Holy cr*p rebuilding a bike is expensive!

[amamet]

...and fulfilling too.  But, every time I go at the bike I seem to make a list of more parts to buy (thank god there are great places to get parts for it though). its not a restore but a rebuild, replacing what needs to be replace and reusing what's still good on my '77 lemans.  Granted Charlie Cole did the transmission and Mike Rich did the heads and got me some go fast engine bits.  Basically everything else I am doing myself and learning on the way.  This is the first time im rebuilding a bike.  still need to paint it, redo the rims and their drive parts, ignition and charging parts etc...Argh, getting agita just thinking about it.  At least the bike has monetary value besides the emotional value I put it.  as long as it doesn't explode when I try to start it for the first time and I can afford to keep it afterward ill be eternally grateful for all the help this forum has given me. I know ive asked some simplistic questions but this is all unknown territory for me.  im going over every nut and bolt.  ill post some picts when she's done and hasn't exploded :)
-Allen

[Lannis]

...and fulfilling too.  But, every time I go at the bike I seem to make a list of more parts to buy (thank god there are great places to get parts for it though). its not a restore but a rebuild, replacing what needs to be replace and reusing what's still good on my '77 lemans.  Granted Charlie Cole did the transmission and Mike Rich did the heads and got me some go fast engine bits.  Basically everything else I am doing myself and learning on the way.  This is the first time im rebuilding a bike.  still need to paint it, redo the rims and their drive parts, ignition and charging parts etc...Argh, getting agita just thinking about it.  At least the bike has monetary value besides the emotional value I put it.  as long as it doesn't explode when I try to start it for the first time and I can afford to keep it afterward ill be eternally grateful for all the help this forum has given me. I know ive asked some simplistic questions but this is all unknown territory for me.  im going over every nut and bolt.  ill post some picts when she's done and hasn't exploded :)
-Allen

There's two ways to go at that "expensive" thing.

1) Never add it up.   Just buy what you need as you can afford it.   That way you'll never know if it was "expensive" or not.   If you violate this rule you could be appalled and discouraged.

2) Do what Tom Farley did to build his beautiful customized Jackal, which had almost every piece on it upgraded or customized to suit exactly what he wanted.   I was looking at the bike one day at the Virginia rally, and I estimated in my head that he had put as much money in the bike to customize it as it had cost him new.   

So I sort of hinted a question, something not so subtle like "Wow, I'll bet you've got a shilling or two in that bike".   And he gave me a very wise answer that I've never forgotten -  "Didn't cost me any money at all.    When I needed parts, I called the vendor and told him what I wanted, and when I was done, I rattled off a string of numbers when he asked me for them.   Never opened my wallet!"

Give it a try when the numbers start getting oppressive.   I do, and my life is much less stressful now.

Lannis

[Moparnut72]

I am currently rebuilding an old Yamaha that is very similar to my first motorcycle. I bought it on line, it looked good in the pictures not so much. Anyway I am soldiering on, it will be a decent 20' bike, looks good from 20'. In the meantime I have found a scooter that better fits my needs so I hope I can flip it with enough return to cover my costs or at least close. Doing  this kind of thing is a losing battle. The project itself is always worth it.
kk

[SED]

"Holy cr*p rebuilding a bike is expensive!"

Oh man you are so right!  How do people restore them???   

[blackcat]

There's two ways to go at that "expensive" thing.

1) Never add it up.   Just buy what you need as you can afford it. 

Lannis

Yeah, I’m not adding up anything on paper but I am sort of keeping a running price in my head.

My 76 Lemans was just a spread of parts when I bought it 2+ years ago.  Of course I’m finding that I don’t have everything, but they are parts that I probably would have replaced anyway, like brake calipers and electrical parts.

I am keeping away from the go fast parts, no big bore kits, flowing heads, lightened flywheels and such.  But yeah, all of those little bits and pieces are adding up fast,  but the engine is essentially done so now I’m on to the front forks where I’m debating stock suspension or FAC’s?   My inclination is to go with the FAC’s.......just more money.

[SED]

...and fulfilling too. ...  Basically everything else I am doing myself and learning on the way.  ...eternally grateful for all the help this forum has given me.

   This makes it worth it! 

I've always built my own toys and I'm still doing it - only now it is rebuilding someone's failed toy into mine own. (learning a ton!)  And where I used to take my toys down the block, now they take me to Wyoming! 

   

 

[blackcat]

  This makes it worth it! 

I've always built my own toys and I'm still doing it - only now it is rebuilding someone's failed toy into mine own. (learning a ton!)  And where I used to take my toys down the block, now they take me to Wyoming! 

   

 

Nice looking bikes!  And I don’t see any oil puddles on the ground! 

[SED]

Yeah, I’m not adding up anything on paper but I am sort of keeping a running price in my head.

I do this too, but when it fires up and you're rolling down a sunny road it don't matter.   

[SED]

Nice looking bikes!  And I don’t see any oil puddles on the ground!

it was all over the rear wheel!   

