Maybe if the yard work is done, the hall celing is patched, the plumbing access panel in the bathroom is made and installed, I will get the time to turn a wrench on the bike or possibly wash the car. I love old cars and motorcycles, even my house was built in 48, and the time it takes to keep up with maintenance isn't self indulging but has it own reward for me. The conection with the past, the simplicity of old but strong motors are more interesting to me than new technology (and every thing made in the 50's and 60's has more style). Most people I know have the new house, the nearly service free car and they like it that way. Beth and I don't have childeren and because of that I imagine myself doing very little with excess time if we had a new house which didn't need a kitchen remodel or sprinklers dug up and replaced. These things keep me busy and keep me learning. Example. A sure fire way to learn about motorcycle carburation is to break down on the side of a long empty road with plenty of time, a couple of tools and a folded up Haynes manuel you fourtunatly brought with you.
There is a danger of allowing these things to slip into the past. Of course the old cars and bikes will one day be gone but what happens when our interests are absorbed with the new and convienently replaceable, when men are unwilling or worse unable to fix the problems around the house? Are we still good stewards of our things if we just pick up the phone to have another more capable guy fix it all for us (I do have a pool guy)? I like the idea of having kids and being able to teach them about the value of hard work by actually doing something hard. Might as well learn those lessons on a 68 Triumph. See how well guys can rationalize nearly anything?