Author Topic: Restoration Tips and Techniques (Read 3845 times)

bill440cars · « **on:** March 14, 2008, 09:51:45 AM »

While I have never done, what I'd call an actual restoration, I have built a motorcycle from a bunch of parts and I'm wanting to hear from those who have actually restored bikes. I'd like to hear about your Tips, Techniques and Your Procedures on doing a "Jam UP Restoration". I'd like to make this a "Collection Of Info" that others (myself included) could go to for Info on the subject.

Got a couple of bikes that I hope to bring back up to standard myself, a 74' CB450K7 and a 70' SL350K0 (the SL being a more drawn out job)

Take care, Bill

techy5025 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 14, 2008, 02:34:24 PM »

My first suggestion is to get an American Express card!

Jim

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #2 on:** March 14, 2008, 02:37:09 PM »

Quote from: techy5025 on March 14, 2008, 02:34:24 PM

My first suggestion is to get an American Express card!

Jim

333 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 14, 2008, 02:57:16 PM »

Quote from: techy5025 on March 14, 2008, 02:34:24 PM

My first suggestion is to get an American Express card!

Jim

Don't leave home without it.

bill440cars · « **Reply #4 on:** March 14, 2008, 03:16:47 PM »

Quote from: 333 on March 14, 2008, 02:57:16 PM

Quote from: techy5025 on March 14, 2008, 02:34:24 PM
My first suggestion is to get an American Express card!

Jim

Don't leave home without it.

And Bob Wessner said "

"

And guys, I think I pretty much had THAT step figured out already!

Also, I would imagine that it would help to have a bike, to do that restoration on!

mattcb350f · « **Reply #5 on:** March 14, 2008, 03:26:26 PM »

Well Bill, I guess it really depends on how much you're willing to invest in a restoration; both time and money. For instance, on my restoration I'm not going to be replacing some of the chrome bits to save a bit of money, but may replace them later if better ones come along. Some of the restorations I've seen in magazines and on this forum are complete down to the nuts a bolts in either replacing parts or in the case of chrome bits, rechroming. If you've got the cash and want the bike restored to the way it was when it left the showroom than that's the way to go. If you're like me and want the bike to be mechanically sound and look very close to new than you'll save a bit of cash and still have a nice restoration. Just not a restoration in the eyes of purists.

That's probably my first tip, have a picture in your head of what you want when you are done and use that as a guide through the restoration.

Take inventory of what you have to work with and start generating a list of parts you need. Then start sourcing those parts out.

I basically striped my bike down to the frame and started from there. It speeds things up though to have the new parts handy when rebuilding frame up so start gathering parts early.

Matt.

kghost · « **Reply #6 on:** March 14, 2008, 03:35:04 PM »

Buy the best project to start with you possibly can....

Certain projects are exhaust pipe critical ....E.I cb350F's

Every model has thier unobtanium

nickjtc · « **Reply #7 on:** March 14, 2008, 04:35:50 PM »

Quote from: kghost on March 14, 2008, 03:35:04 PM

Buy the best project to start with you possibly can....

I agree. Get a bike that is complete and put together. Buy a bike in boxes and you can pretty well guarantee that something critical will be missing, and that you'll find out after doing a big parts order. A complete bike means that you can photo the strip down process to assist you when it's time to put it back together.

Be aware that even a simple restoration is probably going to cost as much, if not more, than a 'done' bike would.

bill440cars · « **Reply #8 on:** March 14, 2008, 05:24:09 PM »

Quote from: nickjtc on March 14, 2008, 04:35:50 PM

Quote from: kghost on March 14, 2008, 03:35:04 PM
Buy the best project to start with you possibly can....

I agree. Get a bike that is complete and put together. Buy a bike in boxes and you can pretty well guarantee that something critical will be missing, and that you'll find out after doing a big parts order. A complete bike means that you can photo the strip down process to assist you when it's time to put it back together.

Be aware that even a simple restoration is probably going to cost as much, if not more, than a 'done' bike would.

Yeah, I can see that a "Box Job" could be costly. However, I DID pickup an SL350K0 in that form (along with an SL350K1 and AN SL350K2 and they weren't in the best of shape, but the price was right though) and I don't expect to put that one in prime shape, but I believe I can do a decent job on it. The main things that is missing are rear rim and the air cleaner side covers, that I know of. And those side covers are probably pretty costly Honda only used that design on the K0.

kghost · « **Reply #9 on:** March 14, 2008, 09:33:46 PM »

You and the damn SL's.......

I'll pry one loose from you yet.....

Sure you don't want that low milage goldwing with the extra exhaust?

(its your own fault bill you brought it up)

bill440cars · « **Reply #10 on:** March 14, 2008, 09:36:48 PM »

Quote from: kghost on March 14, 2008, 09:33:46 PM

You and the damn SL's.......

I'll pry one loose from you yet.....

Sure you don't want that low milage goldwing with the extra exhaust?

