Topic: How did you increase the cost of your project bike?

[OldSchool_IsCool]

By not putting thread lock on my 750 front caliper bolts thus allowing the bolts to back out into the spokes, ripping them thru the rim. One caliper cleaning turned into replacing the front wheel!

[lucky]

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

  Photo?

[Jerry E.]

The original 2 decisions that kicked up the price of my project were- (1)Buying an 836 piston kit(you just have to get a "better" cam, and also port the head, better springs, etc.), and (2)wanting to open up the trianlge under the seat(redo wiring harness, new battery tray, custom oil tanl, fittings, lines, etc.) Both, pricey decisions.

[jtb]

I didn't have to do anything, the project increased on its own....

[oldbob]

I paid for a “showroom condition” CB400F off of eBay. Guess what? It isn’t showroom condition. The bike had an impressive amount of rust, which the previous owner painted over. The guy was not a mechanic. Everything he touched, he screwed up.

The head gasket was leaking oil and the cam chain tensioner was noisy. So, the top end is off.

One of the spark plugs was badly cross-threaded. The head has been at a shop for several weeks. It’s starting to look like I’ll be buying another head and then replacing valve guides and seals. And a valve job, of course.

The motor was painted with something that is neither heat nor oil-resistant. I hope that paint stripper is enough. I don’t really want to bead-blast the motor.

Of course the wrong size tires were on the bike. When I pulled the rear tire today, I saw more rust than I expected. I have written to Buchanan’s for a wheel-build quote.

The frame was poorly painted. I’m thinking powder-coat.

The previous owner “rebuilt” the master cylinder. I’m going to replace it with a reproduction master cylinder from David Silver, and just throw this one out.

Joel Levine wants about $1K to completely restore the instruments. I’ll probably go that route.

Solid-state ignition and new coils? Why not?

Replace or re-plate the rear fender? Don’t know yet.

Repaint the tank and side covers? Maybe.

Bob

[Magpie]

Lucky, here's the build thread http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=60120.0  Bent frame, broken carb plate the wrong tank and front fender for a 12/69, broken triple tree. I could go on and on but it was really a gift. It's close to being finished just needs paint and pipes.

[Bailgang]

I can never ever stop messing with stuff that's how the cost of my bike keeps increasing. Most people have the practical/ logical approach that "if it aint broke don't fix it", me on the other hand have a not so practical  and somewhat expensive approach of "there is always room for improvement". And throw in the fact the bike is 37 years old with 37 year old components and you can see where this is going. New rear shocks, front fork springs and proper ign coils are next on my to-do list.

[Kwality]

By living in Australia, and ordering bits and pieces from the U.S. and U.K.

[Retro Rocket]

By living in Australia, and ordering bits and pieces from the U.S. and U.K.

Ya think..?   That made mine cheaper, the parts are far cheaper in the US, i've bought lots...{and more coming} 

[LoVel]

Of course the wrong size tires were on the bike. When I pulled the rear tire today, I saw more rust than I expected. I have written to Buchanan’s for a wheel-build quote.

My tires were 30 years old based on the manufacturing codes.  They were actually stuck to the rim.  I was not very excited after riding it home and finding out the tires were 30yrs old. 

[Kwality]

By living in Australia, and ordering bits and pieces from the U.S. and U.K.

Ya think..?   That made mine cheaper, the parts are far cheaper in the US, i've bought lots...{and more coming} 

What I mean is more expensive than say living in the US or the UK and ordering the same parts... I'll have to look at my spreadsheet, but I wouldn't be surprised if 20% of the cost of the build is in postage.

[Retro Rocket]

By living in Australia, and ordering bits and pieces from the U.S. and U.K.

Ya think..?   That made mine cheaper, the parts are far cheaper in the US, i've bought lots...{and more coming} 

What I mean is more expensive than say living in the US or the UK and ordering the same parts... I'll have to look at my spreadsheet, but I wouldn't be surprised if 20% of the cost of the build is in postage.

Yes, sometimes postage is a b1tch but even with shipping added, my parts are still cheaper to buy overseas....