Here’s a handful of tips to help you along, from men of experience with many projects under their belts
Bob Dixon, CB contrbutor
Carry out tasks in bite-sized chunks to avoid getting overwhelmed by the scale of the task. Make a list of jobs to be done by the end of your workshop session. Tick them off as the day progresses. In a few weeks you’ll be amazed by how far your project has come on.
Andy Orton, Triumph T140 specialist
Before you start, be clear how you want your project to turn out. Are you looking to do an oily-rag recommission, a partial rebuild or a full restoration? It’s very easy to get carried away. And avoid embarking on a project where you know that parts are difficult to come by.
Allen Millyard, audacious engineer
I haven’t actually got very many tools – and you certainly don’t need to have £3000-worth of them in a red cabinet. The most important workshop skill is hand/eye coordination – the ability to use a hacksaw and keep it straight. My lathe and TIG welder are really useful .
Rupert Paul, CB contrbutor and rewiring wizzard
I see every standard of build in customers’ bikes. It is obvious which ones were built in a warm, tidy, well-lit workshop. Also, a power probe is great for checking bike electrics – they work for any basic circuit. You can get one from Sealey for under £20.
Andy Holbrook. Laverda restorer and engineer
Never put yourself under pressure to finish a project. Take your time, photograph everything, and clean and evaluate all the parts you’ve got before committing to anything. Above all, enjoy the proc
