budget build

Honda VLX 400 Chopper/Bobber. A Totally Awesome Budget Build.

You guys know how much i love a well executed budget custom. Simon Tay of Singapore sends in another fine example of why imagination and creativity is always necessary no matter how much money you have… or in this case DON’T have. Congratulations on such a nice bike!

Simon wtites in:

Hi there,
Here’s a Honda Steed VLX 400 I had customized. Did it on a super low budget of S$450. I used an old front fender and widen it to make the rear fender. Found an old leather chair by the dumpster and turned it into a leather seat. Paint was rattled can sprayed but I had the paint shop to do a 2K clear over it for durability. Custom made bars with internal wiring and flushed fork caps. I hope you like it! I’m working on another bike now, hope it’ll turn out better than this!
Cheers!
Simon Tay
Singapore

 

Thanks again Simon!  I Love it!

 

 

 

Reader Ride. A nice “budget built” Yamaha SRX600.

I love seeing interesting bikes built on a budget.  There’s always something to learn.

Norman writes in:

My name is Norman, I am 26 years old, studying.
I`ve been following your blog for some time, and just love the work you`re doing.
Since a few years, i own a 1987 Yamaha SRX 600, and i`ve been working on it ever since – as far as a very tight budget allows it (and the german regultations concerning customizing bikes).
In it`s most recent incarnation, it went from flat black cafe racer to sky blue, little flakey roadster; see attachment.
It is not yet done, but if you like it, I will send some pictures when it has progressed further.
It is not a high class build, especially as I am “learning by doing”, and have a tight budget and limited tooling, but maybe you want to show it – in this case, I will send you more and hopefully better pictures when it is set up for the season (probably March).
Here`s some data:

1987 Yamaha SRX 600, Type 2TM (swiss import)
bored out to 675ccm, K&N, stage 3 dynojet kit,
Progressive fork springs,
Koni shocks,
braided brake lines,
BSM stainless steel exhaust,
homemade seat and rear section,
vintage Granturismo flake grips,
Rattle can paintjob and so on.

I see that you have certain standards for the material you post, so I fully understand if you leave it out.

Keep up the good work,

Regards
Norman

Actually Norman if I have standards I’m not sure what they are exactly lol.  I generally go with my mood on these things.  I don’t think that there is enough attention paid to what people are doing when on a budget.  Anyone can get their vision out with an unlimited budget.    It’s the people who are constrained by time/space and money that really have to get creative and even if it doesn’t quite “get there” it’s interesting to see how the compromises play out.  Thank You for the Pics!


Reader Ride From Spain! A Honda CM400T Street Tracker.

This may be the nicest CM400T on the planet. Damm that is cool.

I’ve said it here many many times. You do NOT need big money or big engines to build fantastic bikes. And here we have another excellent example of that. This beauty was built by Mario Trigo Salorino wo writes in:


Hello, my name is Mario and I write from Spain. I’m a fan of your blog for a long time. Always show the style of bikes that I like. It is a daily appointment required.


I want to show a personal project I recently completed. It is a Honda CM400T, base uncommon, has been done by me and some friends. I do not define his style, bobber, track, brat … is a modest project but I’m very happy with the result. Major changes are, handlebars, handlebar switch, repositioning of the electrical components and battery box, exhaust, rear set, clocks, modified original seat and paint job. Appear on your blog would be a reward for my work. I hope you like.


A greeting and continued with this great blog. Muchas gracias.


PS. Sorry for my English.

Your English is fine Mario It’s an excellent build. I am labeling at a Street Tracker but you’re right it has elements of other styles in it as well.  ! Thank you very much for sending in these great picture!

Update: (missed a good pic) Very Nice Low Budget Chop From the Netherlands.

More proof that you don’t need big money or big horsepower to build a cool ride.

Bjorn Writes in:

He hello my name is Bjorn I’m 20 years old and I’m from the Netherlands. I’m a regular visitor of your site. And i love it especially the frequent updates i digg. I have a picture of my motorcycle as well, hopefully you like it.

I bought it as a stock Honda shadow vt600 but right from the start i knew I was going to chop it. Because i dont like stock stuff in general. I bought this Honda because i wanted a vtwin but because of legislation here in the Netherlands you cannot ride a bike with more than 25 kW (34 hp) if you are under 21 years old. since i was 19 at the moment i had to buy a bike with this power restriction and this bike has 34 hp stock.
I tried to make as much of the components myself from the handlebars to the stainless steel exhaust, sidecovers and everything in between, because i didn’t want to buy shit out of catalogs because everybody can do that. I could use the lathe and mill at my school to machine parts. And my little brother is a welder so he helped me out with that. Lots of time went into making a foot clutch and a tank shift. It worked in the end but after some test riding i found it to dangerous to drive here in Holland with the million roundabouts, so i changed it back to stock controls. I also had an open exhaust but i found it to loud so i tried making a muffler with a design like i had never seen on a other bike. It works very well actually. Also made my version of a sissybar.

I use it as my daily driver to school, work, friends you name it. i now you didn’t ask for this whole story haha, but me personally, I’m always interested in the story behind a bike. At the moment the bike is nearly done, the riding season here is at its end so i can put the finishing touches on it like a muffler decoration and new pegs. I cant wait to start a new project.

greetings from the Netherlands!

Bjorn

 

Reader Ride. A Badass 1978 Honda Hawk 400T Bobber. Yes. You Read That Correctly….

If you’ve followed this blog for a while you’ll know that I just love builds like this.  Ted Brecheisen sends in more proof that you don’t need big bucks to build a fantastic bike.   I used to own a stocker as a kid.  Never imagined it could look like this!

Ted Writes:

Great blog site. Love your two stroll one also. Have 2 excellent RD350’s (stockers)
Here are a couple of pics of a 78′ Honda Hawk 400t the we did over the winter. It was a throw away we retrieved and started chopping. It’s low budget but cam out pretty good. The swing arm has be extended 4″ to get a little more wheelbase. The front old Goodyear DT dirt track tire was the start of the inspiration to head to the dirt track look. Tank is a 88 Yamaha Virago 250, license plate bracket is two 5hp Briggs connecting rods. Handle bars awe from a Yamaha ATV. Rides great and has good handling manners. Cheap fun!


Thanks,


Ted Brecheisen
ted@marketshareplus.com

Awesome Ted. Thanks! And if you get a chance I’d love to see those RD350’s! Always in the hunt for good 2-stroke pics for the other site!