You may already have the cycle you have chosen for your restoration, if you do skip this section and get on with your restoration. If you do not have your bike chosen then lets take a look at some important areas to investigate.

Do you have a cycle your are partial to?

Back when I was a teenager, I worked in a gas station for 75 cents a hour to earn money to buy a motorcycle, I bought a Honda SL-350, I really liked that bike, I had it 2 days when it caught fire and was destroyed. I could not afford another one at that time, however I became very attached to this model and now that I'm older and can better afford to own one I started a searh for one to restore.
I think this is one of the better reasons for selecting a cycle because there usually is some passion envolved, where there is passion there usually is will power. It will take will power to finish your project. The down side to selecting a cycle from this catagory is it's possible to put more money in the cycle than it is worth. If you plan on keeping it the rest of your life then don't let this stop you as you have true passion.

Are you looking for a true collectors cycle?

Japanese cycles have really come on in the last eight to ten years as collector cycles. Needless to say not all Japanese cycles are of the collector type. However several cycles have now taken such status. Those that come to mind are of the "Superbike" class. The 1969 Honda CB-750, 73 Kawasaki Z-1 900, 69' Kawasaki H-1 500, 72' Suzuki GT-750, 79' Honda CBX. That is not to say all collector bikes are "superbikes". Honda had a QA-50 minibike that has turned into a collectors item. The old Dreams and Scramblers of the sixties are sought after by collectors as is the Honda 400f, Yamaha has the RD series and XS 650 Twin. Suzuki has the rotary engine R-5, the GT-380 Triple, Oh and don't forget the old T-500 Twin. Any factory Turbo-charged cycle or factory racer would be a great place to start. This small list is by no means meant to exclude any particular cycle, it is my personal list and there are others that surely could be added.

Honda 350 Four by Carey Ellingson

Several sites on the web have classic cycles for sale, here is a popular site with Pre 1975 Cycles For Sale, it's a good place to start, here is another one The Swapmeet where you can find old cycles and parts for sale.

Another good source of course is to check out your local newspaper ads, even get on the net and check newspaper ads from your own state or all fifty states. Better yet, if you have a idea about what cycle your looking for check to see if they have a club or mailing list Clubs and Mailing List as these people can be very helpful in your search. They may be able to put you on your cycle or parts you need for your project.

Another place for ads and a wealth of information after you find your bike is the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle World. They have a internet mailing list that is loaded with knowledgable experienced people.

There are hundreds of places on the internet where you can view cycle ads. Type "motorcycle" in your browser and start searching, follow any "links" you run across, I find new places every time I search. A lot of sites on the net that sell autos will have a special section for cycles, or sometimes they will just list the cycles with the cars. Most people don't list what part of the country they are located in when they place an ad, you can trace them by searching their area code..

Starting your Restoration

Begin with looking your new bike over very carefully and make note on any areas that will need special attention like missing parts, or parts that are not stock. Now is a good time to find a MICROFICHE CARD for your cycle as it will help you I.D. any parts that are not stock and help you with finding "NOS" (New Old Stock) parts that are correct for your cycle. Go to your local cycle shop and get a "repair manuaul" for your cycle.

Now it is time to disassemble your bike, be very carefull and clean and inspect each part as it it removed. Be very organized in your disassembling and leave plenty of room for sorting and storing parts. Some restorers replace every bolt in their bike with stainless steel, however if you are planning a 100 point restoration you will need to use the orginal type bolts and run then through a Tumbler or have them cleaned, polished or cadmium coated.

I won't try to go through and explain glass beadblasting vs sandblasting vs walnut shell blasting. I will show you were you can read about it and you can make your own decisions about which way you will go. But first her are some Metal finishing terms that will bring you up to speed.