[mikeyg]

i dont really know if this will get a response or not. or if it will be a good response. i might just get told to go to hell. my basic question is this, im planning on building my first bike. i hate to give it a label but it will basically be a bobber. rigid frame solo seat. springer forks. nothin extra just pretty much bare bones. now ive seen some good looking jap bikes that were basically the style i want to build. im more into the triumphs and sportsters. the problem is like everyone else im short on cash. and a guy can get a honda for less than half the price of a trump. i guess im just second guessing myself on justifying buying a jap bike just to have one a lot sooner. im pretty new to all this but im assuming i can get some parts cheaper and easier for hondas. and i think the aftermarket is pretty strong for them. things like the rigid back frame. and bars and stuff like that. any opinions and advice welcome... even if you just tell me to go to hell haha

 

[mikeyg]

I didn't tell much about myself. I grew up riding dirtbikes and had a CB 750 in high-school dad had a 65 Norton scrambler. I haven't ridden in probably ten years or so. I won't be riding much on the highway til I get the rust off. I have heard that jap. Bikes are usually very dependable. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places but most running trumps I've found are around 2000 and up and most sportsters are between 3-6 grand. I've seen alot of Honda's for under a grand .

 

[mikeyg]

Budoka that is exactly what I'm trying to decide. I want a badass bobber dripping with attitude and style something i would be proud to say i built. And something that is fun to ride. I know I can get that out of a Honda but every time I think about it I see a HD or trump in my head. Just can't decide how much the breed matters.

 

[mikeyg]

Sounds like everyone is saying what I didn't want to admit. I need to hold out for a trump or sporty. Haha oh well my wife will be happy that it'll take longer to get one. If she had her way I'd never have one. Thanks everyone for all the good advice. And opinions. I really appreciate it. Hopefully one of these days you'll see a Brit or HD build thread from me.

 

[mikeyg]

Haha no to decide between a triumph or a sporty...

 

[mikeyg]

Sounds like I need to look harder I never find deals like alot of you have mentioned. Sounds like they're out there though. Thanks again everyone. I think I'm gonna hold out for a sporty doesn't really matter what year just depends on what I can find. I really like Brits but have always wanted a Harley. My dad had Brit bikes growing up and always wanted a Harley he never got one. He died six years ago from his third go round with cancer. The irony is the style of Harley I want to build is the exact opposite of what he would want. But he always told me to each his own. I still think he would agree the bike I see in my head is a bad ass machine. Of course I've built it a hundred times in my head. And ill probably build it a hundred more before buying one. But that's part of the fun

 

[mikeyg]

thanks ill have to look it up.

 

[mikeyg]

Haha guess I had that coming on this site asking about Jap bikes. I think i kinda already knew the answer to my question just took a lot of others opinions and input to make me realize it. for the record I've decided to hold out save up and get a Harley. Would like to get an old iron head but i really dont care much what year. I do know i dont want efi ill stick with carbs. Had a bit of a set back yesterday so now its looking like hopefully this time next year. Really sucks to have to wait that long but some things are just out of my hands. Thanks everyone for your comments

 

[mikeyg]

Well said. I'm gonna have to look alot harder when I get to buy one. Even if I have to drive a ways to get it. It sounds like they're definitely out there. Like I said earlier I kinda had a kink in my plans. So hopefully this time next year. Would love for it to be sooner but who knows. I've decided I would really like To get an old iron head. Lol horrible reason but I just got done reading a build thread on an ironhead. To be completely honest I haven't studied up enough on the different years to know what's best. But from what I have read you ask ten people what motor is the best and your liable to get ten different answers. Haha. Will definitely have to find one that runs and shifts mechanically I'm clueless. But I work in a body shop so as far as cutting and welding and painting I have some experience not on motorcycles mind you. But I really enjoy fabricating so it'll be fun.

 

[mikeyg]

Ive made up my mind!!! I'm saving up now. Plan is to find a 70's or early 80's ironhead sportster. Would love to be able to have it by this time next year hopefully sooner we'll see. Just depends on how fast I can get my money saved and what I can find to sell. I have seen a few out there for around 1500 so that will make it alot easier to get one sooner.