Can you get back the $ you put into a bike?

[ultralight01]

I'm getting the Schwinn for my 212 build tomorrow. My dad is conccerned this is an endevour where I may not get my money back.

If I were to build a solid, attractive bike for anywhere from $600-$900, got it registered, and advertised it well in a big city, do you think I'd get my money back? Opinions? Experiences? I'm good at selling things, at least that's what I'm told.

I enjoy building these things but I constantly am trying new projects and hobbies (After this bike will be, likely another bike, a wrist-mounted propane flamethrower, and a para-motor). This means I sometimes have a short attention span for a lot of things that I build. That's why I always try to invest in things I can at least get my money back in.

Sadly I have to go visit family in CA so I won't be building for two weeks. I'm still hunting for a mountain bike to strip for the Schwinn.

Thank you

 

[2door]

In a word? NO!.

I've recently sold two bikes and recovered about 1/2 of what I had put into them to build. And, I felt lucky to get that.
Unless you're able to buy all of the parts necessary well below retail, don't expect to make a profit selling a motorized bicycle for more than you have in it.
Some folks have been successful selling bikes but they are the exception. Almost without fail you'll loose money, especially when you factor in your time building it.
But, that's just my opinion based on personal experience. Others will have differing views.

Tom

 

[TheNecromancer13]

I've sold one for parts cost because I like building them. But the only way I was able to do that was by custom building the bike for the person, and having them pay for the parts. If I were to try to pre-build one and sell it, I'd be lucky to get what I put into it.

 

[crassius]

if one keeps cost of bike & parts under $300, then $100 can be made if one waits long enough for a buyer

building an expensive, custom bike to customer's specs is often profitable

 

[ultralight01]

Well, I want my own custom bike, so. Either I find someone to sell it to one day or just keep on riding. Although, I should be 16 to be driving these things, especially a 212. But I m 15...

 

[xseler]

A thought to ponder...........would your dad rather you spend the money on this or on something that is illegal or destructive?

I've got way more money in mine than I'll ever get back. With that being said, this has probably been the cheapest hobby that I've had in many years --- and that's the best way to look at it.

 

[Tony01]

.......No.

 

[16v4nrbrgr]

I gave up trying to sell my previous full custom bikes. I posted them locally on CL and in the sale section here, never got a binding agreement to sell at cost of parts, just offers for trades and services. I'm just going to keep them and trick them out with updates and mods, it would be nice to recoup costs for new projects but I can't justify giving them away. The bikes for sale around here are typically a kit installed on a used bike and some paintwork for around $300. Most people don't know the vast differences between a bike with a happy time engine, 49cc Morini, or 212cc, in riding experience and amount of maintenance required.

 

[Robertzep]

I've got way more money in mine than I'll ever get back. With that being said, this has probably been the cheapest hobby that I've had in many years --- and that's the best way to look at it.

AMEN to that! I wish that I would have found this hobby years ago. It would have saved me literally over a hundred thousand dollars in Hot-Rod cars.

 

[ultralight01]

Yes, this is a cheap hobby for grown men with jobs. But what the heck. It's worth it. Hopefully I can keep costs down so that I may be able to get my money back, but it will be fun anyway. I can always make more money by... other means.

 

[crassius]

the things you'll learn by getting it to come out right and not fall apart every week is worth much more than money (assuming you'll not be hiring everything out)

 

[curtisfox]

Just my thoughts, selling in the wrong market. Go to bike shows and car shows swap meets, seen a Whizzer go for $2,500 last fall car swap meet. But the trick is to just hang on till the right guy come along............Curt

 

[scratchbuilder]

I have sold 2 builds, for like 50$ over cost.....just so I could Build another!!Swap meets. Just don't have your favorite items on it!!

 

[KCvale]

If I were to build a solid, attractive bike for anywhere from $600-$900, got it registered, and advertised it well in a big city, do you think I'd get my money back? Opinions? Experiences? I'm good at selling things, at least that's what I'm told.

I make at least $100 on everything I build, and sometimes much more, so yes you can get your money back.

Actually I don't have any money to 'get back', I get paid 100% in advance for my builds, but that took time to establish.

The Phoenix area is awash with ~$300 POS rookie cheap builds. Via my web site and some clever Craigs posts I provide the Cool Quality Motorized Bike options for those with the wallet for the best, and there is no shortage of them around here, ~1500 potential new customers from the DUI checkpoints this time of year ;-}

Don't expect to make a living at it though!

 

[ultralight01]

Cool. Yeah I was thinking of selling a nice, larger engine bike as a motorcycle to appeal to them. That's basically what it is. With moving footrests. And $1000-$1500 is cheaper than $5500.

 

[KCvale]

Cool. Yeah I was thinking of selling a nice, larger engine bike as a motorcycle to appeal to them. That's basically what it is. With moving footrests. And $1000-$1500 is cheaper than $5500.

Good luck with that without a paying customer, and if you want to put a bike engine on something it sure as **** SHOULD NOT BE ON A HUFFY!

If you want to build a 'motorcycle with pedals' use a bike that will take it.
The MotoPed frame is a motorcycle frame with pedals.

Or at least something strong enough with enough space to fit the monster, this is only a 79cc HS engine.

Both illegal here but not blatantly so, you shove a 212 in a Huffy and the first cop that sees on the road will question you for your own damn good!

 

[ultralight01]

Fully agreed. I plan on quality parts. Even though my Walmart bike hasn't fallen apart I know it will and I question my sanity for buying one,
I like the motoped, although I'd rather buy a YZ125 than spend 3K on a little motorcycle. I will probably barely get the money back I spend on this project, but it will be worth it.

 

[crassius]

Cool. Yeah I was thinking of selling a nice, larger engine bike as a motorcycle to appeal to them. That's basically what it is. With moving footrests. And $1000-$1500 is cheaper than $5500.

almost impossible to make anything with a chinese motor that could be called a motorcycle - same for any motor strapped to a bicycle frame that wasn't designed expressly to be mororized

 

[Kartooo]

nope, very rare.
i almost always loose $$ with any hobby i dove into.
but..... if you get enough uses/fun outta it before you sell i call it rent on something you enjoyed.

 

[Agreen]

I say it depends. I would never make a career out of it, but I had people offer me over $1200 for a bike that I spent $600 on. I have great attention to detail (when I actually apply it to something that warrants it) so the product is professional and appealing. Several people want me to get in to the business and sell them, but I know that it's more than just overcoming the cost of parts. Your time is worth something as well.

I have also sourced a dumpster bike and a $70 Craigslist motor kit, painted the bike real pretty, cleaned up the motor kit and installed it, rode it for a week, then got offered $200 for it. I talked him up a little, and I walked home with a nice profit

The point is, you can... if you find the right buyer and keep your cost low enough.