[DougZ]

This is pretty much a continence from this thread...further thoughts about building bikes and making a business of it.

http://www.customfighters.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4749



***Let me preface this with saying I am not out to offend anyone...anyone that maybe offended would be someone who builds bikes on the board.....or who is a true bike builder/seller.....this thread is just for the sake of conversation***

So, the more I come to my day job, and the more I think about what I need to do here, as well as what I need to do for DZC..both during the day and when I get home....order parts, ship customer orders, etc...the more I know I would like to do this sheet full time. Of course, until I am pulling down what I am making at the "day job"...as well as the extra to cover medical insurance and all that fun stuff....I aint quitting the day job...but the gears are turning anyway.

Let me also say, although most of you already know....DZ is one cheap mofo..I never pay more than what I feel something is worth..to me. With that said, I don't expect people to pay me a ton over what I have into any particular item. I currently have three basic products in my line so far..one I source from a machinist....the clear clutch covers, one I make myself...the SV plate holders, and one I source the parts from a supply catalog...the brake kits. I don't make a whole lot on any of them.

For the sake of being open..I'll give ya the break down for the brake kits..the easiest one to show:

One kit:

hose, clamps and plug: $ 6.96
Bubble mailer $ 0.80
Label/tape: $ 0.40
Shipping ( USPS) $ 2.06 (avg)

Total: $10.22

I sell that kit for $12.50.....profit........$2.28
As you can see, I aint making a lot here.....I actually priced to be cheaper than anywhere else...like Yoyodyne..cause that is how I wanna buy things..so that is how I wanna sell things.

So, in looking to build bike..I mentioned in some other thread one time..that I would try and build/ sell bikes for like $5K over cost to build....which would be almost all parts. I figure $5K over should make them come out to be reasonable...no matter what kind of bike it is. My logic is, sell one bike a month...meaning build at least one bike a month...would equal out to $70K a year profit...not a huge amount...but more than I am making now.......which would make me happy.

I will admit I am sure other costs will come into the picture...like overhead, taxes, evetually getting my own machining equipment, etc.....so that $5K per bike profit would probably go up.

So.....lets hear what you guys think...as business people, bike guys, and modder/s builders....open discussion.

 

[dogbreath]

$5000 over cost is a lot. When I fix a bike up to sell I usually make a grand in profit, on average.

Generally, repairing bikes is a necessary task to keep money flowing, too. You're not always going to be able to sell bikes and you are eventually going to have to give up making money on one that didn't turn out well.

 

[enrico vespa]

in regards to charging $5k over costs, seems extremely reasonable considering I see alot of "custom" bikes going for $50k +.

Most of those prices go to the "name". I don't see ppl paying $150,000 for an occ bike, but that's just me.

Something that I wanted to do on the side, would def take alot of upfront $ which I'm not about to plunk down for risk of loss. Everything in the beginning will be slow, really slow. With what you're doing, take some type of precautions to protect yourself from scammers and as you get things made, post them on ebay. PPl will see the HRC's for $24 + shipping and yours for $20 shipped. For the clutch covers, not sure if you tried socal.

With everything in business, start slow where if there are any losses, you don't lose much. Time management is also key. Make the product on weekends and ship as you get the orders. You just have to figure out what to do when it gets to the point that you can't do it yourself alone. You figure that out before it gets to that point.

Would you get enough supplies to make 100 and sell them peice by peice? or do you make small batches. Again, with the brake delete, alot of bikes can use them. Ebay alone will sell out your supply.

Personally, I'm looking back into what I planned on doing during the winter. Instead of going all out with risking losing everything within a quarter, I'm thinking of starting small, maybe 500-1000 limits until it picks up. Ebay and utilizing friends and ppl I know for a mutual advertising arrangement would be key and beneficial for everyone. Kinda like one hand washes the other.

 

[DougZ]

The $5 K over was more for chopper style bikes..like the OCC chopper that costs $16K in parts to build, but sells for $30K.....way too much.

I realize sport bikes would not get $5K over.

As far as those damn brake kits....it juts got another sale and realized I forgot part of the cost...damn Paypal fees...$0.66 per sale...damn them.

I do have them on ebay...they aren't selling....probably cause some other guy has them on cheaper...but he has to be using the wrong hose..the right hose is expensive.

My kit:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HRC-...014QQitemZ330118213233QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

His kit:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Supe...020QQitemZ300110951795QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

 

[Candyman]

The difficulty with selling streetfighters is that they're not popular enough *yet* in the states to demand prices like 5K over build parts. And also, it'd be tough to crank out a bike a month, even with a well equipt shop.

I think that building fighters could be an enjoyable business, but honestly not a very proffitable one. Especially because most people interested in fighters are more interested in building them than owning the. I know personally I wouldn't pay a dime for a $10k streetfighter, but I'd jump all over a $1500 project lump to build up to $10k quality. For me, and I think a lot of guys, the whole esense of streetfighters is as much about the build as it is about the ride.

Now making custom parts for fighters... there could be something there. I'd still love to start producing fighter bodywork at a more affordable price.

It does sound like you're toying around with this one in your head though, if you go for it I wish you the best:knucks:

 

[dogbreath]

Even building fully faired sportbikes, it's rare to see more than $2000 profit.

Most of the bikes I've sold turned out to be $40-80/hr.

