Help a fellow biker out?

That's close. I won't say what it was. Let that thread rest in peace! I didn't know how long I could keep that one up.

 

I am quite honestly hurt by that one. I went one better Rollin. I bought you a 20 year old bottle but after over a year you did not come around to get it so I drank it. See I even undertook that hardship to help you out. Ridding the world of the stuff you leave behind, unclaimed and wasted.

 

You know one thing? I may modify the gofundme thing after thinking about it and make smaller bites. I patterned my "fund raising" after what the SBA told me to do- and it reflects the real world cost of starting up the business from scratch here in Hawaii, with the shipping of the tools and stuff being the main cost. Instead, I think I am going to retweak it and do it in stages. I sat down and went through my business model and business plan several times. Pride is the luxury of the rich. I have been brought low and humbled by my experiences that have brought me to the point I am today. You know how it takes money to make money? That is so true. When I was rolling around in the stuff, I had no problem investing in what I needed to make more money in my shop, I didn't need to prioritize too heavily. Oh, I wasn't Bill Gates or anything- but I thought nothing about buying a tire machine and a lift when I needed them. My welding work could cover the entire cost in a week.

So I had an epiphany last night. Have you guys seen how much TIG welders have dropped in cost in the last 5 or so years? Those Everlast TIG welders are the cat's pooper when it comes to low cost new welders.

On the other V4 Site, a good friend of mine from that site said "hey, when I lived in Hawaii, I had a welder, put the word out, and could not get enough work".

So maybe instead of trying to get a ton of money raised, and get my stuff out of storage in one shot, maybe it would be better if I just got me a welder and started small again. I have been missing my Mig set up pretty bad, and it is in storage, but here, there is so much Aluminum and Stainless to do vs steel work, because uncoated steel just doesn't last too long here with the acid rain and what not.

So taking what Ghost rider said in to mind- hard work and building slowly IS the key to building a successful business, not taking a pile of money and investing it all at once, IMHO.

So I think I may modify the entire "campaign" to the 1000.00 needed to buy a Tig welder.

Also, on the bike sites, I would not have had a chance in having my OLD business, much less my new one, if not for sites like this. So, on all the sites I plug this idea on- the offer still stands to any member, if I get some bikes on the road, and you are coming on vacation, I will loan a brutha a bike for a day, and ride with him/her if I can (you know, scheduling allowed) to give a tour. Heck, I love to ride- that is what it is all about.

That is an investment here on Da Big Island. Costs 150 bucks to rent a bottom of the barrel H-D from the Kona side, and more than 150 for a tour.

Right now, I am putting the parts together for three "Freebie" bikes I got here on the Island- a 1985 VT1100, a 1985 VF1000f and a 1982 Xs 650. I am keeping the VFR for my personal transportation, but the other two I will sell as soon as done. And put it to the 'cause".

I can never really get ahead I think and save enough up, as my financials stand right now, with child support, plus raising a 4 year old as a single Dad with NO help from that baby mama, and my bills and income as it stands now. If I can get an additional source of income, with the skill set I have at hand, I think I can change that.

I thank Ghost Rider for helping me rethink it a bit.

the #1 goal has to be to get a 40ft container from Alaska to Hawaii to start the biz- I have everything thing in there I need to relaunch the biz- my tire machine, lifts, tools, welder, frame jig, 15 bikes in pieces parts that can be put back together to sell, etc. I need right at 10k to do that.

Oh, and I took the first 100 bucks I have been donated and used it to create T-shirts, which the Donor asked that I do, to help also raise funds. When I get them done, I will post pics. Resurrection and Redemption motorworks. R&R for short.