New Guy

[ltanderson18]

Howdy Everyone, Im new to the AMCA, new to this forum. Not new to motorcycles but new to the world of American motorcycles. I've worked on Hondas and Yamahas, Greeves (Pathfinder though, it has a Puch engine so not entirely a Greeves) and other various bikes, really whatever has walked itself into my life. I Have an 82' XS650 and a 71' CL350, and I'm ready to take a break from parallel twin, overhead cam motors. About 2 years I ago I saw Wild Wheels Wall Of Death at my fair here in Washington county, in upstate NY. Got interested in the old Indians and have been looking for my next project motorcycle since.
If anyone has advice on where I should start looking to find, or build, a motorcycle I would appreciate it. Can i expect to find something complete, or at least a roller with an engine. Is that or is that not likely these days? Should i plan on building one piece at a time? Is the best way to source the major parts of the motorcycle (Frames, front end, engines etc.) at swap meets? That enough questions to get me started here.
Dream Bikes would be Harley JD, Harley WL, or an Indian scout. Not looking for anything original, not looking to do a period correct restore. I would be happy with something crusty, mismatched. most importantly i want something restore mechanically as that is what i enjoy to do the most.
Any advice is appreciated, Happy to be a new member here, i look forward to connecting with you all!

~Luke

[JoJo357]

Welcome to the Forum Luke. Check out these on Marketplace. Hit his name for other Motorcycles he's selling.



1926 Indian Chief <-----*Marketplace.


*M.A.D.*

[PaulCDF]

WELCOME Luke

Any pictures of your 71 or 82?

I am in CNY

Here is a SHAMELESS PLUG for the NY Chapters:

#2 Empire Chapter
Brookfield, NY 13314
Contact
Tim Fitzpatrick
President
(315) 899-3087
LLubec17@gmail.com
More Info
Web Site: https://antiquemotorcycle.org/conten...23&module_id=4 70230

#4 Big Sandbar Chapter
Commack, NY 11725
Contact
Keith Moser
President
(631) 682-5973
mudfishcycle@aol.com
More Info
Web Site: www.thebigsandbar.com

Chapters
#60 Bear Mountain Chapter
Warwick, NY 10990
Contact
Ed Jakubowski
President
(973) 907-0822
edjakubowski045@gmail.com

#83 Riveter Chapter
55 BANNER AVE
LANCASTER, NY , NY 14086
Contact
Marjorie Kleiman
Chapter Secretary
201.960.9008
secretary@riveterchapter.com
More Info
Web Site: https://www.riveterchapter.com/

84 Hudson River Antique Riders
Yorktown, NY 10588
Contact
Ken Geiger
President
(914) 424-8007
gkendricks@hotmail.com


Empire Chapter just had its annual meet in Brookfield
(That would have been a great place to shop for a bike)
Backfires [Club news letter has some basket cases listed].

Bill Lane has a restored H-D on Marketplace (Minoa, NY)

The Zorns have a basket 46 Chief Matching # engine and frame on Marketplace
(Believe) they have a Scout on their website

Anyway WELCOME

Paul

[1939wl]

Welcome Aboard Luke
Wish you the best on your new adventures.

[ltanderson18]

Thanks for the replies everyone
Both these are on the road but the Yamaha needs some test riding. It went through a major overhaul and i have not had the chance to bring it out on the road since.
Honda runs great, is a blast for around town and back roads.

I know i just missed the meet in Brookfield, as well as in Greenfield, Mass. which is even closer to me. I am OK with waiting until next summer to go to these meets.
Im not sure i would've been prepared to buy wisely right now anyways. Still a lot too learn. Im also naive to the prices. A lot of the complete bikes are out of my price range right now.
Is it realistic to build a bike a few pieces at a time and spread the cost out?

Who are The Zorns?
I appreciate the help!

~Luke

[PaulCDF]

Luke;

Thanks for the pictures, Hondas reliability is legendary NICE,

"Greenfield, Mass. which is even closer to me"

Here's a shameless plug for the Massachusetts Chapters:

#1a Yankee Chapter - Eastern Massachusetts
Plympton, MA 02367
Contact
George Kyller
Ambassador
(781) 583-1462
swampratgk@gmail.com
More Info
Web Site: www.yankeechapter.org

#1b Yankee Chapter - Western Massachusetts
Springfield, MA 01033
Contact
Chris Lenox
Ambassador
(413) 531-3983
luckchris66@gmail.com
More Info
Web Site: www.yankeechapter.org

"Is it realistic to build a bike a few pieces at a time and spread the cost out?"

Please see my post under: Member Bike Builds: Title "How Not to Build a Bike" short version 5 years in and still a basically a parts pile. Answer might be different if we were talking rarer collectible bike. Full disclosure as Father time has caught up with me aging has left me less able to wrench (and I was never a super wrench). Again just MY opinion: Better/Easier to find a fairly complete bike rather than chasing down every part over time. Again just MY opinion. What is they say about making rabbit stew? STEP 1: Get a Rabbit.

Remember: "If they weren't crashed or blown up; they'd still be on the road."

The Zorns are selling 40 years of collected bikes and parts. They are in Linderhurst (sp?) NY
They used to advertise in the club magazine
Site:

https://indianmotocycleparts.com/

(They also sell on Marketplace (Almost typed Market BASKET there's that Mass influence) and they also sell on fleabay.

All the Best have a Safe and Joy Filled Labor Day Weekend

[otis71]

Find something mostly complete even if apart. Trying to build a complete rare bike from parts gets really expensive though very rewarding.

[exeric]

I think building a bike with access to swap meets is still a viable option because costs are more reasonable, and the people you meet are the most valuable conduit to other parts, direction, and success. Internet bike building is necessary, but more expensive so use it out of necessity, (some parts are just going to be expensive, and rare). My 1948FL started as a pair of gas tanks hanging from nails in my junk shed. I always kept my radar fixed on '48 parts wherever there were swap meets, or AMCA contacts that had something I could throw on the pile. I have a 1911 Flying Merkel that was very incomplete when I got it and everyone said you'll play hell trying to find the good, hard to find parts. . . That was true, but who else was looking for that junk, and how many competitors did I have? It has been my experience that searching for that weird stuff (which is still out there, and scattered all over the world) will put you in contact with people you never would have met in any other way. The most important element in all of this is genuine enthusiasm. Without that, this pursuit would be frustrating (and that is putting it mildly).

[ltanderson18]

Thank you everyone for the feedback, this is great. It sounds like looking for a mostly complete (mechanically at least) bike is my best bet. I won't shy away from anything that's a good start, like a rolling frame. But for now i will stop considering buying a single set of handlebars, or a rear fender for a bike i do not own. Its really nice to read all the different ways these bike get built and restored. Thankfully, with 2 young kids i don't have a choice but to accept that all of my projects will take a LONG time. Just have to be patient.
Paul thank you for the links and contact information for the local chapters, and the advice. Ill check out The Zorns.
Eric, would love to see the Merkel, that's an amazing motorcycle, super cool you own one. And one that wouldn't have existed otherwise!

Thanks again everyone, Ill keep you all updated here if i come across anything.