Topic: How much has your project CB cost you?

[rebabal]

For those restoring or cafeing/bobbing/choppering(?) how much have you willingly put into your bike?  Have you gone under/over budget? Why did you buy what you bought? (Cosmetic bonus, required mechanical, or power up part)

Currently I've spent $3,479.55 and expect to spent at least 2-300 more to get it where I want.  This includes the bike purchase itself, which was $1,200.

It's a 76 CB750K with some miscellaneous F parts strewn about.  I originally didn't plan on doing much to the engine but currently it's completely disassembled in my garage due to the #2 cylinder being trashed, something I didn't pick up when I saw it run before buying.

There are quite a few things I could have done without but I figured I could have spent several thousand dollars on a newer bike and not have anything to do to it, or not have the money to put more into it... so I figured buying a relatively inexpensive bike and going all out was the best bet to fuel my desire to screw around.

There are a few things I bought that I could have gotten cheaper, or from a local store that just popped up that I completely forgot about.

Here's my build breakdown, cost, and reasoning as to why I got it

1976 CB750K	$1,200.00	Gotta start somewhere
Exhaust	$379.00	Cycle X 4-2-1
Ignition	$329.00	My coils were jacked up and I wanted to remove all electrical unknowns
Seat	$275.00	It came with a king/queen seat, which was uggo.
Cam	$179.00	Why not?
Master Cylinder	$79.99	Making the handlebars a little less retro
Wire Harness	$75.00	Removing all electrical unknowns
Piston Rings	$69.99	#2 cylinder wasn't doing so hot, re-ringing to remove variables
Gasket Set	$69.00	Of course...
Black Shocks	$69.00	The original chrome shocks were beat up and chrome, which I think is ugly.
Front Wheel	$54.00	Original wheel was bent, thanks PO...
Handlebars / Mirrors / Grips	$52.00	Little less retro, clubman bars and mirrors that stick on the end of the bar caps
Regulator	$52.00	Removing electrical unknowns
Rectifier	$47.00	Removing electrical unknowns
Oil Pressure Gauge	$47.00	Neat feature
Steering Bearing Kit	$40.00	Updated tech, plus i hate non-enclosed ball bearings
Oil Seal Set	$35.00	Engine rebuild requirement
Brake Caliper Rebuild Kit	$35.00	Brakes were rough
Air Filters	$35.00	Airbox was in pieces
Cam Chain	$32.00	Safety
Engine Hex-Bolt Set	$29.99	Seriously, why would anyone use phillips for engine screws?
Handlebar Throttle Assembly	$27.95	Original ones were redneck
Front Fender	$19.99	Original fiberglass one (aftermarket) was cracked
Fork Dust Boots	$18.00	Original ones were cracked
Clutch Lever	$15.95	A little less retro
Handlebar Controls	$15.50	Less retro, plus some of the buttons didn't work - removing starter button from handlebars too
Headlight Brackets	$10.95	Removed the factory ears
Fork Seals	$10.00	Precaution
Clutch Basket	$9.99	Broke one of the fingers on the clutch brackets
Rotor Puller Tool	$7.00	Ended up not needing this, but I figured I might as well get it
Oil Filter	$3.00	Cheap?
Shipping	$157.25	Most of the stuff was fairly cheap to ship.
Total	$3479.55	My budget is around 3,500.  I still need to get my frame powdercoated so that's -$200.00 I have yet to spend.

Down to the frame the first night of having it.

[climbingaz]

So far:

Honda CB 750 K8

6/5/09 – bought for $100
6/9/09 – purchased tank for $100
6/16/09 – title bond & title for $82
6/19/09 – clubman bars for $30
6/22/09 – right hand control $27
6/23/09 – carburetor rebuild kit $73
6/23/09 – fuel petcock and line $53
6/23/09 – footpegs $11
6/29/09 – spark plugs $10
7/4/09 – ignition $30
7/14/09 – (2) oil filters $10
7/14/09 – oil drain plug $14
7/14/09 – carb pump diaphragm $34
7/17/09 – pod air filters $35
8/17/09 – front brake master cylinder $30
8/17/09 – ignition coils $36
11/13/09 – choke cable $17
11/25/09 – oil lines $30
12/22/09 – more oil lines from Carpy $72
1/15/10 – battery $48
1/21/10 – grips $18
2/1/10 – front wheel/tire/rotor $85
2/3/10 – seat $75
2/5/10 – exhaust can $20
2/10/10 – pull throttle cable $20
2/14/10 – airbox, boots and filter $75
3/6/10 – forks and headlight brackets $60
3/11/10 – carb bolts $18
3/11/10 – fork boots $30
3/13/10 – tires and tubes $240



Total to date: $1483

[rebabal]

I wish I would have had more choices in bikes... there weren't many SOHC 750s withing 3 hours of my house for me to look at...I was getting tired of waiting for one to show up so I splurged on one that I thought was better than it was, which it was not.  Oh well, live and learn.

