One of life’s pleasures is mechanical repair… really. If you’ve never understood the reason so many of us spend hours in the garage, wrenches in hand, figuring out what went wrong or what needs to be fixed, it might be hard to explain. Motor vehicles have the advantage of moving when they work so if you did the job right, things make noise and something happens, you can climb on and go places, the potential energy stored in the gasoline turns into mechanical motion, … all very satisfying.
Motorcycles, among motor vehicles in general, are just the right size, you can fit a motorcycle into a very small shop where there’s no room for a car or truck, if you have no garage and the weather turns bad, any sheltered area will do. If you do have a garage, even a single car garage too small for serious automotive work, you have a relative palace for working on your motorcycle. You can even fit more than one bike into the space freed up by parking your car outside.
Motorcycles can be repaired alone, you’ll seldom need heavy mechanical assistance or more than two hands except in rare cases, though the space in your shop may fill up with onlookers offering advice, requested or not.
I’ve been fixing things for years, medical electronics, computer networks, digital systems and military electronics many years ago, but it’s the mechanical repairs that really bring a smile to my face, I guess I just like things that move.
Buying an old motorcycle may not make complete economic sense when some new or relatively recent bikes are available, but the promise of getting that old bike running again as it was designed to do and once did, hearing an engine that hasn’t made a sound in decades come to life, you just can’t buy that kind of happiness.
Motorcycle repair and restoration offers a little bit of everything. You can learn a little sheet metal and bodywork without having to make the kind of committment necessary as you would to rebuild a car. If you think painting might be a latent talent you’ve never had the chance to express, you can learn and practice without spending a fortune. Custom paint? Flames, pinstriping? Sure, give it a shot. Your one car garage or workspace can become a paint booth plenty big enough for a motorcycle.
Engine work fits on a bench and you don’t need a hoist to get the engine up there. Everything is right sized. You can put your repair manual next to you and prop it open with some odd heavy object, slide your tool box over, carefully disassemble the parts and lay them out in perfect order, sip on a beer and listen to oldies on the radio. Yep, life is good.
You can get up to speed in one of the tech schools that offer motorcycle repair courses or you can learn like a lot of us did, taking things apart to see what’s inside. There are pros and cons to both routes, if you’re planning to make a career of it and need to learn quickly, go to school, you’ll get the certifications service departments are looking for. If you have more time and want to learn for your own reasons, do it yourself.
If you’re a rider who’s never taken the time to work on your own motorcycle, not knowing how, not sure you could learn, I highly recommend doing at least some of your own work. Read the manual and start with routine maintenance and see how it goes, you might like it. If not, at least you know, but you might find you get a sense of accomplishment in the small jobs and next thing you know you’ll be looking in tool catalogs, thinking about your next project, clearing off that workbench, … that’s how it starts. Have fun.
zipidachimp says
one thing i hate about apartment living is not having a garage, or even a basement.
think about this. modern life would probably be less violent if more of us had a place to pound nails etc, rather than each other.
underground parking really doesn’t cut it, as someone tried starting my honda with a screwdriver, ruining the key thingy. damn! (although i did replace it myself).
btw, one honda key thingy fits a broad range of bikes, surprising.
kneeslider says
I would have a really tough time living in a big city without some sort of accessible work space. You see stories of celebrities in the cities renting or buying really high dollar garage space to store or work on their exotic cars or bikes, Jerry Seinfeld comes to mind.
You’re right, working in a garage or shop really is great therapy, something many urban dwellers could benefit from to tone down the violence. Forget the tranquilizers, I prescribe one garage and two hours of repair work every day for two weeks. Just organize your tools if nothing needs work. You’ll feel much better.
todd says
Too true. I’ve been stripping bikes apart and rebuilding them for years now. I started out fixing and rebuilding VWs for myself and everybody else in high school. Bikes are very similar but they do take up so much less room and don’t take the level of investment (time, space, skills, money) as a car just like you’ve said.