[reidy]

It is all relative. If you have a bike that you like and could sell for say $4000, and spend $10 000 on it to make it like new, it may be better than putting down $14 000 on a new bike. This is because some of the $10K you spend will be to make it exactly like you want. Yes you won’t get your money back but you will probably keep it for years so it does not matter.

Another way to look at it is if you by a cheap bike and spend $10k over 5 years it is only a couple of grand a year. Some people spend that on golf membership as that is their hobby. I know a few people that easily spend $2k on beer or coffee in a year.  At the end of the day you have a bike that you have built.

It can easily get out of hand if you pay over the top for a project bike and then need to spend $10k plus doing it up. It sometimes amazes me what is being asked for some older bikes in my parts, and what some people pay. But it is their hobby and if they do spend the money it is another old bike back on the road. Also you are doing your bit for the environment by recycling.   

Steve

[tommy2cyl]

Here's my fall back mantra. "It's cheaper than racing."

[earemike]

If she’s a keeper the cost of parts is short term gain, years down the track you will still have a great ride 

I dumped a couple of grand into parts for 3 bikes recently- will keep me going for a long time

[Aaron D.]

I am looking forward to seeing the result!

[Huzo]

My imagination tells me that if you’ve done it several times before as some here have, you will have accumulated knowlege which means you will not need to farm out as much work.
Also there will be tools and abilities that you’ll have honed from previous tasks.
There’ll be oil soaked boxes of new, old stock that acquaintances have thrust upon you because they know that the stuff will be put to good use.
Having said all of that...
I cannot fathom the level of skill and dedication of the Canuck and fence post rebuild types that adorn these pages. Such a thing is beyond me because I need my gratification to be more immediate.
I can appreciate putting time into painting, wheels, new bearings etc..
But rebuilding electrical bits and wiring looms is another universe..

[cliffrod]

When we built my V7 Sport and my best friend's F1B in our dining room years ago, we were really really broke.  We decided if you can't afford to fix it, you can't afford to own it. So we just did it and never kept a tally of the numbers.  Some stuff cost so much-like a replacement NOS lower fairing for the F1 after the newly painted original apparently blew off the back of the truck & disappeared coming home from paint ..-  we simply couldn't do it then.  No matter- Those first few rides together sure were great.

Even now my projects move slowly because of the cost.  What I can justify doing/affording is far less than some of the more impressive builds here. Your bike, your build.  Just keep going.  Getting to know a bike from the inside out is the best way to have full confidence when you finally hit the road. 

[blackcat]

it was all over the rear wheel!   

Ugh, I hate oil leaks but I guess it’s just an old British bike thing.  I basically finished my Norton this year, but have been spending lot’s of time solving the little oil leaks that drive me crazy. As an example, I sent the transmission cover out to have it modified for a kick starter seal and it finally worked.....but now the leak is back. Grrrr.....



I have no idea how much money I have spent on this bike over the last 20 years.

[tazio]

As some of you know, my son is restoring the '66 Bonneville I've owned for 40 years.
I send him $500 "installments" as needed for parts.
I'm several installments deep into it with no end in sight
He's keeping great records/photos of the whole process.
 When I'm rolling down the road on it later this year,
the money spent will be the last thing on my mind..


Also the little woman is "all in" on the rebuild cost and you can't put a price tag on THAT!

[s1120]

Oh ya!!  Even just fixing up...  I got a vary clean, low mile 02 stone metal last winter..  A ton of little small stuff just getting up to date with maintenance, and small repairs was pricy on top of just buying the bike.. This winter more so... Stuff I missed last winter, plus more maintenance I didnt get to, and more then a few "While your at it's"..  oh and tires....  Is making another big hit in the pocketbook!  Add to that the different tools needed..  And this is just fixing up a low mile, clean bike! 

[larrys]

If you're concerned about the money then you probably shouldn't do restoration projects of any kind. It is quite common to spend twice what a machine will be worth when you are done restoring it. This goes for anything, buildings, boats, cars, motorcycles, farm equipment, ad infinitum... I fix stuff up because I want to preserve the machine, not for any expectation of profit or saving money.
Larry

[guzzisteve]

I took my V700's apart in 95 and they're still on the shelf. Just recently pulled a few cranks out to refresh on the case w/a title. Original oil pump went bad. That was in 93 & just now getting to it. My 67 runs great, fresh cyl , valve trim, guides 10K mi ago.
I'm just practicing it cost no $ to take stuff apart, just to put it together.

[s1120]

I took my V700's apart in 95 and they're still on the shelf. Just recently pulled a few cranks out to refresh on the case w/a title. Original oil pump went bad. That was in 93 & just now getting to it. My 67 runs great, fresh cyl , valve trim, guides 10K mi ago.
I'm just practicing it cost no $ to take stuff apart, just to put it together.

I have a 70 Mustang in the garage... and in the celler, and the shed, etc, etc... that we started restoring back in the early 90's...  new house, two kids... getting older...  ya its still torn apart!! 

