Motorcycle restoration.

[inlinefour]

I have just purchased a 1968 B1 from Alton at what was formally the bike museum in between Foxton and Levin. Real great bloke to talk to and he tells me he sold over 50 old bikes in only a couple of months. Sadly for him (and us) he has only learnt of trade me, where he says he gets more cash for the bikes. He said he is moving next door and will be keeping a few of the nicer bikes to keep and will only show them to motorcycle groups and clubs. I told him about Kiwi Biker and he said he'd be keen for any group of us to go and have a look once he has finished. Weather was diabolical, but both myself in the hilux and the kawasaki (which funny enough I have named allready) returned to home in the naki without any real trouble.
I have restored bikes in the past but never anything this age. Had a few of this age, but purchased them in good nick. Now I have a hunch that there could be other KBers (I at least hope) that might also have a hobby like mine. I am into classic and vintage Hondas (now there is a surprise), but have decided that I might as well go for the other Japanese brands also. I see there is not a set place to talk about bike restoration, however there are a few threads about particular bikes, new and old, but no set forum to talk about it? So who is/has restored what in their shed, garage or under their house? Also would be great to get an idea of what sort of parts are out there for older bikes, although I suspect many of them would not wanted to be parted with.
As for the little bike I have purchased? Its in reasonable original condition, only things broken is the glass on the speedo (easily replaced) and the rear tail light lens is broken. Reminds me of a A100 and I'm told Kawasaki & Suzuki used to make bikes together. Looking at it, I'd not be surprised if they did it way back then. I've started to pull the bike apart and it is clear that the previous owners (all ex bike shop owners) have looked after the bike rather well. Its not mint at all, might never be, but we'll see once I've finished. Best thing is that the bike is complete. It made my day when I was removing parts and inspecting them and I found the original tool kit in behind the 2-stroke oil tank. Well, its going to take some time to complete it in my spare time (when the weather is too bad to go riding etc), but there is no rush. The better half is allready unimpressed with the smell of oil etc coming from the bike. But what she does not know won't kill her (or me hopefully).

[onearmedbandit]

Damn, wish I had the time to do something like that as well. Would love to do it, a friend has just restored an early (70's) Honda MXer, awesome job. Another friend did a mint resto on early 70's Honda 4, amazing to pour over the detail when they are completed. Best of luck inline, keep us updated along the way.

[WRT]

Sounds like you have a good little project on your hands there. Keep us updated, and post up some pics when you get chance - cheers!

[Ixion]

Well, I guess Petal (Suzuki GT750) and Phoebe (Suzuki T500) count as restorations. Though I'm not a fanatic about them, and I reckon they need to be ridden as well as looked at. Ebay is your friend (well not exactly friend, but you need it )

[inlinefour]

Sounds like you have a good little project on your hands there. Keep us updated, and post up some pics when you get chance - cheers!

Not worth taking any pics of it as I've just pulled it apart. But I'll post the pics of it sitting in the museum for you. OAB, all the other bikes I've done are 1970s CB IL4s from 350 to 750cc.

[SPman]

Like that nice A7? is it, behind....could be an A1 - not sure of the tank stripe colour.....

[onearmedbandit]

His was, from memory a CB350. I worked at the local Honda dealer for a while, amazing that we could still get parts for it for him.

[Ixion]

Like that nice A7? is it, behind....could be an A1 - not sure of the tank stripe colour.....

It just sold. 250cc motor in a 350cc frame

[Motu]

I've always farted around with old bikes,it doesn't matter what brand or country of origin - 90% of the bikes I've owned weren't going when I got them,some stayed that way,but most started the same day.I don't restore,I think I'd kill myself if I turned into some anal anorak who berated proud owners for hours over incorrect usage of colour schemes.No,it's just a full strip and rebuild,fixing and painting as I go,and much fun is had in adapting parts from other poor donor bikes,or even cars.To me half,or maybe even more of the fun is in working on them - I don't want to ride something I haven't disected and probed....we have Vulcan Mind Melds after 10.00pm in the shed....

