"The Motorbike Workshop - Classic Bikes"

Just about everyone has a soft spot for nostalgia and Classic Bikes and cars are right up there in the “Feel Good” stakes. There is just something about these old bikes. Not only do they look sensational and sound amazing, the style of riding forces you to be involved, no armchair rides here.

Many professional and home based restorations are real treasures and the spirit of owning an old bike is generally one kept alive by the many home workshops and countless hours by enthusiasts spent bringing the bike to life. Unfortunately there are also many times when, despite the best intentions, the basic lack of knowledge makes these dreams a nightmare, if not for the restorer then for the next owner of the bike who has to try and fathom what (and sometime why) things were done.

At Classic Bike Tune we are regularly fronted with a bike that someone else has restored and all too often the new buyer is frustrated with its irregularities. Iʼm not talking about the addition of parts inconsistent with the bike model or vintage, Iʼm talking about the mechanics and the electrical systems that have been worked on in some way or other.

Examples of horror stories -

• How about the Moto Guzzi that had four piston ring grooves but due to the fact the “mechanic” had the wrong ring size, he put two into the top groove and left a middle one empty. Or

• have a look at the photo - Which Red wire?. Or

• the 1957 Triumph that was sacraligeously made into some type of “bobber” The rear wheel was so wrong that on tightening up the axle nuts the tyre refused to rotate, so what did they do, left the nuts loose!!

We have no intention of knocking the multitude of bike owners who do their own work and sometimes we may get a bit frustrated in constantly being asked for assistance (Free advice) but we would much prefer that than see more examples of people completely out of their depth and making a botch up of the whole thing.

Probably the most enjoyable thing about our work on these pieces of history is the expression on the owners faces when they come to collect the now running bike. After what was probably months tinkering, kicking it over, tinkering some more, kicking again, until finally in sheer frustration they bring the bike to us. There she is, cold straight out of the workshop and they prepare to start her up, 1 kick and she fires up! Thats what experience does, what only experience can give, no matter how dedicated or enthusiastic you might be.

So if your passions run this way and you are looking at any sort of restoration or repair involving the mechanical or electrical components of your pride and joy , unless you are really sure, bring the bike to us and let us do it. I know you will be that much happier.

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