First and foremost I don't mind saying that I have little knowledge on this issue.

I am looking for a lathe and a mill or a combination unit to make one off parts for motorcycles. I am having to pay a minimum of $70 every time I want a custom spacer for a small part.

Here are some of the things that I would be doing/making:

axle and shaft spacers
enlarging holes that are on pulleys or sprockets.
Smoothing rough cast from 16" rims
making decorative shift linkages / brackets
Many small parts

Where is the best place to research the type of machine and their capabilities? I understand that quality costs and I would prefer to spend the $ up front rather than piece meal something together that ends up being overly expensive.

Anyone have some used machines that they are looking to sell?

Thanks

Hi Dub, the machine I think would suit you would be on of those Chinese made lathes, about 5" centre height, or as you say 10 " swing, and having about 2 feet between centres.
If you go on Ebay you'll find one for about $700 Australian, not sure what they sell them for Stateside but it will probably be comparative.
If this price puts you off, bear in mind that it is a new machine with all the blobs and gadgets and a guarantee.
As you say that you don't have much knowledge on this issue then it would be a steep learning curve to just switch it on.
These are dangerous machines in the hands of the inexperianced and definately need some prior guidance before even contemplating a buy.
A milling machine falls into the same category, and I would recommend for your type of work a mill drill, costing about $1500 Australian.
To buy one of these machines, used, without prior knowledge would be like signing a blank cheque at a backstreet used car yard, unless you've got a good mate who can advise you and get you started.
You didn't say how much you wanted to spend, and where you're going to keep it/them.
Ian.

I am anticipating spending about $5k U.S. on the machines. I do have access to a number of people that are experienced. I intend to have someone work with me to teach me how to use it.

Thank you

Hi Dub, from experiance and knowing a number of people who have bought the Chinese made lathes, I would recommend them as a first buy.
For the price I would get one that has a geared headstock as opposed to the belt drive head. This is just my preference.
However having said that there will be a thousand tales of woe from people who have bought so called "lemons", or because they just didn't know how to work one properly.
For US$5000, you lucky man, I would look at the used Bridgeport mills, as appearing on the USA Ebay auctions, and go for a Chinese lathe of 10" swing and 40" between centres.
My own lathe is a 1920 to 1930 Colchester Bantam of 5" centre height and is well used, and is a veteran of WW2.
I had to rebuild it to get it to perform.
I would steer clear from old machinery, even if it's dead cheap, because they are a real pain to get fixed if you have no experiance. But if you've got mates who know the ropes then it's your lucky day.
You will also need a decent garage to set them up in, otherwise they'll just deteriorate with changes in the weather.
I keep my machines covered over with a clear plastic sheet, in spite of being warned that this is wrong as the metal will sweat undeneath (all bulsh1t).
I have covered them for 25 years and this prevents the dust in the air getting on the slideways and so grinding them to death.
It also keeps the atmosphere steady and so rusting does not occur. To prove this my lathe chucks are 25 years old and do not have that "patina" of brown rust that I've seen on so many machines.
Incidently my 3 jaw lathe chuck is 6" diam and is Chinese origin, and I can still get the job to run within .001" on bright bar material without knocking the job around. It just depends on how much force you put on a three jaw chuck if you want it to stay true. I've never had to regrind the jaws from day one. Best of luck,
Ian.

Hey Dub, sounds like ya need a big lathe, probably 18" to 20" swing, if you plan to smooth out 16" rims(yeah a 16" rim WILL NOT fit on a 5" swing lathe), for the decorative stuff a smaller mill wouldn,t hurt however if ya got the space ya might as well go Bridgeport style mill. For $5k you should be able to get what ya want, I would look locally as shipping will kill you, if ya find something locally then your probably looking at $300-400 in forklift rental compared if you have it shipped you would probably add a grand or two for shipping plus forklift rental.

You're right 'snippy didn't see the referance to wheels. Problem is to get a lathe to swing a wheel 16" diam over the bed, means a big lathe, unless you can get one with a removable gap bed type, then it is just the gap in the bed that is the size.
So a 6" centre height plus the 3 " depth of the removable gap should give a lathe with a swing of 18" in the gap.
Even with the gap out you won't have much width to play with so the wheel would have to be fixed to the faceplate.
That means one of the Chinese lathes with a gap bed, which for economy I don't think they have.
Personally I would go for one of the older toolroom type lathes, such as an Atlas with a gap bed and save a heap, for a better machine.
Ian.