I would like to fix up a motorcycle when the velle is done. Are my assumptions correct that a motorcycle should be a lot less to "fix up " than a full size muscle car since there is a lot less parts? I want to do something like an older sport bike. I not into Harley's, crotch rockets, or Honda Magna type bikes so that leaves the older sporty bikes. Something to do some short local rides on. I would like to do a cafe racer type but have a feeling they are going to be more rare and pricier. I had a Nighthawk 750 a few years back ,which was the first street bike I ever owned, and pretty much the extent of my motorcycle culture knowledge. I don't know much about the history of the Cafe Racers I know I just like the way they look. When they are cleanly restored they look like something I would like to have in my living room to look at (if the wife would allow it). Do any of you guys fix up bikes too? If so, what's your opinions on level of dollars and difficulty in comparison to my '72 I am doing a frame off on. Below are couple of bikes that I hastily pulled from the net to give you an idea of what I am looking at. ( I know the second two aren't in the cafe category but they are bike styles that interst me as well)
Later,
Chris



http://www.precision-mc-paintwork.co.uk/images/Bike%20Images/TerrysNorton.JPG

http://www.rddecals.afegraphics.com/images/82gpz1100-side-shot-lh-300w.jpg

http://leclamotan.canalblog.com/CB_750_KZ_1980.jpg

if you search you'll be able to find a Rice burner .. Honda ,Suzuki, Kawasaki,Yamaha, what I call standard bike (like the picture of the Kawasaki ) something in the 750 - 1000 cc size that was bought & stashed away in the garage ... cheaper then trying to restore one
there where lots of guys who for one reason or anther bought them & then didn't ride !!!
Scared themselfs ;) or the wife said what would you rather ride :thumbsup:
anyway I've never had any problems finding a NICE bike for under 3k just start browsing the recycler or pennysaver or what ever the local paper in your area is ...

As a motorcycle tech in real life, I can tell you it can get expensive to restore an older sport bike or anything for that mater. The Japanese do not make spare parts in the quantities that the american auto parts makers do. The ratio is probably 50-1, meaning, you will spend a lot more for the same type part you would get for your car, especially engine parts. There are not a lot of aftermarket parts for older bikes, most manufacturers stop making parts for bikes over 5 years old. Factory parts are still pretty much available for most brands with the exception of Suzuki. I work for a Suzuki dealer and can tell you they dis-continue stuff after about 5 years. I know Honda and Kawi are pretty good as I own an older VFR 700 and can still get anything I need and a friend has an old GPZ and he has been able to find pretty much everything he needs also. Not a big Yamaha fan so I can't tell you much about them.
With all that being said, if you do plan to build something, try to find something that is as complete as possible to eliminate having to try to track down something that is no longer available. Most brands are good about being able to swap parts between different models without too much hastle, like wider wheels on newer bikes onto older models with skinny rims that tires are no longer made for, at least decent radials for example. The only bias ply tires for most of these older bikes are pretty shaky at best. If you are good at fabrication then you can do pretty much anything you want and parts are pretty plentiful on E-bay and cheap also. Lots of salvage places on line also but they tend to be pricey, about half of retail on a used part.
Anyways, have fun building something and I would be more than happy to answer any questions you might have because I have worked on just about everything out there with the exception of Harley's (sorry). Good luck!

Good info guys! Sound like it will be easier to look for a decent running one.

I find bikes much easier/cheaper/and faster to redo then cars because of the small space they require, don't need hoists to get the engine out, you can do your own paint jobs, and just less parts all together. As mentioned before though, parts can be tough to find.

One advantage of the Brit and Euro bikes is that they made a design and stuck with it for lots of years, with only minor changes. The Japanese stuff changed a lot and frequently, making some parts fit only a couple years. I have done some resto on Triumph, BSA and BMW and parts were not that hard to find.

I have a kawi sport bike (ninja 500) and it's a 94. what's nice is the bike changed styles in 94 and is still the same through the 08 model. the ninja 250 has never changed. Try and find a bike that had the same style for a long run of years and it'll be a lot easier to find parts. I've got 14 years of bikes to get parts from.

Much easier to restore a bike.

Example, I completely tore down to the bare frame in a weekend.

Built completely back up in about 4 Months. And that was evenings and weekends.

Try that with a car.

Here's my baby.

1939 Indian Chief frame Off restoration to the correct nut and bolt.

Much easier to restore a bike.

Example, I completely tore down to the bare frame in a weekend.

Built completely back up in about 4 Months. And that was evenings and weekends.

Try that with a car.

Here's my baby.

1939 Indian Chief frame Off restoration to the correct nut and bolt.

Beautiful Bike! How hard are Indian's to come by??

That was a 1939 Indian, with original front end, original sheet metal, original engine and trans and even the one year only 1939 Jugs.

Totally rebuilt mechanically, just needing a cosmetic restoration.

There's lots of 47 and 48's out there.

But that Leaf Spring Front End 39 was a once in a lifetime find.

Much easier to restore a bike.

Example, I completely tore down to the bare frame in a weekend.

Built completely back up in about 4 Months. And that was evenings and weekends.

Try that with a car.

Here's my baby.

1939 Indian Chief frame Off restoration to the correct nut and bolt.


Man that bike is a beauty!

How about restoring a old ATC? you get a 85 or 86 watercooled three wheeler, clean it up, new seat, plastics, tires, and detailed motor and suspesion. They just look awesome. And talk about being different. You get started on one, they you start looking at the different models, then next thing you know you have 6. Ooops thats me. jim

Six ..... that sounds more like an addiction ...... ;)

or possibly your into the Pain aspect of those three wheel jobs ....

they have the nasty habit when you crash em ..... of chasing you down & pounding ya !! :eek:
ROFLMAO ......

6 ATCs, 2 el caminos, 2 camaros,1 chevelle,1 2wd Jimmy, and a hyundai (wifes). My wife says I have OCD. JIm

One advantage of the Brit and Euro bikes is that they made a design and stuck with it for lots of years, with only minor changes. The Japanese stuff changed a lot and frequently, making some parts fit only a couple years. I have done some resto on Triumph, BSA and BMW and parts were not that hard to find.I would like to have an old triumph. I have always liked the way they look. What years would you recommend?

Much easier to restore a bike.

Example, I completely tore down to the bare frame in a weekend.

Built completely back up in about 4 Months. And that was evenings and weekends.

Try that with a car.

Here's my baby.

1939 Indian Chief frame Off restoration to the correct nut and bolt.Beautiful bike man.