There are a lot of cool, old bikes out there! Here's just a sample of the vintage motorcycle projects folks are working on. For more, see our AMA Member online photo gallery at http://gallery.americanmotorcyclist.com/Member-Submissions/Vintage/11837992_eVQVd#837832114_FgVV8.
Or, even better, get yourself to AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days this July 9-11 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and see some of these incredible bikes -- and many, many more -- in person.
And, just maybe you'll even start a project bike of your own. -- James Holter
1974 Can-Am MX1 125
This is a 1974 Can-Am MX1 125. I traded an XR75 for it about 10 years ago. Ray at OMS did the motor (four years). I've planned on racing it at Mid-Ohio for the last three years. Finally, it is ready. The Mid-Ohio vintage event is the best thing since the Mid-Ohio 125 Grand Prix.
Sincerely,
Chris Mosher
1981 BMW R65
I've been riding my entire life and have been an AMA member for over 18 years.
My current restoration is a 1981 BMW R65. The original owner lived here in San Diego and stored the bike at water's edge at the San Diego Yacht Club. So, you can imagine the salt-air exposure damage to the bike. In fact, the previous owner is my business partner who purchased the bike back in the late 1980s rode it for a few years before deciding to opt for a larger BMW. I couldn't resist purchasing it. It's a great mid-sized bike, nimble and easy to ride, not to mention fun, and has great natural beauty and aesthetics -- in my opinion.
I purchased the bike in 1994 for a project. Then the introduction of two daughters and a major house remodeling put the project on hold for almost 15 years. Adding to the problem was corrosion and the general appearance of the bike. I started a complete (ground-up) restoration on the bike over a year ago and am in the closing stages -- only waiting for the heads and jugs to return from the machine shop.
I've been through every nut, bolt and wave washer on this bike. The amount of hours I've spent (joyfully) would stagger the imagination. It's a passion and something I want to continue doing. I've always loved working with my hands, and my love for the vintage BMWs grows daily even more. And, I'm committed to keeping these bikes running and on the road for as long as I'm able. They still do everything well. The bike is 100% stock -- a purist, if you wish -- and the only thing that's been modified is the OEM replica Keihan stainless steel mufflers because the original units were rusted beyond repair. (And, a stainless bolt set.) I've kept detailed records of the cost and rebuild. I'll include the spreadsheet if you're interested.
I'm very interested in sharing this work. I literally love it. I'm searching for other projects and a way to archive the work for others to use that share the same passion.
Thanks for all you do -- I'm proud to ride, wrench, protect and write about motorcycling. Many thanks and my continued support to the AMA.
Sincerely,
Mike Valenti
San Diego, Calif.
You can see more images of Mike's bike at http://s428.photobucket.com/albums/qq8/gruntyman66/81%20R650%20Restoration/. -- JH
1972 Honda 750
I assembled this 1972 750cc Honda in 120 days over the 2009-10 winter for AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. It started as a very weathered frame and motor from an old warehouse. As a novice road racer in the early to mid-1970s watching these and all the factory 750s blast the Daytona banks left a lasting impression. Almost 40 years later, it has come full circle.
This 750 was built using Buchanan rims, Airtech bodywork and Swarbrick exhaust. The motor includes 12-to-1 two-ring slipper pistons, a lightened crank, a ported head and CR carbs. Also included a trick lightweight dry charging system. There's still no sound like open megaphones or the smell of Castrol R -- no matter how many years go by.
Sincerely,
Steve Miles
Crestwood, Ky.
1956 Harley-Davidson Servi-Car
This is my 1956 Harley-Davidson Servi-Car. I have been restoring it over the last few years and would like to bring it to AMA Vintage Motorcycles Days (VMD) this year.
I have had my other bikes in past VMD events. My 1983 Harley XR1000 Street Tracker was in the 50th Anniversary Sportster tent, and last year I had that bike and my 1972 Triumph in the AMA 85th Anniversary Parade.
Sincerely,
Gene Brauninger
Walled Lake, Mich.
1974 Suzuki RL 250 Exacta
I have been working on a 1974 Suzuki RL 250 Exacta trials bike for the last couple of years, and I actually competed on it at the 2009 AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championship trials. It was the maiden voyage, and it went quite well except for a minor knee injury. You even put my picture in the October 2009 American Motorcyclist (page 9, upper left corner). Thank you very much!
