Building a Bike on a Very Limited Budget

I would like any suggestions or help concerning ideas on how to build a nice bike without spending serious money. For instance, where can someone find a used motor? Frame? etc. I have had numerous bikes in the past but due to increases in the family (Kids), simply going out and spending Harley level money is way out of the question.
This is a serious post and I would appreciate to hear anyones suggestions...

Thanks
Rocklifter

Good morning

Well I know what you mean about a tight budget. I also understand the term HD - level money as well. Being a father of two daughters and having a wife as well there is not too much money left over for my bike, or food for that matter.

Since you posted here I presume you have a pc. Check out ebay. That would be my first suggestion to you. Hell you might even find a HD at -Kawi- level money or better. Seriously E-Bay would be my first stop. Sorry CD but it is also my fist stop for parts. Of course direct parts will / is my second stop. (ooops, I almost stuck my foot in my mouth here).

used parts

I am by no stretch of the imagination an expert. My current project is my first frame up build, because of money, but I have modified plenty of past rides. One thing I found in my research of building from the frame up, is leanring about MSO, (manufacturer statement of origin) I only bring this up based off of you mentioned about used frames, and engines. From what I learned, you have to check your specific state's DMV and see what is required when you goto register the bike and create a VIN. Buying a used motor or frame might create headaches in that regard. I think a way to keep the cost down is to not get "radical" what I mean is, keep everything reasonable. The cost of a frame that houses a 180 or 200 is signigantly less than one that can hold a 280. And the steel vs. chrome moly tubing, single down tubes, etc. Also, engine displacement. It seems the 80" to 95" arena is pretty reasonable in price, but once you get to the 145" the cost just shoots out the roof. My theory with my build is keep is simple, the only thing I am splerging on is the engine, cause I want a 93" shovel. The rest, I am trying to sanity check it cause it seems it can quickly go out of control. Good thread, and I'll be watching it closely too cause I want to learn as well.

Ebay

I have recently checked on Ebay, but I tell ya Im still not sure of some of them people. I would rather go to a swap meet.. see the dude face to face and see the parts before buying them.
A buddy of mine has bought many parts and even bought a jeep on EBay and loves it.
Im just leery....

I understand that

Well I can understand not trusting the people on ebay but the way I see it who can you really trust. I am afraid that I cannot help you on US Swap meet dates but maybe google can. Try doing a few google searchs. Another idea would be ask around. I know that a few MCs here in Frankfurt have annual swap meets.

Sorry that I was of no help and good luck!!!

limited budget

Hi everyone,
I have never been more disappointed than going all out this year and buying my first Harley. It is a super glide. My wife and I took what savings we had and went for it. It coughs, sputters and runs like crap unless it is 75 or better out. It is truly embarrassing!!!! Our financial well being doesn't allow for us to put the extra $1000.00 in it until next year. How can this be? I waited 51 years to be able to get one. Anyone has to have lots and lots of cash to be a Harley owner. When you say you want to build one as cheaply as you can. My wife and I wish you all the luck in the world. If my bike isn't straightened out next year with this rejeting, air cleaner, and exhaust that ( supposedly ) "will make the bike run like it should." We will pay on it another year after that and get rid of it. It has been such a terrible let down for us. Being "new" means nothing. Being a Harley ( right now ) means very little to us too! You want to build your own. We had plans of waiting to our kids are finally out and doing this one the way we wanted. That seems to be a very dim outlook at this time.
Good luck and we hope you can enjoy your creation.
larry

super glide

Larry,
Sorry to read your woes with your bike. I can entirely sympathize with waiting years for that 1st Harley. I finally made it for my 49th birthday after wanting one since I was 5 and saw the one my mother's cousin had.
What model super glide did you get? I bought an 03 FXD in January of 03 and it has run like a champ from day one. The only time I had any problem was when I put SE II's on it without changing the breather and adding a dynajet kit. As soon as I did, Tar Baby (no offense out there...named in honor of uncle remus) was back to its sweet running self. I've logged over 20k in the 19 months I've had it. Around town and long riding in pouring rain. I have to warm it up a bit in cold weather (below 45f), but I expect that. It sounds to me like you need to raise some h#ll if it is new, or if used, have it checked out by a good solid mech....

