Honda Project bike thoughts?

[bflint]

Bflint, one last comment from me. It may be more prudent economically to get a bike that is complete as finding and buying missing parts and hardware really adds up. I'd almost say that most Honda motors of the '70s-'80s and later won't need to be rebuilt, just carbs cleaned and tuned, if they are 20k miles or less.

And in California, having an engine, then later getting a frame means going to CHP and having them verify it, and you will need receipts and a bill of sale for the frame. Whether you buy a frame only, or a complete bike, verify that it can be cleanly registered.

I've had the misfortune of buying a used bike with a lost title that allegedly was "so old it was not in the system" only to find it had been filed as non-op 20 years ago, and without knowing the original owner, could not ever be titled or registered.

Good luck to you whichever way you go.

Thanks. Wisdom comes at a cost

'the most expensive project bikes are the free ones'

ask how i know this... lol.

However, doing spreadsheets and cost analysis, pfft, takes the fun out of it.

Buy whatever turns you on, is the most complete, and you think you would enjoy. If oyu start taking resale costs into it, etc, don't bother then. You'll always be making concessions and either half-ass it or get depressed about it. Look at it like any other past time. Does anybody do spreadsheets and cost analysis on watching sports? (aside from betting and fantasy teams).? no, they do it because they love it. Thats how I approach projects. Ive owned well over 100 bikes in the past 27 years. Ive bought stuff i wasn't familiar with and learned. I didn't like the way certain things were done and re-engineered them. to me, that's the fun. the ONLY bike i ever regret buying was an early honda XL175, it was pure garbage. to the point, after it dropped the second valve i literally left it at the recycling center. (some kids were dragging it into their dads truck as i was leaving, it was nice looking). But point is, have fun with the project. Buy what YOU want to tinker on. Dont sweat the costs. IF you do, and don't want to tinker on it, just buy a second modern bike maybe and mod it . Or a retro bike. 90% or 'done' cafe or modded bikes, TBH, are sketchy mechanically or electrically in some capacity, I've seen a LOT of really, really poorly done bikes that were pretty on the outside, by pros and hobbyists, regardless of how long they have been doing it, so be diligent on purchasing anything and asking questions.

Thanks. I'll factor that in