Topic: Cafe build costs

[750]

Fun topic. I agree about the might as wells.  Got around 4 grand into restoring a 78K8 and even once its done there is always that might as well do that too or might as well do that next.  It definitely doesn't end when your done with the build

[q2418130103p]

With out going into specifics, the following chart shows how my costs break down:

[MattFreeman]

With out going into specifics, the following chart shows how my costs break down:

Looks about right.

[ddanz27]

Fun question, I am pretty new to all this so all I can give is my budget but I spent 600 on the bike and plan on spending 1000. Just like everyone else I am sure it wont stop there though

[Kong]

You know, if you just break it down into parts its pretty easy to see what you can expect to spend and at the same time maybe give you an idea of how far you want to go.  One thing for sure, if you give it some thought first you will avoid false starts, which is a key to any accomplishment,

You have to have a bike to start with.  If you plan to build don't buy a show bike to start with.  Figure between $300 and $1,500 for your base bike, depending on where you live.  

Tires will cost you $100 each
Rebuilding wheels cost $300 each (bearings, spokes, cleaning, PC or chroming, lace and true, tubes, strips ...)
Getting your carbs right is going to cost you $100
and then another $100 for plugs, points, condensors, oil and filters.
Chain and sprockets will run $100~150
New Brakes, $100
Seat, tank, bodywork, $100~$1,000
Paint, chrome, polishing,  $100~ ....
Controls and fluids $100

These are just start up costs, so to speak.  You notice I didn't include any money for engine repair or rebuild, not a dime for new exhaust, nothing about coils or wires, nothing about lights, machine work, or handle bars.  Oh, and then there are the tools and supplies - a gallon of acetone cost $20, about the same price as a very cheap impact driver - both of which you will need.

[Tkinney1016]

Kong- thanks for the info! I have quite a few tools minus a bender and notcher for fab work. I have an 07 600rr that I'm selling so I'm used to high costs for parts ($400+ for a set of tires every 3-4 track days and $800 for track body work). This is part of the reason I want one of these, so it's a little easier and cheaper to work on.

Everyone has been helpful in this thread and I'm glad some of you like it. Glad I can contribute something....

[Kong]

Its good to see that you know what you're getting into.  I'll tell you how I looked at it.  I had paid off my Harley and then we sold my wife's old Virago and bought her a like-new used (237 miles on it) Sportster.  Then I got to wanting to put together a little bike to ride in the mountains.  I paid five grand for my wife's Sporty and so I sort of set that as about how much I am willing to spend on the Honda.  As it is now, including having bought two bikes to start with, I've got a little over two grand in it, maybe twenty five hundred.  All I need to finish is a tail section, wire it, paint it (and powder coat), and go for a ride.  So I've got about a grand to go.  I'm way within my budget - which was obviously whishy-washy anyway.  I am a painter and with the job I have in mind I'll have right at $200 in the materials, the power coating is going to cost me roughly $300 more.  I've got the frame, brackets, the caliper halves, and possibly the cylinder's to power coat.  I figure the other five hundred will get burned up when I wire it, make a seat, and pretty fasteners of course.

Anyway that's how it looks to me.  I said above you could put together a pretty respectable bike for two grand, and I'm sure a guy could, but doing it the lazy man's way, by wallet, I expect to end up with a very nice bike with maybe thirty-five in it.  The bike will be pretty, and it will be safe.  It will also be dead to rights legal, and should be great good fun to ride.  As for as performance modifications, there are nearly none.  The bike will be lighter of course, have better brakes too (dual disk front), but the engine's stock.  I went down one tooth on the front sprocket and that will make it feel 'zoomy' in the mountains, I also bought a 650 cam to up the power a little bit in the mid range to upper end, right where I'll be operating.  But those are small and inexpensive things that also fell easily into the "budget".  Oh, one of the original bikes already had a good 4-into-1 system on it, which saved money.

[climbingaz]

I've got $2,600 into mine so far (including purchase price).  Will probably be closer to $4k when I'm "happy". 

[Tkinney1016]

Yea, I would love to keep the absolute total amount to somewhere around $4,000 I think which leaves room for me to work. I am fairly handy at doing things myself and am not afraid to try anything out either. I actually PM'd "Squirley" and he actually said he spent a lot less than I would have expected on his bike. I told him I got really excited when I saw his estimated cost!

Anyways, I'm searching CL, around town, and asking around so I can get ahold of a bike.

Any suggestions on which bike to look for or which one would be best if I come accross a few. Just as far as the years, model's (400, 500, 550, etc). I like some power, I come from a 100 hp RR, but its not a must because lighter is always better too. Is the 550 the only one you can use a 650 camshaft in?

[nomad]

Let's put it this way... if I tried to sell it (when I eventually get it all put back together), I'd never recoup the $$$ I've put into it.  I'm taking the approach of "do it once - do it the way I want."  Therefore... I'm not really keeping an accurate running tally.

