Project costs

Wow, building a retro mod KZ 1000 is a little expensive! I have a project thread going (KZ 1000 build) and just ordered another 1k in parts, again, wow. I was hoping to be under 10k on this build. I will add up what I have spent so far and post.

Don't track costs.  It will just depress you.

When working on old bikes, assuming you like working on old bikes, you need to deduct money from both the transportation budget and the entertainment budget.  It's a bonus situation!  Much better to be working in the garage, then spending $10/beer at the local bar.  

True! Thank you! I am excited about it though...

Like Ed mentioned, keeps You out of the Taverns. But shopping while drinking, at home, can get those parts to your doorstep faster. A hangover and buyer's remorse all in one swoop, ha. And don't keep thumbing thru the receipts, Big Boys Don't Cry (10cc), You can let all out later after it's all done.  

You can maintain some level of control, it just depends how much you are prepared to do yourself. Check out my build thread to see what can be done with cheap E-Bay OEM parts from a range of bikes and hard work 
(Super sport 600's are a good donor, so many inexperienced young guys wrecking them that there is a plentiful supply of parts that sellers will take a cheeky bid on )

It is very easy to follow that temptation into a $30 or $40,000 project. Think custom titanium fasteners, axles and such, plus custom carbon fiber gas tank and bodywork, plus full on Ohlins suspension and Brembo radial brakes. Carbon fiber wheels anybody?  At this point a one-off titanium exhaust system is almost mandatory. Yak scrotum upholstery for the seat?

Like any hobby, this can spiral out of control very quickly.  Realistic goals with a budget you can live with will help, though there will be unexpected expenses, and prices for necessary stuff can go up without warning.

My project got off to an aborted start about 30 years ago.  Some aspects have changed a bit, and I will be lucky if I can come in less than three times my original budget. 

All that being said, there have been a couple of pleasant surprises so far. For instance, my original plan called for a new Kerker exhaust system, which is nla. What I ended up getting I like even more, and it cost quite a bit less than the other current options I was considering, and not much more than a Kerker would have cost at the beginning. Looks like I have found a good deal on head work, too. 

Bottom line: hobbies are only for people who hate money.

Man, I really hate money. 

Stereordinary wrote:

Man, I really hate money. 

You are in the right place 

I was told,(a hundred years ago), figure out you project budget and then add a couple of zeros at the end of it.

As expected, my "budget build" ceased being one a while ago!  

I follow the government's rules so I never exceed my budget.  When costs rise I simply change the budget.

Stereordinary wrote:

Man, I really hate money. 

😜