Topic: Average Project Time

[Burke]

I would like to hear what some of your average "project times" have been. Restoration or Cafe Racer, how long did it take you?
I am getting frustrated that I cannot do much in these winter months. With the current progress I will be looking at 1-1/2 years before my main project nears completion
My main project is a 73' 750, to turn into a cafe racer. I bought this last summer.

Although, in the mean time, I have bought a 78' 750, got her up and running and sold (profit), an 87' Honda Rebel I bought, cleaned, and and tripled my investment, and then I bought a 77' 750 that I plan to bring around and sell this spring. I use the profits to buy bike stuff and pay down the "Damnable Snap-On man". Because of winter I am in a limbo (have parts, must fix bikes....zombie groan...).



 

[736cc]

  Usually 100-150 hours spread over 3 months

[Cyclone]

Not a restoration or Cafe, but I built this $60 Craigslist CB750 in 6 days. One of the rules for the event I built this for was 30 day build time, I had time to spare.
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[seaweb11]

This is from a guy with no real job..........
Can usually get one in the door in Nov and out by March/April

usually

just pick away.

[kslrr]

My average is based on 2 bikes: CB350F cafe 20 years, CB650 restore to stock from cafe 6 months.  So, ((20*12)+6)/2 = 123 months = 10 1/4 years.

[DammitDan]

I finished my XS650 build in just under 5 days.  (I'd say about 40 hours of work/fab, and under $1000 all together)

Course I didn't have to do any mechanical stuff besides carb cleaning and electrical....  And I had all the pieces I needed on hand.

The CB650, on the other hand, took me 3 years to be finished and 100% reliable, and cost me close to $3000.  I sold it for $1000 and felt I got a good deal 

Stupid red-headed stepchildren! 

[FunJimmy]

Good work takes time. Great work, even longer!

What are you building this project bike for?
If it’s a labour of love and you’re picking away at a personal goal, what’s YOUR time frame?

My project bike seems to be taking about a year or maybe two.

I’m trying to keep it close to running so I can ride every now and then, but I know the time will come when I have to paint the frame. That will obviously be the most limiting regarding time off the road. 

Don’t panic yet!

[KB02]

I all depends on the two cosmological constants: Time and Money.

My F1 cafe was bought in 2003. It wasn't until 2007 that It was being used as a daily (or-every-other-daily) runner. It's till not "Done," but they're never really "Done," are they?

As for my K8 Cafe project. I picked that up spring of 2007. I'm hoping that after a year's time, I will have the engine ready and will be able to start on the frame and chassis.

A little more money and not working full time, would definitely get the project done sooner. 

[andy750]

1972 CB750 cafe project - split lower cases, replaced gear bearing, new harness, lots of other parts replaced (mostly stock), chain, tires etc etc.....no paint job....took me from Feb 06 through to October 06 (just before winter hit). So about 8 months.  Still changing things although I did ride it all last year (Spring 07 - Nov 07)! I worked nights and weekends (not all of them!). 


Cyclone - nice slideshow! Very impressive build.

Good luck,
Andy

[tsflstb]

It kind of depends on what you call "done".  I've owned mine for about 5 years.  The first 6 months was spent getting it in good running condition.  Making it a rideable project seems to keep me motivated to finish work that takes it off the road.

Some of the cafe stuff can be done without messing with the running bike.  I'm changing to alloy rims so I bought a cheap extra set of hubs that I can polish, powdercoat and take my time lacing up while I still ride the bike.  Also bought a cheap extra gas tank to paint for the same reason.

At some point I'll have done everything I have in mind, but that may be a moving target.

[scondon]

  1 1/2 years is about what it takes me from conception to completion on a bike that's stripped to the frame and rebuilt. Lot's of cleaning, gathering money and parts, machine work, some painting. Mostly done on weekends.There are periods where I won't do anything for a month or two and periods where I'll work weeknights and weekends, as inspiration hits. There comes a time where I realize that I'm getting close to having a complete bike and then everything goes pretty quick

[JMURACN]

  1 1/2 years is about what it takes me from conception to completion on a bike that's stripped to the frame and rebuilt. Lot's of cleaning, gathering money and parts, machine work, some painting. Mostly done on weekends.There are periods where I won't do anything for a month or two and periods where I'll work weeknights and weekends, as inspiration hits. There comes a time where I realize that I'm getting close to having a complete bike and then everything goes pretty quick

+1

[754]

It is sort of like asking how long is a string!!

 I know guys that can crank out a 1000 hr bike every year and guys that cant do 40 hrs a year  (like me lately)

 You have to want to make it happen.. do you not have a place to work on it in the winter? usually the best time to get it done.. Sometimes priority shift is in order!! ike no drinking or computer (or reduced time on the latter 2) is what it will take to happen..

 Even up here in Canada we are only 8 weeks away from the early start of the riding season.. so the clock is ticking..

[Bob Wessner]

Even up here in Canada we are only 8 weeks away from the early start of the riding season..

Sounds like wishful thinking.