A lifetime of fixing other people's junk
My Rapido in 1971 or 72. This was the flat-track version. The motocross version had knobbies.
This album has photos and thoughts about some of the motorcycles I’ve restored or renovated over the past several years. Although I occasionally take on clients, most of my restorations/renovations are for me. I do all the work - from digging around in other people's junk to the tear down, the mechanical rebuilding, the paint, polishing, electrical and mechanical. There are a few specialized tasks I farm out, like chrome plating (I hate dealing with deadly poisons) and tasks for which I do not own the correct tools (i.e., dissembling old BMW crankshafts). There are also jobs I prefer to leave to experts (like speedometer repair). But on most of these bikes I have completed either all of the work or the vast majority of it.
My fascination with motorcycles began when I was about twelve. My dad helped me buy a 1968 Harley 125 Rapido (more on that story under the Rapido restoration). When I was a kid, Dad would often buy cheap, wrecked bikes from salvage yards, fix them up and sell them. With four kids, you can always use extra cash. I always though it was a cool way to make a little extra money, but more than that, it was fun. I quickly became fascinated and then obsessed with motorcycles.
When I plopped down a hard-earned $75 on the counter of St. Pete Harley Davidson for my 1969 Rapido (pictured), I knew there would be work to be done before I could ride the bike. It had been wrecked and had been sitting outside in the storage yard for at least a year. Right off the bat, dad said, if I wanted to ride, I had to learn how to repair my own bikes. He gave me a hand getting the bike going and within a weekend I was cutting ruts in the yard in a tiny race course I built around the house . I rode it everyday I could. Within a few months I knew the bike inside and out. I replaced the piston and cylinder, rebuilt the carb, adjusted the timing, painted the bike, straightened the forks and changed the tires and tubes more times than I could count. I learned from helping Dad, but most of the skills I now rely on came from reading stacks of motorcycle magazines and service manuals, and of course, trial and error. In an amazing twist of fate, some 40 years after I abandoned this bike for a new model, I found most of the original parts buried under a pile of junk in my dad's warehouse shortly after he died.
Most of the bikes you see in this album I’ve owned, although a few were painted for friends. Every once in a while I’ll paint a bike or do some work in trade for another bike or even a few bikes. Even though I occasionally build bikes for others, I really consider this a hobby. My ultimate goal with a restoration is to make my bikes beautiful and safe. I love beautiful,
original-looking motorcycles I can ride everyday. I certainly appreciate pricey museum pieces, but I like riding bikes too - and with a museum quality or extremely rare bike, it just isn't worth the risk. That's why I don't engage in too many museum-quality restorations. I try to make my bikes as original as reasonably possible. Some folks with this hobby spend thousands for parts that are original, but not necessarily safe or dependable (like original-equipment tires, handle grips, spark plug wires, cables and batteries). This may win you first place in a 100-point competition, but after spending that kind of cash, most people would be hesitant to ride the bike - and like I said, that isn't for me.
A lot of people confuse restoration with renovation (a term more often reserved for fixing up an old house). To me, the difference between restoration and renovation is this: A restoration is a complete tear down of the bike. Repairing or replacing every nut and bolt– thousands of pieces. A renovation is simply making the bike look and run like new. I do both restorations and renovations, but ultimately, a renovation brings me more pleasure. There is a quicker turnaround and a lot less money is involved.
At this moment, I'm involved in about 25 (way too many) active restorations and renovations including the following: 1966 BMWR69S; 1984 BMWR100 (custom cafe); 1963 Triumph Bonneville; 1968 Triumph Tiger; 1971 BSA B25; 1967 Kawasaki F100, 1970 Yamaha DT1 (MX), 1971 Yamaha DT1, 1971 Yamaha RT1; 1975 Yamaha TY175 trails bike; 1976 Yamaha DT100; 1978 Yamaha DT175; 1969 Dalesman trials bike, 1967 Harley Sprint SS; 1969 Harley Baja; 1969 Baja Flat Track racer; 1968 Harley Rapido; 1971 Harley Rapido; 1972 Honda CL350 (Baja racer); 1977 Yamaha TT500; 1978 Yamaha SR500; 1974 Honda Mini Tail; and 1972 Rupp Roadster. But I would gladly give up or trade several of these for one's that are a bit more unique. I also keep several bikes that I've already restored for off-road riding, traveling or riding just buzzing around town.
