Topic: When to keep stuff... when to unload stuff?

[OldZaskar]

I'm new to this - vintage motorcycles... motorcycles. But, I've built countless Jeeps and a few Toyotas. As a rule, I keep little around that I'm not using - for two reasons: 1. Space is always an issue. 2. If that part could help someone else's project, it shouldn't be collecting dust here.

But, motorcycle parts don't take up much space - there goes reason #1. But really, the thought of some dude hunting down a ___ that's in a pile in my garage does bother me.

Adding to my uncertainty... I really don't know &$*@ about these old bikes. When I bought my '73 CB500, the seller "made me" take a '77 CB550. It's a complete bike, but rough. It's a parts bike for sure. I'll probably pull the hubs - they actually look good. Spokes and rims are crusty. I've heard the 550 is better motor than my 500. So, maybe I'll hang on to that... someday build it and swap it for the 500?

Do you guys have a rule of thumb? What determines trash or stash?

Thanks!

[seanbarney41]

It will take some time to learn ...no avoiding time.

[Don R]

 I'm not a 500/550 guy but the 550 forks appear to have the lugs for possible double disc brakes and the 500 rocker covers are sometimes a wear issue. Miles ridden and how parts were stored make a difference like you said. I got some totes and shelves for my 750 stash. It's nice to have a few bits and pieces, the difference between that and a hoard is a matter of degree. A 550 engine project done at your leisure might be fun.

[Stev-o]

def keep that motor [and pipe if not badly rusted]

[Gordon]

I just recently went through all my boxes of bike parts for the first time in 20 years.  It was mainly to catalog everything I have so I'm not buying stuff I don't need to, but I ended up getting rid of a few things, too.  I just sorted everything into three piles.  One for stuff that was useless.  One for stuff that could still be used but that I don't/won't need.  And one for stuff I do or will need in the future.  I threw out the first pile, gave away or sold the stuff from the second pile and wrote down and stored everything in the third pile. 

I didn't actually end up getting rid of much, but at least now I know exactly what I have and where it is.  I just need to remember to mark stuff off the list I use and add stuff when I put parts in the box.     

[Gurp]

Oldzaskar. You wanna sell those 4-2 headers?
Ive been looking for a set.

[Scott S]

 That looks like the stock 550F 4-1 exhaust.

 I wish you had picked up that bike a week or two ago. I just pieced together a bunch of random bits from different places and I see all of them on that bike!

[Gurp]

Scott you're right i glanced at this at a stop light on my way to work. Didnt see the third pipe peeking around.

[OldZaskar]

I wish you were local - Come help me pull the motor... and you can have the 4into1. ;-)

In the next few weeks (may take that long for the PB Blaster to work) I'm going to just start disassembling the 550. I'll likely stuff the engine in a bin and tuck it away for later. The rest of the parts... I'll try to find a home for them.

Are swap meets still a thing? Or, has the internet/ebay/craigslist killed them?

Thanks guy.

[Gurp]

If i was I'd pull your motor for a extra set of pipes in a heartbeat. Lol.
I'm dying to get a 4 into 2 header set.

[rb550four]

To answer the question of what is trash and what to stash.... Depends what your intentions are, if you think that you would like to build a bunch of these or just sell this one when you are finished building it. I don't believe in trashing any of the 500 / 550 parts except rotten exhaust parts, wasted rubber seals,and rotted aftermarket parts like sissy bars. I ve found that a parts bike is only the spare that hasn't been rebuilt yet or it is the next engine to rebuild that  just happens to be in a frame ...this makes it much easier to move from one side of the shop to the other , a real plus.  The best way ,I've found, to condense parts is not to break down a machine and put the parts in boxes, but to leave it together. I have also found that if spare parts (like carbs and such) are rebuilt , polished , bagged and shelved, they are ready to use replacements ,not extra junk just taking up space. This does not mean that I have it all figured out , of course there are drawbacks to this course of action too.... and if no one has told you yet...these things are like potato chips, hard to have just one. 

[Gurp]

RB your stash is what dreams are made of!
Also OZ another thing to look at is how much room do you have Vs how much room do you need to work effectively? 

[OldZaskar]

Yeah, space is the issue. I have 1/2 of the two-car garage. Not a ton of space... after storing 5 bicycles and one motorcycle. Oh, and leaving room for space to work on all of the above. We're at the early stages of planning an addition to the house - extending back on one end to add a bigger master br. That will net a large space under the addition. Until recently, we'd been trying to figure out how to use a 18' x 24' basement-level room. I think I have an idea for that now.

[Gurp]

Very good looking space. You should post a few pics in your let's see a pic of your shop thread!