I'm a big fan of keeping price lists and stuff, although I haven't been documenting the build disassembling very much.

[friedfish80]

I dont have a price list or parts list for mine. But im not done yet but im thinking i should have built a space shuttle instead. I would have been cheaper

[75cb550 (kyle)]

bike - $600
tank, sealer and petcock - $160
exhaust wrap - $100
plugs, misc - probably $20
plug wires - $30
brake line - $25
caliper seal - $12
shop supplies (carb cleaner, paint, expendables) - probably in the hundreds by now
carb bowl gaskets - $20 (i think)
that's all i can think of at the moment - total $967

to come...
brake light / turn signals - approx $150
current tag - $150
gas cap - probably important - $20

luckily for me i haven't gone over budget cause i didnt have one. but spent more than i originally thought for sure and its not even done...

wow this is a little depressing.... im a poor bastard

[flybox1]

1973 CB350F @9093mi - $1000, in small unmarked bills.
bought it cause it wasnt being ridden and collecting dust in a coworkers garage.
great condition IMO.

the following are approximates...
replace original tires/tubes/mounting - $150
front brake caliper/MC refresh - $100
rear brake pads - $30
Front Rotor drill/resurface - $80
Carb kit - $60
points/condensers - $30
incidentals (plugs, oil, filters, tools, cleaners, etc)  - $300

$1750'ish... for a nicely working stocker.

[markb]

I don't keep track of how much it costs me because if I knew I'm pretty sure I'd quit doing it.
Mark

[verboten1]

by the time I am done, factoring in the money I made by selling parts, i will have around $1000 into this bike


http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=56315.0

[Retro Rocket]

Wow....i would love to have got close to some of those budgets.....I'm at around 6 grand now and i have not finished getting all my parts yet, let alone paint it and put tyres on it....    I don't think i will get much change from 10 g's....

Mick

[76CB5WI]

I went over on my K2
Sub 8k mi bike
New exhaust
New seat
Built new wheels
Tank and pro paint
Frame up
Many new chrome parts
Signals
Top end rebuild Carb rebuild
Over $6K Its easy
Call me nuts.

[crazypj]

Unless your building to sell, it's a pointless exercise to tally up cost.
Either your building what you want, or, your building something else (so why bother?)
 I started counting how much I had spent on an old air cooled Beetle many years go, stopped when I got to $6,300 and have never kept count since on any bikes I build for myself. I do what I want, when I can afford it. Make take some time but I get 'interesting' stuff 

PJ

[Heirborn]

I dont like to keep track either. I had a '65 Plymouth Valiant that I started keeping a spread sheet on, ended up stopping and selling it figuring I was going to go broke before it was complete....better a bit at a time not knowing.

[Retro Rocket]

Yep, i don,t care about the cost, i am building what i want.....not to sell, just for me......
Ok , call me selfish...

Mick

[faux fiddy]

Original 350f- gifted    $0.00
Piston rings              $60.00
Air box                     $30.00
Cylinder honing          $0.00  (trade)
Two parts bikes         $50.00, free
Trailer and gas         $300.00


This is probably going to turn into two 350 f's so divide by two. $220 each so far...

[Hasenkopf]

I don't know.....I stopped counting after five grand.     Wait........does it matter if you have a complete running bike??      I should get the idiot of the year award ??

[HondaMan]

Keep in mind: I get lots of inquiries from riders who just went to a bike dealer (new or used) and have that 'sticker shock' look in their eye. They like the idea of a sub-$5k bike with rebuilt engine, wheels, brakes, and some new paint. I could do this for a living!

..oh, wait... 

[Hinomaru]

I haven't documented all the costs on my K4 as it was in its stock configuration when I bought it and it needed a good going over due to its age. Things like tires, wheel bearings, replacing all cables, carb and brake rebuild, fork seals and springs, chain and sprockets, petcock rebuild, gas tank sealer, all the endless rubber bits, fasteners, general tune-up items and the minor cosmetics.

Many parts were genuine Honda and that tends to drive the cost up. The receipts I do have total up to almost $3,000 and I'm sure that figure is a bit higher. Honda's suggested retail price in May 1974 was around $1,800 and since you can't buy these bikes new anymore I don't think that's too much.   

