Restoring a motorcycle..

[Shiv]

How hard is it? Obviously it depends on just how much has to be done, but on general?

And about how expensive would it be in addition to buying the junk bike? And how would you get parts for it? Just OEM parts off the internet?

Also how extensive would your tool selection need to be? I was thinking of trying to restore a bike this summer if I can't find one to buy before then. It might be cheaper.

Oh and can you even get one you restored registered/insured?

[Mintbread]

A lot depends on the age of the bike and how many are/were around.

[Skier]

How hard is it? Obviously it depends on just how much has to be done, but on general?

It depends on how exacting you want the resto to be. Do you want it to look like it rolled of the factory floor, or just a bike that's a couple years old? Or just something that's ridable?

And about how expensive would it be in addition to buying the junk bike? And how would you get parts for it? Just OEM parts off the internet?

You can probably find a majority of the parts from major retailers, like bikebandit.com and ronayers.com . For better deals and discontinued parts, ebay should work, and finding a forum dedicated to the bike is even better.

Also how extensive would your tool selection need to be? I was thinking of trying to restore a bike this summer if I can't find one to buy before then. It might be cheaper.

Sears usually has deals on mechanic's tool kits. The 168 piece kit is currently on sale for $140, you can probably get a better deal at an actual Sears store rather than their web site. They usually have sales on their tools, so keep popping in once a week or so and see if a nice big set is on sale or not.

You'll want to augment the kit with some metric stuff, usually hex key sets, larger wrenches, etc... Probably another $50 for those, another $100 for other tools you might find you need, including specialty tools (for shimming valves, rebuilding front forks, etc...).

Oh and can you even get one you restored registered/insured?

Do you mean a totalled bike? As long as it's not written off by an insurance company, it won't be a problem. If it has been totalled, the process varies state by state. In WA, you have to bring the bike in to a State Patrol inspection center and produce receipts for parts you used to rebuild it, to make sure they weren't stolen. After that, you get a new title, stating the bike is "rebuilt."

Hope this helps!

[NorthernPete]

I rebuilt a 1983 Seca 400 that had been stripped for parts and run into a wall. took me from may to Aug. to get it on the road, most parts I got from scrap yards and Ebay. pain the the @$$ but its worth it when you have something that wasnt running when you got it and you hear it turn over and ctach for the first time....

[dr_bar]

My only question is, "Why would you want to do this during the prime riding season as opposed to the winter???"

[Shiv]

Well, for one I live in Texas. It's riding season all year long.

Two, I wouldn't have a bike and I'd still be working for money to buy a bike, but would have this going on the side.

[jmillheiser]

www.oldbikebarn.com will become your friend if you want an old bike.

if your wanting to get an old bike roadworthy again they have about everything you would need.

an old UJM can make a great bike to learn on. They are pretty cheap, and easy to ride.

dont buy a total junker though. one that has been sitting for years but is not wrecked can be a good project though. usually you just need to clean the carbs, replace rotten wiring and hoses, sand off some rust, and put new tires on it.

I have a few small projects planned for my CX500 myself. going to perform a fairingectomy, new exhaust, new bars, and installing a bigger tank. Since my bike is rideable already I will do those projects one at a time so the bike is not off the road for more than a day.

[NorthernPete]

Oh, one other thing..I got my bike for free "if you can get it out of the garage its yours" I was told... in the end though, parts and what not, my free bike cost me about 800 Can. which all in all isnt bad. but its still kinda irritating when you can buy one in better shape for that sorta cash..

[Shiv]

Isn't that only like, $400? That's a pretty good deal...

[mysta2]

wow that's an impossible question to answer, ther are so many variables to each question you've asked. Obviously the biggest cost to you will be the parts... unless you don't have any tools... or unless it has all the parts already. You can spend anywhere from $100 to several thousand depending on what you want to do, what you want and are capable of doing, and what you start with. Go check out Bates cycle salvage.

Like someone said, find something that inspires you, pick it up and learn as you go. To paraphrase Jessie James: if you want to build a bike, don't build it to your' abilities, build your' abilities to your' dream.

It might do you some good to check out my blog too (I always feel like a tool sending people to my blog, but it might answer some of your questions) I never do straight restorations (unless I get a hold of a 748 or a 1985 V4 Interceptor) I'm always looking to make something better, but a lot of the work I've laid down speaks directly to restoration.