Author Topic: Do you ever want to just throw in the towel and buy a new bike.... (Read 6769 times)

Rusty1 · « **on:** January 16, 2009, 01:52:27 PM »

Well,

My 650 project to make the 650 run and ride again, just keeps soaking up more money!!!!

scunny · « **Reply #1 on:** January 16, 2009, 01:54:47 PM »

if it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #2 on:** January 16, 2009, 02:04:55 PM »

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!

Look up the "cb650 resto by a total newbie" thread... that's mine. It was a nightmare. What could go wrong with most (not all) of the electrics DID, I'm not sure I can count now how many times my carbs have been dismantled and cleaned... bent valves, blah, blah, yada....

so a) Yes, I wish she wasn't my ONLY bike, so I could ride and tinker at the same time, but b) she's alllll mine.

EDIT: ok, here's the thread. Make some popcorn, read, laugh, cry, drink... whatever.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=30602.msg315018#msg315018

Ecosse · « **Reply #3 on:** January 16, 2009, 02:35:01 PM »

This caught my eye. It's good to hear tales of woe and how people came out the other end of it. I'm a green horn when it comes to bikes and it's been years since I wrenched a project car; it get's frustrating and the money becomes a factor if ya don't exactly have gold bricks fallin' outta yer butt.

Might be a boost to hear from the ~~old farts~~ elder statesmen and Kits thread is one to learn from IMO. Maybe this will end up being a thread of project links.

Aaah, to have the bread for a second (new?) bike... to ride when the CB is down. I do love my old girl though and... she's a keeper.

Markcb750 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 16, 2009, 02:44:02 PM »

Patience Grasshopper.

It's was worth it to me, amazing how nice it is to ride and show off the old Honda. Even Guys in Porches give me the high sign at traffic lights.

I bought a 2003 Vulcan to ride so I would not loose patience while getting my
76 750 in good condition again. I needed something to ride...

Skunkmiester · « **Reply #5 on:** January 16, 2009, 02:47:50 PM »

I am currently undergoing one of the worst parts of a restoration.
What was a 'runner' is now a frame, motor split and other bits. Wheels in one corner, forks in another etc etc. I can't get one cylinder stud out, kick start retainer pin won't come out and a couple of lesser worries.

That little voice is saying "sell the part s on Ebay and run" "put the engine back together and live with the fact that you failed to do a 'proper job' etc"

But you can't can you? In your minds eye you know what that pile of greasy, paint chipped parts SHOULD look like. You know that you can return that heap of poop into something that will get gasps and questions when you roll up to that bike meet on a barmy sunny summer evening.

And anyway, no matter the cost, no matter the new swear words that you will utter, no matter the sinking feeling....it is better than watching TV. Soon you will own 'your bike' not something that you just bought from a shiny dealers showroom, but the bike that YOU built.

Hope your build goes well.

Ryan 550k · « **Reply #6 on:** January 16, 2009, 03:06:14 PM »

OH! How appropriate this thread is posted today! This all ring true for me as well. I'm in the middle of a rebuild with my 78 550. I opened the bottom end to replace some transmission parts, purchased a used bottom end from someone here in town, tore that apart to find out the part I need is no good, I just tried to order it new, found out Honda discontinued it! Uuuhhh! SO, now I'm looking at used transmissions on ebay and I posted a thread in the Parts Wanted section today. We shall see.
I've got all the gaskets, all the oil seals for the project to continue but I can't move forward until I get this ONE part.

BUT, the thing is I love this bike, it gets the looks, it moves super well.....and I'm determined to get it goin again!
I'm sure it'll work out. As will yours Rusty1!

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #7 on:** January 16, 2009, 03:17:47 PM »

Well it's probably winter where you are now, so not much point buying another bike 'cos you can't ride it anyway, so why not just persevere with what you've got? Chances are, it'll be up and running by the time summer comes around, and you'll be proud of yourself for sticking with it, and not woosing out like a whiney little girl.......... (no offence Kit)

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #8 on:** January 16, 2009, 03:20:37 PM »

Quote from: Terry in Australia on January 16, 2009, 03:17:47 PM

Well it's probably winter where you are now,

But our days are getting longer.

Short Round · « **Reply #9 on:** January 16, 2009, 03:30:40 PM »

Feelings are the same here. Got my 550 almost 4 years ago and only rode it for 1.5 seasons before it became a jumble of parts in boxes placed all everywhere. Somtimes I get a bug to scrap the entire project and save some $$$$$$ to buy a newer scoot but there is something that always pulls me back to it. Sometimes I have to keep telling myself that I ahve come this far and spent this much money, so why not finish it and have it the way I want it. It really does suck when it is your only bike to ride, espicually so when you have friends that ride non-stop all year long, but imagine what it is going to be like when it finally is ready to ride again. I can tell you one thing though, when my 550 is ready to ride again and I am not spending weekends wrenching it any longer, I will be in the market for another bike. I don't think it will be a new bike, but rather a vintage honda that is in better condition that my 550 was when I vought it, this way I should in theory have one bike to ride while the other is getting repaired (this is in theory though). Hope this helps...............Chris

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #10 on:** January 16, 2009, 03:34:45 PM »

Quote from: Bob Wessner on January 16, 2009, 03:20:37 PM

Quote from: Terry in Australia on January 16, 2009, 03:17:47 PM
Well it's probably winter where you are now,

But our days are getting longer.

That's probably just because you're bored shirtless, trapped inside your frozen cave Bob, ha ha!