[Groover]

I added it up when I did my G5, big mistake. The good news is that it was still cheaper than buying new, which I didn't want anything that was available at the time, the other good news is that I would maybe get close to what I put in back if I were to sell it, and if you were to compare depreciation between a new bike and appreciation of on old one restored in the timeframe of ownership, then it's also a positive, and I also learned a ton in the process and it was a lot of fun mainly because of this forum and the people within. However, I am way gun-shy on doing another one now, and I like to see others spend their moneyon their bikes instead of me 

A lot of ands used in my speech there... and I know that 

[SIR REAL ED]

"Holy cr*p rebuilding a bike is expensive!"

Oh man you are so right!  How do people restore them???

Never ever track the costs of your hobbies!  It is about as wise as tracking the costs of having children! 

If you must track the costs of your hobbies, compare the costs to smoking cigarettes, being an alcoholic, or...... raising children, including the associated health problems!

It'll make you feel like a financial genius!!!!

[Old Jock]

But rebuilding electrical bits and wiring looms is another universe..

Peter electrical bits are the easiest part, honestly, none of it is hard.

I can't for the life of me get why people find bike electrics difficult IF we are talking pre canbus. You need 2 formulas unless you want to venture into the charging system then it gets a little trickier (but not much)

 

BC stunning fastback, my fave Norton bar none

compare the costs to smoking cigarettes, being an alcoholic, or......

Have we met somewhere?

As far as me, I'm a bloody failure, God alone knows what I spent on the 1000.
I'm still fixing the 1100 which (God willling) will be oil free and running as it should this year
As for HiCam.............l ets not go there for now

I suppose it would help if I'd stop trying to fix complete lemons that left the factory seriously compromised and then were maintained by Gorrillas or not maintained at all

[amamet]

im really not worried about how much im spending, it needs to be done and im doing it myself (mostly), at least doing what im capable of at the moment.  I know it takes a lot to rebuild bike, cars etc.. but, I keep finding little things I need after placing orders which is the most annoying factor.  I was lucky enough to get this lemans at a good price (thx Aaron, and the jacket is still great! goes well on my r100gspd). Ive been told to never expect to get back what you put in for the most part, but thats not why im rebuilding the bike. it just needed to be rebuilt at 65k miles. its interesting now looking at the bike and knowing exactly what everything is, what it does and how its put together.  Before, to me, a bike was a machine assembly with a bunch of parts that I had no idea what they did and why they were there. I really look at the bike completely different now.  I still have a '78 g5 and an '85 lemans to go thru.  I feel much more confident cleaning those up and fixing what needs to be fixed.  don't get me started on my '69 bronco though, at some point im going to need to figure out if I have time for that too as im city bound within a year or 2.  then there's the '74 ducati 750gt and a house that needs sooo much work before its sold.  Crap, agita again.  I need 3 of me here

[Rough Edge racing]

Here's my fall back mantra. "It's cheaper than racing."

  Yes...I built this dual engine Triumph for land speed racing...My rider and good friend paid 90% of the cost...parts alone were $17000+ and other than engine performace stuff, I made it from slavaged parts or home made stuff.....Has about 105 HP at the rear wheel, weighs 450 pounds
   Me and the bike a few years ago just after it was finished...some of the scrap in the background was used in the construction...LOL

   

[canuck750]

Rebuilds and restorations add up quickly. I do track my expenses and have run a spread sheet as well as I file all the receipts. I do this for a couple reasons, one to support an appraisal and two to support the cost if and when I sell a bike. I try and make a calculus of what the value of the bike would be once restored and what the cost of purchase and restoration will be, if I can get closer to break even and I really want the bike I will go for it. I am getting much more pickier these days on what I will purchase. These days I want to part with one or two more bikes to make room for another project so selling is always on my mind. I will probably never part with my Eldorado, it was the first Guzzi I have owned and rebuilt and I spent way too much on it, part of the learning process. Helps to as much as I can on my own and I do know a fantastic painter who is very reasonable so I no longer paint.

Restoring bikes is my hobby / passion, I don't expect to make any money on it, but I do 'make' more than anyone I know who golfs..... If I only loose $500.00 on a bike I think I did good, If I make $500 that's great.

[cliffrod]

  Yes...I built this dual engine Triumph for land speed racing...My rider and good friend paid 90% of the cost...parts alone were $17000+ and other than engine performace stuff, I made it from slavaged parts or home made stuff.....Has about 105 HP at the rear wheel, weighs 450 pounds
   Me and the bike a few years ago just after it was finished...some of the scrap in the background was used in the construction...LOL

   

Very. Very cool.  I love it! 

[Rusnak_322]

I kept good notes on what I spent as I went along. I did just about everything myself, including paint and making a wiring harness from scratch. The key is to buy well. I bought a mechanically sound bike, so I only needed to work on cosmetic items and not go into engine or trans rebuild.

All in I am under $5,000 and that includes $2,500 for the cost of the bike, the tax and title.

Don't ask me how many hours I have in it...

[Chuck in Indiana]

I have about $4500 in the AeroLario, and had a really good time building it. I wouldn't take $4500 for it, so I guess i'm ahead. 
Oh, I can probably sell the prop reduction drive for a thousand if I decide I'm not going to use it..