This is one fine bike restore

There are thousands of people who buy Harley Davidson motorcycles from auction houses with the aim of restoring them. Classic restoration of motorcycles is a way of life for many. These people are passionate about motorcycles and share their findings with other aficionados. There are magazines and books on motorcycle restoration and subscribers to these form a special group. You could also become a member of a group that specializes in restoring Harley-Davidson bikes.

Any bike restoration project has three essential ingredients: the engine, the frame, and a book of the manufacturer’s parts. Why the book is necessary is because all the specifications of the parts of the bike are clearly outlined in it. The first step would be to take the engine to an engine shop which has the know-how to rebuild your kind of engine. This would have to be in keeping with what you have budgeted. If you are a member of a club, then it is easier for you to get a good mechanic to deal with your engine. The engine will have to be cleaned. This is done by bead-blasting the head, barrel and case of the engine. All the metal parts will have to be polished mechanically. The frame and the swing arm will need to be sandblasted next, and carefully examined for any cracks or twists, or if there are missing tabs, and extra holes.

There might have been damage due to battery acid leakage. Any welding that is required has to be done now. Then, the frame and the newly rebuilt engine are assembled. If it fits without any problem, them it can be powder coated or painted using industrial polyurethane. Stove enameling used to be the manufacturer’s choice, but it is next to impossible to find anyone who would be able to do this today.

If you are going in for complete restoration, then the nuts and bolts you use will have to be cadmium-coated steel. Here again, the choice today swings towards using stainless steel nuts and bolts. Only the engine/frame nuts and bolts must be in the original size and made of the original metal in order to avoid damage due to vibration. Shocks and forks come next. It is ease to replace the shocks because brand-new ones are available. Forks though will have to be checked for straightness and excessive wear and tear.

It is better to consult a forks specialist, and sending them to England would be your best bet. Both the front brakes and rear hubs are easily available. The best kind of rims that would be those made of an alloy. Akront makes these and along with these rims come the steel spokes. Get an expert to check on the wheel trued. As regards the tires, you would be wise in getting your tires from the same country as your bike. The same argument goes for hand-grips.

The hard rubber grips are the best, though there are some people who might go in for the foam grips that absorb vibrations. The critics would of course not agree with the use of foam grips no matter how good they were. At all times it must be remembered that even if you have gone in for les expensive parts, it would be wise to save up and as soon as your budget permits, to replace these with the original parts. We have featured and recommnded some great information to restoring your bike, with detailed step by step instructions by a professional restoration mechanic.

Authentic Restoration Instruction Manual Guide For All Motorcycle Click Here!