In this post I’ll show you how to create a build sheet for your custom bike project. It will help you to keep track of you all the parts for your project and stick to your budget. And it will save you a lot of time!
What is a build sheet?
A build sheet is a simple table where you can keep all your data and especially selected parts for your project. You can also use it to plan and keep track of your budget. I simply use Excel but you could also use google sheets or any other software like that. Having a build sheet will save you a lot of hassle and headache. It collects all your information in one place and saves you a lot of time during your project.
How to create a build sheet for your custom bike project
Open a new spread sheet in Excel or any other program alike.
Set up the first row as follows:
- Component Group
- Part
- Color
- Price per Unit
- Quantity
- Total Cost (multiply price per unit times quantity)
- Priority (see below for the system I use)
- Link (direct link to the product page)
- Note (any notes you want to add)
- Status (note if ordered, received, etc.)
- Selection (mark if selected as the best alternative and use for budget calculation)
Now, all you need to do is fill it with all the amazing parts you find for you project.
This is what a part of my build sheet looks like. It goes on for over 100 rows…
Do you want to know what a build sheet for your custom bike project is good for? Keep reading…
What a build sheet is good for
Get an overview
Especially in the beginning of a project I always spend a good amount online to check out what parts are available and what the alternatives are. Compare prices, measurements, and legal requirements. To keep track of all the information I gather them in a build sheet. It helps me a lot to gain an overview at the beginning of a new project of all the parts that are out there and for what prices they sell. What starts with a few rows and columns soon develops into one of my most important project tools.
Reason number 1 for having a build sheet:
Gain an overview of all the available parts on the market at the beginning of a project.
Make good decisions
So, I use my build sheet to save all the parts that I have found and might want to use. I note all relevant aspects for each part. Name, price, color, measurements, and where to find it. Saving the direct link is super important. Always do that! You do not want to find yourself wondering where you have seen that one special part that you can’t find anymore.
By now I have already about 100 different parts for the BMW custom bike project.
Without the build sheet I would have a hard time remembering all the different parts that I like and where to find them. Let alone prices and measurements. But with the build sheet it’s super easy to keep track of all the alternatives I have found for the same part. For example, I have three different types of mirrors, two exhaust alternatives and many other options.
At some point I must choose one alternative for each part of the bike. If I had not saved everything in my build sheet, I would not know how expensive, big or small, and of which colour each alternative was without googling again.
Reason number 2 for having a build sheet:
You have a list of all the parts you like and can make a good decision based on all the information you need.
Keep track of the budget
I also use it to keep track of my budget. I have one column with the price of each item. Another for the quantity I need and the one column that automatically multiplies these two numbers.
I then select the best alternatives for each part and sum up the costs. That way I always know if I am still within my budget or already way over it (like most of the times). You probably know what I’m talking about.
Reason number 3 for having a build sheet:
It helps you to keep track of your budget.
Prioritize
To stick to your budget, it is important to prioritize. I always prioritize the parts for my projects like follows:
- necessary – parts that are absolutely necessary for the project to work out
- good to have – parts that are important but not 100 % necessary for the build
- additions – parts that are nice add ons but by no means necessary for the project
If you prioritize the parts you want by this system, you can easily decide where to cut costs if you have to.
Reason number 4 for having a build sheet:
You can easily prioritize the different parts and alternatives which helps you to stick to your budget.
Save time
The build sheet also saves me a lot of time. Having everything readily available is so helpful. Not having to look for links or having to google ever product over and over again to see the precise dimensions or the price saves me a ton of time. And if I need to find it online, I have the direct link readily available.
Reason number 5 for having a build sheet:
It saves you a lot of time by having all the information readily available.
I hope this little insight into my custom bike project organization helped you and that you can create your own build sheet for your next project. Let me know what you think about this system and if you have any ideas on how to improve it.
And remember! Always – Wrench On!
Joshua
Day 28 of 121
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