Now and Zen

In response to Richard Meaden’s column about wanting to get more hands-on with cars in 2022 (evo 294), reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance will give you an idea of the connection one can have with one’s machine, once you have worked on it.

However, to get the full experience you have to give your skin, blood, sweat and tears in exchange for various oils, grease, coolant and rust in the eye. But thereafter every gearchange will become a memory of the unique-smelling oil and the imagination of the internal parts lubricated by the lovely fluid you added (fully synthetic kind).

Don’t be under any illusions about worthwhile projects making financial sense, but the rewards will be far greater reaching.

I look forward to hearing about Richard’s foray into project cars and the snowballing confidence and job size that will follow.

For myself at least, it is an essential part of the thrill of driving.

Keep up the great work.

Steve James