Has anyone ever built a bike from scratch?

Rickyisms
Edited Date/Time 3/26/2022 10:13am
I got the idea from MotoRoss678 who built a YZ250 from scratch in the bike builds section, really nice build!

Anyone ever done something similar? Started with just a frame/engine and eBay’Ed your way through it? I was thinking about doing something similar with my KLX110 since it seems like the only thing left stock will be the bottom end, frame, and suspension. All the takeoffs are thrown in boxes so I’d have to see just how much would be involved.
4
4
|
troymoto2 3/23/2022 7:37am
3/23/2022 7:37am
I actually pondered this back in the 90's when i worked at a bike shop. Honda offered new motors in their red book, which weren't crazy prices, but i think piecing out the rest was pretty ridiculous. Obviously, this was building with all brand new OEM parts and certainly would be cost prohibitive to say the least, but it was interesting. I checked a few years ago and any of the golden age two stroke motors were long gone.
2
Kyle978
Profile picture for user Kyle978
Posts
1722
Joined
10/7/2013
Location
Dirt, NM, USA
Kyle978 3/23/2022 7:45am
3/23/2022 7:45am Edited Date/Time 3/23/2022 8:05am
I bought this 03’ CR250R as a frame/forks/shock for $400 in 2010 while I was attending MMI in Phoenix as a broke 20 year old. I found a bottom end that needed rebuilt, and separately a cylinder that needed plating for another $400 total. I would purchase things like beat up wheels, break them down and lace up new hoops. Really built the bike from the ground up.

Over a few months I built it up and raced the shit out of it. I could ride the 250 and 450 classes with it and made a little money locally.

After a few months the engine grenaded, and I got a 450 to race so the bike sat for a while blown up. I ended up stripping it back down and doing a full build up, then ended up selling it for like $5,000 😂

Version 1


V2 before it sold



35
2
ddog558
Profile picture for user ddog558
Posts
1145
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Arlington, TX, USA
ddog558 3/23/2022 7:49am
3/23/2022 7:49am

46
Black Diesel Bomber 3/23/2022 7:49am
3/23/2022 7:49am
Sometimes with restorations you nearly end up building the bike from scratch anyway. A couple of mine definitely feel like they've been built from scratch after buying new suspension, fuel tanks, air boxes, cases, cylinders, radiators, seat pans, wheels/hubs/tires, carb, plastics, bolt kits, and nearly everything else except the frame and swing arm.
11

The Shop

See All »
731chopper
Profile picture for user 731chopper
Posts
4227
Joined
1/2/2015
Location
DFW, TX, USA
731chopper 3/23/2022 7:54am
3/23/2022 7:54am
I have and like Bomber said that’s pretty much what a lot of restorations turn into anyways. You should do it. Less parts laying around taking up space after.
Rickyisms 3/23/2022 8:10am
3/23/2022 8:10am
731chopper wrote:
I have and like Bomber said that’s pretty much what a lot of restorations turn into anyways. You should do it. Less parts laying around taking...
I have and like Bomber said that’s pretty much what a lot of restorations turn into anyways. You should do it. Less parts laying around taking up space after.
I like all the answers so far. The nice thing about the 110s are that most go all out building them, so I should be able to snag some Larger OEM parts like suspension and a bottom end relatively cheap.
2
1
Rickyisms 3/23/2022 8:12am
3/23/2022 8:12am
Kyle978 wrote:
I bought this 03’ CR250R as a frame/forks/shock for $400 in 2010 while I was attending MMI in Phoenix as a broke 20 year old. I...
I bought this 03’ CR250R as a frame/forks/shock for $400 in 2010 while I was attending MMI in Phoenix as a broke 20 year old. I found a bottom end that needed rebuilt, and separately a cylinder that needed plating for another $400 total. I would purchase things like beat up wheels, break them down and lace up new hoops. Really built the bike from the ground up.

Over a few months I built it up and raced the shit out of it. I could ride the 250 and 450 classes with it and made a little money locally.