 

[enrico vespa]

With the ebay, maybe you just have to post installed pics. Then get a few feedbacks that pertain to the brake line. Add comments that don't bash anyone, but mention the tube is of high quality and certain materials are used for clamps so they wont dig into the tube and damage it causing leaks. From just looking at the pics, all I see is a tube and some clamps. So when someone looks at the other one and looks at it on a bike, it gives them a whole different aspect. Using one with the blue fluid would be the tits.

I didn't read the ad, I'm at work and ebay is frowned upon.

 

[DougZ]

With the ebay, maybe you just have to post installed pics. Then get a few feedbacks that pertain to the brake line. Add comments that don't bash anyone, but mention the tube is of high quality and certain materials are used for clamps so they wont dig into the tube and damage it causing leaks. From just looking at the pics, all I see is a tube and some clamps. So when someone looks at the other one and looks at it on a bike, it gives them a whole different aspect. Using one with the blue fluid would be the tits.

I didn't read the ad, I'm at work and ebay is frowned upon.

Yeah,, good point about the pics Rico.

As far as what kinda bikes I'd build, its gonna be fighter projects, and chopper style bikes..at a reasonable price..one offs. The kinda bikes you can't just go to a dealer and pick out.

I think big picture, its gonna just be me building more bikes for me, and then one off, as I get ready to start another. :rock:

 

[shift1313]

ive gone back and forth about this several times and the overall concensus is that fighters just arent popular here. I have less then $500 in my bike and im sure i could sell it for $1500-2000 if i wanted to but i dont. I have so many hours in the bike that i would get nothing for my time really.

I watch gov. auctions and insurance company repos and thats the only way to do it, unless you buy old bikes like mine and update them. There are alot of people out there that like vintage road racers or vintage bikes with updated suspension.

Eventually id like to get into producing frames but i just dont have the time/money to get started at the moment but hopefully in a few years.

its really sad but you would probably get more money for a fully faired bike covered in fur with a 12 bar on it then a nicely done street fighter.

Choppers are hard to sell also. I worked at a dealer that kept a bunch of custom choppers in and they rarely sell unless you are in the right location.

 

[drunkNun]

The $5 K over was more for chopper style bikes..like the OCC chopper that costs $16K in parts to build, but sells for $30K.....way too much.

I realize sport bikes would not get $5K over.

As far as those damn brake kits....it juts got another sale and realized I forgot part of the cost...damn Paypal fees...$0.66 per sale...damn them.

I do have them on ebay...they aren't selling....probably cause some other guy has them on cheaper...but he has to be using the wrong hose..the right hose is expensive.

My kit:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HRC-...014QQitemZ330118213233QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

His kit:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Supe...020QQitemZ300110951795QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Just bought your kit.

 

[DougZ]

Just bought your kit.

I got your payment bro...thanks....you could have bought it from me straight through a PM or email for $12.50. LOL. I'll send that extra dollar back in the package with the brake kit. Thanks.

 

[drunkNun]

The dollar was for ur paypal charge...kinda just a tip for ya....lol. Dont send it back or ill send it back to you again!

 

[DougZ]

The dollar was for ur paypal charge...kinda just a tip for ya....lol. Dont send it back or ill send it back to you again!

I'll send it back.....and maybe an extra one..just to one up ya. LOL arty-smiley:

Make sure your addy is correct on Paypal..it'll go out tomorrow..if I make the post office in time, if not Wednesday. Thanks again.

 

[drunkNun]

yep thats my address.

 

[929_adam]

bike building as a business is something i've dreamt about for a while now. the reality of it is....it takes money to make money. and thats true in any business. when my fighters are done, i think about selling them to start new ones. but i just dont know if it will happen. i keep my eye out for deals and sf candidates...sometimes i just cant come up with it tho.

as with any small business things start slow. so you have to keep your dayjob. well, this sux because as things start to pickup...you still need your dayjob, but also need time to do your own thing.

however..as i start to turn small profits, they all add up in my little piggy bank and will be put toward the greater good of the company. which will eventually be a full on shop. custombikes. fighter parts. fighter accessories. etc.

seems like theres a lot of people around that are like minded and wanting to HELP the streetfighter scene grow (and in turn HELP SAVE THE US MOTORCYCLE SCENE FROM ITS HORRBILE CURRENT STATE). they always say two heads is better than one.

if anyone has a bright idea that may help CF out as well as helping you...dont hesistate to approach us about it. i love fighters and want to help this thing grow! its not about making tons of money. if i was doing it for the money...this would be www.CHROMEDTHEFUCKOUT.com

 

[DougZ]

Nice link. LOL

 

[enrico vespa]

yes chrome always leads to titty focking

 

[INVINCIBLE73]

lol awesome link... but seriously.
i plan on having a custom shop opened in about two years. me and my brother are planning this, but he's into full faired bikes. the way we plan on doing it is opening up a dealership first and hiring a head mechanic. that will generate constant flow. and when someone buys a bike we offer to customize it for cheaper than if someone just brought their own bike to us. since im into streetfighters, i figure i'll use the spare parts that we take off other bike and put them on wrecked bikes that people bring in on trades or anything of that sort. as well, we plan on upgrading suspension and engine modifications on pretty much every bike. since he's into full faired bikes i'm sure we'll also do the whole stupid chrome shit...but at least itll be more money.
anyways thats our plan in a nutshell... i hope to be sponsoring this site in a couple years.

 

[929_adam]

i hope to be sponsoring this site in a couple years.

we hope for that too

 

[dogbreath]

I'm trying to find a cheap building so I don't get harassed by cops anymore