Topic: Restoration Plan

[Freebirdbeachbum]

Historically, I've taken my projects down to the frame, repairing, restoring and bagging parts as I went, then I’ve reassembled the whole thing. The downside is a big box of bagged parts that I forget how and where they go and in what order.

My frame just needs cleaning and polishing so I’m considering reassembling as I go.  For example, I’ve started the restoration with the front end. When the front end is complete, I would then reassemble it and move to the engine/gearbox section.

Anyone else do this?

[MauiK3]

Yikes, sounds like you may end up with a patchwork job.
Embrace the process and let it take you away!

[zxshep]

I am doing my bike in sections, too.  I started at the back and worked my way forward.  The back needed more attention.

The bike was running without problem and everything worked when I put it up 25 years ago.  So, my thought process was if I do it in sections, I can check things when I complete a section and address whatever is wrong before moving to the next.  This way if I got electrical connections wrong (for example) I wouldn't have to chase the cause all over.

It has worked well for me so far.  The only thing I have not removed is the engine itself.  I am at the end front end now and waiting on parts while I clean, paint, and polish.

[Darren Jakal]

My habit is to take things off the bike and then reassemble them into sub-assemblies.

This helps me two ways: 1) I learn how things go back together while it is still fresh in my mind (sometimes I assemble and disassemble the components back onto the bike several times before I am sure I understand how to put it back together); and 2) with all the parts in sub-assemblies (but off the bike) I don't have a lot of bags of small parts, fasteners, etc that have no context.

For example when I took my bike apart (to the frame) I reassembled the airbox, the front end, the brake components, and so on.

Just another way of doing things, cheers, dj

[Maltboy]

There are a lot of folks on here with a lot more experience than me, but...

I have found that I can put stuff back together right if I take lots of pictures during disassembly.  I've also found the factory parts diagrams and shop manual are very useful (available free on this site).  Any time I get stuck, I Google "SOHC forum XXX" where the XXX is the item I need help with.  It works amazingly well. 

[Freebirdbeachbum]

Yikes, sounds like you may end up with a patchwork job.

I'm confused how you drew a straight line from what I'm proposing to "patchwork job".

[MauiK3]

In my case, I needed to get the frame media blasted and then I painted it with POR15. I also needed to clean the entire engine up and repaint it. I’m not seeing how that would be possible one area at a time. If your frame is ok I suppose your plan works, everyone has their own way of approaching it.
I liked having it all laid out so I could really inspect things, I found a lot of issues that needed attention.

[seanbarney41]

I think your plan is excellent, as I have done similar with many bikes, over the years.  This is great, especially if it is your only bike as you will minimize downtime and be able to test the results of your work in small chunks.  You will be able to learn the true effect of each component on the total performance of your motorcycle.

[Alan F.]

I think your plan is excellent, as I have done similar with many bikes, over the years.  This is great, especially if it is your only bike as you will minimize downtime and be able to test the results of your work in small chunks.  You will be able to learn the true effect of each component on the total performance of your motorcycle.

Well said.

[Freebirdbeachbum]

In my case, I needed to get the frame media blasted and then I painted it with POR15. I also needed to clean the entire engine up and repaint it. I’m not seeing how that would be possible one area at a time. If your frame is ok I suppose your plan works, everyone has their own way of approaching it.
I liked having it all laid out so I could really inspect things, I found a lot of issues that needed attention.

I’m still trying to understand what I have but the frame appears to have been repainted and looks real good.

[Bodi]

I don't see any patchwork job.
The problem I see is that the process is OK for the front and rear wheels and fork parts but then you get to the frame... everything has to come off to restore it. Removing the major assemblies - engine, front end, rear forks, all the bits like airbox, harness, battery box and electrical panel, oil tank on a 750, etc etc etc and keeping them as together as possible until the frame is done then working on them and putting them back on as you complete them would be my idea. There may be some ideal order for reassembly but I've installed the main stuff in the frame first, laid the frame on the engine to avoid manhandling the engine into an upright frame (damaging the frame paint is hard to avoid that way), then putting the harness and front/rear forks and wheels on.