Collecting Motorcycles
The AMA has another good article posted with tips for being a smart motorcycle collector. Some of these are common sense, but it is really good to go into it with as much info and advice as possible. One thing I have always believed is that it is cheaper to buy a restored bike/car or even airplane than it is to restore it yourself. So if you want to restore a collectible bike, do it for the enjoyment of it because you will almost always be able to buy a restored example cheaper than you can do it yourself. Here is a good tip-
4 - The three-year rule
Over the last century “mechanics” with good intentions have disassembled motorcycles (and cars) they have just bought with the intent of restoring them. A little paint remover and some hours of sandblasting later, they have reduced a great original machine to a pile of raw, sterile parts. Then they disassemble the engine, and spread it over their bench. Months later, they put it into, err, baskets… or boxes.At that point, the project is overwhelming and forever more the machine remains a basket case. So, unless you are a complete expert on the particular bike you have just purchased, the first thing you should do is wait. Study it, talk to fellow collectors about it, and show it to experts over a three-year period before you do anything rash.
Unless you are extremely well versed in the make, model and year of motorcycle, do not touch it for a few years while you learn about its characteristics, what is rare about it, what is unique to that model year and not interchangeable with other model years, etc.
Original, unrestored motorcycles and cars are finally being appreciated by collectors. Try gently cleaning the plating and paint on the bike before deciding to rip it apart and restore it. Even if it needs an engine rebuild, sometimes this can be done with the “patina” left intact.
Remember: You can restore a motorcycle many times, but it is original only once.