Need your feedback. Yes you!

bardicraptus · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 11:23 am Post subject: Need your feedback. Yes you!

I would like to get a motorcycle, and so I need some advice. I will be specific, as I hate when people ask vague questions on forums expecting a specific answer. Motorcycles are expensive, and so I have decided a Honda would be a better choice than a Harley, Ducati, or Indian for my first bike. To save myself some more money and really get to enjoy the motorcycle hobby I would like to do a restoration job, so a project bike with needing only minor repairs or easy to find parts would be a big plus. I would like something that looks good (I know this is objective) and have an affinity for the bobber style. The hardest part of what I am looking for is this, I know restoring a bike can actually be profitable, so I would like a bike that I could restore and get more cash for when I am ready to move on than what I put into it. It doesn't have to be a lot more, just something where I would be encouraged rather than discouraged from restoring another bike. If you have suggestions for what bike I should be looking at, please comment. And if you know where I can get it for a song that advice would also be warmly appreciated. Hoping to start my first project log come new year!

05c50 · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 5:32 pm Post subject:

Wow, are you asking for it!! Laughing

You want opinions.........well buddy you came to the right place!! First, Welcome to VJMOG. Now on to the show.

First, restoring a bike can be profitable, but it has to be the RIGHT bike and it has to be done the RIGHT way. There's probably a hundred people that have lost money on a rerstoration to every person that has made any restoring a bike.

That being said, I don't advise anyone that doesn't already have a running bike to start a restoration project. I've seen too many bikes become basket cases because the guy lost interest in the project because he has nothing to ride. If you're determined to fix up your first bike before you ride it, I would suggest a bike from the eighties that may need only minor repairs and cleaning. Depending on your riding abilities I would suggest something in the 250-650cc range.

Do not buy a "big " bike because you don't want to outgrow the little bike. Learning to ride a midsize bike is a lot easier then dropping 600 pounds of metal on your leg as you learn. Use your first bike as a learning experience in riding and wrenching and then move up to the project that you've been dreaming of. We'll be here to help you along the way.

Well you asked for opinions and I gave you mine. I'm sure others will be along to give you there's. And if you want my suggestions on which bike to buy, just ask......I'll give you my opinion. Wink

...........Paul

MR.CHocko · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 6:01 pm Post subject:

First off, let me tell you something you do not make any money restoring a bike. I do not care what these guys tell you,etc. The only way the professionals, make money is that they have everything, (parts,etc.) in house and they do not make much money. Saying this because I know a lot of professional restorers, and I use to live above a bike shop. Often times what happens is that the guys who buy a basketcase Suzuki,etc. and restore it, ride it for a while and then sell it so that they have money for the next project. Of course what they don't tell you is that they bought the bike for $500 and then they put $10,000 into it for parts and labor for a concourse restoration. Finally Japanese bikes do not go for big money like their American and British counterparts. Most of us do this because we have a passion and love for these bikes.

Russell · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 8:45 pm Post subject:

Your message didn't make it clear whether you are already an experienced rider. If you are already a confident and seasoned rider by all means tackle a restoration of a non-runner. If however riding is something you need to build experience in you should consider buying a sound machine that can be ridden as often and as far as possible with only routine servicing. Perhaps separate your restoration project from the riding project and have 2 machines?

The advice to build your knowledge and skill base on a machine that is already complete and running well is insightful and based on long experience, some of which will be learning from mistakes made. At our place we have space for several machines,and I have a supportive partner who also loves bikes,so I have the pleasure and security of being able to ride the current machines whenever I can, and tinker with the projects whenever I want. because I don't need the ones I tinker with for transport or adventures there is no time pressure on my tinkering.Mistakes I've made in the past were almost always because compromises were made with tools, parts or techniques in trying to get it done NOW!

