Customizing one's own bike is a very rewarding pastime. Engine parts are widely available. And unlike the old days, when one had to trek down to the salvage yards for decent prices on good parts, today's online "salvage yards" have made parts purchases easier and faster. If you're wanting to build your custom cycle yourself from scratch with new parts, keep your eyes out for what are loosely referred to as "bikes in a box." These are complete build-it-yourself bike kits, and include everything--front end, transmission, tank, tires, brakes, wheel assemblies, wheel covers--yes, everything. Aside from the tools to build it, when completed, all you'll lack is the paint job and the gas to make her go. Complete bike kits come from well-known, well-regarded names in the industry. Typically, these kits start at around $13,000 dollars. Of course, not everyone who wants a custom cycle knows how to build one. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources available for people of all levels of experience. There are plenty of books, videos and DVDs available to help guide the weekend gear-head through the process of building and customizing his or her own bike. It's very important to ensure that the lesson materials match the experience level of the hobbyist. Some of these teaching materials cater specifically to the experienced. Others assume that the person facing down a "bike in a box" has never before held a wrench in his hand. When you're in the market for educational materials but aren't sure of your level, experts recommend going with the "easier" version. This way, you ensure that you won't get confused by missing critical steps in training. |
