I think if you can barter, you can get some amazing things, I have done and will do alot of trading for things I need, for instance last years build "Wise Guy" here's a breakdown of what it took to build it cost & barter.
1. 39 Columbia frame $60 at a swap meet (money came from selling at the same swap meet)
2. wheels free, ( including the set of Pro Class rims hanging in my buddy's carport)
3. Tires front is off of a parts bike, the rear Carslile slick came of of a set of garden cart wheels, that I got as part of payment for rebuilding a friends JC Higgins
4. Handlebars $5 from a bike wrecking yard I used to visit
5. stem from my stash
6. Seat $20 shipped from a member here
7. rear fender free from my LBS that has closed down a year ago
8. 3 tubes $17
9. three speed hub from my stash of parts
10. spokes for rear wheel $20
11. grips $15 from a harley shop nearby
12. crank and pedals from stash
13. sprocket from member $15
14 chain $7
15,brake lever and caliper off a pocket bike in the stash of parts
16. headlight from ebay and my led conversion $30
17. Lic plate free from a friend, and bracket fabbed from my garage of stuff
18. Paint .....Free from a friend into customizing Harleys
19. copper tubing $20
20. chainguard free from stash
21. Labor that included welding two aluminum wheels together , bartered for (rebuilt his wifes mt bike) paint , I never done a quality paintjob before but my friend I got the paint from guided me on what to do and let me use is area for painting.
22. rack $5
23. kickstand $20 from member here some time ago
Total cash $235
1. 39 Columbia frame $60 at a swap meet (money came from selling at the same swap meet)
2. wheels free, ( including the set of Pro Class rims hanging in my buddy's carport)
3. Tires front is off of a parts bike, the rear Carslile slick came of of a set of garden cart wheels, that I got as part of payment for rebuilding a friends JC Higgins
4. Handlebars $5 from a bike wrecking yard I used to visit
5. stem from my stash
6. Seat $20 shipped from a member here
7. rear fender free from my LBS that has closed down a year ago
8. 3 tubes $17
9. three speed hub from my stash of parts
10. spokes for rear wheel $20
11. grips $15 from a harley shop nearby
12. crank and pedals from stash
13. sprocket from member $15
14 chain $7
15,brake lever and caliper off a pocket bike in the stash of parts
16. headlight from ebay and my led conversion $30
17. Lic plate free from a friend, and bracket fabbed from my garage of stuff
18. Paint .....Free from a friend into customizing Harleys
19. copper tubing $20
20. chainguard free from stash
21. Labor that included welding two aluminum wheels together , bartered for (rebuilt his wifes mt bike) paint , I never done a quality paintjob before but my friend I got the paint from guided me on what to do and let me use is area for painting.
22. rack $5
23. kickstand $20 from member here some time ago
Total cash $235