Beware of cheap projects
Last winter, I bought a bike. It cost me £120, and it was bought as a non runner (well, that's not strictly true - it did run, but it sounded like a trio of epeleptic monkeys banging spanners against a bundle of sewer pipes).

"Aha! A cheap project!", I thought. Foolishly.

Since then I've rebuilt the engine, replaced most of the suspension, got rid of loads of corrosion, resprayed it and repaired a whole herd of electrical gremlins.

Last night, I went through my receipts. Turns out to get it to its current state (good enough to go on the road) it's cost me over £400. Excluding the bike itself.

Could have just bought a working bike in the first place for that.

Worst thing is, I'm already bored of it...

Nontheless, would I do it again? Absolutely. I've learnt LOADS. Namely how to take an engine to bits AND still be able to put it back together again.
(Flap Burger hasn't really got a burger made of flaps, Fri 23 Apr 2010, 12:43, 5 replies)

I trust you had the usual amount of nuts, and a different number of bolts, left over once you'd reconstructed the engine?

( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Fri 23 Apr 2010, 12:50, closed)

Haynes manual, even mobile phone photos of the parts...
...and _still_ I always end up with one or two leftover screws or bolts that I really hope aren't important.

Still, best way to learn how to fix stuff!
( sanityclause is waiting until, Fri 23 Apr 2010, 16:00, closed)

viewpoints
I've done fairly similar things in the past, usually with the view that it will be a good thing on the cheap, which as you've found out rarely happens.

For me it's always ended up positive as I've had learned experiences, and fun, when covered in oil wondering where something goes (and of course sometimes why I do this to myself).

I could go the easy route, but I don't think I would change that part of me that wants to do things myself.
(Orr, Fri 23 Apr 2010, 12:51, closed)

I could've seen this coming
when you posted about it on BB...

Still, it has resale value, no? Especially now the bikers are coming out to play in the warm weather :)
( Noo_Noo Is now 'BeerElf Jnr', I guess :), Fri 23 Apr 2010, 12:52, closed)

Haha
Familiar story. I ride bikes, my excuse being the insurance and running costs are cheaper than a car when you're 20. Having 4 classics (well, old and tired) ones on the road wipes out said savings though!
( Greenbat, Fri 23 Apr 2010, 13:29, closed)