I can't believe how easy it is to spend money on these things!

[wonderboy]

So, in order to insure domestic tranquility (with the wife) I am very careful to monitor my 3-wheeler parts purchases. I am always very careful to spend within the limits of my funny money account (CL sales, paypal, a bit from the monthly paycheck, etc).

So, I recently made some sales on ebay and knew I had a good chunk of change sitting there, so I go into buying mode. Some purchases for critical parts absolutely necessary for the machine, others less important...

Anyway, I decided to sit down last night and figure out where I was... you know, to figure out how much more cool stuff I can buy on e-bay. I mean, come on, I must have at least another hundred bucks or so to blow right?

Crap, I've spent almost DOUBLE what I initially took in! And if I go back and look, I didn't get that much stuff... It just goes to show, if you are trying to stick to a budget, you really have to pay attention.

Now to go explain to my wife... oh wait, I'll just list some more treasures for sale on e-bay. I'm sure I can recoup my over-expenditures PLUS some. Ooooh, what do I need now?

[350XJEDI]

I found that all projects cost more then first thought ,trikes are still way cheaper to rebuild/resto/mod then a 1960's musclecar, . I try to keep to a budget but its not easy!!! good luck explaining to the wife why you went over . they love gifts ,so spend some on her, shoes, jewlry etc.

[3wheely]

One thing I've learned and still learning is not to jump on the first thing you see. Patience will save money in the long run. Kinda like gambling...take a set amount so you don't walk away broke!

[JasonB]

I wish there was a running total that you could see for EBAY and Paypal purchases and sales from the start date on the account; i have sold somewhere around 20,000$ through mine since 2004 and bought WELL over that for atv and car parts. Selling MR2 parts right now to fund a bigger carb and pipe for the 250r right now no extra money so just sell other prized possesions to fund my atc addiction lol

[Tri-Z 250]

Welcome to the therapy group Wonderboy: We encourage you to share as most of us have had the same experance, both with the builds and wives. Understanding as a group we try reflect back on our experances through ebay and CL purchases...together. We are here my friend, amungst you to expell any thoughts of stopping the build NOW. You've come a long way and the journey is just begining. Thoughts of spinning wrenches and mud filled knobbies roosting your friends, and family...the goals! Time and budgets get extentions and are not looked at as restrictions in our session today...We cry out and praise the NEW, the OEM, and the Aftermarket parts that make a once tired 25yr old machine...NEW again. We do it for safety and looks but most of all PERFORMANCE. So today, pick your headup, and know that you are not alone. We are here to listen...and will talk about the WORST buy ever made on CL or the big ripp-off next week.

[JJMF1979]

ya they can get ya in the money department i am up to about $ 600 already on my 200x build and i paid $250 for it and i haven't got into the engine yet which i'm sure will be another $3-500 since i am gonna have to bring it into a shop, but $ 1200 is for a nice trike which i will ride almost daily is still a good price and i have the added bonus of customizing it to what i want....also even after all that i'm sure i'll keep upgrading stuff so it is a neverending thing, but hey everyone has to have a hobby that they love

[wonderboy]

So much good advice and TRUTH in these replies!

My first 350X was basically free, I traded some old small block ford engine parts and transmission parts that I otherwise would have scrapped. But, this thing was such a basket case. It ran but barely. Point is, I put more into this "running" bike than I could have if I just outright bought a nice machine... somehow seems easier though paying for it a nickel and dime at a time, than just laying out $1500 all at once.

About the e-bay running total: this is part of what upsets me so much about e-bay. Just think about what your own personal sales have brought to e-bay/paypal. Think of how many hundreds they made on you due to fees... now multiply that number by a gazillion (number of people selling on e-bay). I can't imagine the amount of money e-bay makes every hour. It has to be ridiculous. BUT, without it, I don't think many of us could keep these machines going. There is so much available pretty much all the time. There are just some times when you need something and you can't wait... and you pay that ridiculous "Buy-It-Now" price. I cringe now when I remember how much I paid for something on a "buy-it-now" because I just couldn't wait... then in the couple of years since I've seen the same items for pennies on the dollar compared to what I payed.

Ok, so when is the next therapy session? I think I'll head out into the garage tonight for a little pre-counseling...

[atc350xer]

It's funny how your "treasures" become ebaying material when you need parts money
I know from experience...

