Anyone else feel like their project is breaking the bank?

kowalski

kowalski

Active Member
I'm really close to finally finishing my first build, which has lead to a lot "rapid" unplanned parts buying. The unplanned part lead to looking for the best deal (cheapest) which lead to eBay which lead to disappointment and having to spend more money on the correct parts. It seemed so much easier when it was a frame and a pile of parts. I knew i wouldn't be riding anytime soon but now, holy god. I think I just need a break, to let my impulsive side claim down a bit. Is this just one more lesson about doing a complete rebuild I've learned? This one isn't even complete and I still think about how much better the next build will be lol.
 
Ha, everytime my daughter asks for $20 Im thinkin...hmm what could I have gotten for the bike. lol. And when the old lady gets home from the grocery store...Im like "I coulda bought 2 more bikes for what you spent!"
 
Ha! One of the guys I work with bought a brand new Harley trike last year. I think he paid around $32,000 for it.

I told him "I could have bought 32 REALLY nice projects for that kinda money!"
 
My wife hates me buildin bikes when my rd ate its motor she looked at me and said would it be cheaper if you just bought a few year old r6 haha
 
It's the "nickel and dime" effect that happens when doing on of these. I went about 5000 dimes over budget. Now I laugh when someone talks about doing a "budget" build.
 
Breaking the bank? This is precisely what projects are for!

They say that such things are "cheaper than a shrink," but I don't know if that is really the case as I have always chosen the project of the psychiatrist. It may well be that such cute little phrases were actually started by the parts suppliers.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
 
I stopped adding it up, it is my therapy, although it drives my wife crazy sometimes. She is supportive as it makes me a better person when I have had bike time, but when I come in and continue to spew bike speak, she draws the line ;D. both my bikes were steals, but as I ride, break, fix, modify and maintain the $$ add up. Usually because I break something that is no longer made and then the hunt goes for a subsititute ot NOS or scrapyard part.
 
My method is to meter the cash slowly. $250 a month to blow on bike bits, makes the process slow but means I have time to put into doing things right on it, rather than splurging a load of cash. Hopefully the quality of the build will reflect that.

Bikes are expensive though, cheaper than cigarettes and hookers though ;)
 
Neevo, I do the same thing - I have a bit of cash that is directly deposited into my "parts fund". But if I have an emergency breakdown of any type, I need permission from my accountant (read: wife).
 
Big Rich said:
Neevo, I do the same thing - I have a bit of cash that is directly deposited into my "parts fund". But if I have an emergency breakdown of any type, I need permission from my accountant (read: wife).
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Hahahahahahah. Exactly the same as me.
 
The other day a buddy and I were bullshitting about projects and whatnot. During the conversation he asked me how much money Ive spent on this stuff in the past five years. I attempted to add it up (I dont keep track) as best I could, and well... I could have one really nice new bike right now if the lump sum of my spending magically appeared in front of me. I could also have a lot less headaches, a lot less hassle, and a lot less drama on the homefront. That said, I wouldnt have met the righteous folks I have, learned as much useful (to all aspects of life) skills, or had as much fun. All worth it.
 
Definitely breaking the bank. In fact, it's got me broke. I'm rolling change to go to the Indy 500. Good news is that I've got everything I need purchased, plus a little extra for my clip-ons from Swagger.
 
Yeah, my project has got me on a ramen noodle kind of budget.....

IMAG0340.jpg
 
Yepper im bike broke but well worth every penny ive put into it . When i first picked up my bike was thinkin " It can't cost that much to build one " yea right ! Just to keep a idea in my head on what i spent on it i wrote almost everything down. Now i wish i hadnt because like most could have picked up a nice modern bike and be done with it . But then again i wouldnt have learned the things i have and know every bolt on my bike . And i can say " I build it " when someone asks where did i buy it . Do i want to go and build another with just a frame and motor again maybe , maybe not . But im sure glad i did with one !
 
Hoofhearted said:
Projects can nickel and dime you to death. But if you really want to hurt, go racing.
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Gospel!
I think the minimum I spent a year, (travel expenses included) was 30,000.
Just think what I coulda bought with that! But I wouldn't have had the memories. ;)
 
As of late im a huge fan a trading parts its easy to explain swaping junk parts to the wife. dreadrock, redbird, justinlonghorn, vonyinzer all played a major role in my rd plus in doing it this way you help someone elses project porgress also, win win. Some times the swaps are clearly one sided but that what friends do help each other. It all ends up working out. im not out to sound like a fucking hippy but, its just better
 
Big Rich said:
Neevo, I do the same thing - I have a bit of cash that is directly deposited into my "parts fund". But if I have an emergency breakdown of any type, I need permission from my accountant (read: wife).
Click to expand...
Similar situation here. I have my side hustles... detailing cars/bikes, selling spare parts, odd jobs. That's my "Toy Fund". That way I don't have to dip into the "House" when I want to buy parts.

bradj said:
Some times the swaps are clearly one sided but that what friends do help each other. It all ends up working out.
Click to expand...
I call that "Beer Points". I figure if I spread enough Goodwill around now, in another 15-20 years, I'll never have to pay for a beer again :) :D
 
I started to deliver a local arts magazine every other week so I dont feel guilty spending "grocery money" on bike parts.
 
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