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The wedges I purchased are steel - I guess - I can pick em up with a magnet ...

Sheesh... considering the relatively low cost of these things and the time/energy required to make something that may or most likely won't work as well as the precisely machined original... Why not just buy one?

Tim Shepherd wrote:Sheesh... considering the relatively low cost of these things and the time/energy required to make something that may or most likely won't work as well as the precisely machined original... Why not just buy one?

Hmmm, there is a certain satisfaction in having the capability and developing the skills to do and make, well, things. First, there's the plotting and scheming. How does something like a perch wedge (or anything) work? What requirements need to be fulfilled? How could I build what's needed with the materials, tools, and skills that I have? And then, with a concept in mind, there is the challenge of execution, bringing up skills, developing skills, and then the holding, welding, filing, or whatever operations might be required. Then there is the satisfaction when you succeed. That is, perhaps, really the thing you're after.

There is also the satisfaction of just having the machines, hand tools, or whatever might be required to fabricate various thingamajigs. And when you do it well, you look at it and go, "sumbitch I did it!" Years ago I had just inlaid a banjo fingerboard with an abalone design of my own invention. I had just finished sanding everything flat when I felt the call of nature. I took the fingerboard in with me, laid it against the wall and looked at it as I did my business. "Damn, that is sweet looking!"

I have a nice shop with a lot of woodworking and metalworking tools and equipment. Arguably it exists because of the above.

But wait, there's more! There is a also certain satisfaction in being self sufficient and independent of those who charge money for their services. You don't have to make those people into conniving money grubbers, skinning you of your hard earned bucks. They can be hard working, honest people. Still, during a lifetime you can save quite a bit of money to spend on other things.

As a finale, I think there is yet another factor that trumps everything I said above. As I become older I become increasingly convinced that keeping your mind alert and eager is served very well by thinking and inquiry, no matter what form it might assume. I've been talking about making things. Learning for the sake of learning is also right up there. Working on problems too.

And I think it makes you a more interesting person to boot!

Editing: Tim, the above is not pointed at you. I'm merely using your post as a springboard to philosophize a bit.


Ken

I agree with you Ken, being creative, talented and skilled are all good things. But in this case, well, to me, it would be like making a bolt from scratch. Certainly doable, perhaps even with a trademark flare or style, but in the end, it's a bolt. They sell bolts... don't they? It makes me wonder...

I made bar risers for my Oilhead RS that move the bars back 5" and up 2". It was so that I could travel thousands of miles on a bike with a seating position not really designed for that. People who want to travel like that just by RT's.

If I had been able to find an aftermarket solution, I would have bought it, but I wouldn't have had anywhere near the satisfaction I got from making it. A purchased solution would have satisfied my riding just as well, but it wouldn't have come close to satisfying my desire to solve my own problems.

Tim Shepherd wrote:I agree with you Ken, being creative, talented and skilled are all good things. But in this case, well, to me, it would be like making a bolt from scratch. Certainly doable, perhaps even with a trademark flare or style, but in the end, it's a bolt. They sell bolts... don't they? It makes me wonder...

That's a good example Tim. I wouldn't choose to make a bolt either. And there would be challenges a'plenty in refining iron ore into steel and the iron mongering required to then get it into the shape of a bolt. Is there a difference between a bolt and a perch wedge? Not really, unless the making of a perch wedge should pique my inventive curiosity. And a perch wedge kinda does that. First, it was my understanding that a perch wedge was made of hardened steel, not the soft material talked about earlier in this thread. I thought the hardened steel was needed to bite into the chrome of a handlebar so the control wouldn't rotate. And I dabble a bit in the hardening and tempering of high carbon steel. And for a perch wedge high carbon steel would be available in the form of an annealed twist drill shank. And a bit of filing on the shank just might result in a serviceable form. Then would come the hardening process of heating the perch wedge cherry red hot and dropping it into water. Thinking that a very hard perch wedge was required, no tempering would be needed. So then Bob's yer uncle (I love that expression) you have a perch wedge.

In the post below yours, the Major talked about the bar backs he made. I saw those at one of the Boxerworks rallies he attended. I probably mouthed the word, "Wow". But as neat as the bar backs were it was the solving of a problem which primarily captured my imagination. In his case there was no commercial solution available and by making his own he literally created a motorcycle that satisfied his need. That's satisfying!


Ken

Ken, I understand the love of making things, really, I do. In this case I would just go buy one. They are quite special and hard.

Duane Ausherman wrote:Ken, I understand the love of making things, really, I do. In this case I would just go buy one. They are quite special and hard.

If I ever need one I'll probably go buy one too, Duane. It is the most obvious practical choice. But as in looking for a girlfriend, practical isn't always the most appealing factor.


Ken

Buying perch wedges ASSUMES you can find a vendor. At the time, I needed it NOW, and making one was the best way out of the problem.
MY old one wasn't magnetic or I probably could have found it!!

Jean wrote:Buying perch wedges ASSUMES you can find a vendor. At the time, I needed it NOW, and making one was the best way out of the problem.
MY old one wasn't magnetic or I probably could have found it!!

If it wasn't magnetic, then it wasn't original. You probably did a better job than the person who made the fake one.