20 Rules of Restoration by David Towers.
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics, October 2006
(This pertains to a CBX resto. but could be applied to any)
Rule One.
There is never a good time to let the wife know that just because she took the credit card away you can still play with it. David Silver Spares and half a dozen have the details on file, so I only had to remember the last four digits.
Rule Two.
Do not start to believe the bilge you tell your wife. A 1100 pound CBX is NOT a bargain! Remember to occasionally buy her flowers.
Rule Five.
Never park your newly restored and gleaming CBX next to your ’69 Triumph. It will catch oil leaks. Just to be contrary, your Triumph will throw all of its toys out of the pram, and in one single journey its footrest will come loose, the headlight will refuse to work, the exhaust header will start to blow, and all because attention has been lavished on A N Other.
Rule Six.
Just because copious quantities of semi-synthetic are pouring out from between the front engine fins, do not drop the engine until you’ve investigated the copper washer on the oil pipe on the BACK of the engine.
Rule Nine.
When buying gaskets, buy two at a time. It saves a lot in postage. Also, don’t mess about, just order ALL the special tools in one go; you will need them.
Rule Ten.
The official workshop manual DOES know what it’s on about. Trying to do things your own way only means that the accelerator pump will work ALL the time and you will have to drop the engine, yet again.
Rule Twelve.
Just because everyone says what a pile of poo the standard ’79 CBX clutch is, and what a terrible racket it makes, do not buy a complete ’82 clutch at vast expense from the USA until you’ve checked that your original clutch is bolted up tight.
Rule Seventeen.
When you take your completed machine for its first gentle turn around the block, and very swiftly you discover it rides like it’s got a flat rear tyre, congratulations, you’ve just found that errant screw from the air box.
Rule Nineteen.
You will buy a lot of parts over the internet from the USA. Find a good supplier and treasure him, buy him little presents, send words of endearment through the ether, invite him to your close family engagements. In short treat him like a long-lost son. Let’s face it, the only difference is he’s getting his inheritance early.
