Author Topic: How did you increase the cost of your project bike? (Read 11160 times)

Jerry E. · « **on:** July 30, 2012, 04:30:40 PM »

What started out as a "economical total rebuild" has quickly taken on a life of it's own, at least for my K3 project. After you cross a certain point, there's no turning back, not if you actually want to finish it properly. Mine has just jumped up a notch in cost however. Couple days ago, while doing mock-up for my soon to be new custom oil tank, I had my bike frame up on crates to check clearance issues. I had the back wheel loosely in place at rear swingarm, and needed a screwdriver to pry with. When I turned back to my bike after grabbing one, I got to watch it fall off the crates(sorta in slow motion), as it fell into (and crashed down the side of) the driver's door of my 1968 Porsche 912! Now I have several inch's of missing paint, and a dent in the door. There goes probably $300-$400 I can add to the cost of this project. I shouldn't have been working in the garage, without moving a vehicle outside, so live and learn, I guess. Damn crowded garages.

Don R · « **Reply #1 on:** July 30, 2012, 04:38:38 PM »

Decided to replace the head gasket while the engine was out. Oops, moved the cylinder base gasket, decided to replace it, then better do rings, OK, Ebay 836 kit looked reasonable, bored cylinder, new heavy studs and nuts, etc............

Oh yeah, sorry to hear about the Porsche.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #2 on:** July 30, 2012, 05:07:09 PM »

Quote

How did you increase the cost of your project bike?

Easily.......

Really? · « **Reply #3 on:** July 30, 2012, 05:23:21 PM »

By joining this forum!

Oh and that car should have its own garage with gun turrets at each corner triggered by motion sensors.

aperry · « **Reply #4 on:** July 30, 2012, 05:46:29 PM »

Managed to ruin my rear hub after a bout of temporary insanity trying to remove the bearing retainer (and yes, I knew about the stakes). Found replacement hub from F model and decided what a perfect time to upgrade to a rear disc brake.....not realizing all of the other parts that would be required (F brake pedal, F swingarm, F brake pedal shaft spring, MC, caliper, etc etc etc....). Finally it works pretty well. But it was an easy $250 unplanned.

Then there's the stainless brake lines (safety!). And the paint.....so much paint. And all the bearings, kits, etc. This was my first motorcycle project, so I just didn't know what I was in for.

My wife is so frigging cool with it though. I'm amazed, and very lucky. However, sometime soon I will have to decide between this bike that I've poured my heart and soul into, and my 2001 BMW R1200C which is another amazing bike.

Aaron

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 30, 2012, 05:55:09 PM »

Super simple.

Here's some tips:

1. Buy something expensive/not cheap, then change your mind.
2. Break something.
3. Break something else while trying to fix the above.
4. Don't order the right parts.
5. Don't order the right parts on purpose with the intent of modifying it.
6. Don't check your work for loose bolts or forgotten parts.

aperry · « **Reply #6 on:** July 30, 2012, 05:59:13 PM »

I also have this habit of placing lots of small (impatient) orders. And although I love places like Z1 and PartsNMore because the parts are cheap and the service is pretty good, the shipping charges aren't exactly low! I spend a lot on shipping.

iron_worker · « **Reply #7 on:** July 30, 2012, 07:35:54 PM »

I bought brand new 4 into 4 reproduction style exhaust for my 750... Ya, that'll do it. lol

IW

derelicte · « **Reply #8 on:** July 30, 2012, 07:47:09 PM »

Somebody's got to come out with a reasonably priced oem style 4-4. Probably not even doable but man it would be nice to get one for less than the cost of my bike. Recoup the cost by selling that 912, the prices on those have gone nuts! An absolute classic and they used to be $4 or 5k for solid drivers on ebay. Pics?

NewOldSchool · « **Reply #9 on:** July 30, 2012, 08:50:20 PM »

My bike had the typical head gasket leak that was getting increasingly more annoying at 30,000 miles.

I planned on taking out the engine and replacing the head gasket, swore to myself this was all I was going to do.

You have to remove a few odds and ends to get the engine out right? Well off came the wheels (for new tires of course!) The wheels were off and the brakes undone, so why not take off the swing arm? (New bronze bushings!) Then off comes everything else (I can clean all those parts and pieces I've never been able to get to!)