After a few months the engine grenaded, and I got a 450 to race so the bike sat for a while blown up. I ended up stripping it back down and doing a full build up, then ended up selling it for like $5,000 😂

Version 1


V2 before it sold



That’s a good looking bike! Great story.
2
1
JMX247
Profile picture for user JMX247
Posts
195
Joined
10/26/2014
Location
Santa Clarita, CA, USA
Fantasy
417th
JMX247 3/23/2022 8:13am
3/23/2022 8:13am
I’m currently building an rm125 from scratch. All my parts are a mixture of 01-06 rm125 and rm250 parts that were all purchased from eBay and Craigslist. I have an 01 rm125 frame with an ama tag, an 03 rm125 motor, 02 rm250 swingarm and linkage, 04 rm250 forks and clamps, 03 rm125 wheels, 02 rm125 subframe with an 04 airbox, and 06 rm125 calipers.
4
jeffro667
Profile picture for user jeffro667
Posts
366
Joined
12/8/2015
Location
Jackson, OH, USA
jeffro667 3/23/2022 10:55am
3/23/2022 10:55am
I built this, from a rag 94 cr125 chassis, and a 90 engine and wheels. Went through the engine, new rod, replated cylinder with Eric Gorr 144 kit. Obviously bought some new stuff. I also built the 95 Honda of troy tribute 250 from boxes of extra cr250 stuff I have.



20
Markee
Profile picture for user Markee
Posts
3668
Joined
4/15/2013
Location
Suffolk, VA, USA
Markee 3/23/2022 11:06am
3/23/2022 11:06am
Sky is the limit bud, go for it.

Not from scratch. But this 500 I build a few years ago had brembo brakes, KX 450 trees holding yz KYB forks. KTM wheelset and pegs.

At the time I was considering building my own 4130 Chromoly frame to utilize any shock on the market.




12
Thisusernameisavailable 3/23/2022 11:10am
3/23/2022 11:10am
I intend to ‘bastardise’ an XR600 one day. BIG desert tyres, no silencer, flat seat, ‘round’ ‘triumph’ style fuel tank.
1
4
Moto Nomad
Profile picture for user Moto Nomad
Posts
1185
Joined
1/19/2021
Location
Grass Valley, CA, USA
Moto Nomad 3/23/2022 11:13am
3/23/2022 11:13am
Does this count? I've got it totally apart, but a divorce and a move slowed me down.



4
Steve125
Profile picture for user Steve125
Posts
1410
Joined
11/24/2010
Location
USA
Steve125 3/23/2022 12:46pm
3/23/2022 12:46pm Edited Date/Time 3/23/2022 12:48pm
I built this RM370 over the winter. Started around Christmas time.I only used the frame, lower end, and rear wheel off the original bike. Almost done with a 76 RM125 too, which I started after the 370 was done. Ebay and partzilla for most of the missing parts.


25
motokiwi 3/23/2022 12:54pm
3/23/2022 12:54pm
Has anyone ever built their own frame? This is the only one I have seen (made for fmx - so doesn't really count)




13
Markee
Profile picture for user Markee
Posts
3668
Joined
4/15/2013
Location
Suffolk, VA, USA
Markee 3/23/2022 1:09pm
3/23/2022 1:09pm
Man check that silencer position!
3
ProKawi24
Profile picture for user ProKawi24
Posts
2147
Joined
2/20/2018
Location
Herald, CA, USA
ProKawi24 3/23/2022 1:13pm
3/23/2022 1:13pm
Not sure how much this qualifies but....

The last bike I had was a brand new KX85 (2001 model) and I was a support rider for Kawi/Pro Circuit. Right when we got the new bike we stripped it down to the frame, had the frame painted Flo Green. Sent the engine and suspension to Pro Circuit, then once those came back we put it all back together with all the upgrades. Works pipe, shorty muffler, Hinson clutch, PC mag cover, Renthal sprockets, bars, all different plastics, Bridgestone tires, black Excel rims, maybe more stuff I can't remember but it was definitely awesome to tear a bike down to the frame and rebuild it with all the goodies.