[El Camexican]

Here are some easy to follow project/purchase budgeting tips I’ve found to be fairly accurate:

Cars, Trucks, Bikes & ATVs –Initial cost plus $2,000 to $3,000 to cover incidentals i.e. new key chain, insurance, air freshener, floor mats, stereo, chrome tire valve tips, baseball cap with the vehicle manufactures logo in it, “Baby on Board” warning sticker, rubber scrotum trailer hitch plug, etc.

Special Projects & Rebuilds – Carefully make a list of everything you plan to do and it’s estimated cost and then triple it to cover the stuff you forgot to put on the list and to buy parts to replace all the stuff you’d have never thought in a million years that the guy who owned it before you could have damaged.

Houses – Take your general contractors quote and multiply by a factor of 1.25%. Then start saving in anticipation of replacing every major appliance within 7 days of the manufacturer’s warrantee expiring. Repeat as required. If buying a used house the same math is applicable, just take the 25% you would have allocating to the contractor and give it to the real-estate agent to cover all the stuff she swears she told you about before you made your legally binding offer. If you are lucky you might just have enough left over to buy your buddies a case of beer for helping you move all your stuff in, but it is unlikely there will be enough left to cover the cost of what they broke in the process.

Women - $50 to $250,000 – The first $50 should get you what you want once, but the next $250,000 is what it will cost you to keep getting it regularly until such time as you decide you don’t want it anymore and start questioning exactly what the heck you were thinking after you spent that first $50 bucks on her. At that point the costs repeat if you want more of the same but from a different source and there are a range of legal fees to consider ( you can kiss that house goodbye too).

Children – Typically the cost is equal to whatever remains after all other projects are partially paid for, but not completed, as having kids automatically means you will never have the time or money to see any project through to completion and will end up on chat sites like this instead of in your shop, as talk really is cheap and is all you will be able to afford to do until such time as your kids grow up and you marry a second (or third) wife with a good paying job and a house with a heated shop that her first husband paid for.

Oh yea, and when you’re adding up your numbers don’t forget to carry the 1…

[MRSOUND]

El Camexican - ^^^^^^^I've been to Mexico twice and don't remember meeting you let alone telling you my life story...for you to come on a public forum and air my dirty laundry is just low..really low!

[El Camexican]

El Camexican - ^^^^^^^I've been to Mexico twice and don't remember meeting you let alone telling you my life story...for you to come on a public forum and air my dirty laundry is just low..really low!

Sorry, I forgot to put in the standard disclaimer: “ Any similarity to actual people or events is purely coincidental because this shiit is real Bro and can, has, or will happened to you or someone you know eventually, so take notes cuz there will be a test at some point!”

[jays375]

One question.What's a budget?Since getting back into trikes I have spent too much money.Should have bought better quality machines.Problem is they don't really exist where I live.Getting back into trikes started out with a simple ATC 70 project.I got it for free.When done I had $975 in it.It wasn't even painted yet.One thing I have found out also the bigger the trike equals more money.Just remember it is all in fun not dollar and cents.That takes the fun away.

[sweetip2000]

I know a guy who put his ATC up for sale got the down payment which was like 500 bucks and spent the down payment on mods for the ATC he was supposed to sell then he told the buyer he was not selling the ATC. When the buyer asked for his down payment back he said he didnt have the money. LoL Turns out the mom who was buying the ATC for her son was a lawyer and threatened to severely roast his gonads. Then the seller (looser) had to ask his wife (the pharmacist) for money to pay back the disgruntled "potential buyer". I have nothing to do with this guy anymore the freakin guy was ready to sell my trailer to a stranger. Almost like he was looking to score on some dope. This is a bad time for an expensive addiction. Hope you sell out on Ebay. Its like trying to give ice cubes to an eskimo. You couldnt give the freakin stuff away !! Yes we can !!

[El Camexican]

One question.What's a budget?Since getting back into trikes I have spent too much money.Should have bought better quality machines.Problem is they don't really exist where I live.Getting back into trikes started out with a simple ATC 70 project.I got it for free.When done I had $975 in it.It wasn't even painted yet.One thing I have found out also the bigger the trike equals more money.Just remember it is all in fun not dollar and cents.That takes the fun away.

Dude! A budget (by my definition) is the combined sum of all the money in your pocket, your bank account, the credit balance left on your Visa card and any known income which you will receive before a project is completed. It’s the same basic economic math used by politicians, so you know it’s good!

Seriously, what you said about buying better machines to start with is the number one golden rule of rebuilds and the best way to prevent mental and monetary stress.

[Dirtcrasher]

I'm sure I have at least 50K in trikes and parts. Another 10K in tools.....