|
|
Post by scotto75 on Feb 9, 2016 17:11:27 GMT
Hi all,
I'm very new to the forum and to Superdream ownership. A few of you have met me already and have probably given me so much excellent advice through pity, as I have become the owner of a very abused and neglected CB250N. I won't go into the personal details of my predicament, but lets say I am at a crossroads. The closer I look, the worse it gets. I am now realising that almost everything will need to be repaired or replaced. So this raises that age old question..... Do I restore or scrap for parts.
Having restored scooters and owned a dozen or so old VW's, each needing a constant level of care that most would fail to comprehend, I understand that these decisions are complicated, and several factors come into play - emotional attachment to a specific model, financial gain, experience and knowledge learnt in the process, finding a limited edition that is rare, or just sheer enjoyment being immersed in a project.
When do you know when a bike is worth restoring, or when should you gracefully bow out before getting in too deep?
|
|
|
|
Post by retrobarmy1 on Feb 9, 2016 17:25:26 GMT
Restoration values and costs are not measured in monetary terms alone. I've spent hours in the garage and shed on projects (not all bike related) that have cost me time, energy and often money. Whatever they have cost me has been repaid in the enjoyment that tinkering gives me. I have spent many hours tinkering with watches, only to end up with scrap at the end of it. On the other hand, I have turned many projects from "rags" to riches. I do it for the enjoyment, not for the money. It's a totally personal decision as to what you restore and how much time, effort and resources you put in. When to "bow out" is entirely up to you (or your bank manager - sometimes alias her indoors!)
Mike
|
|
carlthebandit
Moderator 
Midlands Meets Organiser
You can never have too many bikes :)
Posts: 2,410 
mini-profile background: {"image":"","color":"29908d"}
|
Post by carlthebandit on Feb 9, 2016 17:27:01 GMT
Like most things in life it comes down to time and money. I personally don't think you will make a profit from restorations indeed I don't think you will recover the parts cost let alone your time.
Having said this if you can afford to do it the process is very enjoyable all be it very frustrating at times.
I think you have to be personally attached to the bike you are restoring as there are always times that get you down through the process.
In summary if the bike puts a smile on your face then do it. Don't put any time scale or budget on it. Do it when you want to do it, and when you have the spare cash not to miss it.
I love the process and superdreams.
|
|
|
|
Post by srx600 on Feb 10, 2016 10:14:59 GMT
I'd just get it straight and running.
Don't chrome anything just silver paint and clear. ( apart from exhausts)
I.e you will look at say the rear brake pedal the foot plate rusty but the rest is ok. so remove rust with wire wheel etc. silver paint cleaned area and then clear the lot.It really looks ok, not as nice as re-chroming,but will be ok for normal usage, and will not rust.
Get the frame, swing arms powder coated. rattle can, the rest in satin black hammerite.
clean /repair / replace parts cheaply as possible.
You can do it as long as your not in a major rush.
If the engine is ok your laughing, most just need a good clean / polish.
If the original paint is still on the tank, then why not just clear coat it.
If you made the bike straight and clean you'd get £800 all day long on ebay.
The prices are rising all the time, so the longer you take the better the outcome.
I have been doing my bike one night a week, because I have so much other stuff going on in my life.
Plus I like to do it correctly and if not I just take it apart and try again.
So no major rush...
|
|
|
|
Post by Harold on Feb 10, 2016 10:18:47 GMT
Stick a few photos up Scotto, if it really is beyond a reasonable standard restoration, then why not go down the custom route, it would probably be cheaper than a standard restoration and would be better than scrapping it.
