Grease, Grit, and Grace Part 3
After an exciting start to our motorcycle rebuild project, we hit a bit of a slowdown. Between waiting on parts, tracking down specialty tools, and digging through manuals for precise specs—and with students juggling finals and year-end chaos—the shop got quiet.
But summer’s here, and with it comes a new rhythm. We’re back at it and finally hitting our stride again.
This week, the engine is nearly fully rebuilt. Cylinder walls have been honed, piston heads cleaned, and the engine flushed. Calum, our self-declared chief mechanic, has taken the lead with skill and patience—putting in long hours, troubleshooting, and even building a timeline for the project. Sure, we had to reinstall the engine head three times (because we forgot the gaskets… twice), but that’s part of the journey. Meanwhile, cosmetic work is also underway—chopped fenders now match one student’s vision for a “stubby” café racer look.
There’s still more to do—wiring, paint, and tuning—but we’re getting close to the moment of truth: will it start?
Reflections from the Shop
Motivation wavered when progress slowed, but this summer is already reigniting curiosity and creativity. The bike has become a tool for more than mechanics—it’s a vehicle for trust, discipleship, and dreaming big.
There’s something sacred in the smell of oil and metal. It invites vulnerability. One student, after a long day of wrenching, looked up and said, “I could do this 8 hours a day for the rest of my life.”
Even if the bike never ran (don’t worry—it will), this project has already succeeded. Because what we’re really building is confidence, connection, and purpose.