[HondaMan]

I haven't documented all the costs on my K4 as it was in its stock configuration when I bought it and it needed a good going over due to its age. Things like tires, wheel bearings, replacing all cables, carb and brake rebuild, fork seals and springs, chain and sprockets, petcock rebuild, gas tank sealer, all the endless rubber bits, fasteners, general tune-up items and the minor cosmetics.

Many parts were genuine Honda and that tends to drive the cost up. The receipts I do have total up to almost $3,000 and I'm sure that figure is a bit higher. Honda's suggested retail price in May 1974 was around $1,800 and since you can't buy these bikes new anymore I don't think that's too much.   

Wow, Hino: that's gorgeous!

[BlindJoe]

Don't know, don't want to know.

[nokrome]

how much have i spent?
  please dont ask, im trying to mentally block it out

[Don R]

!970 K0 customized with lester mags- $650.00
       replacement seat                     $260.00
       gauges from E bay                   $160.00
       fork ears from member here        $60.00
       winkers swap meet                   $15.00
        carb setup at shop                  $60.00
  free parts bikes from brothers yard           
  running 836 from part bike
  raiding brothers boxes of spares       
  free K0 swingarm and centerstand
   from brothers storage                    priceless.
             

[Industrial Cafe]

1979 CB750

this is what I've done so far (it's not done yet)
bike                                                   $00.00       guy in Brooksville
Akront 4x4.25 Rear Wheel                    $95.00    eBay
Stainless Spokes for Rear Wheel            $20.00    eBay
Turn Signals                                    $55.00    eBay
Tail Light/Tag Mount                            $30.00    eBay
Dunstall Tank                                    $550. 00    Carpy
Front Rotor (for drilling)                    $35.00    eBay
Rear Drum Cover (for drilling)             $15.00    eBay
Throttle Cables                                    $45.00    eBay
Bridgestone Spitfire Tires                   $165.00    eBay
Inner Tubes                                     $20.00    eBay
Carbs                                            $150.00    eBay
CB1100F Shocks                              $100.00    eBay
Headlight Bucket                             $25.00    eBay
Oil Tank                                           $30.00    eBay
Misc. (doodads)                                    $150     Everywhere
Yamaha Seca xj550 tail section            $30.00    eBay
1980 DOHC CB750 Swingarm                $45.00    eBay
Swingarm Bearings                             $20.00    eBay
1994 CBR600 F2 monoshock Swingarm     $75.00    eBay
2006 GSXR600/750 fork tubes            $10.50    eBay
2001 GSXR1000 lower tree                 $20.00    eBay
2001 upper tree and clipons                    $25.00    eBay
97 gsxr600/Hayabusa rotors                    $12.00    eBay
06-07 GSXR 600 750 calipers and lines    $30.00    eBay
2006 GSXR1000 axle                             $2.50    eBay
All Balls steering stem bearing set (CB750)$40.00    SOHC4 forum member ''havoc turbo''  
All Balls wheel bearing set (GSXR1000)    $20.00    eBay
**Replacement fork leg (upper)            $40.00    eBay
Oil cooler Sandwich adapter                    $40.00    SOHC4 forum member ''Shenanagins''
**Straighten Fork legs                            $200.00    FramesStraightSystems

here's where I'm at as of 03/20/2010


                              Total So Far is about $2100.00

not too bad but I'm still about $500-$600 away from the finished product

[Simpson]

I don't keep track of how much it costs me because if I knew I'm pretty sure I'd quit doing it.
Mark

ditto

[nitroeagle]

I have an '82 CB650 I got for free from my brother-in-law . Carb kits from ebay, @70. Gasket set from ebay, @75(headgasket leaking of course.). Front fork seals & wipers, @35 from ebay. Used handle bar from ebay, 8. Choke cable from Z1 Enterprizes, @30. Grips & mirrors from JC Whitney, @ 12 & 15. Spark plugs @ 9. Oil & filter from dealer, @ 35. Pod air filters from ebay, @50. Rattle cans of paint(flat black, satin clear, primer, & wheel paint) @30. POR15 paint for the frame(starter kit) @ 50. This paint is amazing by-the-way, in case you haven't heard of it. It's almost indestructible when correctly applied(it was on the frame of my fathers '39 Ford for almost 20yrs) & easy to use. So basicly I have around $450 in it. Most of that came from selling stuff I have laying around the house/garage on ebay. Still have a few things to do, but who doesn't!

[faux fiddy]

I used to have a wood sail boat and my claim was that compared to the price of the  roller on the jibsail  of that yacht in the harbor, my boat was less expensive, including the 10 horse honda.