Projects
What is important for any mechanical vehicle is the fact that when we use it, it wears out a little more each time and therefore has to be kept in a reasonable condition to be functional and most of all, reliable.
So, if you're planning to ride an older bike you must have a little knowledge and know-how when it comes to general maintenance, otherwise paying for someone else to do the work can be very costly. Some of the bikes of our riders would not make the cut if they had to go through scrutineering for events such as Conondale and that's fine if you just want to do some general riding or the occasional trail-ride.
But if you are a little serious about doing restoration to the level of event riding, you will have to possess a good mechanical know-how or an abundance of cash, and who has that these days? We have heard people say, "I wouldn't mind restoring an old bike and doing some riding/racing!" Listen to the Gumbies when we say it is a BIG ask to do this! Sure, you'll get the bike in excitement in a 'rough as guts' condition, pull it down and still seem keen as the picture of the finished product in your head is still there. The human imagination has no debt; it is a cashless society in there. In most cases that we know of the bike is purchased, ends up nowhere near finished, then is sold on eBay and such because it's too expensive/difficult/time consuming to complete. Just think back to when you were a kid - how many of us purchased that model kit on the shelf, took it home, cut it out and got it to the stage of full completion, so it looked like the painting on the box?
Our point here or guidance is that if you want to do this, a necessity is needed in mechanical knowledge. If you don't have this, be prepared to pay big. When going down this road we recommend buying a machine where the previous owner has already spent the money and done all the work or most of it for you. When a bike is in good condition in the first place it is a hell of a lot easier to maintain than one in a sad condition. (Unless you're like Tent and plan to have your KDX as a mono-cycle... s'pose, you never know when a clown may need one?) Most cases the person who spent $$$ on the machine will very rarely get that back in selling. The half restoration of Hooter's XT250H will give a little insight to what we speak of.
Projects - not all complete
- 1982 Suzuki PE175Z (Dazza) 100%
- 1981 Yamaha XT250H (Hooter) 100%
- 1976 Honda XL250MX (Dazza) Currently 30 % on hold!
- 1981 Honda XR200RA (Dazza) Currently 10 % on hold!
- 1980 Suzuki PE175T (Dazza) Currently 15 %
- 1981 Kawasaki KDX175A (Tent) Currently 60 % Finally!
- 1984 Yamaha YZ100L (Gumbies) not started