Try tuning a classic Vespa. I had a Vespa PX 125, ported, 28mm carb, race crank, scorpion exhaust. Went off the speedo D: was a full frame too with full size panels, not cutdown. beast of an engine
Exhaust was £20 plus postage... It could be completed quite quickly as i've got all the bits here but I'm just doing bits and bobs here and there. Haven't really got a date to finish it for either. The whole build and the bike will run me in at about £1.5k. You will NEVER be able to build a similar spec bike at the same quality of workmanship for that sort of money. That's using discounted parts, mates rates work, clever sourcing of parts over a long time to get the cheapest deals, etc etc. If it wasn't me doing the build it would probably run into double that price...
i wish i had that sort of amount of money to build a moped but as u say u get cheap parts.cant wait to see it finished it will look mint!!