SOHC.co.uk Forums > CB500/550

The Cost of A rebuild!

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mickwinf:
I too do it for the enjoyment, but have to keep an eye on the cost as only have limited funds. My 550 was supposed to be a budget job, stands me at about 3-3 1/2 k and could easily spend more. The problem is getting the project bike at a decent price, the popular models are now getting above my budget.

royhall:
That's the key, getting the bike at a good price. My 350F cost me £700 delivered and although rough was a complete bike. The total still hit 4k though. If I was to repeat that now even rough bikes are selling for 2.5k so no way could you build it for less than it's worth.

Trigger:
I have never lost £££ on any bike yet  :o just lots of time.
I get many emails from people asking me to totally restore there bike and how much would it cost. The minimum hours involved in a full resto is around 100 hours and at £65 per hour plus parts, this always too much for them.

Every bike that i have restored and used for 2 to 3 years has given me years of pleasure and my money back that i have spent on parts. It is getting harder to find a good bike to restore these days, most projects that come up are people that have give up watching you tube vids and made a right mess. Met a woman in a petrol station yesterday who bought a CB550 in 1988 for £15, used it to get to and from work for 3 years and sold it for £55  :o

Did OK on my last 500K0 i bought, went to pick up a £250 project and the seller gave me another 500 as he was having a clear out. Sold most of the parts from the second 500 which paid for the 500K0 and my fuel. Now i will chuck £4 to 5K at it and get her looking and riding great again.  ;)   

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