|
|
terryc
Forum Accommodation Specialist 
I'll put you up ,plenty of room in my box
Posts: 5,328
mini-profile background: {"image":"","color":"29908d"}
|
Post by terryc on Feb 10, 2016 10:47:15 GMT
Thats the route I've taken Scott if you are'nt worried about originality then you find that parts come a heck of a lot cheaper and in some cases better  |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2016 12:44:56 GMT
Hi all, I'm very new to the forum and to Superdream ownership. A few of you have met me already and have probably given me so much excellent advice through pity, as I have become the owner of a very abused and neglected CB250N. I won't go into the personal details of my predicament, but lets say I am at a crossroads. The closer I look, the worse it gets. I am now realising that almost everything will need to be repaired or replaced. So this raises that age old question..... Do I restore or scrap for parts. Having restored scooters and owned a dozen or so old VW's, each needing a constant level of care that most would fail to comprehend, I understand that these decisions are complicated, and several factors come into play - emotional attachment to a specific model, financial gain, experience and knowledge learnt in the process, finding a limited edition that is rare, or just sheer enjoyment being immersed in a project. When do you know when a bike is worth restoring, or when should you gracefully bow out before getting in too deep? I think a bike is worthy of restoration for the following reasons: 1) If you have the passion 2) To not think you are going to make money on it in a short to medium length of time 3) A special connection to a particular machine I also have one waiting in the wings that I want to have a serious stab at bringing back. As you can see, it is in a terrible condition - it's not even worth breaking as there is nothing any good on it. I want to spend the time on this on as it is a very early bike - the good thing about this one is that the engine and frame numbers check out as original and the frame is rusty but very solid with no rot (that I can see at this stage). I hope to start stripping her down soon. It will take a lot of time this one......but I ask myself 'what's the rush this time'? Plus I really enjoy doing them. Sometimes also, if you're smart about things they needn't cost the earth to do.   |
|
|
|
Post by scotto75 on Feb 11, 2016 17:30:36 GMT
retrobarmy1 - It's useful for me that I have started with scrap, so at least no matter what I do, I can't make it any worse. My bank manager is very kind, and has allowed me a monthly allowance to spend on whatever I like. It's like being a kid again with pocket money, but it stops me from having awkward conversations about eBay deliveries, or having to smuggle recent purchases noticed into the house. carlthebandit250n - I totally agree, but at the moment I haven't had any personal experience of Superdreams, so maybe my level of emotional attachment isn't strong enough yet. The only emotions I have experienced so far have been frustration and disappointment! However, I do love the process and the more I look at pictures of complete Superdreams I do find them strangely appealing. Maybe I too could love them. srx600 - I get Monday mornings and a couple of late nights a week when the kids are in bed, although I'm only able to get the angle grinder going on Monday morning. Just quiet stuff in the evenings like cleaning muck off centre stands. I'm sure shaking a can of etch primer would be acceptable. Harold - Squint your eyes and you can just make out a beautiful Superdream....  The front wheel is not functional, but it makes me feel better seeing it roughly near the front forks. Ignore the makeshift trolley I made and imagine it is standing on its own accord. In fact you may as well imagine it has some side panels, a rear wheel and a seat while you're at it. When I realised the full extent of the work as well as the bits that are missing, I instantly thought it would be a good start for a cafe racer, but I'm not sure if the frame has the right rear end. It would need a bit of fabrication and welding to get the right look - but I can see from your profile pic that you're not shy when it comes to a bit of fabricating. terryc - I once restored a VW beetle back to its former glory and when I first got it complete after painting, I must've been 19 or 20, I got a friend to take a picture of me sitting on the bonnet looking very pleased. When I got off, the metal tab on my Levi's had taken a big line of paint back to primer. I was gutted. Now I'm a keen advocate of the 'rat look'. (and I don't wear Levi's anymore strangely). Fungobat - I have yet to develop a special connection with this bike, it's not a bike I've had any experience of, but I do have a passion for bringing abandoned vehicles back to life again, and the satisfaction and pleasure in driving or riding something I have been responsible for rescuing is worth all the blood, sweat and coins. If I take this on, I will end up having a special connection with it for sure. Also, in the knackered bike stakes, you trump me. In fact you win hands down. I've read your thread and I'm sure if a Superdream that wasn't even good enough to be scrapped could choose to end up in the hands of anyone, they could do no worse than yours (or better maybe).
|
|
|
|
Post by scotto75 on Feb 11, 2016 17:40:52 GMT
A bike is worthy for restoration when...
(Passion for a build + Love of the bike) is equal to or greater than (time taken + money spent)
|
|
|
|
Post by Harold on Feb 12, 2016 9:36:12 GMT
I'm squinting Scotto and to be honest I can't see it the trolley looks good though  In all seriousness I think it's definitely rescueable (just made that word up) if you went down the pattern parts and non original route I don't think it need be excessively expensive, although would probably still be a tidy sum. Or has been mentioned the custom route can sometimes be cheaper, it really depends on how much you want to do it, the café racer avenue is a good one and there are a place that do kits for them www.caferacerkits.co.uk/the-cafe-racer-kit/superdream-cafe-racer/ although these kits are quite expensive. They may however provide a bit of inspiration for a bit of DIY modifying. Good luck Scotto with whatever route you decide to take and you certainly won't be short of help, advice and encouragement on this forum. |
|
|
|
Post by kickstart on Feb 12, 2016 18:21:15 GMT
If you,ve got the time, money ,space and it makes you smile, swear , grumpy and grin like a Cheshire cat , you,d better crack on and keep on posting up your progress ,Please  |
|
In all seriousness I think it's definitely rescueable (just made that word up) if you went down the pattern parts and non original route I don't think it need be excessively expensive, although would probably still be a tidy sum. Or has been mentioned the custom route can sometimes be cheaper, it really depends on how much you want to do it, the café racer avenue is a good one and there are a place that do kits for them 