Project advice needed

Weldrick · Derestricted Danger Joined: 13 May 2011 Karma :

I'm looking at doing a project motorbike, but I need some advice on what to get motorcycle wise, is it better to get an old tatty runner and just tidy it up or get a damage repairable and completely restore it? Such a silly question to ask, but I thought I may as well ask rather than go ahead clueless and get one and maybe find out that I've done a mistake

timsmith · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 09 Jun 2011 Karma :

Blimey thats a real difficult one to give a definitive answer to.
I would suggest you get a tatty complete bike rather than an accident damaged one although it is possible to rebuild anything given time and money. Most importantly buy something you want to ride as I have fallen for the cheap bike rebuild that didn't light my candle and it just sat in the garage for years until I threw it away!
What are you looking to get from rebuilding a bike? doing it for a challenge or to get the bike of your dreams that you can't afford/get as you want? If it is to save money then you will almost certainly be disappointed. Just price up a full list of consumables for your chosen project and compare that to buying a bike in good order with an MOT. Factor in time etc and it soon runs up a large investment in something that will probably be worth less than you spend. On the other hand getting a bike back on the road that you have built yourself and know every nut bolt etc is as it should be is a great feeling.
Good luck and keep us posted

Tim

timsmith · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 09 Jun 2011 Karma :

Blimey thats a real difficult one to give a definitive answer to.
I would suggest you get a tatty complete bike rather than an accident damaged one although it is possible to rebuild anything given time and money. Most importantly buy something you want to ride as I have fallen for the cheap bike rebuild that didn't light my candle and it just sat in the garage for years until I threw it away!
What are you looking to get from rebuilding a bike? doing it for a challenge or to get the bike of your dreams that you can't afford/get as you want? If it is to save money then you will almost certainly be disappointed. Just price up a full list of consumables for your chosen project and compare that to buying a bike in good order with an MOT. Factor in time etc and it soon runs up a large investment in something that will probably be worth less than you spend. On the other hand getting a bike back on the road that you have built yourself and know every nut bolt etc is as it should be is a great feeling.
Good luck and keep us posted

Tim

Bezzer · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Karma :

Good post Tim Thumbs Up

just about covers it all really, main point really is get something you WANT/NEED not just anything "because it was cheap."
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Weldrick · Derestricted Danger Joined: 13 May 2011 Karma :

jimbothe · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Karma :

If it's for a challenge and something to do then how about going for a early or mid 80's bike. The 80's era is coming back, and strong. Some bargains can still be had in a poorer but running state and you would be working towards a tidy profit at the end as well if you didn't want to keep it.

I part restored a DR650 and a GT750, I say part as the fundamentals were there and they both had current mot's but were very tatty.
Bought them both cheap (at seperate times), had fun and passed the time. Got plenty of satisfaction and experience out of doing it and made a few hundred pennies at the end as well.
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Weldrick · Derestricted Danger Joined: 13 May 2011 Karma :