people take the "rules" too seriously. The whole point is to try to challenge yourself and have fun with it - as such its actually MORE fun to have restrictions than not as it forces one to be resourceful.

I like the Dirtbag Challenge Rules: which has been successful for 13 years-

[h=4]1. One month build time[/h] You can start your bike on the day that we announce the Dirtbag Challenge, one month before the day of the actual show.
[h=4]2. One thousand dollar budget[/h] This includes the price of the donor bike, all parts, and all work. Yes you could cheat but then you’d be a loser.
[h=4]3. One hundred miles[/h] On the morning of the show, meet up with the other Dirtbags and ride with us. We will ride at least one hundred miles over every type of road. There probably won’t be a chase vehicle.
[h=4]4. No Harleys[/h] This is to keep it fair, to give everyone the chance to shine. We like Harleys, we ride Harleys but this is about being different and thinking outside the box.
That’s it, that’s all there is. The rest is up to you, use your brain, we are not your mommy.