Steps to restoration?

I searched but couldn't find anything....

Is there a list or a guide on the steps to take to restore a bike?

One that's just for getting it running properly? :?:

 

Or maybe just a general process?

shims
Carbs (air leaks, cleaning, etc??)
?????

 

Hmmmm... I was in this situation with my bike - I wanted to get it roadworthy but not "Restore" it.

I mentally made a list of the things that were wrong and tried to work through them steadily. If you have a lot of things wrong, break them down into manageable chunks.

My bike needed carb clean, swing arm/suspension overhaul, front fork overhaul, electrics etc.

Instead of buying lots of parts, I bought parts for each job. If I bought them all together - the cost might have made me think again!

It made each job have a start and an end - rather than have me thinking "I've been at it for weeks and still not done."

As I finished each bit I added a photo to my gallery with a couple of sentences.

Does this help?

 

Hmmm.....good call.

I sort of meant restore it to good running order.

Well, like you typically do the shims first, right?
Then work on the carbs?

I have a feeling my SECA is sucking in air somewhere it shouldn't.

I just want to go about fixing it the right way. I already tried last year, but I think I made it worse.

 

Mine was road legal (Just!) but after a few weeks its MOT (Annual test/inspection ran out).
During that time i found out most of what was wrong.

I worked on what it would need to pass its test and concentrated on them.

Check the shims - they may be ok - is a good place to start then move onto the "Keeping you safe" bits like brakes and suspension.
Next go for "Making it go" fuel and ignition and lastly "things that are nice to have" - windshields etc.

I know a lot of members would do compression tests early on but if the motor is running ok I personally would skip it (If you DO have a gauge, you might as well do one).

I did do a couple of jobs out of sequence, in the middle of winter when it was really too cold to work in the garage, I took the clocks off the bike and overhauled them in the house (Don't tell the wife!).

 

My basic schedule goes something like this, mind you, i'm not through it all yet, but the bike is getting better and better, and it is in running order.

Oil / Oil Filter
Tires
Check rear brake shoes for delamination / wear
Check front brake pads / discs
In-line fuel filter
Valve Clearance
Carb Cleaning
Carb Balance
Mixture tuning
>> this is where i'm at now:
Check fusebox / wiring, replace if you need
Fork seals / fork oil
Gas tank overhaul

Depending on what you've got to work with, i'm sure there are like 1000 other things you can check / fix up. My haynes manual has a list of like 40 routine maintenance items to check.

 

start with the brakes you can always push it back home but crashing into the back of the garage dragging your feet looks real stupid

 

So for a good bike mechanically, but runs poorly.....

Shims
compression (pray for good numbers)
carb clean
carb balance (?)
carb tune
ride and have fun?

 

My standard procedure for restoring a bike is to get it running first. It doesn't need paint, polish, chrome, tires, shocks etc. if it won't run. Once it runs, you know what you have. Now spend lots of time/money to make it what you want. First steps to running:
1. NO rust in fuel tank. No exceptions.
2. Clean/rebuild petcocks.
3. Rebuild carbs. If the first two aren't done don't waste your time here.
4. Now you have a shot at getting it running. Move on to electrics necessary to fire it up. Once running you can check charging, lights, signals, etc.
Now do a basic tune up. You should have a good running bike by now. If so, continue to the fun stuff. When you reinstall the engine after frame paint you will know it runs and you are ready to have some fun and lots of pride.
Always remember, if it doesn't run, the rest doesn't matter.

 

My standard procedure for restoring a bike is to get it running first. It doesn't need paint, polish, chrome, tires, shocks etc. if it won't run. Once it runs, you know what you have. Now spend lots of time/money to make it what you want. First steps to running:
1. NO rust in fuel tank. No exceptions.
2. Clean/rebuild petcocks.
3. Rebuild carbs. If the first two aren't done don't waste your time here.
4. Now you have a shot at getting it running. Move on to electrics necessary to fire it up. Once running you can check charging, lights, signals, etc.
Now do a basic tune up. You should have a good running bike by now. If so, continue to the fun stuff. When you reinstall the engine after frame paint you will know it runs and you are ready to have some fun and lots of pride.
Always remember, if it doesn't run, the rest doesn't matter.

 

In addition to the above advise,
An unknown bike needs a fuel filter.
Clean the fuse box, but plan on replacing it.
Plan on cleaning EVERY electrical connector on the bike.

Start with the brakes. Date code the tires- - 8 years is "done".

 

Add to yamasarus's list, check and adjust the valves.

Though I'd start with compression. Without that, there's no sense working on even getting an engine running. Also, "running" can be done with any gas tank and petcock (i.e. snowblower gas tank). I guess this would be my list (tho I didn't start here, but I've ended up in the right place)

1. Compression
2. Spark
3. Check and adjust valves
4. Clean/rebuild carbs (do it right the first time)
5. Run, try to tune, being mindful of air leaks (intake gasket, boots, airbox boots, etc). Seal any air leaks and preliminarily tune (sync and colortune). If your colortune shows lean with no effect of the pilot air screw, you have an air leak (you did clean the carbs right the first time didn't you?)
6. All ready to ride? Not so fast, you need to be able to control your bike and stop too. Check steering head bearings, swing arm bearings, front brakes (at least get some new fluid), rear brake shoes and tires. If anything warrants replacement/rebuild/cleaning - do it. These should be non-negotible.
7. Now I'd worry about the tank and petcock. Rebuild/derust/replace as necessary.
8. Lube all your cables (easy to do, get a cable luber)

After all this you should be road worthy and ready to ride. Tie up any inspection issues that are left. Other things that will need to be done:
9. Fusebox
10. Forks
11. Shocks
12. clean all electrical connections

Did I start with this list...of course not . I started by dreaming of what color I wanted to paint it. Then I compression tested it (it did run roughly when I bought it). Then I noticed a crack in the frame and tore it down to have it repaired (easier to carry that way). Then in the process of putting it back together I hit all the electrical connections. THEN I realized that I needed to stop putting so much into a bike that hasn't run, so I checked the valves, cleaned the carbs and got it running. Then tried to paint...BIG MISTAKE. Unless you are already a master painter, don't bother until well after it is road worthy...and maybe on another set of "tins." I finally gave up and got another set, and hope to finish painting this summer. I did just get my inspection tho!

 

Thanks!
This information is very valuable and a great springboard for anyone to get their bike up and running. It's also a great tool to start searching this site for detailed information on each step.

Sounds like I have some compression tests and spark tests to do tonight.

I'm almost positive I have some nasty air leaks somewhere. I'm thinking I need to break the carbs and replace the seals.