I don’t know what you meant by buying an old motorcycle not making sense compared to new. I can buy a used bike, rebuild it, customize it, and ride it all for under a thousand bucks. I’ve been looking at the Ducati Sport Classics or the Triumph Thruxton and Scrambler and dreaming. I always come to my senses though when I think about the price tag. If a $1000 bike is fun, economical, and reliable, is a $8000+ bike 8 times as fun, economical, or reliable?
I see most bikes now have very wide tires. Those tires have to cost a pretty penny. I’ve heard that they only last 5 to 10 thousand miles, sometimes less. I’m used to inexpensive tubed type tires that I can change myself. They not only cost less than half as much but usually last twice as long. I’ve yet to lose traction under acceleration or in super tight turns and I have no problem consuming my fair share of chicken strips. Valves are easy and inexpensive to adjust, especially on my R75/5 or not even existent on my two-strokers. I don’t like the idea of having to pay someone good money to pull the top end all apart to replace tiny shims under a bunch of buckets. How often do Ducatis need their valves adjusted? How much do they charge? No thanks.
Besides, it’s so hard to find something as universal and good looking in a new bike as you can in a used bike. I don’t think Honda will ever sell another CB77 or GB500 in the US or BMW make another Toaster. I’d like to think things are changing now with the likes of the Triumph Bonneville based bikes or the hopes that Ducati will build a Sport Classic 620 or 695 with extended valve adjustment intervals or at least valves that are easy to get to with screw and locknut adjustment. I guess I’ll still wait until they become used bikes so I can let someone else pay the depreciation.
-todd
kneeslider says
The old bikes I was referring to were the classics lots of people chase after bidding up the price, sometimes for a really bad specimen. But there certainly are lots of bikes you can buy for next to nothing and they’ll run for years after you fix them up a bit. If people resist the “gotta have the latest” advertising, their options expand a great deal.
What’s really cool is buying an old bike out of favor. If you wait a while the crowd often comes around and then you own one of those classics everyone else has to have.
Mad Science says
Yeah, old sports bikes are particularly cheap and fun. Once they’ve been crashed or broken down and let sit, people throw them away. ‘Cause sports bikes are too complicated, and the plastic fairings cost more than the bike is worth.
I miss my ’87 Ninja. Rebuilt that front to back a couple of times.
Matt says
Where are you guys finding cheap rebuildable sport bikes? You need to check out Craigslist here in the Carolinas. These guys think that a 2 year old salvaged gsxr should bring the kind of $$ that a new one brings from the dealer. It’s ridiculous, and makes me want to post my ’85 Honda Spree 50cc scooter for something like 4 grand. I’d really like to find a 86-87 fzr1000, or an Ascot 500 single, or some other bike I grew up thinking was a neat ride, for under $1000. The few I see around here (from atlanta to richmond) go for stupid amounts of $$$. I finally miss CA for something other than low humidity. Rust free old cars and realistically priced used bikes.
Earl says
That’s the best thing I’ve read of yours, Slider. You really capture a feeling. I’m not mechanically inclined at all – I wish I was – I can change oil, adjust the chain, read the manual. It’s about talent and inclination – I write a lot, get compliments and I think, jeez, it’s just stringing words together. That comes easily to me, stringing a valvetrain together doesn’t. I’m helping a mate out tomorrow, prepping his bike for a race next week, maybe it’ll get through eventually.
kneeslider says
Thanks, Earl! I appreciate the kind words.
If you want to learn more and you keep at it, you’ll get it.
guitargeek says
I traded a $50 crappy guitar amp for my 1980 KZ750-H. I then had to dig it out of a sand dune and drag it over to the truck because the wheel bearings were locked up. It took me some years to get it running, tinkering with it in my spare time. After a particularly nasty breakup, I threw myself into the project to keep my mind occupied. All new chassis bearings, new tires, repaired wiring harness, rebuilt carbs, etc etc etc. I ride the bike every day now, and I never even had to open up the engine!
