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NotaGoth
22nd May 2007, 08:55
Okay well as most of you know I purchased my first bike a few months back.... Lately I've had a few problems with my bike, but I've finally managed to get it going and running fine... In managing to do this I've felt a huge sense of pride... I'm so proud of myself for taking steps and not being afraid to work on my own bike.. I still smile when I think about it...

My dad was a mechanic who never had the chance to teach me, or share his knowledge with me even though at one stage I was interested in learning...

In saying that, people who have watched me work, know and realize that it is like monkey see monkey do when it comes to pulling things apart and putting things back together.. I'm quite capable of pulling things to bits myself, looking, taking things in and trying to figure out how things should be working.. I do manage it quite well, after some stages of confusion...

Lately I've been wondering about wether or not to take on another bike but as a project.. Doing it up.. In a way its also so that I have a bike that I can fiddle around with, and pull to bits without being rushed, knowing that I have to put it back together asap.. I feel maybe it could be a good way for me to learn the things that I want to/need to know when it comes to bikes..

Deep down I feel I should do it.. But another part of me tells me to stop kidding myself and that I'd be biting off more than I could chew..

dnos
22nd May 2007, 09:16
Give it a go, I know what you mean by the sense of achievement you get when ya get something on your bike working properly. So a project bike would be an even better way to learn more about bikes dirty bits.

I'm sure you wont regret it, but it may end up like some other projects sitting in the garage for much longer than anticipated.

But look on the bright side, you don't have a girlfriend to complain about it.:innocent:

NotaGoth
22nd May 2007, 09:25
Give it a go, I know what you mean by the sense of achievement you get when ya get something on your bike working properly. So a project bike would be an even better way to learn more about bikes dirty bits.

I'm sure you wont regret it, but it may end up like some other projects sitting in the garage for much longer than anticipated.

But look on the bright side, you don't have a girlfriend to complain about it.:innocent:

Greatest sense of achievement.. Still can't whipe the grin off my face..


4 days on 4 days off.. I don't think I'd have an issue finding the time... Even if its just gradual tinkering here and there when I feel like it i'd be okay with that...

Just got a partner who hates my bike... ;)

dnos
22nd May 2007, 09:41
Just got a partner who hates my bike... ;)

Whats with that?
Oh well just keep buying more till ya get one he likes ;)

NotaGoth
22nd May 2007, 10:01
Whats with that?
Oh well just keep buying more till ya get one he likes ;)

He's lost a fair few friends because of motorbikes..

limbimtimwim
22nd May 2007, 10:12
If you do get a project bike, don't bite off more than you can chew. Start with something simple that only needs a tidyup. Ie. Don't get something rare with a bent frame and a missing gearbox in the aim to turn it into a replica flat-track racer from the 70's or something...

I tried the same with cars once, big mistake.

Might I suggest an old scooter in need of some TLC? The Ponsnoby crowd would pay good money for that.

The Stranger
22nd May 2007, 11:08
If you do get a project bike, don't bite off more than you can chew. Start with something simple that only needs a tidyup. Ie. Don't get something rare with a bent frame and a missing gearbox in the aim to turn it into a replica flat-track racer from the 70's or something...


Got to agree here. The other reason I would suggest for this approach is that if you are not mechanically experienced you could make a mistake which could cost you dearly. If in doubt about something you are doing though, get a manual (heaps available on the Internet) and just follow the proceedures in the manual.

Pumba
22nd May 2007, 12:29
Whats with that?
Oh well just keep buying more till ya get one he likes ;)

So thats why youve only got the sea bas, cause rach loves it so much and you see no reason to get another:dodge:

Back on topic.

Go for it, sounds like youve got heaps of time (wish I had 4 days off to mess around in the shead with my bike) just dont bite of anything to big as previously mentioned, otherwise it will sit there in parts in the corner while you are frustrated as buggery or cant afford the parts

surfer
22nd May 2007, 12:44
Yeah go for it.

Have to agree with comments so far, pick a simple project to start with, a simple engine. Also something that is cheap to buy and cheap for parts with a good supply of them. If there is a support web page for that type of model of bike or scooter even better as you will get feedback on what to do when you get stuck from people that have done similar things on the same model of machine that you are fixing up.

Good luck.

Kickaha
22nd May 2007, 15:13
Start with something cheap and small, keep in mind it will cost you 4 X what you think it will and 8 X as long as you think to finish it

skidMark
22nd May 2007, 15:21
i say go for it but some things you will need help with well maybe ...

i'm happy to help you with it when i have my license back...if your nice to me lol

most on this site don't believe it but i do know my shit.

Trumpy scooter
22nd May 2007, 18:13
Hmm its a tough one.Good fun to be had and a real feeling of achievement,If your dad can lend you tools and experience then yeah go for it.(looks like others will help out from here too)but on the other hand amasing the tools and parts can be expensive (so like the posts say dont choose some weird machine or it can get real hard)
You might need quiet a bit of room in your garage,if the bike comes apart.

