Everything you need to know to restore or customize your classic Japanese motorcycle. Whether you want to correctly restore a classic Japanese motorcycle or create a modified, custom build, you need the right information about how to perform the mechanical and cosmetic tasks required to get an old, frequently neglected, and often long-unridden machine back in working order. How to Rebuild and Restore Classic Japanese Motorcycles is your thorough, hands-on manual, covering all the mechanical subsystems that make up a motorcycle. From finding a bike to planning your project to dealing with each mechanical system, How to Rebuild and Restore Classic Japanese Motorcycles includes everything you need to know to get your classic back on the road. Japanese motorcycles have been the best-selling bikes in the world since the mid-1960s, driven by the "big four": Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki. Of course certain bikes have always had a following - Honda CB750, 305 Hawk, CB400-4, Benly; Suzuki GT750, Katana, GS1000S; Yamaha XS650, RD400 Daytona, TZ; Kawaski H1, H2, Z1R - and these have now become the blue-chip Japanese bikes leading collectors to seek out more common (and now more affordable) alternatives. This is the perfect book for anyone interested in classic Japanese motorcycles, as well as prepping a bike to build a cafe racer, street tracker, or other custom build.

In this book, seasoned motorcycle restorer Ricky Burns takes you through each of the stages of real-life restorations. Aimed at enthusiasts of all abilities, from the total beginner to those with experience already, the reader is shown each stage and process in step-by-step detail, along with the techniques, tricks and tips used by experts. From choosing a project, setting up a workshop, and preparing a motorcycle, to sourcing parts, dismantling, restoring and renovating, this book is the perfect guide for the classic motorcycle restorer.

The market for used motorcycles is vast and deep, with many popular motorcycles available for a fraction of what they cost when new even a few years ago. With a little hard work and know-how, a restored used bike can become a reliable and stylish commuter vehicle. But restoring an older motorcycle can be challenging. Often you're dealing with old technology, parts that are hard to replace, rusty and stubborn bolts, etc. How to Restore Your Motorcycle walks the reader through the process of tearing down an old motorcycle and building it back up again. This revised edition adds color photography throughout, as well as new information covering bikes and technologies new to the collector realm.

The book is the fruit of hands-on experience gained in the workshop as well as knowledge gleaned over years of consulting books, manufacturers’ manuals and specialist magazines by one of the leading technical journalists in the sector, Massimo Clarke. It is intended as an easy-to-read guide with clear, precise contents regarding the restoration of classic bikes, with attention being focused not on pre-war models but those from the 1960s and '70s, those on which we still work most frequently today. All aspects of restoration are dealt with special reference to mechanical work on the engines and the chassis components, those which enthusiasts can do themselves in their own garages, using tools that are easy to find at reasonable costs. The book is enhanced by an in-depth examination of the reassembly of the crankcase and two chapters dedicated to the final drive and the spark plugs. A guide of fundamental importance for those who want to “get their hands dirty” around their classic bikes.

DIVWhen it comes to collector motorcycles, none hold the allure of the classic Harley-Davidson Big Twins built from 1936 to 1964. But owning and maintaining these tempermental machines provides endless challenges. Even the most pristine, restored example needs a tremendous amount of care, maintenance, and repair. The rebuilding and restoring of these machines is not so much a defined task as a never-ending process. This book serves to guide owners through that process./div Beginning with a practical section on understanding, choosing, and purchasing a classic Harley, this book focuses on the nuts and bolts of classic Harley ownership. Through step-by-step photography and thoughtful, informative instruction, the reader will learn how to disassemble a chassis, rebuild a fork, lace a wheel, and paint the major parts for any restoration. It also provides thorough instruction on repairing, overhauling, and restoring all major components, such as the engine, transmission, and electrical system.