How much does it cost...?
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 159
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From:
How much does it cost...?
Okay, so this is a loaded question, and the answer really is, "However much you want to spend." But I'm going to ask anyway.
How much does it cost to build a bike?
See? Like I said...
I read several Harley magazines that are full of techy stuff. Of course, they're full of ads for upgrade parts, with a few advertising "build your own" components. But what's the real picture like? And, can a guy who knows basic wrench turning put together a bike that's a reasonable ride without wanting to hang himself by the time it's all over?
The basic list o' stuff that comes to mind, with some price estimates, goes like this:
Rolling frame, $2500
Engine, $3000
Transmission, $800
Seat, $700
Gauges, operating lights (head, tail, turn), etc., $1500
Other crap I didn't think of, $2000
Estimate total, $10,500
Can it really be done for that? Am I huffing gas to even think of such a project?
Thanks for playing.
How much does it cost to build a bike?
See? Like I said...
I read several Harley magazines that are full of techy stuff. Of course, they're full of ads for upgrade parts, with a few advertising "build your own" components. But what's the real picture like? And, can a guy who knows basic wrench turning put together a bike that's a reasonable ride without wanting to hang himself by the time it's all over?
The basic list o' stuff that comes to mind, with some price estimates, goes like this:
Rolling frame, $2500
Engine, $3000
Transmission, $800
Seat, $700
Gauges, operating lights (head, tail, turn), etc., $1500
Other crap I didn't think of, $2000
Estimate total, $10,500
Can it really be done for that? Am I huffing gas to even think of such a project?
Thanks for playing.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 23
From: SW PA
RE: How much does it cost...?
You can buy a complete custom bike except for paint for close to that.
1 example,may go a little more adding paint & lights,fender,seat.
http://www.suckerpunchsally.com/
I know I saw 1 somewhere for $10,500 that all you had to do was paint.
1 example,may go a little more adding paint & lights,fender,seat.
http://www.suckerpunchsally.com/
I know I saw 1 somewhere for $10,500 that all you had to do was paint.
Banned
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 570
Likes: 0
From:
RE: How much does it cost...?
JD...from my perspective, the question is also: How much is your time worth? I mean, yeah ~ you could buy all the components you listed above and have enough to build your bike. But how long is it going to take you to build it? I don't know how long it would take a normal guy to do it, but I'd suspect you're talking a couple months of work if you're doing it on the weekends...'cuz you know you're gonna make some mistakes as you go. That said, you can go to a place like Flyrite and get your custom for $16k. So, for about $4500 more you could have a pro build it. Is that worth your time? I dunno. If you do want to build your own bike, maybe look into one of the many kit bikes out there. Just Google kit bike and you'll find 'em. At least those come with all the stuff you're gonna need...some even come with the fluids. I was going to go that route and have a local indy shop build it. Then, one day I saw a guy riding a fairly stock Street Bob.....
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
RE: How much does it cost...?
The one thing some of you are missing building your own bike is the enjoyment you get from doing it yourself.Your labor should not be counted.The therapy you get from a project like that is incredible,especially the day you roll it out tofire it off.My last two machines are works of art,that were built over Maine winters,which flew by.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,208
Likes: 374
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
RE: How much does it cost...?
You have to think about what you want. And how much of the work you have the ability to do yourself.
I thought about it a whole back. I started adding up the cost of a rolling chassis, engine, trans, sheetmetal.
Then I started adding in Lights, grips, pegs etc.
I could see the actual cost being close to 20k to build a bike similar to a Dyna or softail (Doing all the work myself).
Also any problems encountered along the way would add to the cost.
Even the cost of buying a salvage bike to scavenge parts from didn't look like it was going to work out cheaper than buying a bike.
As a hobby the idea still has appeal. But how many of our hobbies save us money?
I thought about it a whole back. I started adding up the cost of a rolling chassis, engine, trans, sheetmetal.
Then I started adding in Lights, grips, pegs etc.
I could see the actual cost being close to 20k to build a bike similar to a Dyna or softail (Doing all the work myself).
Also any problems encountered along the way would add to the cost.
Even the cost of buying a salvage bike to scavenge parts from didn't look like it was going to work out cheaper than buying a bike.
As a hobby the idea still has appeal. But how many of our hobbies save us money?
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,642
Likes: 6
From: Forest Lake, Mn
RE: How much does it cost...?
ORIGINAL: dog155
The one thing some of you are missing building your own bike is the enjoyment you get from doing it yourself.Your labor should not be counted.The therapy you get from a project like that is incredible,especially the day you roll it out tofire it off.My last two machines are works of art,that were built over Maine winters,which flew by.
The one thing some of you are missing building your own bike is the enjoyment you get from doing it yourself.Your labor should not be counted.The therapy you get from a project like that is incredible,especially the day you roll it out tofire it off.My last two machines are works of art,that were built over Maine winters,which flew by.
There is just something about knowing "every" nut and bolt on your scoot, and knowing you "put" it there. Plus with the $$ I save NOT going to a therapist, I can buy more pieces.
That said, there are 3 partially finished bikes on Craigslist right now. Building is not for everybody, but I believe everybody "could" do it, if they took the initiative to learn and ask ?'s. But not everybody "wants" to do it. And to each their own. Build or buy, just ride, and N JOY it.
Building a bike is a lot like building or remodeling a house. The VAST majority of the ppl low ball it. And then are "surprised" as h*ll when the "real" #'s come home to roost. But I know, like Dog, I can build a "decent" and "qwik" ride for less than a store bought one, hands down.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 5
From: Bellville, Tx
RE: How much does it cost...?
ORIGINAL: JDRay
Rolling frame, $2500
Engine, $3000
Transmission, $800
Seat, $700
Gauges, operating lights (head, tail, turn), etc., $1500
Other crap I didn't think of, $2000
Estimate total, $10,500
Can it really be done for that? Am I huffing gas to even think of such a project?
Thanks for playing.
Rolling frame, $2500
Engine, $3000
Transmission, $800
Seat, $700
Gauges, operating lights (head, tail, turn), etc., $1500
Other crap I didn't think of, $2000
Estimate total, $10,500
Can it really be done for that? Am I huffing gas to even think of such a project?
Thanks for playing.
I think it is the best thing I've done for myself in my lifetime.
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