xs 650 cafe racer

Why oh why do people ever think that they are ever gonna get back what they put in to building bikes. I mean unless you get parts for free, have a sponsor , or can most all the expensive stuff yourself.... it just never happens. My philosophy If you do everything the right way on a bike then keep it and appreciate it. If you are building for profit be frugal and amast a collection here and there bargain style. Home built bikes are just that home built , no matter how awesome they are they are never gonna grab the attention that pro bike builders are gonna , hence they never gonna attract the cash. Unless you are building a bike to order for a customer or something expct a loss or keep your work of art!


That said , I recall reading that that dude Sean from Roc City built that smokin hot cafe in his avatar all hand fabbed , looked so sharp it could cut class and he put it on ebay and didnt even get near his reserve for it ( and he is a pro).

Sorry man I bet it's a killer bike and I hope you get what you are after but don't let it crush your spirits. I bet you would do alot better trading for something that might have more universal appeal ,hence a bigger market( classic trucks, cars, classic stoock bikes)

my two cents
 
$3000 isn't outrageous for that bike, especially on Kijiji (nobody here's going to pony up $3K for a finished bike - we all like to spend $5K doing it ourselves ;))

It is crying out for a rear wheel tho, and what's with the alternator cover and shifter? I'm trying to understand what you have going there. I see you've got the Sparx system (what, about $400 right there?) and can see how you could run without the cover, but is that just a really long shifter or what?
 
Oh, and update the ad - you have a Sparx charging system and a Boyer charging system according to the writeup.

It's a nice bike - find it a proper rear wheel/tire and it might help the sale. And don't tell people you've spent $2000 on it and want $3000 or more. Nobody is going to pay you for your labor, at least not knowingly. You've told everyone your negotiation room. Someone is going to think, ok, the guy's break-even point is $2000 so that's what I'm gonna offer.
 
Tim's right, you should pull the ad and re-do it a bit.
Play up all the work and say you have receipts for loads of new parts (did you fit elephant foot valve adjusters?)
Harley rim and whitewall doesn't look right
Gear change looks like a Mikes XS 'Bigfoot' with speed holes.
I have one so I can wear MX boots when I'm 'playing in traffic' ;D
 
Wow touched a nerve here with someone. No not trying to sell for a profit. Not a pro builder either......just a guy having fun. I probably have about about 4500 into bike total. Just trying to sell it so I can begin another project. As far as my gripe with people without money goes I have had many people offer me $400-$1000 for the bike. That I find to be silly. I see old rusty KZ 650's with 70,000 KM going for $1800 so I figured what would someone who would want a cool older bike that has been redone pay? So for me thats a little south of three grand. I wish I could afford to keep the bike AND fix my other bike but I cannot. I do appreciate the advise that the others have offered regarding changing the ad a bit. Thats why I hate selling stuff....... I really don't do it very often. No didn't fit those elephant foot adjusters as I have heard bad things regarding them (durability). And as far as the rear wheel goes I do know that it is not "real" cafe style and had intended to change it long ago but...........I have just had too much fun riding it over the past three years. And you know I have had more positive comments about that squarewave rear tire that not! Don't know why? People here (intown) love it.

Thanks

Dave
 
Just changed the ad what do you think? better?
Yes that's Mikes Big Foot gear change lever and the stator cover I don't run cause I like watching the rotor spin around and around. LOL
The Sparx is actually over $500 with change, and worth every dollar.
So the Boyer, Sparx, and front brake rotor come up to about $1000 alone.
Maybe I should part the bike out..........what a shame though!

Dave
 
Change the Boyer to an electronic ignition with computer controlled advance, not 'charging system'. Looks better!

Might be worth waiting till spring though.
 
Oh - how do you like the brake rotor? Can the rotor be removed from the carrier? Wasn't sure about those button fasteners. I'm thinking about using one on my project, but I would want to powdercoat the carrier a different color.
 
Tim said:
Change the Boyer to an electronic ignition with computer controlled advance, not 'charging system'. Looks better!

Might be worth waiting till spring though.

Wow thanks Boyer charging system LOL................The brake rotor is great. The difference between stock and this is incredible!
I forget what company makes it but it is Japanese quality and well worth it. No the carrier and rotor are not made to be separated once the buttons come off you would have to devise a way of reattaching them (rotor and carrier), beyond my scope, I would just mask off the rotor and paint it.

I know that spring is the best time, but I would hate to go the summer without a bike.

Thanks Dave
 
don't sell it, beginning another project can be a real pain too, I put that 360 on egay to see what I could get for it, my reserve was set high because I really didn't want to sell it, haha. now the 360 has a complete motor rebuild and a modified needle bearing head, over the winter I'll probably go with gs850 pistons and a bigger front end and alloy rims. It's a lot easier to have a riding bike that's cool that you keep hopping up than it is to start a whole new project and get it 90% and never more. the last 10% takes the most time but is what really finishes a bike.
 
islanddave1 said:
Wow thanks Boyer charging system LOL................The brake rotor is great. The difference between stock and this is incredible!
I forget what company makes it but it is Japanese quality and well worth it. No the carrier and rotor are not made to be separated once the buttons come off you would have to devise a way of reattaching them (rotor and carrier), beyond my scope, I would just mask off the rotor and paint it.

I know that spring is the best time, but I would hate to go the summer without a bike.

Thanks Dave

Nah projects are fun...............anyways the new bike just needs an engine rebuild it was a runner 4 years ago just trying to raise money for machine shop work and parts. I re vamped the ad also looking at some trades plus cash or trades out right.

Dave
 
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