I try to spend very little on my little hobby of finding, building and riding vintage road bicycles. In fact, quite a few of the bikes I have owned cost me between Zero and fifty bucks - tops. However...
Without really considering what I was doing, I allowed the investment in a present bike of interest to soar, without even thinking about it.
My 1939 CCM "Road Racer" was given to me for free, or was it? The cost of shipping, and I paid, was $80.00...
As found, the rear hub was miserably incorrect but the exact one I wanted was on Ebay when I got the bike. There went $120.00...
Then a lovely set of CCM Spear Point fenders presented themselves - shipping included, $85.00...
Next came the water bottles (not really needed) and another $120.00...
A NOS rear brake set me back the equivalent of $60...
Now, after getting the frame straight, it occurs to me that I will have to spend about $200.00 on chrome plating, something I have never spent one cent on before....
Of course, if all that gets done, might as well drop another $60.00 on paint and art.
Total investment will be a minimum of $725.00, for a bike I do not really intend to ride much. Funny how things can add up when you are not paying attention.
At the onset, had I considered the big picture, the bike would have been set aside, with no intention to build. That said, I am into it now and might as well finish the job.
Anyone else make the mistake of doing a reality check on one, or more, of their bikes?
Am I the only fool involved in the how it adds up syndrome?