Skunkmiester · « **Reply #11 on:** January 16, 2009, 03:41:46 PM »

No worries, my wife agreed to moving to Aus this week, 2 years is the plan, hope to move to near Brisbane.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #12 on:** January 16, 2009, 03:46:51 PM »

Good move Skunkmiester, all year round riding here. Let us know where in Brisbane you move too, i am on the southside.

Mick

Rusty1 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 18, 2009, 07:11:21 AM »

Well,

I guess everyone has know the feeling. Looks like for elbow grease and money.....and lots of luck.

Thanks

ekim98 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 18, 2009, 07:18:30 AM »

Yes, a lot lately! Tired of wrenching when I should be riding. Just can't find anyone making one that I'd buy, and there is the money thing too.

Bouncer · « **Reply #15 on:** January 18, 2009, 07:55:20 AM »

Let's put it this way man, I have about 1,500 into the bike and it is still down to the frame.

BUT, I wouldn't change a thing for the world. Is it a money pit? Yes, but I knew it was going to be when I started it in the first place. I am not the kind of person to change one or two things at a time. If I am going to do it, it is going to get done the right way. I bought the bike and literally 2 days later started tearing it down, not knowing the first thing about a bike. I have however worked on many cars, alot of them being purpose built race cars. I bought the bike because it takes me out of reality for a few hours a week. No thinking about work, women, bills, drama, it puts me in another mindset. If I didn't have this bike I would be in an institute or driving myself up a wall.

Where is the fun in buying a new bike? Is it fun to ride? probably, but where is the broken knuckles, 100's of dollars of empty beer bottles, tears, grease, time, and pride that you put into making it your own?

ekim98 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 18, 2009, 08:51:46 AM »

The pride for me would be being able to ride while I worked on my projects. I really love riding my 750 but that dam oil leak I didn't catch, now a engine rebuild. The 305 superhawk, still in pieces an never ridden by me.

BobbyR · « **Reply #17 on:** January 18, 2009, 09:27:29 AM »

Quote from: Bob Wessner on January 16, 2009, 03:20:37 PM

Quote from: Terry in Australia on January 16, 2009, 03:17:47 PM
Well it's probably winter where you are now,

But our days are getting longer.

Sadly Bob, the good days in front of us are getting shorter. I throw the towel in each fall and start looking at new bikes. Mine is semi apart and in bit I will be firing up the heater and doing something of other in the garage.

Magpie · « **Reply #18 on:** January 18, 2009, 09:32:44 AM »

Many times! Not necessarily to buy a new bike but just to end the misery at times. I was whining to the fellow that gave me a very tough K0 and he sent me these kind words, maybe they will help you too:
People who do what you do, to the degree that you do, deserve a great deal of accolades for your work. It is very tough for people to complete such tasks but even a greater talent to have a vision of the finished product and make the hands do what the mind's eye sees. The only way to complete this kind of undertaking is exactly the way you are.
I printed this off, and together with a few pictures of how I want it to look, taped them where I can see them everytime I'm in the workshop. Also, when I do get really pissed off, I just cover it up and walk away for awhile. This is supposed to be fun!
Cheers,
Cliff.

Hush · « **Reply #19 on:** January 18, 2009, 04:25:45 PM »

I certainly know the feeling, sometimes I wander into my garage and just sit and look at my 3 bikes, they probably only owe me 5 grand so far and only one is ridable yet.
I see the shiny new Harleys and Kwakas and Spooks lined up at work, but I know that just about all those Officers can't even find let alone change a spark plug on thier fancy machines.
I get some sort of masochistic kick from knowing every moving, spinning, clanking part on my bikes.
And yes I've thought about selling the lot and buying a new Vulcan (only $10k brand new) but they have no character, no personality if you will.
If I bought something that ran without failing and was under warrantee I'd probably need a new hobby anyway!

Rusty1 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 19, 2009, 07:41:06 AM »

Well,

I did go look at new bikes last fall. I decided then I'm not into V twins or crochrockets any more. I ask the sales person do you have inline four in any model. No was his answer, he said he could all kinds of inline fours to people that grew up on them. But no Major cycle co offers any model.

That's is when it all came together to rebuild my old ride from years past. Which has waited it's time with patience.. I love the sound of my uncapped MAC header. Which I hope to hear again soon.

Yes, I will keep working on it.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #21 on:** January 24, 2009, 04:12:49 AM »

What dealer did you go to mate? EVERY Japanese manufacturer makes a range of inline four cylinder bikes, as do BMW and MV Agusta, if you'd prefer European. Cheers, Terry.

grumburg · « **Reply #22 on:** January 24, 2009, 04:47:08 AM »

Would give my right n*t for a new Triumph T100, but anyone can have that! The satisfaction of taking a broken, forsaken machine and return it's former glory is extremely rewarding. Is one thing I can do that not everyone can. It's an ego trip, pure and simple. I don't golf, watch sports, or gamble. This is my thing.

Rusty1 · « **Reply #23 on:** January 24, 2009, 08:22:37 PM »

Purchased new battery today!!!!Its been cold here.....just to cold to work in a unheated garage. I thought about purchasing a torpedo style heater for the garage but, it will take some of the cash flow away from bike project.

Someone recommended Yamaha Carb cleaner.....Great Stuff....

fuzzybutt · « **Reply #24 on:** January 24, 2009, 10:31:38 PM »

right now i'm ready to do it. went to put thebattery in to fire the k-4 up and go for a ride..................i forgot to get the new battery cables

News:

Author Topic: Do you ever want to just throw in the towel and buy a new bike.... (Read 6769 times)

Markcb750

Ryan 550k

fuzzybutt