Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

Do NOT buy a project

The most important thing to look for is a donor bike that has a lot of unnecessary weighty items which you can cut off and discard. Always chop the rear subframe off first because you can get a good idea of your personal seat style. Don't keep any of the existing clocks or lights as that dates your cafe bobber, you can always buy new digital clocks and led lights for a few thousand and Halfords have plenty of wire to make a wiring loom. Suspension and wheel/tyre sizes are easy enough to eyeball, rear suspension is pretty much optional and that's where a welder comes in handy. When you come to test drive it it's easier to get a friend to ride it while you drive alongside, that way you can check out how well it looks and handles and make some notes + get some sweet footage for the interwebs.

It helps if you decide on a "garage name" before you get stared, you are building a brand and a reputation from scratch. Always use the time honoured format x & y, where x is metallic and hardy and y smells of adventure, something like Iron & Salt etc. etc. People make the mistake of thinking the good ones are taken but I'd suggest Grind & Weld based on your post.

Lastly, do you have a beard? You are going to need one if people are going to take you seriously. I have one that birds can actually nest in while I'm riding. Clean shaven is just not an option. Beyond that you'll find accessorising with your new bike will be easy because there are so many clothing startups catering to the cafe bobber stylist.

After read through some of this thread, I'm now convinced I need a motorbike. Either cafe racer or a bobber. Sadly it will be a 125

Missed this. Herald 125cc has the right combo. I doubt you could make a similar bike for the cost of a 2nd one.

The bobber option could be done cheaply with a Honda Rebel 125cc, as with a budget bobber you only need to buy a seat - pretty much everything else is removal.