TOPIC:

With the current '85 GPz550 I was given back in 2003, and it's current state, including a $260.00 parts bike with more engine work that I'd want to spend, I would never ever keep a tab on the money spent so far. Could have purchased a new bike, but it wouldn't be this one I have now. What's worth keeping tabs on, is learning how to replace, and rebuild the components I've done so far, and helping others that might be having the same issues. From down to the frame bearing and bushing replacement, to engine swaps, to learning what other bike parts fit my bike, it's more a learning experience for me, as I plan on keeping this bike till I can't ride anymore.

A little over a year and a half ago I owned one old Kawasaki 305 CSR that I had bought for an ex-girlfriend and since she wasn’t using it about 7 years after we broke up, I had her give it back to me. I took it apart and then left it lay in pieces for another 8 years. Last spring out of boredom I decided to put it back together and see if I could get it running. That little project proved to be successful but I really wanted something bigger that had 4 cylinders and then I discovered ebay. I found a 550 LTD in CT and a parts bike in New Jersey so I picked those up in one trip. Shortly after that I found this website and it has been downhill ever since. This site is the only place I know of where there are people who can even begin to understand this sickness.

As to cost, well I think I can honestly say that if I suddenly got tired of this hobby I could probably recoup the money I have spent amassing "The Gringo collection", the time and labor invested .....well that's a different story. It still is a much cheaper hobby than when I was involved with show horses, that was a money pit extraordinaire.

Post edited by: The Gringo, at: 2007/10/16 12:48

Don't keep track of the money you SPENT! Keep track of the money you SAVED! You'll be much happier!

Like, I spent $50 on a starter.
But Kaw wanted $500. I saved $450! Yay

Post edited by: loudhvx, at: 2007/10/17 13:31

At least that's how he explains it to his wife! Isn't that how they explain thier purhases to us!!??

I think of it this way. I don't have any bike payments. I have two bikes with not more than $2600 invested. Insurance on each is only $66 a year liability. I haven't drank for 20 years and quit smoking a few years ago so hey what the heck? I figure I'm SAVING money! My neighbor is a great guy but he has an HD that I bet he has $25,000 invested in. Wife likes my budget better.

Post edited by: pumps, at: 2007/10/17 15:31

The trick is to spread it out, I bought the bike for $2500, the I spend about $200 a month on parts. In wife eyes the bike still was cheap...and the liquor and beer bill is lowered...

Post edited by: Wilde, at: 2007/10/19 14:20

Think of how much money we save by not going the HD route.

Those guys put more money into a set of custom mirrors than I can get a whole bike for.

Just this afternoon I was shooting the breeze with my HD riding buddy next door. I was showing him parts I was accumulating for my XS and bending his ear for mechanical advice. I mentioned that I had spent about $200 on ebaying parts. He said hell thats nothing to what I spent on that HD. Finally after adding up in his head he guessed he has spent $4000-5000 on accessories. Pipes, billet this and that .Chrome this and that. I just about fell over.

pumps wrote:

Just this afternoon I was shooting the breeze with my HD riding buddy next door. I was showing him parts I was accumulating for my XS and bending his ear for mechanical advice. I mentioned that I had spent about $200 on ebaying parts. He said hell thats nothing to what I spent on that HD. Finally after adding up in his head he guessed he has spent $4000-5000 on accessories. Pipes, billet this and that .Chrome this and that. I just about fell over.

I went with my boss (Harley owner) to the local Harley dealership one time. Boss needed to pick up some "Harley Oil" for his ride. While he was over buying his overpriced oil, I took a look around the showroom. I looked at the price tag of one of the bikes. It showed the cost for the base model, which I think was something like $20K. Then, on top of that, they added a fat rear tire upgrade which added another...

[drumroll]



$13,000!!!!!





I mean, the chrome is all pretty and stuff, but GEEEZ!

I've only got $450 in the screaming flaming Kawasaki of death. It is a matter of pride of how it looks and runs for the $$$ invested. True story one of my best friends and riding buddies wife was talking with my my wife and she mentioned how much he loved his Harley but that she knew he had at least $30,000 in it. My wife told her that I could have 60 bikes for that price. Then she looked up and here came my friend down the road not on his Harley but on my KZ:woohoo: