Demon Needs a Hobby

[Demontat]

School started yesterday for two of my three kids. Next week my youngest child, my beautiful daughter starts kindergarten. Its a bittersweet landmark in Demon's life... having been at home with my kids all the time to this point. I have either worked nights or been a stay-home dad, but nonetheless have spent everyday with my children thus far. To say that its gonna be an adjustment is an understatement. Which brings me to my hobby situation.

I have dreamed of doing a motorcycle restoration. I would say that I am in no way a mechanic, however, I easily grasp new concepts and am willing and able to conquer challenging tasks, especially if it is well planned and thought out beforehand. With the internet as a tool I am comfortable that I can find advice, instructions and parts as needed.

Here is where you all come in... I need input on types of bikes to restore. I want to rebuild a 1970's - early 1980's European sportbike. When completed I want it to be a recognizable, classic, fun to ride, show quality ride that I can be proud of. At the same time I want it to be reasonably priced to restore and mechanically "not too challenging".

Currently my mind strays towards BMW, Norton and Moto-Guzzi.

Your input is priceless... and it doesn't stop there..... some of you may get some PM's as my project evolves.

Brief edit: I want it to be a big bore bike.

[bezzer]

Nice idea DT, parts availability wise they are all fairly common for the ones you mention, the only Norton of that era really is the Commando as the rotary is a bit too specialised. There are a lot of businesses over here that deal with Norton parts , upgrades etc you can still get most things new from then but a lot of pleasure will come from scouring autojumbles or whatever you call them over there the bits you want. Guzzi are tractors so are usually bullet proof because of the over engineering dont know what the parts and spares situation is like for them, BMW of that era all look the same to me, from that era there is only one decent one which is the R90S. You never mentioned Triumph or is that too common?, the later 750 Bonnevilles are as common as muck and you can still get any parts for them a better bet are the T150 or even better T160 Tridents.
You've got a wide choice dude.
There are other machines you could consider such as Laverda- Jota, Mirage, 3C etc, Benelli 750 & 900 sixes bits and pieces are rarer but obtainable eventually.
I buy the classic bike mags over here, I'll send you some to have a look through might give you some ideas.

[AnthSP1]

Demon dude....
Why not got for something smaller to start and less costly to begin with, such as a BSA. You'll get a feel of it, know what you feel happy with and then you can move to the better stuff, and learn from ya mistakes or experiences with your first one. BSA parts are readily available for next to NOTHING.
Look at it this way, it'll give you a feel, and you can rest in the knowledge if you fook anything up (and you will at some point) it's not such a big deal cos the parts are so cheap anyways.
One thing to bear in mind tho, is to go down to your local hardware store and buy a set of imperial size sockets and spanners. Cos you can bet your ass that when ya need one, you won't have the specific one ya need!

Other things to have is an impact driver, and a handy aerosol type blow torch, to loosen seized/rounded-off bolts, and a good set of mole grips.

Start off with something less expensive (but just as desireable when fixed up) and go from there mate

I know a guy very very well who restores British bikes, they're gorgeous.

[TazCBR1100XX]

Any particular reason why you don't wanna go for 70's Jap Crap? Reason I ask is there's a VJMC site which is based in the US, (Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club) which if it's anything like the UK version is very helpful. Personally I'd be looking for a Honda CBX1000 six cyclinder - a bike with plenty of poke but very smooth - accelerates from 10mph in top gear without any judder or chain rattle. The good news for you of course is that generally speaking the chrome on US parts is in better condition than those found in the UK so you may even get original pipes and other stuff too.

[Demontat]

Bezzer... Thanks dude for sending the mags!! Believe me, you are on the PM list as I wander down this path.

Anth... Good advice, will consider BSA as "learner-bike".

Taz-Dude... As for the Jap-Crap, when it comes to restored bikes it has always been the vintage Euro-bikes that has really given me goose-bumps. Not to say I dont appreciate a classic Honda, just not as much as others. Besides, a beauty Euro-bike is a much harder to find around here.