I’d been after my buddy to get a motorcycle for some time, and he saw how much enjoyment I was getting out of my old KZ. One day he called me up and told me about a bike for sale a couple blocks from his house. I saddled up and rode over to lend an experienced eye…
Long story short: $200 later, he’s the new owner of a 1982 Spectre 750! The title’s clean, paint’s decent, tires are good, battery’s good, all the lights work, electrical system seems to be okay.
The downside? The top end is in boxes!
The previous owner was having problems with low compression, figured he had problems with the rings and took it to some hotshot motorcycle mechanic. The mechanic told him he had bent valves and quoted him $1200 to rebuild the top end. (Basically, the mechanic didn’t want to mess with it.) So the owner brought the bike home and took it apart, lost interest, and put a FOR SALE sign on it.
We scrubbed all the parts with gasoline and carb cleaner, honed the cylinders, assembled the block, rebuilt the cam chain tensioner, cleaned out the carbs and installed diaphragms I got from an internet buddy in Seattle. Another internet buddy in Kansas shipped me 8 straight valves the other day. I lapped them in and measured stem height, figured out we need to get 0.020″ ground off the stem so we get proper shim clearance.
I’ve had a really wonderful time putting my friend’s bike together. He’s a master at grilling, so I work for steaks and beer. If we get too hot in the garage we can jump in his swimming pool. These old KZs are such a simple and robust design, and if I get stuck I can always call on the experts at KZRider.com! I’m about to ride over and replace his steering head bearings and go through his brakes.
Next up: It’s about time for me to actually get into my own engine and freshen up the top end. I have experience with that part now…
guitargeek says
Here’s a good read about an old Triumph: http://www.virginiawind.com/special/triumph_p1.asp
hoyt says
agreed….good writing. It’s not the same type of reading as “The Perfect Vehicle” but it has the realm of enjoyment.
Pete says
Matt:
I agree with you. For some reason the price of bikes in the Mid-Atlantic region is insane. I have traveled to New England and the Midwest to buy decent, cheap, used bikes.
Clark says
What a great editorial! I couldn’t agree more. I am mainly an old car/truck nut when it comes to wrenching, and I’m lucky enough to have a fairly large and well equipped shop, but the “shop therapy” is the same. And as you suggested, even during those RARE occasions when I don’t have something immediately pressing to fix, I often spend time just puttering about in the shop, organizing things, tinkering, or just sitting in my ratty old shop chair enjoying a cold one and soaking up the relaxing garage atmosphere.
When I bought my first bike a few years ago for $650 (’83 CB750 Nighthawk), I knew nothing at all about motorcycles. I have been a gearhead for as long as I can remember, but bikes were a mystery to me. It was running fairly well but in somewhat rough shape. It had no guages, a torn seat, shot chain, no rear brake (that made for fun…) stuck slider in one carb after someone had apparently tried to “fix” a stuck float with a hammer to the slide cylinder, and the rear tire was showing cord. I bought a manual, dove in, and learned as I went. A couple years later, a buddy of mine who had ridden it back when the previous owner still had it asked me if he could take it for a spin. He returned with swept-back hair and a great big smile on his face, and said that he couldn’t believe it was the same bike! That really does give you a satisfying feeling. I still have the bike and commute with it most every day, weather permitting.
The only thing I will say against old bikes is how difficult and EXPENSIVE it is to get parts (at least in my rural area)! This bike is somewhat rare but still… Of course I did have to buy a bike known for electrical miseries (I’ve put WAY more $$$ into electrical parts alone than what I paid for the bike). I’m on my second $250 rotor in 5 years, I have replaced the stator, and have had to track down several nasty wiring gremlins. The engine, however, has never been open and for that I am thankful (knocking on desk…).
You can’t beat the feeling you get from riding something you resurrected yourself, and as a hobby, it sure beats making new bike payments or playing golf!
Rod says
What tech school would you recommend if i would like to get into the restoration of classic british bikes as a hobby. Looking for a relatively short course just to get me going. Any suggestions?