Never dreamed it would cost that much

[rocketman1]

Just thinking about how many people have bought bikes, or more to the point project bikes thinking that they can do quick fix and it wont cost much , and the particular part you want costs a fortune.
My example is I bought and old GSXR great bike but it needed new front brake rotors to get a warrant.
Here's me know it all thinking oh yeah $400 will see me right, go to the dealer, almost shat myself when he said $800 for the pair. And its no even Italian.
The later models all seem to cost $400 a pair but no, my bike costs $800, just my luck.
Sometimes it doesn't pay to guess aye.
Just wondered if others out there have had similar surprises.

[hayd3n]

try ebay
99 honda hornet 3300
headgasket later
then another head/gasket
then oil cooler orings
so far $769
its good i can use a spanner

[EJK]

Just thinking about how many people have bought bikes, or more to the point project bikes thinking that they can do quick fix and it wont cost much , and the particular part you want costs a fortune.
My example is I bought and old GSXR great bike but it needed new front brake rotors to get a warrant.
Here's me know it all thinking oh yeah $400 will see me right, go to the dealer, almost shat myself when he said $800 for the pair. And its no even Italian.
The later models all seem to cost $400 a pair but no, my bike costs $800, just my luck.
Sometimes it doesn't pay to guess aye.
Just wondered if others out there have had similar surprises.

There is your problem.

[Spearfish]

Then at the end of the rebuild adventure you go get it re-vined.......$$$$$$$$$

I know the biggish parts can cost but its all the little bits that add up, like new fasteners of all types, wheel and stem bearings, stupid bits like the rubber bit from the carb to airbox, together they are expensive but as bits gathered over time they get forgotten.

Unfortunately for me its become a large part of the whole bike hobby.

[James Deuce]

Set a budget. Double it. Add 50%. Then add 33% to that as a contingency fund.

Make sure you've opened a bank account at a different bank to the one you and your spouse/partner usually use and get the statements and direct marketing bumpf sent to your work address. Squirrel the budget you devised with the formula above into your new bank account.

Then negotiate 50% of that budget with the spouse/partner in an open and honest fashion.

This way you'll have nearly enough money, will look like an honourable sort of person and will have access to vast wads of cash to turn a dog into something not quite able to bark of its own accord.

[st00ji]

i like the cut of your gib, mr deuce

[Paul in NZ]

I've rebuilt a few bikes and re re re built my life long love affair bike a few times. Like Jim says - its always more expensive than you thought it would be.

The trick is to do as much as possible yourself and use the experts where it really matters.

After assembling many triumph engines I learnt that while I can make them go - I dont do it often enough to do the kind of job I want so last time I got joe H to do it for me - cost a lot but he found things that I'd honestly never looked for. I learnt a hell of a lot. To off set that I've become quite competent at electrics, painting, assembly, upholstery, light panel work, tuning etc etc as well as fabrication (but want to get better at this)

Rebuilding an old bike 'properly' makes no economic sense at all 95% of the time unless you get it really cheap BUT it is hugely enjoyable and cheaper than buying a big boat to go fishing 3 times a year...