Many of us look back with fond memories of motorcycles of days gone by, and remember how cool they looked, and how we wished we could own one at the time. Now we're older the bikes have moved on, but that doesn't mean we should forget all about those old motorbikes. In fact the opposite is true, now those bikes we looked at with awe and envy all those years gone by are becoming classics, and as such are worth saving from the scrapheap.
Classic motorcycle restoration isn't all about locking yourself away in a garage and becoming an expert on which grade of chrome was used to plate the headlamp retaining bolt. Motorcycle restoration is a fun hobby for everyone, from the DIY mechanic to those who just want to ride a motorcycle they never could afford when they were younger. You don't even need to have a lot of spare money as some classic motorbikes can be picked up quite cheaply in various states of repair. Some motorbikes can, with a little attention, be ridden almost immediately and yet still not hit your wallet too hard.
Another thing worth thinking about is the investment factor of classic motorcycle restoration. You can pick up a cheap bike, do some small repairs and cosmetic tidying, and already it's started to increase in value. It doesn't need to be a complete nuts and bolts restoration to increase the value, with some extra care even as you enjoy riding it over a few years, a classic bikes value can increase greatly, and could mean you can make a tidy profit if you decide to sell it later.
It may take some time to restore a classic motorcycle, but it doesn't need to be done all at once. Some vintage motorcycles are ridden when possible, and worked on between rides. My own motorcycle is always left in a usable state between work being carried out. All it means is you don't have a perfect bike straight away. You don't even need to be riding the bike to take your time over the restoration, a lot of classic motorcycles are left in bits for a long while as the owners can't afford to buy the parts they need all at once.
There are plenty of classic motorcycles out there still to choose from, and your own teenage favorites could well be just waiting for you to pick them up and give them a home. Imagine living out that teenage fantasy of owning the motorcycle of your dreams, it doesn't matter that it's 20 years on you can still enjoy owning that dream motorbike. Only now instead of being called a teenage hoodlum, you'd be a respected classic motorcycle owner.
About the Author
The author Douglas Titchmarsh is the owner of several motorcycle themed websites including Z750 Twin Project , and co-author of the e-book "Classic Motorcycle Restoration - Tips From A Classic Motorcycle Junkie"
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