MR.CHocko · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 9:31 pm Post subject:

If you are really into the bobber style then learn everything you can about that type of style. The words "Bobber Style" came into vogue about 9 years ago with the custom bike boom which was popularized by the Teutals and Jesse James. Which now seems to be any bike where they remove the swingarm, cut the rear fender and put a solo seat on it. If you honestly think that is what a Bobber is then you are doing a great diservice to a good motorcycle. Go and try to read as much as you can about the origins of this type of bike. You will be surprised that its origins go farther back then the 50's. The only way you are going to find this out is by doing a lot of reading the works of Jerry Hatfield, Ed Youngblood and others. Once you know what this is all about then go and find a bike. You can't go forward unless you know where you roots are.

mixer · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 2:10 pm Post subject:

opinions you want, youll get a thousand before its over.

welcome to VJMOG, some of the brightest minds ive met regarding motorcycles are on here, youve come to the right place for questions.

restoring a motorcycle: "motorcycles are expensive" if you think BUYING one is outrageous, just wait till you pay 3 times MSRP for a new pipe set, or a head gasket or a piston set. bikes do cost a bit of cash, however restoring one will damn near bankrupt you almost every time.
for instance i have a VFR that was in VERY sad shape. the carbs are wasted, all the plastic is cracked and the subframe is slightly tweaked. the gages are gone and well... its a running motor with wheels. if i were to RESTORE this bike (the one i dreamt of as a kid) the plastics ALONE would run me a few thousand, not to mention the other work needed. To get it to SHOW quality, and not just a rider, it would take about 8500. yeah no thanks, im good with just making it run and riding it. ( i love rat bikes and survival bikes btw)
your BEST idea is to find a running bike, (or near running bike aka carbs gummed up) and do the following :
REPAIR
REFURBISH (existing pieces)
RIDE
REPEAT
any more than that youll likely find yourself wishing you had just gone to the dealership and paid the "fat cash" for a newer bike with no issues.

then theres the Mr.C special.... bobber/chopped UJM...
i know the difference, so i would tend to kind of agree, HOWEVER realise that theres no good REAL bobbers in the UJM world so chop the hell out of it, and call it whatever you want around your riding buddies. i have one thats just called "Yeah" as in "what is it a honda?" "yeah.... parts of it"
how many people REALLY know what a BOBBER is that still ride? not too many.... unless theyve ran into Mr C, so understand that the word bobber is used mistakenly more times than not.

BTW, putting a Frankenstein bike together is rewarding if youre creative, and can be CHEAP AS ALL HELL if you do everything yourself AND are patient on parts and look around. i built one from almost nothing (frame and motor not even triple trees or forks) to a rider for 1400 in 30 days using what i had, what i could scrounge and the limited parts i had to buy (gages, tires chain and harley exhaust were bought)

have fun, good luck and enjoy!

Bikegeezer · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 8:02 am Post subject:

MR.CHocko · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 8:28 am Post subject:

Stu, I agree with you 100% about restoring another bike, I did it once and swore that I would NEVER do it again. The bike that I restored was a 1974 CL360 Scrambler. All that time and effort, and not to mention a lot of money all for a profit of $65.00. Will I restore another bike I probably will but it will be a bike that I always wanted, not something that I want to ride.

rroadrunner · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 8:40 am Post subject:

I joined the forum last week because I've tipped my toes into the vintage bike scene. Like you I'm here to learn from the experience people on this forum have accumulated. Every single answer you've gotten seems to be spot on.

My years of throwing money down the toilet have taught me the following:

First Bike - If it looks good to you and feels right you can't go wrong. You will be selling the bike within the first two years. So get one you can thrash around.

Determine what you are going to use the bike for.

I don't own a car and ride every day. I live in Florida so snow is not an issue and rain is simply an annoyance. My bikes must be reliable and hassle free. I usually purchase a new bike every 3 - 4 years. I do 2 - 4k miles trip every summer and the last thing I want is to be caught in small town waiting for a part to arrive or finding a mechanic who is willing to work on the bike (Gallup, N.M. / Littleton, CO / San Antonio, TX).

Unless you want to do 'track days' there is NO REAL NEED for a 1000CC+ bike. A 500 - 900 CC is fine. I've crossed the country on a 750, 865 and a 1200; have few friends that crossed country on 250's and another that races in vintage track races (900cc).

Personally I would suggest you get tens of thousands of miles on a bike before you start sitting in a garage and scouring the internet for partsâ€¦â€¦â€¦ Ride the pants off a few bikes.

I hope you don't take offense to my reply. Good Luck!

PS - My restore story is yet to unfold. I'll be bringing home the bike tomorrow.

Tango911 · Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2011 9:24 am Post subject:

for the most part, used motorcycles are not that expensive. You can get a great old vintage honda for 1000-2500. You will prob be able to sell it for what you bought it for after you have fun riding it. I wouldnt worry about profit, just get a cool old bike and have fun on it.

redstedman · Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 7:02 am Post subject: