I just added up all the receipts for everything I've bought for my project. If you haven't done this before, I'd recommend NOT doing it. If you have done this before, how much of a slap in the face is it? My build was supposed to be a low dollar thing - I was intentionally buying damaged parts I could repair off ebay and I'm still a thousand over my original estimate and I still need paint and powdercoat! oh my head!
custom build cost
- Thread starter WeberKid
- Start date
Big R
Heaven is so far away.
My first actual build (1968 CL175), I totaled the cost after the fact......and was very surprised. For my GR650, I knew that I wanted it done the way that I want it, regardless of cost.
For my GS450, I spent quite a few hours looking at every single part and what it costs to replace. Including paint, tires, inner tubes, cables, upgraded parts......really EVERYTHING. And I won't be changing anything just on a whim. So I'll be able to look back and know exactly what was spent on it.
For my GS450, I spent quite a few hours looking at every single part and what it costs to replace. Including paint, tires, inner tubes, cables, upgraded parts......really EVERYTHING. And I won't be changing anything just on a whim. So I'll be able to look back and know exactly what was spent on it.
cqyqte
Grumpy retired oldtimer... "eat a Snickers bar"
If you are planning on selling it when finished I understand the concern, but if you are going to keep it and ride it, then who the fuck cares! The point is you accomplished something and you own it in more ways than one, you can't take your money with you when you die. And Lord knows you wouldn't want your kids or their kids riding around on some less than sound econo-build when you are gone....
Lastly, unless you stop and pick up every piece of discarded metal, penny, paperclip, pop-can, tinsel, appliance, etc, etc, you are never going to win the cheapest rebuild prize. Just remember the rush of satisfaction as you felt it clunk into first as you rode off on the first test ride when you were done, now that sensation was "priceless"!
Lastly, unless you stop and pick up every piece of discarded metal, penny, paperclip, pop-can, tinsel, appliance, etc, etc, you are never going to win the cheapest rebuild prize. Just remember the rush of satisfaction as you felt it clunk into first as you rode off on the first test ride when you were done, now that sensation was "priceless"!
I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. I'm certainly capable of building a bike on the cheap - but I wanted every part done a certain way. Not to mention I picked every single piece of the bike myself - even the frame is made of 2 different bikes! I think I'll make the little lady a bike on the cheap just to prove to myself that I can, once my current money pit is complete.
I just keep buying what i feel my bike needs to be the way I want it. Then the receipt goes in a folder. I will add it all up at the end. My guess I will be between 1500 and 2000 with the 400 dollar bike included.
I say that is still a good deal. Plus I know that I did the work to get it there. That is what the real idea was behind it to start with.
I say that is still a good deal. Plus I know that I did the work to get it there. That is what the real idea was behind it to start with.
Maritime
Over 10,000 Posts
I got a 250.00 CX and I will be in for at least 5-700 before done and that is cheap as chips. Well the dad in law will be. I am also not counting hours of labor, that is therapy for me. But yes I could easily spend 3-4 times that, but this is a first bike for a new rider so we'll keep it simple. Good overhall, custom seat and better lights and pipes.
crazypj
Split personality, I fake being smart
I gave up with counting the cost of re-builds around 1980 
It's always a lot more than you expect and part of the reason I tend to keep things.
When it's built the way you want, it very unlikely to be what someone else wants.
If your building to sell, you have to see whats on various websites (there is a lot of dangerous crap that 'looks' good : )
Personally, I won't build anything that doesn't work better than it looks, riding is dangerous enough without doing dumb shit just for looks
It's always a lot more than you expect and part of the reason I tend to keep things.
When it's built the way you want, it very unlikely to be what someone else wants.
If your building to sell, you have to see whats on various websites (there is a lot of dangerous crap that 'looks' good :
)Personally, I won't build anything that doesn't work better than it looks, riding is dangerous enough without doing dumb shit just for looks
Mr.B
Everybody likes curves, when we talk about roads.
