Building an SV from scratch?

Ive got one of my bikes up for sale and when it sells il have free'd up some space and cash in the garage to start something new.

Now since having the SV ive been amazed buy just how many spares and things u can do to these bikes, so its got me thinking, id like to build a bike from the frame up, customising it the way I want, playing with different components, all stuff thats been done im sure, but to my taste!!

Is this a realistic proposition, whats the best way to start, try to find a wreck and strip and rebuild or start with a frame and number plate?

I'd find a wreck and bring it back to life. Much more fun I think and you'd get the satisfaction of repairing bits that can be repaired than simply sourcing each part and bolting it together.

[jambo]

Having done this recently I would say start with a complete bike.

It can be duff, but if you buy it in bits you'll lose money on all the little things, wheel spacers, bolts, fixings, brackets, they all add up.

Buy a bike in a sensible condition for the time and money you can put into it.

Taking the bike down to frame isn't that hard, but it is when you encounter all the seized bolts, nuts and fasteners. This is when a bike that's never had a lot of love, and one that's seen actual, honest to God grease get separated from each other.

The build up isn't bad, because at the end of the tear down you know exactly what you need.

You will end up having to replace bearings, seals, perishable items, factor that into your cost estimates

Jambo
Sent from my thingie

[Jayneflakes]

A ground up build always costs way more than just buying a bike, but it can be a great deal of fun. I know this from doing it with push bikes, but I would love to do a project like this.

Good luck and take lots of pictures.

Yups not that ive done a whole rebuild at all but i know full well everytime you do a few jobs you end up breaking something or finding something else that could need doing. So unless you find a steal of a bike your always going to lose a bit of cash but you have a bike that needs 0 work doing for a long time and the satisfaction..and its an excuse to be in the garage!