I have been a rabid -- yes, rabid -- motorcycle enthusiast since the late '60s. I unfortunately let my AMA membership from around 1969 lapse until I woke up in 2006. I actually had my dream job as a motorcycle mechanic in the late '70s early '80s.
I have attached a few before and after photos of the RL project. We attend AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days every year, so I will be there and, hopefully, riding in the trials competition
Sincerely,
Steve Copeland
1974-75 OSSAs
I have been hooked on AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days for the past seven or eight years. These are two of my latest so-called "restorations." It's really more like saving them from a near death.
I started riding OSSAs when I was around 15-16 years old when my brother put me on his 250 OSSA Pioneer. I was riding a Honda 50 at the time. What a ride. After that, I always wanted an OSSA.
I found one years later, a roller. After hanging on to it for many years trying to get parts for it, I found it was easier to buy the whole bike then trying to find the parts I needed. So, at one time I counted 50 or so OSSAs, from parts bikes to complete bikes.
The last two I have had for a few years, waiting to get all the right parts to put them together. They are 1974-75 Phantom 175s. One is the MX and the other the Phantom Enduro. I am working on the 1975 Phantom Enduro 125, and I hope to have it ready for Mid-Ohio.
Sincerely,
Doug McMahon
1976 Yamaha TT500
Here's a 1976 Yamaha TT500 I picked up for $100 (barn find) and restored just for the AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships post-vintage motocross event.
Sincerely,
Robert McManus
1967 Yamaha YL1 Twin Jet 100
My search for a vintage project began at last years AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. I was looking for the first bike I rode on the street. However, I found near Gerrysburg, Pa., advertised online, a 1967 Yamaha YL1 Twin Jet 100.
It was about 90 percent complete but had not been registered for the road since 1978. A new battery, some assembly, tank cleaning, fresh fuel and a half-dozen kicks and it started.
Knowing it would run, we tore it down for a total "refreshing." Since we're not professionals, I can't call it a "restoration." We found parts at swap meets and NOS ("new old stock") parts on the Internet.
Our first attempt at painting in our basement paint booth proved to work out well. The original blue color we did with the compressor. Trim and black paint was done with rattle cans. With a new top end, rebuilt fork and plenty of elbow grease, we are well under way of our reassembly. The re-chromed tank and re-upholstered seat should be ready for installation in time for 2010 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. Look for us in the swap meet vendor area. We'll be riding the refreshed blue TwinJet 100.
Sincerely,
Rick Giering
A little bit of everything
These are some of our restorations:
- 1964 Honda 305 Dream, found in a garage in Alabama. It was in four boxes. Owners said it was disassembled by their teenage son in 1971.
- 1950 Cushman Eagle, completely restored in 1994
- 1973 Triumph Bonneville 750, ridden weekly
- 1970 Triumph 250 was stored for 20 years. We purchased it and cleaned the carburetor. It fired right up. I have been driving it every week.
- 1970 BSA Victor, restored in 2009
- 1964 Yamaha Trail Master 80, total restoration just recently
- 1969 Harley Rapido that a young man purchased new in 1970. He passed away in a car accident six months later. His brother had it stored all these years. The motorcycle in the back is a 1958 Indian Tomahawk.
Our latest restorations are a 1972 BSA Gold Star and a 1958 Harley Pacer. Me, my father, my uncle and my grandfather find these old bikes and bring them back to life. This hobby has almost turned into an obsession. We love these old bikes and the history behind them. We recently started a web site. We are doing it on our own, so we don't have many of the bikes on it yet. We hope to have them all on soon with the history of each one.
Sincerely,
Chad Barnett
You can see the Barnett's collection at http://www.barnettsmotorcycles.com. -- JH
Honda FT500
After a long hiatus, I am going to be making a bit of a comeback, and will be racing an FT500 Ascot at the AMA Vintage Grand Championships. This Ascot was one of my street rides until I went to the dark side, put a CBR600 front and rear end on it, cut off about 20 pounds of unneeded weight and ripped out the wire harness. The exhaust will be in late this week, and I will be tuning it soon.
I raced dirt track back in the day and have tinkered with vintage dirt track, speedway, etc. Recently, an illness kept me off bikes for about two years, but I am slowly coming back, at the young age of 52.
Sincerely,
Eric "Llama Feeder" DeWitt
Welcome back, Eric. And good luck on the Ashland Co. half-mile. -- JH