Building a new bike

[Itxi]

I plan to take my test this year and in preparation I want to have my first 'proper' bike ready and waiting just as I want it, so I'm deciding to build it myself.

The main thing I'm wondering about is whether it would be better to buy a frame, engine etc separate and assemble the bike or should I buy a secondhand bike and take it apart to make sure everything is in good condition, replacing parts if necessary?

I'm looking to get a CB500 so parts should be easy to find from what I've seen, time isn't a big thing since I'm doing it partially as a hobby anyway. And I'm more fussed about which method will end me up with a better bike than which would save the most money, though obviously it depends on how much I stand to save.

I helped put my cg together and have made it road-worthy by myself, plus I'm interested in learning, so the difficulties aren't an issue for me. I should also hopefully be moving into a house with a garage later this year which will give me the storage I'd need.

Cheers for reading

[hazza]

Buy a project bike, even silly little things like specific nuts and bolts will cost you a fortune. Im sure a few years back someone added up the cost of building an R1 from parts and it cost about 30k!

You should pick up a cb 500 cheap as chips, although i woudlnt! I think you will have much more fun buying a Hornet/bandit etc. Just to put it in perspective first insurance on a bandit for me in an awful area was £300. Thats with zero no claims.

Hope this helps

Harry.
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3 Honda NC50's(Sold)-->'72 Puch Maxi S (Sold, want it back!)--> '90 Yamaha RXS 100 (Stolen)--> '87 Honda Cub 90(Sold) --> '95 Kawasaki Eliminator (Sold) --> '98 Bandit 600 (Sold) -->'07 SV650S (Current)

[Johnser]

It will be lots easier and probably cheaper if you start with something that is more or less complete. Aside from previous owners bodges, you'll see how everything fits together and are less likely to miss bits out or spend hours scratching your head over the "mystery parts" box. That said, I built a car that I bought completely dismantled with half the bits missing and its not impossible with a decent manual and online resources. If you have a lot of space and time, and chose to do the resto this way, its not impossible to get the job done for next to nothing or even make money - buying job lots of parts/complete mot failures and splitting/breaking them selling on the bits you don't need. Hard work though.

I'd go with getting a complete bike; hopefully something reasonably original with not too many miles. MOT fails or long term storage projects can sometimes be good. Then strip it down and see what you've got.

If you're on more of a budget, you can replace only bearings/seals/bushes that are worn past their service limits, or you can replace the lot if you want peace of mind.

Pretty, shiny things tend to cost the most cash/time. mint paint jobs, powder-coats, chrome e.t.c dont stand to make the bike any better to ride and often cost an arm and a leg.

On bikes that are not new but not super vintage, it is unfortunately often most economical to treat engines as disposable (ok, it depends on how much s/h runners can be bought for and how much parts cost). If you get an engine with a project that seems to run ok with good compression and no knocks, it'll very often give 1000s of trouble free miles if serviced and maintained properly. As soon as you start splitting the block and replacing bearings, gaskets, valve re-grinds e.t.c you have a 3 figure bill and you still dont know some other part wont let go.

good luck!

[Itxi]

Seems like buying a project bike is the way to go then A nice shiny bike may take up more time but it sounds fun and I hope would give more satisfaction to ride.

I will probably stick with the CB since I'll most likely not do direct access (feel more likely to pass if I take the test on a bike I ride everyday) So there's not much point getting a bigger bike yet. (Though I've heard that restrictors can fall out off bikes )

[hazza]

Agreed engine wise. Often engines can be had for 100-150 quid obviously dependant on model. For me having a bike as my main transport not only was it lots cheap replacing the engine rather than a complete new bottom end (ouch!) it also only took an afternoons work to get back on the road.
____________________
3 Honda NC50's(Sold)-->'72 Puch Maxi S (Sold, want it back!)--> '90 Yamaha RXS 100 (Stolen)--> '87 Honda Cub 90(Sold) --> '95 Kawasaki Eliminator (Sold) --> '98 Bandit 600 (Sold) -->'07 SV650S (Current)

[hazza]

Its your choice mate, the CB will feel like a rocket compared to your 125, but its going to get pretty drab pretty quickly. Honestly.
____________________
3 Honda NC50's(Sold)-->'72 Puch Maxi S (Sold, want it back!)--> '90 Yamaha RXS 100 (Stolen)--> '87 Honda Cub 90(Sold) --> '95 Kawasaki Eliminator (Sold) --> '98 Bandit 600 (Sold) -->'07 SV650S (Current)

[Itxi]

[hazza]

I would argue that the cb would have worse build quality as its a budget commuter bike. Ive never owned either but everyone on here raves about Hornets. Ive rode both bikes and i must admit the hornet are very nice bikes and will keep you entertained much longer than an old CB!
____________________
3 Honda NC50's(Sold)-->'72 Puch Maxi S (Sold, want it back!)--> '90 Yamaha RXS 100 (Stolen)--> '87 Honda Cub 90(Sold) --> '95 Kawasaki Eliminator (Sold) --> '98 Bandit 600 (Sold) -->'07 SV650S (Current)

[Itxi]

I'm going to have to buy a new Haynes manual

[hazza]

Sure there is a free one available in workshop!
____________________
3 Honda NC50's(Sold)-->'72 Puch Maxi S (Sold, want it back!)--> '90 Yamaha RXS 100 (Stolen)--> '87 Honda Cub 90(Sold) --> '95 Kawasaki Eliminator (Sold) --> '98 Bandit 600 (Sold) -->'07 SV650S (Current)

[Rogerborg]

[Itxi]

Buying a bike and taking it apart into its base components, checking everything is working and in good condition, then putting it all back together.

Depending on your definition it's not building one no, I'd call it a rebuild.

Like I said, I'm not really after the cheapest option, I'm after the option that will give me the best quality bike once I pass my test without buying new.