BigMike's Grey Ghost Restoration
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,083
Likes: 19,245
From: The Wasteland
I have no idea how many hours I spent on it. Maybe 200+
Parts, supplies, special tools, hardware, etc., including the cost of the bike and shipping is about $18,200. The bike was whole but everything was in very poor condition. The tanks had so much rust in them I got a set from a '96 Softail that were in great condition. The front fender was bent and the rear fender had rust between the fender and rear taillight support that is riveted inside. I got a like new front fender from a 95 Fat Boy and a rear fender from a 92. Much of the chrome was pitted as well. The good parts were the drivetrain. While it leaked, the engine only had 17k on it. When I tore it down, I could still see cross hatch marks in the cylinders and the rings were well within spec. The Baker OD6 didn't have many miles on it according the guy I got it from. He was selling it for a friend who's father was the original owner and had passed away.
I built as a Day 2 restoration and the quality is well above rider quality but it isn't a Concours bike either. It's a beautiful bike that is just like new that can be ridden all day long.
Parts, supplies, special tools, hardware, etc., including the cost of the bike and shipping is about $18,200. The bike was whole but everything was in very poor condition. The tanks had so much rust in them I got a set from a '96 Softail that were in great condition. The front fender was bent and the rear fender had rust between the fender and rear taillight support that is riveted inside. I got a like new front fender from a 95 Fat Boy and a rear fender from a 92. Much of the chrome was pitted as well. The good parts were the drivetrain. While it leaked, the engine only had 17k on it. When I tore it down, I could still see cross hatch marks in the cylinders and the rings were well within spec. The Baker OD6 didn't have many miles on it according the guy I got it from. He was selling it for a friend who's father was the original owner and had passed away.
I built as a Day 2 restoration and the quality is well above rider quality but it isn't a Concours bike either. It's a beautiful bike that is just like new that can be ridden all day long.
Thank goodness theres still people like us around who appreciate these old beauties enough to keep them running and looking good.
Club Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,389
Likes: 2,335
From: Tampa Bay Area
Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,561
Likes: 1,938
From: NE Florida
Thats the bitch about restoring an old machine. Once you figure out how much time and money you've dumped into it, you realize theres no way you'll ever get anything close to that much back out of it.
Thank goodness theres still people like us around who appreciate these old beauties enough to keep them running and looking good.
Thank goodness theres still people like us around who appreciate these old beauties enough to keep them running and looking good.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,570
Likes: 7,943
From: Long Island, New York
Never, and I mean never, count up all the money you spent on an old bike. And for damn sure don't add in your time, always be upside down. Don't do it for money, it doesn't work that way. We do it because we enjoy it, the best part being riding them. Carry on.
Club Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,389
Likes: 2,335
From: Tampa Bay Area
My wife, watching all these parts arriving over the past few months:
”How much are you spending on this bike? Shouldn’t you have just bought a new one?”
Me: “Uh…. Nope!”
”How much are you spending on this bike? Shouldn’t you have just bought a new one?”
Me: “Uh…. Nope!”
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 45
Likes: 23
From: Pacific NW
Nice job on the restoration and congratulations on finding out why most restoration shops don't make money. 😁 I've got a '92 Fatboy that I bought brand new, did a frame up when I wrecked it about 12 years ago, but I didn't do a resto, I just put it back together mostly the way it was but cleaner. Straightened and powder coated frame and swingarm, new parts as necessary, but it wasn't even a Day 2 restoration, it was "put it back the way I had it because I rode it for years and loved it" restoration. 170,000 original miles, never rebuilt the bottom end. It's sitting in the back of the garage now with a base gasket leak that didn't fix with a quick gasket replacement, but this summer it'll be gone through. I'll probably still leave the cases alone. I'd pretty much guarantee that in the past 34 years I have more than $18,000 into it and I don't ride it much, but if I sell it, we're probably talking $3500. I don't need the money, so the bike stays.
Thanks for the complete and detailed thread. I enjoyed reading it and had the advantage of not finding it til today so I didn't have to wait months to see the next installment.