14
Spankey
Profile picture for user Spankey
Posts
143
Joined
12/11/2013
Location
Burns, OR, USA
Spankey 3/23/2022 1:18pm
3/23/2022 1:18pm
Rickyisms wrote:
I got the idea from MotoRoss678 who built a YZ250 from scratch in the bike builds section, really nice build! Anyone ever done something similar? Started...
I got the idea from MotoRoss678 who built a YZ250 from scratch in the bike builds section, really nice build!

Anyone ever done something similar? Started with just a frame/engine and eBay’Ed your way through it? I was thinking about doing something similar with my KLX110 since it seems like the only thing left stock will be the bottom end, frame, and suspension. All the takeoffs are thrown in boxes so I’d have to see just how much would be involved.
Go over to the Old School Moto site. Thats all we do.
4
TooTallJason
Profile picture for user TooTallJason
Posts
626
Joined
11/10/2020
Location
Denver, CO, USA
TooTallJason 3/23/2022 1:23pm
3/23/2022 1:23pm
motokiwi wrote:
Has anyone ever built their own frame? This is the only one I have seen (made for fmx - so doesn't really count) [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2022/03/23/539733/s1200_fmx250.jpg[/img]
Has anyone ever built their own frame? This is the only one I have seen (made for fmx - so doesn't really count)




I feel like every time I look at this bike I lose ten minutes of my life.
2

Pit Row

See All »
PNWMXer
Profile picture for user PNWMXer
Posts
1771
Joined
1/13/2022
Location
Washington, WA, USA
PNWMXer 3/23/2022 1:29pm
3/23/2022 1:29pm
There was a rider in the 70’s or 80’s that built his own “works” bike, but I can’t recall all the details. One of the magazines did an article on it looking back…MXA I believe.
1
sandman768
Profile picture for user sandman768
Posts
8174
Joined
3/21/2014
Location
Saratoga Springs, NY, USA
sandman768 3/23/2022 1:35pm
3/23/2022 1:35pm
Steve125 wrote:
I built this RM370 over the winter. Started around Christmas time.I only used the frame, lower end, and rear wheel off the original bike. Almost done...
I built this RM370 over the winter. Started around Christmas time.I only used the frame, lower end, and rear wheel off the original bike. Almost done with a 76 RM125 too, which I started after the 370 was done. Ebay and partzilla for most of the missing parts.


That’s awesome work!
2
sandman768
Profile picture for user sandman768
Posts
8174
Joined
3/21/2014
Location
Saratoga Springs, NY, USA
sandman768 3/23/2022 1:43pm
3/23/2022 1:43pm
Some of the bikes I restored I would have been better off starting from scratch! Very fulfilling to build a bike from scratch but usually very expensive also. If you want a certain bike bad enough you will do whatever it takes…
4
JOE_SPROCKETS#1 3/23/2022 2:19pm
3/23/2022 2:19pm
I see both sides of this. Sometimes it’s nice to take time and clean old parts and fix imperfections as much as it is to buy all the new badass upgrades.
1
INeedaNewUsername 3/23/2022 2:46pm
3/23/2022 2:46pm
PNWMXer wrote:
There was a rider in the 70’s or 80’s that built his own “works” bike, but I can’t recall all the details. One of the magazines...
There was a rider in the 70’s or 80’s that built his own “works” bike, but I can’t recall all the details. One of the magazines did an article on it looking back…MXA I believe.
Chris Heisser.... didn't work all that great, but a cool project
6
kijen
Profile picture for user kijen
Posts
1229
Joined
10/1/2010
Location
Jacksonville, FL, USA
kijen 3/23/2022 2:48pm
3/23/2022 2:48pm
2001 engine, 2005 frame, 2009 suspensio , tusk wheels, 2022 body. The bike has worn 2005, body, 2016 body and now the 22. I have had it for about 10 years
20
SmokinJoe439
Profile picture for user SmokinJoe439
Posts
2399
Joined
3/7/2012
Location
Renton, WA, USA
SmokinJoe439 3/23/2022 3:15pm
3/23/2022 3:15pm
Just watch some of these Indonesia motocross shops. Bikes are expensive so they often take parts and build frames and swingarms all by hand. This is how much they love moto loads of these videos.