My fascination with motorcycles began when I was about twelve. My dad helped me buy a 1968 Harley 125 Rapido (more on that story under the Rapido restoration). When I was a kid, Dad would often buy cheap, wrecked bikes from salvage yards, fix them up and sell them. With four kids, you can always use extra cash. I always though it was a cool way to make a little extra money, but more than that, it was fun. I quickly became fascinated and then obsessed with motorcycles.
When I plopped down a hard-earned $75 on the counter of St. Pete Harley Davidson for my 1969 Rapido (pictured), I knew there would be work to be done before I could ride the bike. It had been wrecked and had been sitting outside in the storage yard for at least a year. Right off the bat, dad said, if I wanted to ride, I had to learn how to repair my own bikes. He gave me a hand getting the bike going and within a weekend I was cutting ruts in the yard in a tiny race course I built around the house . I rode it everyday I could. Within a few months I knew the bike inside and out. I replaced the piston and cylinder, rebuilt the carb, adjusted the timing, painted the bike, straightened the forks and changed the tires and tubes more times than I could count. I learned from helping Dad, but most of the skills I now rely on came from reading stacks of motorcycle magazines and service manuals, and of course, trial and error. In an amazing twist of fate, some 40 years after I abandoned this bike for a new model, I found most of the original parts buried under a pile of junk in my dad's warehouse shortly after he died.
Most of the bikes you see in this album I’ve owned, although a few were painted for friends. Every once in a while I’ll paint a bike or do some work in trade for another bike or even a few bikes. Even though I occasionally build bikes for others, I really consider this a hobby. My ultimate goal with a restoration is to make my bikes beautiful and safe. I love beautiful,
original-looking motorcycles I can ride everyday. I certainly appreciate pricey museum pieces, but I like riding bikes too - and with a museum quality or extremely rare bike, it just isn't worth the risk. That's why I don't engage in too many museum-quality restorations. I try to make my bikes as original as reasonably possible. Some folks with this hobby spend thousands for parts that are original, but not necessarily safe or dependable (like original-equipment tires, handle grips, spark plug wires, cables and batteries). This may win you first place in a 100-point competition, but after spending that kind of cash, most people would be hesitant to ride the bike - and like I said, that isn't for me.
A lot of people confuse restoration with renovation (a term more often reserved for fixing up an old house). To me, the difference between restoration and renovation is this: A restoration is a complete tear down of the bike. Repairing or replacing every nut and bolt– thousands of pieces. A renovation is simply making the bike look and run like new. I do both restorations and renovations, but ultimately, a renovation brings me more pleasure. There is a quicker turnaround and a lot less money is involved.
At this moment, I'm involved in about 25 (way too many) active restorations and renovations including the following: 1966 BMWR69S; 1984 BMWR100 (custom cafe); 1963 Triumph Bonneville; 1968 Triumph Tiger; 1971 BSA B25; 1967 Kawasaki F100, 1970 Yamaha DT1 (MX), 1971 Yamaha DT1, 1971 Yamaha RT1; 1975 Yamaha TY175 trails bike; 1976 Yamaha DT100; 1978 Yamaha DT175; 1969 Dalesman trials bike, 1967 Harley Sprint SS; 1969 Harley Baja; 1969 Baja Flat Track racer; 1968 Harley Rapido; 1971 Harley Rapido; 1972 Honda CL350 (Baja racer); 1977 Yamaha TT500; 1978 Yamaha SR500; 1974 Honda Mini Tail; and 1972 Rupp Roadster. But I would gladly give up or trade several of these for one's that are a bit more unique. I also keep several bikes that I've already restored for off-road riding, traveling or riding just buzzing around town.