Topic: whats worse? Neglected bike or failed project bike?

[steakCB550K]

I figured I'd ask the pro's.  Whats worse?  A neglected bike that has been dumped, sitting next to a shed/barn for many years or a bike that was ripped apart for a project but never finished? 
Thanks.

[boatsdickson]

Neglected bike is worse in my un-pro opinion. And it depends on how the project bike was tore down. Ive got alot of unfinished projects, but the ones Ive torn down are cleaned up and sealed and labeled. A bit neurotic yes, but I can always pick up where I left off that way........Boats

[cb650]

Its nice to find a neglected bike whole but if its neglected because some intentionally wants to see it rot away is far worse.  I have been trying to buy 2 but no luck.   I know eventually they will just be hauled away for scrap.

[TwoTired]

I figured I'd ask the pro's.  Whats worse?  A neglected bike that has been dumped, sitting next to a shed/barn for many years or a bike that was ripped apart for a project but never finished? 
Thanks.

Depends on your end goal.  And the price.
A neglected bike is presumably "all there", and did run at one time.  But, there are different kinds of neglect; Ignoring is one thing and abuse is another.

A project bike may have been stored better.  But, who knows if it is really all there, or if the project was stopped because an oops damaged an expensive part.

Anyway, you are asking which girl to marry; the one on the right or the one on the left.  One has a broken limbs, the other's been in the hospital a while.  Which is the better pick?

The details of each choice are all important.
At least with a bike, it's only money at risk.   

Cheers,

[steakCB550K]

thanks for your opinions.  unfortunately it doesn't really leave me in a better state because it all depends on the situation.  I have a few bikes that I've been toying at the idea of restoring but hesitant to pull the trigger on for one reason or another.  Ah well, in due time I guess.

[Stev-o]

In my mind, nothing worse than a bike sitting outside for a few years.

[madmtnmotors]

What about the failed project bike that was then neglected? 

Lucky me..I found one!

[steakCB550K]

@madmtnmotors,

I found one of those too, I also found a project bike that was taken apart and it is all in pieces, bolts not labeled, maybe missing etc...

[750resurrection]

 The one that is worse is the one that YOU own.

 If you don't own it, it's not bad at all. It's not yours, and it's like, none of your business.
 Just tell yourself, "It's not mine." " I don't own it." " I have no rights to it." " I am not the Lord of all Bikes. " " I don't hate that #$%#$% for not giving TLC to that bike as I have so commanded should be done. " (that last one is going to be very hard for some)
 See. It's someone's property, and they can do what they want with their property, and that's not bad, that's good.
 That's good man, that's good.

 If that's not so, I must be a very rich man, as a co-owner in the beautiful bikes (and wrecks) collective. 

 (yes that was a rant, a pertinent and necessary rant ... at least for me lol )

[HondaMan]

This thread makes me want to go find another basket case bike to reassemble... 

[750resurrection]

Its nice to find a neglected bike whole but if its neglected because some intentionally wants to see it rot away is far worse.  I have been trying to buy 2 but no luck.   I know eventually they will just be hauled away for scrap.

Remember that little recent 4k discount bonus to buy a car deal we had, so long as you let the govey dump their watery sand product down the running car's throat you brought in for them to "destroy then and there".

 Now tell me man... let me see what would that be like hypothetically...let me tell us... that would be like I the all powerful ruler here  ,  take the strong armed force to shall remain unnamed well to do Honda collectors and like snag up a portion of good parts or whatever is fancy and liquid and desired, and take it over to the 2012 bike showroom, and tell the dealer he can give the customers the value of a piece of it all per, so long as he destroys and crushes any nice good 'ol Honda Motorbikes that come in the door as a trade in...and here's the SOHC destroying sand liquid to do it with, upon whence the remains shall be crushed and melted down for scrap.

 Yeah, I guess, I agree with you... what kind of freak monster would do such a thing...
  I'm headed over to the mad thread.

[Terry in Australia]

The government(s) did just that all around the world during WW2. There was a shortage of raw materials for making guns, aircraft, tanks and ships etc, so they asked people to hand in anything they had that could be recycled into war stores. When things got really serious, they no longer asked for it, they "compulsorily requisitioned" it.

My next door neighbour told me that when he was still living in England he'd saved up all his money and bought a new Triumph Speed Twin in 1939. In 1940 the government "requisitioned" it, and he had to take it to the collection centre to hand it in. He asked them what would happen to his bike and the civil servant said that they'd probably use the wheels for a trolley, and melt the rest down. He said he cried all the way home. I think I would have too.    

[toytuff]

In my mind, nothing worse than a bike sitting outside for a few years.

Agree! Going to look at a CB 550 next week. Sitting in the backyard.