(its your own fault bill you brought it up)

heffay · « **Reply #11 on:** March 14, 2008, 09:37:09 PM »

Quote from: kghost on March 14, 2008, 09:33:46 PM

Sure you don't want that low milage goldwing with the extra exhaust?

i do

you're in texas aren't you?
just got back in touch w/ a buddy from middle school

i should visit

kghost · « **Reply #12 on:** March 14, 2008, 09:38:30 PM »

Your welcome any time....

Don't have an SL do ya?

bill440cars · « **Reply #13 on:** March 14, 2008, 09:43:05 PM »

Quote from: kghost on March 14, 2008, 09:38:30 PM

Your welcome any time....

Don't have an SL do ya?

kghost · « **Reply #14 on:** March 14, 2008, 09:44:38 PM »

Did I mention I have like 4 double overhead cam engine?

bill440cars · « **Reply #15 on:** March 14, 2008, 09:59:41 PM »

I'm gonna have to continue this tomorrow, I'm falling asleep here.

Catch you later on Tim.

Take care, Bill

grumburg · « **Reply #16 on:** March 15, 2008, 06:13:31 AM »

1) Know your strengths and weaknesses before you start and where to find help when (not if) you need it and what it will cost. 2) Don't get starry eyed with dreams of perfection without realizing the effort and expense needed to get there (creates basket cases). 3) Research the model throughly, buy service and parts manuals, and know parts availability and what interchanges from other models. Honda used the same part on many different models and the price can vary greatly. 4) Start with a simple model with good parts availablity. Tin frames (S65s or 90s, 160s) are readily available with good parts availability and fun to ride. Don't start with a CBX as a first project. 5) MEASURE THE COST OF RESTORATON COMPARED TO THE COST OF BUYING A RESTORED ONE.

736cc · « **Reply #17 on:** March 15, 2008, 04:05:44 PM »

Take 2 or 3 same year bikes, take them completely apart, clean every single part, use the best parts on the 1st, 2nd best on 2nd, etc, zinc-plate all the hardware, refinish the aluminum, don't spend money on repainting (buy orig paint bodywork), get a parts manual, keep the bike original, new spokes make the difference, as do nice gauges, paint and seat, so blow some money on those items, motor rebuilding very expensive if you farm it out, do it in order and as quickly as possible (once they go on back-burner, they lose the required obsessive momentum.
That usually works.

bill440cars · « **Reply #18 on:** March 16, 2008, 07:05:00 PM »

There's some pretty good info popping up in this one.

But, I'm wondering if that's all we've got? I was kinda hoping for some input on painting, polishing and such. Ways that some might have achieved a different ways to get a factory looking paint job on a motor and things like that.

Not that I'm knocking ANY of the input that's been posted, cause I'M NOT! I am very appreciative of what's been posted already.

Later on, Bill

Magpie · « **Reply #19 on:** March 16, 2008, 08:30:13 PM »

I was going to replace all the nuts, bolts and screws to factory fresh - WRONG! Way too expensive. I had them cad plated then oh so carefully wire brushed them on a wire wheel. They turned out very close to original at much less money.
Cliff.

bill440cars · « **Reply #20 on:** March 18, 2008, 04:18:44 PM »

Quote from: Magpie on March 16, 2008, 08:30:13 PM

I was going to replace all the nuts, bolts and screws to factory fresh - WRONG! Way too expensive. I had them cad plated then oh so carefully wire brushed them on a wire wheel. They turned out very close to original at much less money.
Cliff.

I can understand that, I'm all for cutting cost anywhere I can, but not cutting on the looks or quality. A while back I posted pictures of 2 SL350K0s ( one blue and one red) and got some comments on different aspects of both. Both were listed on ebay, the red one was first and had twenty - thirty photos on that listing and I loaded every one of them on Flickr, for future use when I manage to get started restoring that one. Those pictures are very well done and show alot of the different details of that bike.

Here are just a few shots of THAT one: (this isn't mine, just a guide fr when I start on mine) Not sure what color I'll make mine, they came in red, blue or gold. Don't think I've ever seen a gold SL350K0. Hmmmm!

I kinda like the red and the blue though.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS $:-\$

kghost · « **Reply #21 on:** March 18, 2008, 06:10:11 PM »

Wheres mine Bill?

bill440cars · « **Reply #22 on:** March 18, 2008, 06:49:14 PM »

Quote from: kghost on March 18, 2008, 06:10:11 PM

Wheres mine Bill?

Oh, um $:-\$ .............I'm..............uh taking care of it for you, yeah THAT'S IT.

I'm taking CARE of it for YOU!

Aren't I a Nice guy Tim?

And I'm not charging anything at all to keep it here, build it up (eventually) and ride it for you! And ALL for absolutely nothing!

bill440cars · « **Reply #23 on:** March 18, 2008, 06:51:27 PM »

Tim, I should have known better to have mentioned the XX350XX, much less posted pictures of one!

Take care Tim, Bill

kghost · « **Reply #24 on:** March 18, 2008, 08:18:02 PM »

Quote from: bill440cars on March 18, 2008, 06:51:27 PM

Tim, I should have known better to have mentioned the XX350XX, much less posted pictures of one!

Take care Tim, Bill

Obviously

Cheers Bill...(who is still my favorite person in arkansas)

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Author Topic: Restoration Tips and Techniques (Read 3845 times)