Vintage Motorcycle News
The retro look is very popular with modern bikes as seen by the success of The Honda Monkey and many of Triumph’s bikes. So, it’s not surprising that there are retro body kits out there for modern sport bikes like the Yamaha R3 kit from GG Retrofitz. Originally designed as Read more…
One of the latest projects in the shop is the 71 Z50A we restored using as many of the original parts as possible. Often, these Z50’s are just rebuilt using all the reproduction parts available online. But keeping as much original as possible is always one of our goals. It Read more…
This has been a project that we worked on as time allowed since it wasn’t for a specific customer. But we are now basically finished- with the bike running fantastic and looking almost like it did when they took it out of the crate. We stripped it to the frame Read more…
So, there are lots of projects that come through the shop in a year. Some are complete restos and some are paint and graphics for someone else’s project. Here are a few of the recent projects.
When I bought a non-running but complete RZ350 from a local dealer, I didn’t know what I would need to do to get it running and I really didn’t even have a plan for how far I would go in restoring it. The bike is an all original, one owner, Read more…
We are up to the reassembly point and it sure is nice to have new or like new everything when you are putting a bike back together. I bought a new wiring harness but the original one was super nice so I fixed a couple of plugs so we could Read more…
The bike was running and riding when I picked it up but we decided to go ahead and look inside the engine to make sure all was good. It really looked like new with no wear on the cylinder and almost no carbon on the piston and valves. This is Read more…
As we progress, the next step is to do the paint. This color is a 69 only color called Honda Candytone Blue. It is quite a bit darker than the Sapphire Blue that later model years were painted. So, we start with a white epoxy primer, then the silver base. Read more…
We finished the paint for the 750 GT a while back but I’ve been slow on the updates! So here is a gallery of the paint process for the bike-
We finished the final assembly and did a first start on the RZ and all went perfectly. After a few adjustments and fixes, it was ready for its new home and the customer came a picked her up. This was such a nice original, survivor bike that the customer got Read more…
Because this bike was so original and nice, the client decided to not do a full restoration with painting the frame/fairings and replacing all of the hardware. We decided to clean and rebuild everything but not make it cosmetically perfect. It is a really nice survivor and they are only Read more…
This is a really low mileage RZ with only 12,000 miles and obviously ridden gently. We were happy to see that the inside was coated with oil and there was no corrosion on any of the parts. The transmission looks perfect, too. We installed new seals, gaskets and 1st over Read more…
We’ve made a few upgrades over the months since the bike was finished and wanted to post the final pictures. We changed the exhaust and upgraded the suspension for heavier riders. The bike continues to impress with its power and ridability. Such a fun bike to blast around on.
Well, we are a that place… many of the smaller jobs are done like rebuilding the calipers and master cylinders but the engine is waiting. The bike only has 12K miles on it and is all original but the problem is of course the crank seals on a 35 year Read more…
After a long search, we did find a super-nice original exhaust and refinished it with black high heat ceramic paint to new condition. At the same time we swapped the seat for one that has been recovered with the correct logo and a perfect original seat pan. Also the old Read more…
The Z50 is finally all assembled and looks and runs great. We did finally give up on using an aftermarket carb and bought an OEM Honda Keihin. We finally found a really nice original exhaust and refinished it to new condition. The fenders are semi-rigid plastic and were painted at Read more…
Well, the engine is back in the frame and we are still waiting on a few parts so we can complete it. Exhaust and intake manifold are on the way (hopefully) and that will get us where we can get it started and tested. The seat was in really bad Read more…
Lots of progress on the Z50R… paint is on, engine is almost done, wheels, tires, suspension and brakes are ready. Just waiting on a few parts that are very hard to find like the exhaust and original footpeg bracket and kickstand. If you have these, please contact me.
Well, the next bike in the queue is this 86 Z50R. The bike is fairly complete but needs a complete restoration. The motor is locked up and the tank is rusted through so we will do a complete engine rebuild and nut and bolt restoration. Because some of the hardware Read more…
The CB350F is done and back home with her owner. Really fun bike and great sound from the 4 into 1 pipe. Fast? No. With only about 35 HP it is not fast but it is electric motor smooth and a blast to ride.
Well the 400WR is almost complete. The original Ohlins were sent off to be rebuilt with new springs adn valving and are back. The engine is back from being freshened up and the updated wheels and suspension is all bolted up. Such a great looking classic bike.
