So this is what's in a Black Hole...

I think its my 900. I take a part off, exposing another part that needs to be fixed, updated, cleaned, or painted. Then I run into parts that need to be replaced, and eventually everything runs into more money magically disappearing from the wallet...Here's a tip if you plan on modifying/restoring and XJ, don't add up the receipts I absolutely love this bike and project I just hadn't realized how much this project loves my bank account I think this is worse than being hooked on some drug...Oh well, I'm off to order more cool parts! I can't help myself!!!!

 

*twitch.jerk.sniff* Hey man....can ya spare a buck....saw this side cover on ebay....*twitch*

 

AHAHAHA!!!! I'm glad I'm not the only abuser!!!!

 

Hey I saw that cover 1st!!!!!! :twisted:

 

Yeah no kidding. I was just telling chacal that this is getting to be like the Tom Hanks movie The Money Pit but even more than financially, it's the "oh what the hell now?" factor.

I can now say from direct experience that a really clean looking bike that SAT for a long time takes MORE to put back on the road than one that's been ridden (although neglected) for most of its life.

 

You have to look at the bright side of it...
You COULD spend $8-13K on a new bike so you are still saving a fortune!

Wrenching and fixing is stress relief so you are saving all the money you would otherwise have to spend on a shrink.

The real trick is balancing the beer consumption with productive "stress relief"

Speaking of part....oh Len, I need to order those seals!

 

HA ha! I know exactly what you mean. Although, in my case, i end up taking a part off, breaking another, and then have to replace mulitple!
But I totally agree with Mike! Everyone needs a project!
-SLKid

 

Breathing life into a long lost classic.

- priceless!

I think of myself as a forensic mechanic. Always looking for clues into how the bike ended up where it is today while preparing it for tomorrow.

 

more like mechanical Archaelogists...

 

yup ... since i got this bike my wife has been greeting me with "hi stranger" since i spend 3 - 5 nights in the garage cleaning, polising repairing the bike.
its true though i paid $400 for mine invested $250 and a couple weeks work and have a daily driver.... thats less that freeking down payment on a new bike. not to mention my insurance even at full coverage is $16 a month.

When i got my registration i jokingly asked for antique plates since it qualifies in texas as one +25 years - the lady told me maybe next year since mine is only 24 ....

 

Just curious, what made you decide to go with full coverage? I looked at it, but found liability with high limits ($500K CL) for $96 a year. I figured that if there was a crash that was not repairable, it was time to part it out.

 

The only sure thing about owning an old bike is........
You'll put money into it.

 

midnightblu "since i got this bike my wife has been greeting me with "hi stranger" since i spend 3 - 5 nights in the garage cleaning, polising repairing the bike"
My wife said the samething!!!! I told here it is my way of relaxing. The smell of old gas, carb and brake clean, a little polish some cutting, grinding and cleaning..... priceless!!!!!

 

Since I bought my bike that is road worthy, I have spent around $350(USD). My wife says I am obsessed with my motorcycle. If I am not out polishing it, painting or just tinkering on it. I am in the house on the computer looking up parts or checking ebay or browsing CL. I have bought a sissybar and backrest, chrome frame caps, and a set of spare ignition coils. That is not to mention the sand paper, paint, and polishing products. I don't have a garage to work on it in so when it gets dark the cover goes on and the outside shop closes.

 

JoeFriday,

I don't know about Midnightblu, but for me full coverage for a year was only about $15/year more than liability. I just paid my insurance bill last night for the year, $108. I don't remember the exact amount but one of my co-workers, a harley rider pays 2-3 times that much.

mikeg

 

$16 a month including 10k PIP and safety accy coverage(helmet jacket gloves) and an additional 3k coverage on specialty items ( so i guesss all the polishing applies under this category) yea they warned me at the insurance company that if it ever got in a wrek i would have to prove its worth more than $390 (according to county tax value, or $900 from KBB) but i figure what the hell i still have some fight in me... they might only ask me how much to write the check for after what happened with my truck.... had their license suspended for refusing to replce a brake booster that failed after a rear-ender the day i picked it up from the paint shop. I can honestly say you have never had concierge service until you get their attention like that

 

Midnight, you got the license for an insurance company pulled for non payment of a claim?! My helmet's off to you dude!!!!!

 

Midnight, you got the license for an insurance company pulled for non payment of a claim?! My helmet's off to you dude!!!!!

 

Midnight, you got the license for an insurance company pulled for non payment of a claim?! My helmet's off to you dude!!!!!

 

Now, c'mon guys. These bikes ain't that bad $$ wise.

Here's what around $20K will get you in the Buick racing world!!