Next I remove the exhaust and I think to myself wow its so old and beat up, so logically I get a new 4 into 1 (for a great deal of course!) The carbs have to come off so of course I should rebuild those! (x4) and so on and so forth.

I finally get to the engine and off comes the head... and the cylinders.... and an exhaust valve wont seal... and a valve guide or two has a bit too much play. Rebuild time!!! Blasted, cleaned, new guides, cut seats, repainted, cylinders honed, blasted and painted too. Of course that dictated new rings as well.

That's where I am so far! Head gasket job turned into a mild mechanical restoration going on almost two months. Good thing we have summer year round here in Southern California

Brantley · « **Reply #10 on:** July 30, 2012, 10:26:35 PM »

Quote from: Retro Rocket on July 30, 2012, 05:07:09 PM

Quote
How did you increase the cost of your project bike?

Easily.......

I was gonna say "by taking it apart".

SohRon · « **Reply #11 on:** July 30, 2012, 11:54:02 PM »

Quote

How did you increase the cost of your project bike?

By spending more money, of course. It kind of goes like this:

so, now that I have the new headlight trim I can't see putting it on that old, cracked headlight bucket, so better get a new one of those... hmmm... and that engine isn't the right one, so I'll have to get the right engine and give it a tune... no, better yet, get a valve job and replace the seals... aw, hell; just replace everything that's still available and then some... and while the engine's apart, might as well blast and repaint... of course, I can't put that new engine in that dirty old frame, so better repaint that, too... no, powder coat. Yeah. I'll powder coat the frame and swingarm and install the engine, and powder coat the triple tree so i can install my new headlight bucket (with trim). Hmmm... the new frame makes the old fenders look scratched and shabby, so new fenders are in order... and getting the engine covers polished sure would help show off all that new chrome... of course, there's no way I can install those scratched and rusted old 4X2 mufflers I picked up a couple months ago now that the bike is looking so clean, so better get 4X4s... rattlecan the tank and side covers.. no, maybe a pro job, with new decals!... and that seat's gotta go. Why anyone ever thought those "King & Queen" seats were a good idea, I'll never know... hmmm... tires are a little hard, so new front and back... so, I'll get the tires, get the rims polished, mount the wheels on the new powder coated swingarm and of course new fenders means I'll have to polish the forks, as well... toss the new seat onto the powder coated frame with shiny new tank and sidecovers and completely refreshed engine, then mount the new fenders at rear and on the powder coated triple tree so I can hang the headlight bucket and (finally) install the new headlight trim...

Not saying it happened this way for me, but I'm still holding on to that headlight trim. Haven't installed it yet. Hope to, soon, though.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #12 on:** July 31, 2012, 12:24:43 AM »

I think a key operating word that if you say it slow enough it sounds just like money, that word is "project"

rklystron · « **Reply #13 on:** July 31, 2012, 12:34:49 AM »

Did the same stupid thing with a 72 XL250 frame that was on the shelf next to my 1947 Chev Fleetmaster . Now this car has been in the family since it was new and has about 39,000 miles on it. I was moving the frame off the shelf, it slipped and crashed right into the passenger side window. Lovely... Like you Gerry I should have moved the car first, but NO! Live and learn indeed.

iron_worker · « **Reply #14 on:** July 31, 2012, 07:29:50 AM »

Quote from: derelicte on July 30, 2012, 07:47:09 PM

Somebody's got to come out with a reasonably priced oem style 4-4. Probably not even doable but man it would be nice to get one for less than the cost of my bike. Recoup the cost by selling that 912, the prices on those have gone nuts! An absolute classic and they used to be $4 or 5k for solid drivers on ebay. Pics?

If you want to see some pics and the write-up I did concerning the new exhaust check out my thread here:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=108859.0

*edit* I now realize you are probably asking for pics of the Porsche 912.... oops. lol

IW

ZanVooden · « **Reply #15 on:** July 31, 2012, 07:34:42 AM »

By deciding after a handful of stock rebuild you want to do a custom bike.

And if you're doing a custom bike, you mind as well go all out and buy a turbo charger, all the piping for a turbo.
Now with a turbo, you're going to open the engine and well since you're going all out, better get new rods, and well now's the time to go with a big bore.

