Report on Shop Class last week:
- Wheels – cleaning spokes and polishing; possibly re-chroming next class
- Fasteners – Sorting nuts and bolts; Use “cad software” to make gaskets
- Fork – ground out the “high spot”; put fork back together (last owner used the wrong fastener, damaged the part as a result); used a tap-wrench (internal threads) and a dye for cleaning out (external threads)
- Frame – finished sand-blasting; looked for cracks
- Electrical – collected parts for powder-coating; hooked up the stater (three pairs of coils associated with it – each pair generates a voltage as a function of time; 1. ignition set, 2. winding for lights, 3. winding for the horn – different number of turns of wire) to the test-stand, hooked up to a drill motor, which was hooked up to a power supply (battery) to spin the stater and measure how well it was working
- Clutch & Transmission – learned how the transmission system works together with all parts
- Bottom end – cleaning day; split the case of the engine and spent time cleaning case and oil reservoir
- Top end – spent time cutting valve seats (three different angles to be cut due to the fact that our motorcycle has a racing engine)
Discussion:
Chapter 4 of Shop Class as Soulcraft (SCAS)
1st section (Pg. 72 – Pg. 89) Leader – Diego
MotorCycle References:
- Ball bearings – “ . . . how to pack a wheel bearing . . . the grease comes oozing up through the ball bearings, between the inner and outer races.” (77)
- Trouble-shooting – “ . . . ‘drivability’ problems (sputtering, flat spots, hesitation) . . .” (78)
- Shocks & compression – “. . . I installed gas shocks . . . car had developed low compression in one cylinder. . .” (83)
- Nitrided – “ . . . have your journals nitrided . . .” (86)
(coating to not wear journals as much)
- Match-porting – “ . . . under his supervision, I match-ported the intake manifold” (87)
(align intake of manifold for smoother line-up)
Storyline:
- Theme: Need to identify with work; have passion in what you do
- String Theory – “ ‘Did you know that you can always untie a shoelace just by pulling on one end, even it’s in a knot?’” (79)
- Theory from practice (two different ways of thinking)
- Different types of people
- Diamond cutter vs. Dog Trainer (attentive vs. assertive)
- Different people are suited for different professions (different mindsets)
2nd section (Pg. 90 – Pg. 102) Leader – Vidur
Motorcycle References:
- Valve Springs & Spring Compressions – “Using a vernier caliper to measure the spring compression . . .” (93)
- If springs aren’t strong enough, lose power
- If springs too strong, rockers will cause the end of the valves to “mushroom”
- Tappets – brings in Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance on page 96
Storyline:
- Personal knowledge in chosen profession
- “ But the mere fact they [mechanics] stand ready to fix things, as a class they are an affront to throw away to society. Just as important, the kind of thinking they do, if they are good, offers a counterweight to the culture of narcissism” (102)
Homework:
Chapters 9 & 10 of Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Design
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