Well, everything is painted and ready for reassembly. What we finally decide to do on the tank was bead blast it to give it a rough finish for the paint to stick to. Dirt bike plastic is tricky and hard to paint but we used PPG epoxy primer, then Polar Read more…
We are working on a new project in the shop- a 1984 Husky 400WR Enduro race bike. The owner has had the bike for many years and pulled it out of storage as a new project. Step one was disassembly and then media blasting the frame. Because the original white Read more…
We did a couple CT70’s and a 2019 Monkey for display at the Barber Vintage Festival and also picked up a basket case 1969 Monkey while we were there. As we looked at the 69, we decided that it was too rough to do a original restoration on so we Read more…
The rims arrived and we got them laced and mounted new Metzeler vintage tread pattern tires. The new brake lines and caliper are installed, rear wheel with new brakes and refinished sprocket and cush drive. Also, the new coils and plug wires are on as well as the rebuilt carbs. Read more…
Well, lots of progress! The engine is back together after honing the cylinders, lapping the valves and checking everything in the bottom end. The case were soda blasted, cleaned and painted. We are installing a Dyna ignition and new coils, new regulator/rectifier and the whole electrical system was checked for Read more…
A bit more progress on the CB350F. The electrical system is almost done. We used a modern solid state regulator/rectifier and a Lucas style taillight in place of the large and ugly stock unit. With the painted fenders, it looks like it was supposed to be there from the start! Read more…
A bunch of work has been done in the last few weeks- frame is painted, bodywork is bead blasted and painted, lots of small parts has been refinished and the forks/steering head have been rebuilt and installed. We are getting ready to stray on the engine… As you can see, Read more…
We have a new bike in the shop! This one is literally a basket case as it came in plastic totes. With the frame stripped, it’s time to do some media blasting and epoxy priming. The gas tank is full of white vinegar to clean the rust out and the Read more…
So, my friend Ron Raven, who donated the Hejira we did last year to Barber, texts me a picture of him sitting next to the bike on display in the Museum! Because Barber has 1000’s of bikes, they rotate them in and out of the displays and we thought maybe Read more…
Well, we’ve been hard at work on the Bultaco and for now it will be done as a Metralla but easily converted back to an El Tigre if desired. The frame is done and painted, and all the bodywork is done as well. The bike is going to be stunning. Read more…
We’ve made a lot of progress on the El Tigre/Metralla and I’m now doing the prep for the paint. There are 2 tanks being painted and some fenders, tool boxes, etc. We’ve left all the El Tigre brackets on the frame so it can be either a Metralla or El Read more…
We are starting on the next 69 El Tigre I bought last Oct at the Barber Vintage Festival. These are super rare since they were a 1 year only bike for the US market. It is a complete bike but in very rough shape- although the engine has compression and Read more…
Well, we finished the CT70 in time for the mini moto mania ride in at the local Honda dealer. Good times and lots of Groms! The carbon fiber CT70 was a hit and looks fantastic. We also finished a 2019 Monkey with a 210 cc kit and a ton of Read more…
We’ve made good progress on the carbon fiber CT70. It is really a laminate since the old metal frame is sandwiched between carbon fiber. Since last post, I’ve applied the decals and 3 more coats of clear. It looks awesome! Next we got some 12 inch rims to fit on Read more…
After finishing the Repsol Honda CT70, we’ve decided to do another one with one of the frames we collected. There was enough rust that the frame was a throw away unless we came up with a new process to save it. Since this frame had rust in various areas, we Read more…
After getting a few new parts in and going back and forth on what exhaust we wanted to use, the Repsol CT190 is basically done. Since last time, we’ve added a GP style under frame exhaust, dual piston front caliper, tidied up the controls and cables, switched back to a Read more…
Well, lots of progress on the CT70. Since last time, we have finalized the theme and decided to go with the original style headlight/speedo. The bars are 1in tapers down to 7/8 and the exhaust will be a polished stainless steel pipe with a sportbike style canister. The footpeg bracket Read more…
We have gotten a lot of parts in and technically, this is a resto-mod and a restoration since only the frame and key switch are going to be original/OEM. So, the front end is on, the 12 in alloy wheels are here, the 2 in longer alloy swingarm is on Read more…
Well, lots of parts ordered and on the way… the frame is epoxy primed, tri-coat pearl orange with custom “Repsol” graphics. Forks, 12in wheels, 2 in extended swingarm and gas shocks will be arriving this week. I still haven’t decided if I want a 140cc engine or go big with Read more…
Well, we are working on a new Trail 70 that will be a trail 140 or 150… The original gold frame is bead blasted and we laid some carbon cloth into a few sections that had rust damage. This is really a better option than welding in sheet metal to Read more…
Well, the El Tigre is done and delivered to it’s owner. The bike is really stunning and just needs gas. A lot of the parts are original and have some flaws due to age, but that patina is really appropriate for this 1300 orig miles bike. If he ever decides Read more…
The graphics and final coats of clear are on the Trail 70. It really is a great color and looks completely different in the sunlight. The owner will finish assembling it and I will get some pictures when it is done!
One of my customers brought me a CT70 – commonly known by kids of all ages as a Trail 70. Who didn’t want one of these as a kid?! Well, they are now very collectible and also pretty cheap to restore. This one was beat up like most 50 yr Read more…
Well, we are closing in on the final details. The wiring is done and tested and the seat is on after much fitting and trimming. This is a very nice reproduction seat but it simply wouldn’t fit over the post behind the gas tank. Since I have another El Tigre Read more…
With the engine ready after many hours of polishing the cases and painting the cyl and head, it was also time to get the exhaust cleaned up. The Muffler is a standard Metralla part, but the header pipe is specific to the El Tigre, so it is very rare and Read more…
Lots more progress on the El Tigre. The fenders are polished, the tank, headlight and tool box are painted, the forks are rebuilt and polished and the wheels are on. It is starting to take shape…
Well, we’ve been busy on the El Tigre and the frame is stripped and painted, the wheels are back from getting laced and a lot of the aluminum parts are polished. The frame was media blasted and then cleaned before being epoxy primed and base coated with black. Then 3 Read more…
New in the shop is a super rare bike- the one year only Bultaco El Tigre. These bikes were only produced for the US market and only a few hundred were imported. The El Tigre is basically a Metralla that was modified into a scrambler. Some of the parts are Read more…
Just over a month away and the excitement is building among vintage bike fans! The weekend festival is always a highlight for motorcycle enthusiasts. Undoubtedly the best run event of it’s type- literally 1000’s of bikes, shows, racing, swap meet and of course the fantastic museum. It’s like drinking from Read more…