Date:         Fri, 2 Sep 2005 17:50:25 -0400
Reply-To:     Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: shared madness?

I bought a used chain saw for $5 a couple of months ago. It didnt run , and
was "in a box in pieces".The PO(can I use that term when talking about a
chain saw?) had given up on repairing this saw.In my younger days ,I too
had dissasembeled a chain saw to this point,and left it for dead in a
box.So to speak, I picked up where I had once left off. My vanagons came to
my aid here.My 85 westy should have been a parts van when I bought it, but
I was too stupid to see this.I had never even been on the internet before,
so how could I ever expect to own and  learn about vanagons? But they are
soooo cool.  After draining my funds and altering my future, I learned how
to repair vehicles like never before. Vanagons taught me how to become
double jointed and place a screw or nut in positions only a german could
concieve. I developed the confidence to snake my arm and hand into crevices
(engine running) with a fastner where before I could have removed said arm
minus a hand. Sound familiar?How to do without(money) and repair what I
once feared.To diagnose and to assess, and to respect and appreciate how
others had approached similiar problems.How to improvise tools and to
scrounge parts as if I knew what I was doing.A tow from my driveway to the
repair shop was out of the question, and this is still my only vehicle to
this day. Back to the chainsaw now--It was relaxing and a pleasure that I
would love to repeat,repairing the chain saw in that box. I continued
dissambeling the saw to the point where I could assess the problem at hand-
with ease. Understanding how these  little wonders ran  now seemed second
nature.  I discovered that I was now a master of this simple mechanical
device. At one time ,I had been defeated.I clean everything up, made needed
adjustments , replaced broken parts(I did not break any in my continued
dissambely-no lie), and reassembeled  the saw to proper working order.It
started first try. I knew it would.I already knew how to sharpen the chain
like a razer. Like a breath of fresh air,it was a joy to again use,
american standard wrenches with increments such as 9/17, and 5/8, and not
to have to out think a designer.. The metric tools I now have deceved me
into believing that any mechanical repairing happiness I might obtain
anywhere , lie in these increments. I must say here and now that it was
great to "think like an american", once again.There is a difference in how
devices are designed and put together. The germans often seem to just make
components and procedures in ways ,that defy logic.At least on the
vanagon.I cant say this for a BMW or MB, and those engine compartments do
look inviting,but the metric measurements are still there.The japeneese
have their own ways also. Looking at a bolt and knowing it was a 3/8 inch
bolt, attaching a cover to the oil tank in a way that dosent always place
me at the limits of my mechanical know how ,for no needed reason, all
seemed  so pleasurable and right.What I am trying to say here is that I
believe that I can get my mechanical kicks ,in spades, by just repairing
these predictable and simple mechanical implements.Also that I dont have
translate the way they are assembeled into what makes sence to me.I can
seperate the vehicle that I depend on from the tinkering that I seem to
need. That I can buy and be happy with a late model american(plastic) car
that will most likely stay in one piece all by itself. That I can drive it
across the country(when gas gets sane again) and not have a major concern
about making it,and not have to contact a list and ask about repair shops
in an unfamiliar place. When I need to relax, my mechanical need can be
met, and my wallet remain funded by a toy that is much more practical that
a vanagon.Everybody has their own reason for owning a vanagon, and all
these reasons are good reasons.I will continue to own my vanagon,but I know
that I no longer need it.That is nice to know if the future of gas goes
worse case senario.Nobody can say where gas prices and avaliability will go
from here, but many of us are near the point where decisions about the
vanagon need to be made concerning owenership. Concerns have never been
greater for both repair expences and gas useage.Disclamer--- These are my
own thoughts and concerns here.I am grateful for the list. I am sure that
these lines will not be understood or agreed with by many. That is ok with
me.However some may find this posting helpful.Thanks for reading. Roger