[wannabridin]

perfect nomad!

i'm the same way.  i'm doing WHAT i want to all at first!  if i want to upgrade to an 836 later, i will, but i'm going to ride the piss out of my 4th over kit with all my goodies as much as i can for as long as i can!!  damned the cost!!

[nomad]

perfect nomad!

i'm the same way.  i'm doing WHAT i want to all at first!  if i want to upgrade to an 836 later, i will, but i'm going to ride the piss out of my 4th over kit with all my goodies as much as i can for as long as i can!!  damned the cost!!

If I get to the point in the future that I want to do big upgrades, I'll just do another project bike.

[climbingaz]

Let's put it this way... if I tried to sell it (when I eventually get it all put back together), I'd never recoup the $$$ I've put into it.  I'm taking the approach of "do it once - do it the way I want."  Therefore... I'm not really keeping an accurate running tally.

Even though I AM keeping an accurate running tally, I'm doing it just for my own curiousity.  I also know that it would be damn difficult to recoup my costs if I were ever to sell it.  

I bought my project when my first son was only 6 months old.  My rationale was if I'm not going to get to ride much for awhile, it might be fun to start a project so at least I could go out to the garage and tinker.  Since then, we've had another son (they're now 3yr and 7mo) and I've gotta tell you.....spending some "quiet" time out in the garage working on my CB, listening to some tunes and drinking a beer or two has been a huge stress reliever.

So sometimes what we do with these damn bikes doesn't make a lot of financial sense, but what does it matter if we keep our sanity!  

[Tkinney1016]

I agree ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^!!! I have daughters at 4 years and 6 months. When my wife said I'm always on my phone (internet and games) I told her I need another project since I'm selling my current bike. I told her I used to tinker with that and now I just sit around.

[Jim F]

$1000,00 of dollars in my projects
but the gratification of riding these is priceless

a cheesy cliche but

Jim

[Shoeboxjoe]

Had a budget of $4,000 for mine, that included the purchase price of the bike. I could have easily spent more but I also could have probably saved if i used the original tank or made my own seat or didn't replace every gasket, seal and bearing, or didn't use chrome hardware. My younger brother did a cafe with his '73 CB750k and spend about $1000, mostly on paint, seat and some engine work. 

[fastbroshi]

   I hear you Joe, I spent over a grand just addressing all the little things, like unseized nuts and bolts, gaskets and o-rings, fluids, tires, brake pads, etc.  It would've looked ok and functioned ok without some of it, but it looks great now, even with this old frumpy seat and crap paint.  Besides, isn't "patina" IN these days?

[wookie]

It's been said before in this thread but it really is a good idea to find the cleanest low mile bike you can find.  My selection was limited and my project bike still cost me 1500.  It ran.....  When i started re-assembly i couldn't bring myself to use half the parts i took off.  Bikes of this vintage are going to need tlc regardless.

That being said, i'm into mine for under 10k.  Good luck and have fun

[Anti-Johnny]

im probably 800 into mine. Just bits and stuff really. tires were the most expensive thing so far. Other little bits and bobs that I felt comfortable with doing myself like fork seals and lights. I didnt know anything about working on it at first, now I know about three things.

this site, the manual and the co op are getting me mroe comfortable fixing things though. So as I learn how to do something, or break something learning, I am spending more.

[Tkinney1016]

I agree thy the help and information on these sites can't be replaced. I am debating on finding a bike as cheap as possible since I know that I will probably tear the complete thing down anyways. Even to just freshen the motor up.

[Flying J]

I dont keep track of my cost for sanity reasons. My current project started as a $150 non-runner. Motor will get a rebuild with big bore set up, ported and 650 cam. should be around $800 after all the machine work and parts.
Tank $850
Seat $450
Fairing $got it for $450 cost $900-1600
Dual disk $150
Rims and spokes will be $700
Exhaust $800-1000
Clipons $150
Rearsets $300
Thats where im at now and that doesnt include the normal maintenance stuff like chains and bearings and fork seals ect.
So im around $4000 invested into a $150 dollar bike. Thanks for making me realize that.

But in reality i just decided one day that i wanted to build a bike the way i wanted it and dint care what it cost. I fund my project partly by selling off old parts or selling my other bikes.

Final words of wisdom: You can build it as nice or as cheap as you want, but not both.

[Tkinney1016]

Good advise.

[Retro Rocket]

But in reality i just decided one day that i wanted to build a bike the way i wanted it and dint care what it cost. I fund my project partly by selling off old parts or selling my other bikes.

Exactly....    I'm up near 10 grand and still don't have everything, but i have enough to build another 750, so that will go to help fund the one i wish to keep.....

Mick

[scottly]

Most of my "investment" after the initial purchase of my bike, other than normal service items like tires, oil, etc. has been my labor, and it's been a labor of love.

[Retro Rocket]

Most of my "investment" after the initial purchase of my bike, other than normal service items like tires, oil, etc. has been my labor, and it's been a labor of love.

That made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside...