Re: Impulse buy, did I just shoot myself in the foot?
Hi Mike,
I'm another who's doing just the same thing. I bought the front half of a frame as a Christmas present to myself last year as a slow project. I figured I'd learn along the way and will know my bike by the time it's done. More fun than saving up to buy one...
I planned it in stages: goal 1 was to get it on wheels, which it now is. It's helped motivate me, because it looks bike-like.
Ebay, and ads on this site and Old Bike Mart have provided, given few autojumbles / swap meets this year. I've collected other bits -some bargains and a lot of pigs' ears. No regrets though; it's keeping me on the right side of madness during all the Covid stuff, and I've made contacts with a lot of helpful, genuine people.
If I end up with a bike that's cost a bit more than the 'going rate', it'll be well worth it. And I won't sell it anyway!
Do keep on with your bike: it'll be one more back on the road. But don't be tempted by those girders made in India. By all accounts they're made of fluff and bits of string.
Re: Impulse buy, did I just shoot myself in the foot?
Another impulse, for whats left of it, one that needs some TLC.
Frame and engine left the Ariel Works in 1944 as a pair, which makes it worthwhile (well, at least I think) to get it complete again....
How it is now, field stand swivel point needs adding. got that bit donated from a AOMCC member from Canada
So, all is not lost Mike ! just do it, it's a lot of fun (most of the time:thinking_face: )
Re: Impulse buy, did I just shoot myself in the foot?
Thanks all for the motivation and some really good tips!
I'm definitely planning on arming myself with plenty of patience and I do understand that the process might take quote a bit.
The Indian parts I am definitely going to stay away from, I would prefer to put mostly original parts, or properly made repros on it, when I had the old bike I ordered just a few parts from India from it, and they were garbage.
The plan is to get the frame set up for now and decide on the colors. It is a 1943 dated frame so I will most likely go with the color that was more prominent for that time.
After that's done, I will slowly work on getting the correct (non India made) front girder, wheels and anything else to make it into a rolling chassis. Then the controls, seat, etc. The engine, trans, carb will be the last ones to get set up.
I will definitely keep you posted and I will make a thread to keep you informed on the progress.
Thanks again for the good advice and the build and part tips, that's very helpful!!
Re: Impulse buy, did I just shoot myself in the foot?
Very wel done, Vincent. Looks really good. I had an Indian 741 with similar problems, plunger rear suspension fitted.
But you seem to have a nice workshop.
Good to see all these projects and that there are still people daring to take the challenge.
When I bought my first motorcycle in 1974, a WDm20, there was plenty off parts. Should have bought them all.
For some reason i never thought that was going to change....