motorcycles....

you know, there are only so many parts on a motorcycle that you can fix/replace, before the whole thing is completely rebuilt.

just a thought.

 

One brick at a time.

 

"Old Ollie's axe."

After six handles and two heads, is it still the same axe?

It's still cheaper than buying a new bike. Mostly.

 

It does cost money, that's for sure. But there's no interest because there's no loan to pay the bank. Plus it is way more satisfying to ride a bike that I know so well.

 

Just like Jeeps and most other mechaincal things they don't break they provide opportunities for upgrades.

 

Motorcycles are like boats.
A motorcycle is two holes in the road you’re trying to fill with money, while you ride.

ab

 

Every time you fix your bike, even when you replace a simple part, you end up (hopefully) learning something in the process... How do you value this experience?

For me, it's worth every penny.

 

+1 Stereomind. Besides, it is easier to buy parts as you can afford them than try to make payments when you can not..

 

Good points. I have replace a lot on my bike and it has been a great learning experience.

 

I have 2 weeks off starting the 21st. I WILL be getting the ole xj running. Altho I have all the parts for the Norton now I can get the XJ roadworthy much quicker.

 

"Besides, it is easier to buy parts as you can afford them than try to make payments when you can not"
AutumnRider

The only way I can justify (to SWMBO) my '67 Chevy Pickup and my '81 XJ...

skillet

 

I know what you mean, frick, have you ever been on or around any old/but still in service military vehicles??? I have used both tanks and trucks that I doubt there is a single original part in. Every time I get into a C-130 I look at the tail number to see what year,,,,,, no what decade it was made in. Still runnin strong though.

Also, I wrench on my own stuff to get that sense of accomplishment and also to gain knowledge to fix things myself. 'Cause when the zombies come............

 

When anything, motorcycle, car, boat, furniture, house, is restored it is the restoration of all individual pieces. Once these pieces are finished or replaced and the parts are assembled, only then is the restoration complete. And what a sense of accomplishment the first time you fire it up! Knowledgeable people will come up and comment on your efforts because they are aware of the dedication and time to accomplish something like this. Hard to put a price on that!
Ride with pride!

 

Complete strangers who know very little of motorcycles will also come up and comment, believe me. Often a lot of drooling involved.

 

I don't have the patience to build a Ship in a Bottle.
Toy trains don't appeal to me.
Woodworking requires tools that are too sharp for me.
I tried building Model Planes. My little sister wrecked them.
I raced SportsCars. That's a hobby that burns money in direct correlation to the need to make the car go faster.
Tried the Boat-thing. Hated it!

Bikes you can relate too.
Bikes you can learn to love.

 

Love learnin. Love riding. Its a very self satisfying and accomplishing feeling. I'm proud of something I can do, and am learning to do well. And thats new and exciting to me.
Lol Rick. My hobbies were Legos for a while! Like, when i was real young. But my little brother used to come in like godzilla while I was at school and destroy all my castles and soldiers and stuff.. Thats what siblings are for I guess.
-Chris

 

Bikes are much cheaper than boats, sold my sail boat in August after
15 years so I know of what I speak!

---8-p

 

It's a love/hate relationship :cry:

Last week I loved MY new muffler.
Today I hate THE carburetors.

This summer I loved replacing MY horns (bright shinny ones).
This summer I hated THE horn button (IT still works when IT wants too).

Last summer I loved MY Vmax in Colorado.
Last spring I hated THE rear wheel on THE Vmax.

Etc.
Etc.

ab

 

I'm new to the bike/wrench monkey thing. My first bike in September and all.

With about a month of riding under my belt, I have to say it's already become an obsession. I scour the web looking for information, parts to buy.... shiny things that grab my attention. 8O

As of today, I have spent more than what I paid for the bike, on parts, gear, etc. And I you know what?? I don't care!

And to think I convinced my wife that a bike would be a money saver. "Think of the gas money we'll save Honey!"

 

I spent last night under my Jeep XJ in sub freezing weather fixing a track bar because it's too big to fit in my rented garage and I won't pay anyone to work on it.

I've spend several nights working on things for the bike in the unheated garage. Atleast it's inside!

 

Well said Rick.

I've put in countless hours in an unheated garage in the dead of winter to fix up my XJ and learn more about it. Every second was worth it.

I actually kept a tally of how much I've spent on my bike, gear, parts, etc. for a while. I'm so much happier now that I don't keep track: I couldn't put a price on the amount of knowledge and confidence I've gained during the time I had my bike. Plus, this forum has helped me to offset probably well over $1,000 in labor if I were to take her to a shop (never).