ALT-1 How to Restore a Motorcycle
The only way a person learns to restore a motorcycle is doing the work themselves. I like to recommend the book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig to anyone seriously considering motorcycle restoration. [1] There is actually very little in the book concerning motorcycle maintenance but there is a good deal of information on the most important and frequently overlooked aspect of any endeavor: peace of mind.
Unfortunately, I've seen too many motorcycle mechanics who are either (A) in a hurry, (B) tired from a long day, (C) or just plain stupid and really don't care if your bike is put back together properly. Any idiot can tear apart a motor and transmission. It takes great peace of mind to get them back together properly. It has been my sad experience that too many mechanics do not realize that simple fact.
If you absolutely need someone to work on your motorcycle, it pays to visit the shop first. Make note of these five items:
1) Is the shop area clean?2) Is the workspace well-organized?3) Is the radio playing loud music?4) Are the mechanics professionally attired?5) Does the mechanic take the time to explain the work that's being done?
If the answer is no to any of the above queries, consider interviewing other shops. Ask other motorcycle owners who they recommend. In my opinion though, anyone not interested enough to do the work should reconsider the restoration project.
If you're just starting out, I recommend outfitting a clean and orderly workshop before attempting any serious restoration. You're going to need a warm and dry place to work, somewhere that you enjoy being. You'll be spending a ton of time there.
Consider buying a building bigger than you'll need. [2] If you're looking to buy commercial property, understand you'll have to put at least 20% down. Here are some advantages to buying rather than renting:
1) Rent out part of the building to help cover overhead.2) Historically, property will appreciate in value.3) Depreciation on commercial buildings is tax deductible.
Investigate areas that lie off the beaten path. Cost per square foot will be lower than metropolitan areas. Networking with other business people who might also be looking for space is a good way of locating space as well. [3] Others may be aware of space that isn't right for their needs but might be perfect for your use.
If you're unable to buy, look to rent garage space. Many times you can get space for next to nothing. Make sure you have access to heat and electric. A bathroom comes in handy too though you can always use the one down the street at McDonald's if you must. Get an old frig and stick it in the corner. Pick up a microwave too.
Once you have your shop set up, it is well worth spending the money on good tools. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to work on a bike with improper tools. Craftsman tools last virtually forever. [4] See if you can pick up a set second hand:
1) Visit garage sales.2) Comb the classified ads in your local paper.3) Check out eBay. There are great bargains to be had. [5]
Once you have the tools you need, keep them clean and dry. Invest in a quality tool box and it will pay dividends for years to come. I like the roll-about base cabinet tool box the best. That way I can roll the tool box to where I'll be working. I like metal but plastic has its good points too.
Now is a good time to pick up a motorcycle if you haven't procured one yet. If someone asks me, I like to recommend Harley Davidson motorcycles for starter projects. [6] They are well-built bikes without all the fancy gadgets that some of your rice burners come with. A Harley is a joy to take apart... every piece has its function. They also go together very well. If a part is not going together, something is wrong. Don't force it. Read the manual.
You're going to need a good set of manuals. You can order complete sets on eBay for just a few dollars. I like paper manuals myself but other people might prefer the digital variety. No matter. Just make sure you have the manuals in front of you for ready reference while working. It will save you a mountain of grief, believe me. Once you have your tools, workshop, bike, and manuals, you're light years ahead of most "shade tree" mechanics. Next, you need to develop your attitude.
I find it helpful to work in 2 hour stretches and then taking a break for as long as you need. Working any longer than 2 hours tends to put me in a hurry-up state of mind and I start making mistakes. Maybe you're different. But there's no sense pushing it either. Remember, motorcycle restoration requires great peace of mind. And believe me... there is nothing like tooling down a long straight country road on a motorcycle you've torn down and rebuilt yourself.
[1] http://www.lilaschild.com[2] http://www.realtor.com[3] http://www.craigslist.com[4] http://www.craftsman.com[5] http://ebay.com[6] http://www.harleydavidson.com