But since you remember that this is an all out build, you mind as well go to 915cc.
And then YOU HAVE to have a stage 3 port and polish by Mike, and new fancy valves and springs.

With all that power, better have a way to stop, so a modern GSXR front end comes along, as well as boxed swing arm.

And this thing better be totally custom, so a carbon fiber gas tank is a must..

This just goes on.

Short answer, custom bike.

BrockSamson · « **Reply #16 on:** July 31, 2012, 07:51:17 AM »

Since my bike was in running condition I figured I would be spending a minimal amount of money. I slowly came to the realization that these bikes are old and its dangerous to assume each part is in good shape, I had. I took the bike to get the carbs synced and the mechanic informed me of the chain have a few frozen links and that started me down the path of research.

Realized how dangerous a broken chain can be for myself and my case. So I decided to replace that, which then I read that it would be best to change the sprockets, then I read that rear wheel bearings are cheap to replace and if they were original could be very dangerous and then was suggested that since I was doing that I might as well replace the rear drum brake shoes. So that one line item turned into many more. I also only had a pull throttle cable, so replaced that one cable with a push and pull. The air box rubbers were not in good shape so those were replaced. Jetting to get the bike tuned well.

Once I got on the highway and hit >= 60mph I realized what I was doing and what was at stake. My bike is an antique and I shouldn't assume anything. Each part I replace with quality tried and proven pieces I feel that much better and safer. In the back of my mind I won't have to worry about a drive chain shredding my leg or a rear wheel bearing locking up at speed. I enjoy the thrill just as much as the next guy and that is the appeal of the motorcycle... but I decided not to be unnecessarily stupid.

Also, I flat out just broke things. Despite using an impact screw driver I was starting to get stripped screws so I bought a screw kit. I cracked the clutch case and the pressure plate as well so that resulted in just finding an entire replacement clutch basket assembly.

ZanVooden · « **Reply #17 on:** July 31, 2012, 07:56:06 AM »

Quote from: Really? on July 30, 2012, 05:23:21 PM

By joining this forum!

100%.

LoVel · « **Reply #18 on:** July 31, 2012, 09:23:26 AM »

Since the oil pump was leaking like a faucet I had to replace the O rings. Leak stopped but it was obviously because I pinched an O ring onto the pump. This made the really smooth shiny metal bits in the cylinder head and cover as well as the camshaft grooved and moved and melted.

After a new head, head cover, cam shaft, oil pump and complete gasket and O-ring kit all is well again.

Pistons and clinders looked good so I left them alone. Will probably pay for that later.

lucky · « **Reply #19 on:** July 31, 2012, 09:37:53 AM »

The mistake you really made was setting the frame on a very unstable surface but you got something VERY valuable out of that experience.
You WILL NEVER DO THAT AGAIN WILL YOU? Lol..lol

Setting things on unstable surfaces.
Making your house an earthquake bobby trap.
Making your house a fire hazard. Etc.,etc.,

All that stuff.

Sorry that happened to you.

wardenerd · « **Reply #20 on:** July 31, 2012, 09:45:33 AM »

Know when not to take off something that looks good and is fully functional. Know when to stop. Buy all your parts by impulse instead of by shopping and being patient.

Vreihenmotor6 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 31, 2012, 10:14:37 AM »

buying Buchanan Stainless spokes made the project cost for mine go up a bit quite quickly

lucky · « **Reply #22 on:** July 31, 2012, 10:47:22 AM »

I completely restored my CB750 but I have a SOLID investment that will last for another 30 years.

Just the cleaning and corrosion treatment (phosphate bath) on the frame was worth every penny,knowing that all corrosion was put to a stop.

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #23 on:** July 31, 2012, 11:08:54 AM »

If the engine turns over, has decent compression, leaks a little, BY ALL MEANS LEAVE IT ALONE.

Magpie · « **Reply #24 on:** July 31, 2012, 12:01:14 PM »

Decided to restore what should have been a parts bike and it fought me every inch of the way dammitt.

Cliff.

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Author Topic: How did you increase the cost of your project bike? (Read 11160 times)

BrockSamson