When considering building your dream bike from a motorcycle kit then it's important that your dream becomes a reality and soon, I mean how long are you really prepared to wait to take that road trip! There are many questions that anyone seriously considering building their own motorcycle from a motorcycle kit always seem to ask and I wanted to share some of those with you. That way it should make the decision much quicker and take that long list of excuses (sorry, I mean reasons!) why you haven't built your dream motorcycle yet.
What types of Motorcycle Kits are there?
Motorcycle
The sky really is the limit when it comes to the choices available in terms of Motorcycle Kits - you name it and you can probably find it. You would be well placed to think about the overall look you want at the end of the build. It's a good thing to focus on the shape and design of the chassis as that will drive the end result in terms of style, so find one that fits your style and personality. Just like buying a house, do not let colors sway your decision, all that is part of your customization process so consider your chassis as the foundation, get that right and everything else will follow.
How easy is it to start building the Motorcycle from your Dreams?
If you come to this with little mechanical experience then it is best to consider this job one piece at a time or you could easily get overwhelmed by the size of the task ahead. Open the box and take action, the biggest mistake people make is not getting started. Once you open the box, read the instructions once, twice and maybe even a third time. Once you have done that then start ... if you don't start how can you possibly expect to build the motorcycle you have been dreaming about all this time. It might be worth asking a friend or family member to help you out with some aspects of the build process. To be honest though, what you need is the motivation, the space, the time and a vision - after that everything else will work itself out. Oh and lot's of patience, common sense and old fashioned elbow grease.
How long will it take me to build a Motorcycle using a Motorcycle Kit?
This depends very much on your level of experience and the time you have available. With the right skills and experience you could build a motorcycle in a couple of weeks. However, if you are holding down a full time job and this is a part time project for you then you can expect it to take much longer. This could occupy your "so called" spare time for around 8-10 weeks under those circumstance. Remember all good things come to those who wait.
What tools will I need to "get the job done"?
Most of the instruction manuals suggest a basic tool kit is all that is needed. It's probably best to discuss exactly what you may need with your supplier though. There is one basic tool you will need and that is the space to carry out the build. It sounds obvious I know, but if your garage is full to the brim with "stuff" that had no place in your house or you have a car in your garage, then you will not have the room needed. You have to be able to access the bike from all sides during the build process, so do yourself a favor and clear out the garage (like you've been meaning to for 6 months now) or borrow space from someone. Don't make the job more difficult than you need to. Regarding specific equipment that you may not have then the only suggestion here would be to consider a special lift. In terms of the cost of a special lift versus the investment in the motorcycle of your dreams then it is arguably a small price to pay.
What about repairs & maintenance?
Given that you will have built this bike from scratch then any repairs and maintenance should be easy, remember you have the experience now, you know what it took to build your bike so repairs, replacement of parts and routine maintenance should be a piece of cake! How cool will it be knowing that you will not have to take your motorcycle to an expensive repair shop.
Do I have what it takes to create my dream from a Motorcycle Kit?
Only you will truly know the answer to this question and you will need to look deep inside yourself and ask whether you have the dedication, time and skills to deliver your dream. The time will be whatever you have available to you, what is less easy is whether you have the dedication. Some would say that it takes more dedication to take on a project like this part time as the overall duration is much longer. However, to build a bike in a very short period of time takes a different sort of dedication - the no excuses, no limit approach - just do whatever it takes to build the motorcycle in the shortest period of time available. In terms of skills then do you have the personality to deal with frustrations, problems and delays along the build process. Even the most experienced motorcycle kit builders find themselves in difficult situations. If you expect your first build to go smoothly with no hitches along the way then perhaps this isn't the project for you. If you are up for a challenge and believe you will complete the project, come what may, then this is probably the right time for you.
Wouldn't it be easier to go buy an "off the shelf" Motorcycle?
In many minds "off the shelf" motorcycles just don't cut it, who wants to be seen driving the same motorcycle as someone else, after all? With a motorcycle kit you can create something truly unique, a motorcycle that matches your personality and means you will always stand out from the crowd.
Enjoy riding that Dream Machine of yours!
Motorcycle Kits - Build the Motorcycle of Your Dreams!