Also the time it can take to do can drag on a bit.(which means you can spend all your time working on your bike rather than riding it)

I have a mate that likes finding real bargain priced runners and that has proved to be a far more rewarding use of his time, than constantly tinkering with bits of an old one.He also has a few classic suzukis (in parts) but its riding his yamaha 850 thats taking up his grinning time.

dogsnbikes
22nd May 2007, 18:31
project bikes are a great way too learn......We have one as a flat project and will be use as a licening bike for learners etc

so everyone benefits here

but keep it simple as others have already said until your ready for a bigger project :Punk:

NotaGoth
22nd May 2007, 19:11
Got to agree here. The other reason I would suggest for this approach is that if you are not mechanically experienced you could make a mistake which could cost you dearly. If in doubt about something you are doing though, get a manual (heaps available on the Internet) and just follow the proceedures in the manual.

Yeah I do understand where you are coming from about me not being mechanically experienced.. Have been worried about making costly mistake as I have heard about it happening.. At the end of the day it is all a huge learning curve.. I'll never know unless I try...

NotaGoth
22nd May 2007, 19:13
i say go for it but some things you will need help with well maybe ...

i'm happy to help you with it when i have my license back...if your nice to me lol

most on this site don't believe it but i do know my shit.

Thanks Mark.. I live to far away for you to help me though.. Nice offer none the less.. (btw I'm always nice)

NotaGoth
22nd May 2007, 19:21
Hmm its a tough one.Good fun to be had and a real feeling of achievement,If your dad can lend you tools and experience then yeah go for it.(looks like others will help out from here too)but on the other hand amasing the tools and parts can be expensive (so like the posts say dont choose some weird machine or it can get real hard)
You might need quiet a bit of room in your garage,if the bike comes apart.

Also the time it can take to do can drag on a bit.(which means you can spend all your time working on your bike rather than riding it)

I have a mate that likes finding real bargain priced runners and that has proved to be a far more rewarding use of his time, than constantly tinkering with bits of an old one.He also has a few classic suzukis (in parts) but its riding his yamaha 850 thats taking up his grinning time.


Tools and experience??? My dad died just over 2 years ago hence I'm trying to "teach myself." He was always going to show me but never got the chance to..

I do have a bike now which I ride.. So I won't be without a bike.. I'll just have a little something extra to look forward to doing each week.. Specially now that I'm gonna be living even more so in the middle of no where..

I'm gonna keep an eye out.. Do realize if I do this I need to start with something fairly simple.. ;)

jafar
22nd May 2007, 20:09
start with a trail bike or other single,then you can play on da beach when you have finished it :whistle:

Jinx3d
22nd May 2007, 21:00
I have done a few projects now, I dont think you should worry to much about not finishing it. If you loose interest before you complete the project, just sell the bits you can and chuck the rest. You will still learn alot.

Once I was given a crashed and completely dismantled RD350 LC. It took me quite a while but eventually I got it back together and going and took it to a couple of track days! My dad gave it away when he shifted house, I would have quite liked to have kept it, but I'm not hung up about it. It was about the journey.

What you can acheive is only limited by your patience to learn new skills, your fortitude when it all goes wrong and maybe you need to spare cash as well.

To give examples, when rebuilding a blown XR200 I installed the cam shaft bearings back to front resulting in no oil to the rockers. OOps! Got that sorted out and had a great time doing trail rides. Sold it for less than I spent doing it up - who cares? :-)

On an old GS550 I rotated the cam shafts independantly of each other when I had the head off, oops, 4 bent valves. Oh well!! Bit of money, for new valves and then had a great time blasting that bike round the sound island with my brother.

I have many more stories like this about cars, motorcycles, boats, electronics projects. These days I'm a good finisher but it was not always so.


Good luck with your project, and I reiterate, dont get impatient with yourself if you cant finish the first or second project. And the project wasnt worthwhile unless you had a bad moment when you wished you had never started!!

ManDownUnder
22nd May 2007, 23:27
Kittie - go for it if you have the time/patience, and the money.

There's a wealth of experience in here to draw on, you'll learn tons. The old saying applies - if you think you can, or if you think you can't... you're right!

Go for it.

slowpoke
23rd May 2007, 00:13
Start with something cheap and small, keep in mind it will cost you 4 X what you think it will and 8 X as long as you think to finish it

Sounds like you've got your head srewed on about the whole tinkerin' thang, but just thought I'd echo Kickaha's thoughts.

It can be gut wrenching when you realise it's cost you far more time and money than you will ever recoup, and you are too far into it to stop. From experience you tell you yourself that you'll keep it for ever.....but life often has other plans and you have to suck up a painful loss (queue the wistful memories, lol).

Sorry, I don't mean to put a damper on things, I know the pleasure and pride you must have deservedly felt at conquering your problems.

"My" R1 is actually my prettier half's bike and we picked up as a pure race bike (no alternator, no starter motor or starter gears, race wiring loom, stripped of all road gear etc) which I would use as a track bike and my missus would use on the road. She was determined to get her hands dirty as we put it back to road mode. She helped out all right, in the end I had to lock her out of the bloody shed!

Go for it Kitty, just choose wisely and I'm sure some people on here can help you out with that.

skidMark
23rd May 2007, 00:13
Thanks Mark.. I live to far away for you to help me though.. Nice offer none the less.. (btw I'm always nice)

thats what my two wheels of freedom are for!!!!!!!

the further away the better

twisty roads all the way i hope?