Well... my bike is still in pieces .. but with the price of the bike ($650) and the parts up to now I'm in with around $2200 on a bike that when in perfect collector condition is worth around $3000..
The thing is, even if you are reusing old parts you still have to put work and stuff in/on/over it to make it work again.
And probably you are missing tools for the job so new tools has to be bought (yes you can't count that in to the total, but nevertheless it's something that is needed)
Heck, even welding material costs as you use it, Sandpaper costs, cutting wheels costs, nothing is free or cheap when building/restoring stuff, it can just be expensive or less expensive.
But the the costs are quite irrelevant when it comes to a passion, you take both time and money to do what you want, sometimes you have very little of on or the other or both. But in the end, A lot of money and time have been put in to your bike, sadly the time part doesn't show as much as you would like. (After have been cutting and wetsanding my brake and clutch levers for hours and hours it still looks like it's factory, nothing special, but still.. a lot of time and it made me pleased when finished. (and yes less expensive but still some money went in to it)
Bah, rambling of a madman, My point is. NEVER think that your bike/car/boat will be a cheap build. Forget about the money, make it the way you want it to be! Money comes money goes but glory remains!
The thing is, even if you are reusing old parts you still have to put work and stuff in/on/over it to make it work again.
And probably you are missing tools for the job so new tools has to be bought (yes you can't count that in to the total, but nevertheless it's something that is needed)
Heck, even welding material costs as you use it, Sandpaper costs, cutting wheels costs, nothing is free or cheap when building/restoring stuff, it can just be expensive or less expensive.
But the the costs are quite irrelevant when it comes to a passion, you take both time and money to do what you want, sometimes you have very little of on or the other or both. But in the end, A lot of money and time have been put in to your bike, sadly the time part doesn't show as much as you would like. (After have been cutting and wetsanding my brake and clutch levers for hours and hours it still looks like it's factory, nothing special, but still.. a lot of time and it made me pleased when finished. (and yes less expensive but still some money went in to it)
Bah, rambling of a madman, My point is. NEVER think that your bike/car/boat will be a cheap build. Forget about the money, make it the way you want it to be! Money comes money goes but glory remains!
SONICJK
Reminds me of...me No, I'm sure of it. I hate him
What are you thinking!?
Do not add it up. I've made that mistake haha.
A 20 dollar part is cheap, 50 20 dollar parts is not. That's my problem, I buy what I need or want and 20-100 is no big deal, but it adds up fast.
Bikes will nickel and dime you to death.
Do not add it up. I've made that mistake haha.
A 20 dollar part is cheap, 50 20 dollar parts is not. That's my problem, I buy what I need or want and 20-100 is no big deal, but it adds up fast.
Bikes will nickel and dime you to death.
I have no intentions of selling my bike. I was just surprised how far I had gone over what I initially penciled in as "the budget" - but I knew that was going to happen as soon as I decided to make a cafe racer rather than a chopper. A chopper would have been so easy. too easy I suppose.
jsharpphoto
Coast to Coast
man.... motorcycles is cheap! I build vintage vespas. Talk about cost vs value. My last build was my "dream build". Tons of custom parts and fab work. I did EVERYTHING myself, with the exception of the glass blasting. I spent about about $5K on it, not including any of my time, knowing the whole time that the street value of the scooter would be $2500.
We do it because we love it, and we don't know how to do anything else. There are reasons why the more famous cafe builders look so skinny, they can't afford to eat.
On a side note. The Bugati Veyron costs three times to make it, what the price on the sticker is. They made it to prove that it could be done, not with the intention to sell it.
We do it because we love it, and we don't know how to do anything else. There are reasons why the more famous cafe builders look so skinny, they can't afford to eat.
On a side note. The Bugati Veyron costs three times to make it, what the price on the sticker is. They made it to prove that it could be done, not with the intention to sell it.