Can't be good out in this heat unless it was covered. Sun ruins eveything. It's the motor I want.

tt

[tortelvis]

Six of one, half a dozen of the other. You are not going to know how bad either is until you start restoring. The one with the most parts may sound better but you don't know if the parts are correct or if they work at all. In fact it will work out cheaper in the long run to buy something a little better to start with. In a mad moment I bought a CB450 after just missing out on a similar model the week before. I raced over and snagged it and in the cold light of day looked at it and thought "What have I done?" It cost me $500 and will take at least that much to see her on the road. Three days later I saw a CL450 on the road and running for $700! 

[750resurrection]

The government(s) did just that all around the world during WW2. There was a shortage of raw materials for making guns, aircraft, tanks and ships etc, so they asked people to hand in anything they had that could be recycled into war stores. When things got really serious, they no longer asked for it, they "compulsorily requisitioned" it.

My next door neighbour told me that when he was still living in England he'd saved up all his money and bought a new Triumph Speed Twin in 1939. In 1940 the government "requisitioned" it, and he had to take it to the collection centre to hand it in. He asked them what would happen to his bike and the civil servant said that they'd probably use the wheels for a trolley, and melt the rest down. He said he cried all the way home. I think I would have too.    

 Yes I knew all the general outline there (including food ration cards here), but never heard about a new brand new bike snacked up. At least the fella can tell himself it saved fellow countrymen.

 In the case I cited, no war, but we were all told it's saving the entire human race from extinction. 
 I suppose really stretching it beyond any breaking point they could call it the war on pollution to save the human race.
 Used cars are now an outrageous price here BTW as compared to shortly ago.
 Dumb f**** !
 
 I'm off to the angry thread again.

[Terry in Australia]

I forgot to say that what's worse for me, is people who buy good "Barn Find" bikes and pull them apart with the intent of building something cool, then take the hacksaw to the frame, throw away all the "cut-offs" and other unwanted OEM parts, then eventually come to the realisation that the task is all too much for them, so they park it forgotten and unloved, usually out in the weather. Arseholes. 

[BLUE71TURBO]

 Yes Terry,  your description is the worst of worst.  But i scored because of a neglected bike.  I paid $ 400.oo for this 1977 kz1000 LTD.      And i promise you that i'm gonna finish this piece !   After i have made love to this tramp she will become a 1300 cc turbocharged princess. 

 
 

[Terry in Australia]

Yes Terry,  your description is the worst of worst.  But i scored because of a neglected bike.  I paid $ 400.oo for this 1977 kz1000 LTD.      And i promise you that i'm gonna finish this piece !   After i have made love to this tramp she will become a 1300 cc turbocharged princess. 

 
 

Wow, nice pickup Jon, is the engine stuck? I'm just wondering how long something has to leave a bike outside until the vinyl disappears off the seat? I love those big Kawasaki engines, they don't need turbo's though, get an MTC 1400cc big block, some big cams and some 40mm flatslides, and it'll kick turbo butt! I've got an ARD Mk2 mag for one if you want it? Cheap? Cheers, Terry.    

[Cabilao]

Found a neclected 750F2 for 260$. but shipping will be another 300. Since the customs rob me already i have to think about it. if its a 900 no time to waste. hmmmm

[HondaMan]

This thread makes me want to go find another basket case bike to reassemble... 

OK, found one: it's a K0 diecast, S/N 1008388. Here we go, thanks to: Gammaflat!

[dhall57]

Ran across this old thread(last post 2/13) Made me think of the bike my son found several years ago:

This poor little CB200 propped up against the side of a old warehouse to die a lonely death. In this case of neglect IMO is far worse than a failed project bike.

[El Taco]

I forgot to say that what's worse for me, is people who buy good "Barn Find" bikes and pull them apart with the intent of building something cool, then take the hacksaw to the frame, throw away all the "cut-offs" and other unwanted OEM parts, then eventually come to the realisation that the task is all too much for them, so they park it forgotten and unloved, usually out in the weather. Arseholes. 

I did just this. Started with about 3/4 of a bike, verified the engine would run, and chopped the neck. It's been sitting there for about three years with little straps welded in place to hold the cut. I lost interest in it, as it just didn't look right. Wasn't low enough, even sitting on the ground.

The CB350 was a much easier chop, much cooler looking in my opinion. It was a bit more complicated, but I was able to see it through. The frame I chopped is just sitting there, waiting to give up its engine for one with paper across the yard.

Done right, leaving one in pieces is fine. Sun destroys paint and fabrics here, but engines last forever as long as they're sealed.

[zer213]

Neglected
Failed project might have most pieces but can be in better condition as opposed to sitting in a field locked up

[dusterdude]

Neglected bike


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HondaMan]

Ran across this old thread(last post 2/13) Made me think of the bike my son found several years ago:

This poor little CB200 propped up against the side of a old warehouse to die a lonely death. In this case of neglect IMO is far worse than a failed project bike.

Dang! That's only a weekend project!