https://youtu.be/WgiSZepICk8
5
jacko337
Profile picture for user jacko337
Posts
94
Joined
1/20/2018
Location
Mackay QLD, AU
jacko337 3/23/2022 3:39pm
3/23/2022 3:39pm
kijen wrote:
2001 engine, 2005 frame, 2009 suspensio , tusk wheels, 2022 body. The bike has worn 2005, body, 2016 body and now the 22. I have had...
2001 engine, 2005 frame, 2009 suspensio , tusk wheels, 2022 body. The bike has worn 2005, body, 2016 body and now the 22. I have had it for about 10 years
contemplating doing this to my 07 i just picked up cheap, was it just airbox, intake, subframe, tank and plastics?
kijen
Profile picture for user kijen
Posts
1229
Joined
10/1/2010
Location
Jacksonville, FL, USA
kijen 3/23/2022 4:16pm
3/23/2022 4:16pm
kijen wrote:
2001 engine, 2005 frame, 2009 suspensio , tusk wheels, 2022 body. The bike has worn 2005, body, 2016 body and now the 22. I have had...
2001 engine, 2005 frame, 2009 suspensio , tusk wheels, 2022 body. The bike has worn 2005, body, 2016 body and now the 22. I have had it for about 10 years
jacko337 wrote:
contemplating doing this to my 07 i just picked up cheap, was it just airbox, intake, subframe, tank and plastics?
Yep what you mentioned plus fenders and shrouds, ufo now sells them so much cheaper than the oem and need a seat, a handfull of new bolts and such. Watch out for the seat bolt, 23 bucks ha ha.. think i spent 1200ish total. I also put on 21 triple clamps etc...
3
PNWMXer
Profile picture for user PNWMXer
Posts
1771
Joined
1/13/2022
Location
Washington, WA, USA
PNWMXer 3/23/2022 4:22pm
3/23/2022 4:22pm
PNWMXer wrote:
There was a rider in the 70’s or 80’s that built his own “works” bike, but I can’t recall all the details. One of the magazines...
There was a rider in the 70’s or 80’s that built his own “works” bike, but I can’t recall all the details. One of the magazines did an article on it looking back…MXA I believe.
INeedaNewUsername wrote:
Chris Heisser.... didn't work all that great, but a cool project [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2022/03/23/539749/s1200_download_1.jpg[/img]
Chris Heisser.... didn't work all that great, but a cool project
That’s the one, thanks!

3
Idp57
Profile picture for user Idp57
Posts
429
Joined
12/4/2013
Location
Arlington Heights, IL, USA
Idp57 3/23/2022 4:33pm
3/23/2022 4:33pm
I did it back in 2010. Pitbike klx138cc ,all most exact replica like the one in TW Magazine.Started with the rear rim from eBay lol.It cost me a little over $7000.Still got it
3
mxracer666
Profile picture for user mxracer666
Posts
782
Joined
10/28/2010
Location
NE Iowa, IA, USA
mxracer666 3/23/2022 5:00pm
3/23/2022 5:00pm
Back in the mid 2000's I built (3) 250 2-strokes, getting all the major components off ebay. Back then places would part out new or near-new bikes (because the bike shop's couldn't hardly give away 2-strokes!). They were worth more as parts, than a whole bike. I'd get most of the bolts and small stuff from the dealer, new, to put it all together. On a 2001 CR250 I built, I found a mint frame on ebay - was the only bidder and got it for 50 cents! (shipping cost me $50) Fun times! Also built an '06 RM250 with A-kit suspension for $3500 total. I still have those bikes...
7

Post a reply to: Has anyone ever built a bike from scratch?