Restoring a motorcycle is a creative outlet, a task I want to do, and something I get to see come together in front of me.
In my day job, I freeze my butt off in an air conditioned office. I tap away at my keys and jump at the sound of email pings.
In the garage, I’m dripping sweat into an oil pan while cursing under my breath as I strip another JIS screw on the carburetor.
What’s not to love?
Work with your hands
Get dirty. Use some old muscles. Get dirty under your nails. Build some callouses.
I love the chance to step away from the keyboard to make with my hands. It’s embarrassing how sore my hands were after the first time I worked on my first motorcycle restoration.
It has been too long since I needed to use my hands to solve a problem. The occasional pickle jar aside.
On a motorcycle project, you’ll be using socket wrenches, pliers, JIS screwdrivers, Philips heads, voltmeters, and Allen keys.
If you don’t know what some of those are, don’t worry you’ll either learn them or make up your own name for them.
Dang, I dropped the carburetor screws stripper. What am I going to use now to remove these 4 stubborn screws?
It feels amazing using my strength to restore life to an abandoned machine.
Be Your Own Boss
Work on your own timeline.
It’s your project.
But everyone will be rooting for you. No one is going to hope it takes forever.
The sooner it’s out of the garage, the sooner more storage place will have been made.
Want to take your time and do it “right”. Go for it.
Parts can be delayed.
You may not know what lies under the dirt and grease. That is part of the journey.
As you go, you’ll learn what’s wrong and how to fix it.
Make it Your Own
You get to choose what the final results look like.
I love this part of motorcycle projects. In the end, I’m going to have a unique motorcycle that is different from everyone else.
Terrible.
Maybe you want to get your motorcycle completely stock. Awesome! It will still be yours and of your own creation.
I’ll be a fan either way.
Learn to fix broken parts
Fixing a part can save you money.
Or it’s faster.
Or easier.
Do it.
Fix the part.
Clean that carb.
Flush that rusty tank.
Install an in line fuel filter.
Solve headaches on your own.
Connect with a family member or new or old friend
But that’s another great thing about this. You won’t be on your own, if you don’t want to be.
My dad used to ride motorcycles when he was in his 20s. He rode a Dnepr motorcycle from Ukraine.
I still call him and ask for advice. We are a thousand miles apart put together connecting and rebuilding a motorcycle we’ll both get to enjoy.
I’ve made friends while looking for bike projects. My friend D I meet on OfferUp. I was interested in buying an 80s Honda from him.
That sale fell through but we eventually bonded over V Star 250s.
We share the progress we are making on our latest projects and Facebook Marketplace listings for potential future projects.
Test your patience
I wish restoration was all go-go-go.
But it’s not.
If it was, I’d lock myself in the garage for two days and get it done.
It’s not like that.
Diagnosing what is wrong with your bike takes time. Troubleshooting your bike will be full of trial and error.
Avoiding cleaning that carburetor can go on for longer than I’d like to admit.
The learning and research required means leaving the garage and digging online or in the service manual.
When you take your project on, don’t be realistic, be generous with your personal deadline.
Instead of 3 months, say it will be road worthy in 6 months or even a year.
There have been times when I’ve had to step away for a few days or pulled away by life for weeks on end.
Be patient and not discouraged.
Save money
This heading is missing a huge asterisk.
Buying a well researched motorcycle will set you up for an easy and smooth project.
Before I buy a project bike, I research, Research, and the. RESEARCH.
That helps me budget for the build. I try to be brutally honest with the budget.
I try to count each can of carb cleaner, #0000 steel wool, and big things like the initial purchase price, tow, and licensing fees.
If I can do the work myself, I do it. That includes the oil change, cleaning the carburetor, and putting in a new battery.
I’ve removed tires off the motorcycle, but I’ve always paid someone to change the rubber itself. That usually costs around $40 a pop.
If you need a budget form, feel free to use mine.
My motorcycle budget form is yours to use. Make a copy of it so you can fill it out with what you are planning.
Do the math and budgeting before you make the big buy, IF you are trying to stay under budget.
Buying second hand parts off eBay is another good option. Aftermarket parts off Amazon can be decent as well.
Discover a new passion
You’ll never know if something is for you unless you try it at least once.
I’ve only been into motorcycles since 2021. I found a dusty 1987 Yamaha Virago in a warehouse.
Because of some good fortune, bad DMV history, and, a lot of generosity, I got it for a sweet deal.
Since then I was fascinated by how they work and why they don’t work.
I restored that motorcycle over the next few months, put a couple hundred miles on it and then sold it to a new rider.
I was hooked after that.
If I had a bigger garage, it’d be full of interesting motorcycle projects.
I’m not sure if I like wrenching more than riding. I’ve spent too way time doing one of those.
Learn the mechanics of an engine
It may feel somewhat forced. It’s like toeing a cold lake in early summer.
I’m going to get in, I just don’t want to be shoved in from behind by my Uncle.
Experience putting your creation on the road
Eventually, your project will be ready for the open road. It’s going to be the best and scariest day riding your motorcycle.
You’ll pull your gloves on first.
Take them off.
Struggle to put your helmet on.
Drop the keys.
Realize your boots are still untied.
Shake your head.
Stall as you pull out of the driveway.
Breathe.
Take your time.
The canyons aren’t going anywhere.