Restoration Links

Here are some links to businesses that I have has success getting new and used parts from. It is rare for me to find a single source for all the parts that I require when restoring a bike. For example when I restore a Montesa, I will usually deal with Rocky Mountain Montesa for decals and fiberglass body reproduction items, European Dirt for cables, brake shoes, and junk yard parts, and Vintage Iron for reproduction fenders and seat covers. BMWs, Triumphs, and the like are easy to find parts for. If you are restoring a Parilla, Hercules, or something even rarer, plan on it taking a while (years) to find every thing you need.

It is difficult to make a profit restoring a motorcycle. To key to breaking even is to perform as much work as you can yourself. Below are some suggestions for restorations that can save you money if you don't have a lot of cash and equipment.

1) Start with relatively complete bikes

2) Strip the bike to the frame

Paint the frame & tank with a high quality spray paint. If you sprain the paint with a heavy wet coat (just before it runs) a very smooth professional looking surface is obtained.
Plastic fenders in good shape can be repainted with epoxy based appliance paint.
Engines and exhaust can be repainted with Bar B Q paint. Rustoleum brand gives a very flat surface, Krylon brand is more of a semi-gloss.
Replace all cables. Generally these run $20 apiece. In order to get the right throttle cable you will need to know what brand of throttle and carb you have.
Replace the chain. Hopefully you know how many links it is in length and what pitch it is. 520 pitch is common to most European dirt bikes.
Buff chrome and aluminum parts with a buffing wheel and buffing compound from your local hardware store. Even ugly parts will amaze you when your finished.
Replace your seat foam with foam obtained from a upholstery supply house. Trim the foam to fit with an electric fillet knife. For the cost of a ready made replacement you will have enough foam for about fifty bikes. I think it is worth it to buy a replacement cover though.
Reassemble the bike with new nuts and bolts obtained from a hardware store. Even the really weird ones are usually available from a local bolt supply house at a huge savings compared to buying the "real " bolt.