Another note.....don't use gas with additives ( Chevron...mine spit and sputtered too. I only did that once!) and use super unleaded.....

Larry,
A major reason that the bike runs so bad when it is cold is the EPA mandated lean condition it must be set at from the factory. An air cooled engine just does not like to run lean when cold. When you start up the bike how long do you allow for warm up? Do you feel the rocker boxes for heat? The rule of thumb I use is to start the bike and let it warm up while I get the gloves on, close up the bags etc. Being EFI, the idle is smooth and I could take off cold but... I want that aluminum stretched out some first. Being carbureted, you should need to run the bike with the enrichener out some until it warms up just like a choke. Alternatively you could run the throttle tension screw in and lock the throttle up a little above 1k RPM. Same effect, allowing the heat to build. After a good warmup, the bike should run like a normal stock H-D which means it will have lean pop off idle, lean pop under decel etc. Again, blame the EPA not H-D. Road Stars are the same as are any other air cooled carbed stock bike meeting the latest EPA standards.

That said, until you have the money to do a basic Stage 1 (which does not run 1k BTW), you can simply richen up the idle circuit on the carburetor. If you are not comfortable turning wrenches, there are plenty of fellow riders and good independent shops that can assist you. No, it does not void your warranty http://www.duramax.bizhosting.com/magnuson-moss-warranty.htm
even though your dealer will most likely try to tell you otherwise...Makes them more money that way. A simple tweak of the idle mixture works wonders.

After you get some funds look at doing a simple Stage 1 hop up. Cycle Shack mufflers run $121.00, Ness Big Sucker $88.95 and a Yost CV Master kit for the carb $98.00. For about $310.00 you get a 15-20% boost in performance and a much better running ride.

Don't get locked into the buy from the dealer only mentality. 90%+ of the SE parts are made by the same manufacturers that make all the other stuff. CV kits made by Dyno Jet, push rods by Comp Cams, Ignitions by Dyna etc, etc. That SE packaging adds big bucks to the same piece you can buy from an independent aftermarket dealer.

Hi everyone,
I thank all of you for your responses. I bought this bike brand new in March. After complaining and taking it back, the dealer did something to help it run. Every morning I let it warm up while I close the shed and put on my helmet , gloves. It has gotten so that I let the enrichener on for the first two miles. then I can drop it down to half way or a little less. As long as it is cool out, once I turn it off it acts up. I was riding to Lake George this last weekend with a friend ( Goldwing with over 100000.00 miles on it ) and we hit a cool spot on Rt 9. My bike started acting up again. Just because we hit a cool spot! How embarrassing!!! My friend said he would never switch bikes now that he has seen how mine runs. He can't believe it either. My wife and I will take your advice and check around to see if we can get this stage 1 kit to make it run better. It is an FXD too! We wanted to get it and get it paid for so we can make it the way we want. Boy have we been shocked at what we have seen so far. Again, thank you for the responses. As soon as we can do this we will let everyone know.

Larry

what a difference

Hi Everyone,
In tech talk I let everyone know how wonderful my bike runs now. I drilled out the plate in each muffler and had the motorcycle shop down the road rejet it. I can't even believe it is the same bike! Start it up, let it idle for a few minutes, shut the enrichener off, ride to work ( at 4:30am ) in the morning. I have let it stand for a couple of hours and it still will start right up without the enrichener on. The bike has now become our dream again. It runs so great that I can't say enough about it! This is truely what I had expected with owning a Harley. Not what I recieved from the dealer. That was a nightmare and is in the past now. We have already started planning on what we can do with this bike. I'm so glad that I started getting involved with all of you. My wife and I have finally seen a light at the end of the tunnel with this bike. It has made that much of a difference.
I thank everyone who participates in this program to help others find ways to help themselves with problems. Thank You!!!!!
Larry

Glad to hear that you finally have your dream bike. I really like to hear good news. Especially on a Monday.