife and i have a 1 bedroom palace..complete with a closet i call a garage..don't believe me..well...

What i do, is look for small stuff i need, kill swap meets for stuff, and try to check the classifieds....ALOT...also, have a buddy keeping my exclusive valve cover assortment in his loft...he's nice like that.. but saving for a house, and looking to rent one is our objective.. i am not here to whine, i hear ya.. but it will take time...i go crazy sometimes trying to figure out how to get to work on my car..when that happens i take a cold shower...withdrawal sucks.

[Nads]

I built my '59 Caddy hearse in an outhouse.
Caffeine, all it takes is grim determination.

[Broman]

That reminds me of my dad building his Panhead bobber bak in the 50's (he was a teenager) in a 3rd story apt complex. Nobody even knew he had a bike until it was started one day.... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

His mother was pissed when she saw the oil stains on her hardwood. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[Dirty Dug]

How about talking your parents into letting you put up one of those temporary type "Costco" garages at their place to store the bikes. Then you could take over their whole garage with your car project. Get your old man involved in it too. Building a car could be a great family project. Then he could be working on it even when you're not there. Leave him a list of stuff you want done.

[wayfarer]

I can't believe what you guys pay for real estate! I guess that's why there are so many Californians up here. Here's what $75,000 bought me:
http://photo.starblvd.net/wayfarer/4-5-5.jpg

http://photo.starblvd.net/wayfarer/5-1-1.jpg

[long island vic]

that 2 car garage is 7500 on long island. i know where he is coming from how about 8500 in taxs for 60x200

[MikeO]

Move to the boonies of mi. i bought a 4 bedroom i bath house with 4.5 acres for 31k it was 8 years ago but the prices havent changed much problem is you have to drive 30 minutes to get gas or work and i drive 45 min to get good work. so pricing houses depends on what you want you pay for what you get my house is nice but i didnt get any convience

[FRKSHO1]

in sacramento 4.5 acres with no house is between $250,000 to $900,000 . that makes me want to sell and go to mi. but we went jet skiing yesterday and i think you guys are still snow skiing back there. it was 90 yesterday.

[caffeine]

i would move somewhere in a heartbeat if there was work. (and i mean work in my field) I love my job.

it just happens that all the companies are based out of NJ/NYC metro area or LA area. i hate to move to the left coast and leave me family.

basically it seems like its high, but the pay is very good.

at least thats what i keep telling myself!!!!

i travel a lot for work, like once every 1-2 months so that cool.
and yeah..im think ing about just renting a garage for now.

ill keep you guys posted..ii need to go stripe a panel for the raffle thingie.

no hard feelings to whoever couldnt spell http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

its all good http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

-rob "caffeine"

[MikeO]

you went jet sking yesterday and i was playing automotive icecapades(??spelling??) see what i mean you pay for what you get!

[52Chief]

[ QUOTE ]
http://photo.starblvd.net/wayfarer/5-1-1.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]

What's that green stuff all over the ground?? Is that that plant they call "grass"? Hahahaha! I'd kill for some grass!

Good luck caffene. But my humble opinion is to save for a house, if that's what you really want. You've got plenty to keep you bust until then. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[BARNETT]

Hey Caffeine...welcome to the HAMB! As for housing and work spaces...you could always move here, to San Antonio. The cost of living is really low...so is the pay scale, though. It's all relative. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Save for the house and/or rent a work space in the meantime. Start colleccting your parts, now, though.

Dan

[zman]

[ QUOTE ]
i would move somewhere in a heartbeat if there was work. (and i mean work in my field) I love my job.

it just happens that all the companies are based out of NJ/NYC metro area or LA area. i hate to move to the left coast and leave me family.
e for now.

[/ QUOTE ]

I thought you said you worked in Information Security. If you think it's confined to NYC/NJ or LA you need to get a grasp. I basically do IS as well as IT in Raleigh, NC. I work on a grant for one of the Tobacco Companies. We have this thing down here, maybe you've heard about it, it's calle Research Triangle Park. I hear they have something like it in Austin as well. And I have a friend who just got hired in Vegas to do, of all things, Information Security for one of the casinos. So don't think your stuck where you are. Plus the cost of living here is about half if your paying $900 for a 1 bedroom apt. I got a 1900 sq.ft. brick 50's ranch, a 2500 sq.ft. garage, and an acre of land for $135k. Get out while you can. The grass is definately greener down here....

[Broman]

[ QUOTE ]
no hard feelings to whoever couldnt spell

its all good

-rob "caffeine"



[/ QUOTE ]


We're cool now. I had a beer.

Could you go and spell chaeck the 700+ other posts I have made, could be some misspelled wurds. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[uncleAud]

quiet about Michigan boonies!!!!...we are being Californicated enough:)

[Roadsters.com]

This thread inspired me to add a link to Caffeine's site under a new category for pinstripers on my site's Automotive Artists page, at http://www.roadsters.com/art/

I have worked on lots of hot rod and Harley parts in the house or apartment. Back when I lived in Canada, often that was the only place that wasn't too cold. I can remember being 18 with a T-bucket in the basement, with a bedroom filled up with a '39 knucklehead and a '54 panhead.

Good luck to you, Ron. It looks like you're off to a great start.

Dave
http://www.roadsters.com/

[plmczy]

caffiene, why don't you move to PA and commute to Jersey? Welcome to the board too. later plmczy