Kampfgruppe von Rybus

OK, lets get started on the journey to the toy that swallows $ and drips it out as oil.

Step 1: Determine your budget
If you've got more money than time, you can get turn-key CJs direct from China. Or if you have more time than money, a mechanic's special from China or kit bike. Marcus could get a mechanics special CJ750 12v Trike for $2500 plus you pay the freight and run through the customs red tape. Add another $900-1200 for freight and customs

Step 2: Determine your Mechanical Limits
All of these bikes need to be worked on to keep running efficiently. If you can only fill with gas and oil, these bikes might not be for you, unless you've got the $ to pay somebody else. If you can tear down an engine, change out the seals and bearing and reassemble blindfolded, there's virtually nothing going to stop you.
My own bike was sold to me as running and only needing a mechanic to go over it before hitting the road. $3250 plus $800 freight from Belgium, suchadeal! When I got it, there were so many gigs, parts missing, Ivan-rigged, etc, it turned into a money pit. Extra parts promissed never arrived or arrived as used instead of NOS. If I had seen the bike in person, I never would have bought it. Originally, I had bought a 64 Dnepr K750, but, the gearbox was seized up when they went to ship it. I was told he had a 63 that was identical in its place. That should have been a big flag right there.

Step 3: Determine what you want to do with the bike
Are you going to just use it for reenacting? How about weekends on the road? Want to be a Kradschutzen, mobile pillbox, or just a Kradmelder? Solo or combination?
At the last Pueblo Airshow, I wasn't able to see any of the aircraft exhibits. I bought my K750 more on impulse, for carting me around the airshows and reenactments. I didn't do research into a proper war-time military bike. I didn't know the differences in the engines, suspension, etc.

Step 4: How are you going to get it to an event?
If you get a solo, you can ramp it up into the back of a pick up. Trikes are going to need a trailer. And, you're going to need space to store that trailer. Can your ride handle pulling the loaded trailer?

Step 4: Search for your dream bike
Ebay despite its politics is one of the best mediums for finding that bike. The power of the internet lets you search communist China and Russia. Buy direct or go thru a middle man.
Research spare parts sources and mechanical issues. Review the operators and maintenance manuals to make sure you can handle it.

Step 5: Buy it and get it here
Make sure you know all the costs, fees, duty fees, everything. It all adds up. Pay extra and have it dropped at your door. Or, with the mechanic's special, be prepared to take a flatbed to Denver to pick up your two crates. Go to the warehouse, get the forms to take over to Customs by Denver Int'l Airport, pay the duty fees, take the stamped form back to the customs warehouse in Aurora. Load up and go!

Here's my two cents. I would recommend buying one already in the States. Bought my solo from a guy trying to get out of the bike-selling business in Cali for $2000. I hunted for one for almost two years since I didn't need the extra headache of dealing with customs, paperwork, etc. Just paid for it and waited for the delivery man to show up. The other good part about buying one already in the States is that most of these bikes have already been upgraded from the tinkertoy chinese pistons, oil pan and carbs.
If you can afford it and don't want to wait too long, Scooter Bob is a good guy to call. You pay for it but he upgrades all his bikes and rides them through the break-in period: http://www.scooterbob.com/CJ750.html
If you want to buy straight from China, Shao Yi Qi is probably one of the most reliable and he can provide door-to-door customs service: http://www.cjsidecar.com/pro5.htm