[inlinefour]

I've always farted around with old bikes,it doesn't matter what brand or country of origin - 90% of the bikes I've owned weren't going when I got them,some stayed that way,but most started the same day.I don't restore,I think I'd kill myself if I turned into some anal anorak who berated proud owners for hours over incorrect usage of colour schemes.No,it's just a full strip and rebuild,fixing and painting as I go,and much fun is had in adapting parts from other poor donor bikes,or even cars.To me half,or maybe even more of the fun is in working on them - I don't want to ride something I haven't disected and probed....we have Vulcan Mind Melds after 10.00pm in the shed....

I am pretty much doing the same thing. I thought that was doing restoration, but I'm pretty much doing what you speak of. "Anal anorak who berated proud owners", never met one and I know quite a few people in the naki that like to do up old bikes. Maybe its a Aucklanders thing? (pt):lol:

[SPman]

It just sold. 250cc motor in a 350cc frame
So - I was sort of right - love those rotary valve twins.The Bridgestone 350's were veeery nice.

[ducatilover]

my old man man used to have a honda cb350 twin back in his young days, he restored it and he doesnt speak very highly of hondas i can tell you that. he likes my bros650 even though its a honda he found it quite impressive. good little project you have there though, hope you have fun with her:rockon:

[inlinefour]

It just sold. 250cc motor in a 350cc frame

It was the same guy that sold me my little bike. I even had a good look at it before I left. There is another one on TM now and it looks in better condition.

[inlinefour]

Well the bike is in bits, messing up the garage a tad. The misses is unimpressed with the smell now originating from the bike (she parks her car in there also). The only problem I've come accross is that the choke mechinism is jammed and corroded. However looking at it, I dunno what I'm going to do about it. I'm awaiting a workshop manual for the bike and expect that this will shed some light on what to do. So far so good, so what.:blink:

[HenryDorsetCase]

Like that nice A7? is it, behind....could be an A1 - not sure of the tank stripe colour.....
its a CB350Four from 71 or 2.

nice little bike, but the CB400F kicks its arse. Not that I have a CB400F and think its the coolest little bike ever built or anything.

Oh yeah, I have this thing for old Jap bikes as well.

particularly SOHC Hondas.

www.sohc4.us

[HenryDorsetCase]

I've always farted around with old bikes,it doesn't matter what brand or country of origin - 90% of the bikes I've owned weren't going when I got them,some stayed that way,but most started the same day.I don't restore,I think I'd kill myself if I turned into some anal anorak who berated proud owners for hours over incorrect usage of colour schemes.No,it's just a full strip and rebuild,fixing and painting as I go,and much fun is had in adapting parts from other poor donor bikes,or even cars.To me half,or maybe even more of the fun is in working on them - I don't want to ride something I haven't disected and probed....we have Vulcan Mind Melds after 10.00pm in the shed....

Yeah man.

I wonder if the reason I like the 400F so much is its the one Ive done the most work on since the last SOHC4 Honda I had many moons ago....

[pritch]

its a CB350Four from 71 or 2.

I think those 350 fours were one of the all time nicest looking mass produced bikes.

OK these days the 816(?) or the Vrod look nicer but when those 350s were new...

[Beemer]

Nice bike, shame the museum/cafe didn't do well, we visited several times. Wish I'd known you were down our way, we live about 10kms from Alton (about five as the crow flies!) and would have welcomed a visit.

Good luck with the restoration, there is an old guy in Levin who used to restore bikes - he had a Puch (sp?) scooter that was gorgeous!

Another few years and the beloved's CBX550 will no doubt be coveted like these bikes - it's close to being vintage now!

[Eurodave]

Heres some pix of my '71 Moto Guzzi Eldorado 850 that I restored a few years ago, & still own
It had been through a fire & had a number of bits missing & the motor,gearbox, shaft & diff were all thoroughly trashed & the tank had gaping rust holes
Took me 5 years & a bit of dosh, but it was worth it!

[Eurodave]

Heres a couple more, with my brother,Mark riding

[HenryDorsetCase]

good to see that you were keeping it in the lounge. !

[Eurodave]

good to see that you were keeping it in the lounge. !


Hell yeh! Youve got to get & keep the priorities right:yes: