Building a bike from scratch

Pani Dropper · Jan 1, 2016

What are ya'll's thoughts on assembling a custom bike? I've been wanting to build a cafe racer for a long time but am turned off by all of the custom fabrication that is required.

However, I've recently found out that Walt Siegl sells his frame, tank, and tail section individually. That really only leaves the engine, extremities, and the rest of the fittings. I would definitely want to have whatever engine (750ss/900ss/1000ss) engine rebuilt but other than that, could a novice/intermediate wrencher like myself consider this project a viable undertaking?

b9009b · Jan 1, 2016

Why not.. If you can turn a wrench, add and like working on .... I say go for it dude..

wfoduck · Jan 2, 2016

Learn as you go and be prepared to buy tools. There is a lot of pride and accomplishment associated with doing things yourself. It's nice to say I built this when people ask.

Izzy · Jan 2, 2016

Hey Pani. I'm going through similar motions as you right now and been dying to build a custom cafe racer. After her-hawing for about a few weeks(and the delirium of winter boredom), I decided to take the plunge. Probably getting a simpler first build like a Honda CB600/750 since there's a ton of support behind modding those. However, since all of my mechanical experience has been with cars, I decided to mod my Monster 1200 as a cafe racer style bike while I find and build the vintage cafe racer. So I say go for it! Good luck mate.

JCAV8R · Jan 4, 2016

My best friend/brother in law and I are planning on taking some welding classes for this cause specifically.

We want to build a little rat cafe racer - it will probably be misaligned, uncomfortable, and ride like ...., but it'll be hand made!

I can tell you from previous projects, you'll spend a lot more $ than you think. "Hand made" doesn't mean free either!

Pani Dropper · Jan 4, 2016

I expect this to run about 10K, but more than likely more for the unexpected. Not a huge deal because this will be my long-term project and I'll always have my 1199 to putt around on when I need to ride.

Something like this is what I have in mind.

JCAV8R · Jan 4, 2016

That's a very, very nice motorcycle.

Our build would be more of a Frankenbike

Izzy · Jan 4, 2016

That's a Walt Seigl Leggerro. Mimicking that build will be more than 10k ;p

kismetcapitan · Jan 4, 2016

as stated above, there is a great deal of satisfaction in doing all your own work. My 1299S is the first bike I've owned where 100% of the aftermarket parts were installed by myself. I've done plenty on my own before, but this is the first, where I tackled everything on my own.

And there was definitely lessons to be learned. I now own the most shameful of toolsets - a tap and die kit. Even more so, I've broken a couple taps. Drilling out a snapped thread tap requires cobalt drill bits, so I have those too. And all kinds of other tools.

All this done in a sweltering garage in a Southern summer. Literal sweat and blood made my bike the beast that it is today

Building a bike from scratch

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