First Bike Rebuild - Which one?

I've always been a bit of a lazy bugger when it comes to mechanical stuff. I'd sooner do some overtime and pay to get stuff done when I was younger and although I'm good with my hands generally, my overall bike mechanical knowledge is poor to say the least.

So I've decided to improve, I might get some funds later this month and I want to buy a "banger". Something dead cheap, bargain basement, a few hundred quid. I don't care what it is.

I want to take it all apart, engine, wheels, frame the lot, right down to every washer and nut. Then I'll try to rebuild it. As I go I'll try and tart it up a bit, clean and paint it if needed.

I don't want to buy too many "special" tools if I can help it, and I want it to be as simple as possible.

What would you recommend for the bike and what are the "must have" tools apart from the socket set, spanners, drivers and torque wrench, simple is the key for me?

Cheers

[squirrel_hunter]

Tools:

Hammer.

Bike:

Honda Melody 50

Oi!! I'll give you £300 for that old SV you have and maybe I can practice on that?

I took the curvey apart with no more tools than you've mentioned above (it does take some bodging to get the engine bolts out).
Honestly I'd start with an SV. Find one thats something like complete - but knackard and get to the stripping.
BAG AND TAG EVERYTHING!!, FILM/TAKE PICS OF EVERY HEAD SCRATCHING THING YOU DO.
They come apart a lot quicker than they go together lol.

[Winder]

My curvy. Not sure how much the insurance company will let me retain it for but I'd let you have it at that price if you wanted it. Frame looks true, engine runs perfect off the button first time, all new chain and sprockets, plugs, oil and filter about 3 months ago and only 560 ish miles ago. You would need new forks, foot peg and brake pedal, indicator and exhaust for it to pass MOT. To look nice again the fairings on the right side would need resprayed

[squirrel_hunter]

Originally Posted by The Idle Biker

Oi!! I'll give you £300 for that old SV you have and maybe I can practice on that?

£300? Don't be silly the fuel tank doesn't hold that much.

But think about it the Melody is cheap to buy and the parts will be too. It is fairly simple by design, a small utilitarian two stroke. Plus everybody else rebuilds RD's, Z's, Katana's etc, no one rebuilds crap bikes. The Melody fits your requirements perfectly, you know it makes sense.

Plus there is massive potential for tuning, a big bore kit, bigger carbs, proper performance pipe…

[andrewsmith]

Could alway do a custom jobbie like this

[dirtydog]

I'd go for a 2 stroke of some sort, much simpler to work on as a 1st rebuild as theres no valves/cams/cam chains etc to worry about

[squirrel_hunter]

Originally Posted by dirtydog

I'd go for a 2 stroke of some sort, much simpler to work on as a 1st rebuild as theres no valves/cams/cam chains etc to worry about

See, another vote for the Melody there.

Come on you know it makes sense. There is even one on the bay for £50 that is perfect for you.

Originally Posted by squirrel_hunter

See, another vote for the Melody there.

Come on you know it makes sense. There is even one on the bay for £50 that is perfect for you.

No, no , no no, no, no!!

I might go with a two stroke like DD says or an SV like Owenski or Winder says, but not something with a basket on the front. Please....I'd like to retain some dignity.

Mind you I could start a My Melody Rebuild Project picture thread, and post up Wanted Honda Melody basket brackets needed and such....mmmmmmm?