How many is too many?

I guess I just want someone to talk me out of it but, I want a third VFR. My 93, I dont want to molest. My 07 is too new to mess with. I found a few 5th gens, some salvage titles, with 20,000-30,000 miles on them for decent prices that I could mechanically "play" around with. I am going to sell my CBR1000rr this weekend as I never ride it (it has no personality or soul) and I need the room. I have 4 other bikes, 3 of them finished restorations and now I want a non-restoration project.

Even when I think I'm done, I start looking for another bike project. It seems I always need one and for the past 5 years have had some form of bike half torn apart in my garage. I have a stalled 65 el camino restore in the same garage so it's not for lack of projects.

So, my question is, how many of you guys always have something going bike-wise, in the garage? Do I need therapy?

 

I personally envy you for doing it. I wish I was doing this kind of stuff myself but I have no garage or the know how..its something i will start doing very soon. If you love doing it, just do it..some people play the guitar for hours on end, some people play video games, some people surf and skate..its not crazy its just a passion.

 

6 is too many.

 

At one tyme, I had : 1-CR80, 2-YZ125's, 1-Harley knuckle-head, 1-Harley Enduro, & 2-Suzuki-550 triples. Cages: 2-BMW 2002's, 1-Hillman husky, 1-Dodge panel truck,
1-ford ThunderBird, & 1-Chev. Dirt RaceCar. Plus Various Parts, Exctra. It was a chore to get whatever was in the back of the garage!
I do not want to have that many toys agian!

 

Reek - these bikes ARE our therapy!

 

Four is too many so your all good,

 

I think it's relative to money, the size of your garage, time and what you'll be doing with them. If you have the money, then you can buy as many that you can fit into your garage. Time and what you'll be doing with them would be the other factors. Will you have the time to ride them all or just look at them. Some guys like to collect vintage bikes, restore them and show them at MC events, but don't ride them too much because of their vintage status. I knew one guy who at one time had one bike for every type of riding style, touring, cruiser, dual-sport, sport bike, track bike, etc.. In the end he found the one bike that they couldn't live without and ended up riding that one most of the time leaving the others sitting in the garage, he ended up selling most of the others off, keeping his favorite and his track bike.

If I had Money and the spouse had no objections, I think my limit would be 4, My VFR, My Ducati 900SS, a Hypermotard or dual-sport of some make, and a track bike maybe a Panigale? If these were in my garage now, I would have to say the VFR would probably get used the most, just as it does now. Then again, I haven't ridden the Panigale yet!

Cheers

 

Counting all motorized two wheelers at my house, I think the total is 12...... or so. All of them run, except the KX250 that is in boxes waiting to have a 500cc engine installed. I always have something to to work on whether I want to or not. My 00 VFR was a great winter project and I'm about to put risers and handlebars on it. There's no such thing as too many toys. Just remember, he who dies with the most toys, is dead none the less.

 

that's how I rationalize it too. But as toe cutter said, 4 may be too many. Anything beyond that, I tend not to ride the bikes enough. I usually buy, tear down, fix, sell. Just as I talk myself out of a new bike project, I eventually wander back to craigslist.... I guess I'm going to try to not start a new one just yet, unless I start yelling at work and kicking the dog at home.

 

Exactly what POPS said-- That is your therapy--- you would probably turn to drinkin if you didn't have those projects

 

yikes, I sometimes do turn to a few drinks at the end of a wrenching session.....

 

Providing you have the means, there is no such thing as too many as long as you get enough saddle time. Therapy? You never see a motorcycle parked outside a psychiatrist's office, lol.

 

You should never think you are out of money or time for your projects. If that is where you are, then consider less projects. If that means you can crank away on 15 bikes, then DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:chaingun:

For me, three big projects is about all I can handle. More than that and I get that sinking feeling about my time and/or money.

Jose

 

Too many? Is there really such a thing?
Seriously, it does feel overwhelming sometimes keeping mine going. Oil and batteries can take a toll. Plus I've got a couple that the tires have plenty of tread but are approaching the suppleness of wood. I just switch to something else until I can afford to take care of the problem or have the time to do it. I have the garage space to hold them, but I ALWAYS have shit to do, whether it's repairs, maintenance or finishing a rebuild/restoration... and loving it.

 

you guys are all talking me in the wrong direction. :smile: I'll have to agree, oil, battery and tires really can get a bit expensive. But on the flip side, I'm getting really fast at home tire change and balance.

space and funds are always limiting as well. Assuming my CBR sells this weekend so my garage has an empty spot, I think I'll raise my criteria to "if I see a screaming deal" then I'll start a new project. It really is an addiction.

 

REEK,
What balance method are you using? Do you have a tire machine or using spoons?

 

shade tree mechanic method

Nothing fancy but my method has served me well for many years.

I made an easy bead breaker out a a 8 foot 2 x 4 bolted one end to the corner of my fixed shed and about 2-3 feet from that end, a pivoting piece of 2 x 4 with an angle cut end and use the other end of the first 8 foot piece as the lever, handle. I put down 2 short 2 x 4 to protect the rim from the cement/ground and I just put the angled end of the pivoting 2x4 on the bead, lean on the handle, it pops the bead off, flip do the other side, no damage, no struggle.

Then I just use tire irons and silicone rim protectors with lots of bulk tire mounting solution and the tires slip right off. Then line up the new tire 'dot' with the valve, I use metal valves. Add generous solution, slip both beads to the center of the rim and then inflate. 2 loud, scary pops later, both beads have seated. Usually around 40 psi. I try to be careful with all that solution not to leave a bunch inside the tire.

I then put it on one of those harbor freight cheapo tire balancers and use stick on weights. I had to machine out a little home made adapter to fit thru the middle hole in the VFR rear rim. Seems to work ok up and over 120 mph.

 

Hey, at least your collection is different bikes! I THINK IM THE ONE WITH THE PROBLEM...

i had 3 VFRs at once...