Restoring vintage bikes (NEWMANN?)

mxtech1
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mxtech1
Edited Date/Time 1/25/2012 12:29pm
I am going to restore my first vintage MXer this winter and looking for a good suggestion on what bike to choose. I know I want to do something pre-1983.

I don't want to do a super rare machine because I would like to spend more time restoring it than hunting parts. I will tackle a project like that after i do a few restorations down the road.

I am building the bike mostly to start a vintage collection for my garage and may ride it from time to time, but it will mostly be for a custom display in my garage-ma-haul.

What would you guys recomend or like to see done?
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newmann
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newmann 12/23/2011 6:18am
12/23/2011 6:18am
Give us your top ten list, or just top five and I can chime in on what might be easiest. Needs to be something you want to look at more than what we'd like to see.

The 74-78 CR125's are easy to source most any part for and my favorite bikes since there are soooooo many aftermarket hop up parts for them. To me nothing is better than a tricked out Elsie. For a garage queen, you might consider a bike with a matal tank as most old plastic tanks are discolored and difficult to make look really good.
yzvet426
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yzvet426 12/23/2011 6:32am
12/23/2011 6:32am
It depends what you want. Newman is partial to the Elsi's, but he's right there are tons of parts. I did a 79 Kx 125 and had fun with. that. Pissed I sold it. I like the hunt of finding parts though so that can play into what you want. The other thing is what you want to spend and your timing if it comes up. I got really lucky and got a incredible price on an 81 Maico 490. Parts are everywhere for these things which is good and bad. It's almost too easy to restore them (not as much fun hunting). Do you want to go completely stock or build a tricked out bike? Ride it or show it?
I will say one thing. I've never run into a greater bunch of guys willing to help than I have with the vintage crowd. Got to Marks Vintage Swapmeet and lurk for awhile. You'll get some ideas. Keep in mind Ebay is nice but some of the prices are freaking insane.
newmann
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newmann 12/23/2011 6:45am
12/23/2011 6:45am
If I had to pick a bike to restore outside of my favorite old Elsinore's, I would go for a 77 AW400 Maico. A nicely restored Maico would be a great addition to any collection. Gorgeous bikes done up in red. And there seem to be a bunch like this out there fairly reasonable. Just remember when you see something all roached out like this one that it really doesn't matter if it is nice, kind of nice, not so nice or just downright roached. You will be restoring all of it regardless of condition.

edgo897
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edgo897 12/23/2011 6:55am
12/23/2011 6:55am
Yamahas are easy to restore. There are plenty of them out there and you can still get parts from the dealer. Ebay has a ton of parts too and they aren't as pricey as other makes. I've restored 77 and 78 YZ400s. If money isn't an object for sheer viewing pleasure you can't beat a Maico. I'm doing an 82 RM465 now and parts are out there but it takes some looking. I did a 79 RM250 too and parts were easy to find for it too.

The Shop

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mxtech1
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mxtech1 12/23/2011 6:56am
12/23/2011 6:56am Edited Date/Time 12/23/2011 7:04am
Here's my short list of potentials so far:

'74 Honda Elsinore 125
'74 YZ250
'79 CR250
'74 Bultaco 360
'74 Suzuki TM125
Twin Port CZ250
'82 Honda RC250
Unspecified year and model Maico

I seem to be fond of the bikes close the the 74-78 era

I am wanting to restore the bike to mostly original condition like it would have raced back in the day. Nice and clean with a sharp look to it. I am not planning on doing a 100% OEM showroom replica bike.
TerryK
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TerryK 12/23/2011 6:58am
12/23/2011 6:58am
Second generation CR250s are cool. (78,79,80) Just found a 78 that I'm going to do something with. Not sure what yet lol.
newmann
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newmann 12/23/2011 8:17am
12/23/2011 8:17am
When you look for stuff long enough, eventually it comes looking for you. A friend of mine picked this 1980 CR250 rolling chassis up from a old Honda dealer that had it stored since probably 1980 or 81. Guess it came in with a torched engine and someone didn't want it repaired. Missing the complete engine and carb and the seat, throttle, levers and cables. Other than that it was complete with a absolutely dent free pipe that still has all the original paint on it. All the spokes and bolts are shiny zinc still after all these years and the original tires have very little wear. The inch thick layer of dust preserved it pretty well! All I had to do for it was blast and paint a Penton 100 frame and swingarm. Some lucky Vital member will be the new owner of it as soon as he drives over from Gawja to pick it up. Some people keep an attorney on retainer, I call it "keeping my machinist on retainer". LOL





ThePipe
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ThePipe 12/23/2011 10:14am
12/23/2011 10:14am
I think an 81 RM250 would be cool to do.
Shove the steering stem in a set of 43mm triples and start ripping.
If I had a shot at one, I'd do it
ThePipe
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ThePipe 12/23/2011 10:18am
12/23/2011 10:18am
yzvet426 wrote:
It depends what you want. Newman is partial to the Elsi's, but he's right there are tons of parts. I did a 79 Kx 125 and...
It depends what you want. Newman is partial to the Elsi's, but he's right there are tons of parts. I did a 79 Kx 125 and had fun with. that. Pissed I sold it. I like the hunt of finding parts though so that can play into what you want. The other thing is what you want to spend and your timing if it comes up. I got really lucky and got a incredible price on an 81 Maico 490. Parts are everywhere for these things which is good and bad. It's almost too easy to restore them (not as much fun hunting). Do you want to go completely stock or build a tricked out bike? Ride it or show it?
I will say one thing. I've never run into a greater bunch of guys willing to help than I have with the vintage crowd. Got to Marks Vintage Swapmeet and lurk for awhile. You'll get some ideas. Keep in mind Ebay is nice but some of the prices are freaking insane.
Jeffs 1979 KX125
He did an awesome job.
Jeff I think you were crazy for selling it
Here it is http://www.onthepiperacing.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=27112
FreshTopEnd
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FreshTopEnd 12/23/2011 11:30am
12/23/2011 11:30am
78-80 Cr250's are the best (except for Mugens, dammit Joe, sheesh).

But I do want a Maico again some day (dammit again Joe)

And a CZ.

And YZ250/360B

And a mid-80's CR

And an 82-83 RM

If you go for a CR, let me know what you need. I have waaaaaaay too many spares.
mosslander
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mosslander 12/23/2011 11:47am
12/23/2011 11:47am
70's Husky's are cool
Huckster
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Huckster 12/23/2011 11:52am
12/23/2011 11:52am
My brother did a '81 Maico 490 from the ground up. Man that bike was awesome to look at and it ripped. He rode it once in a field to make sure it ran and then sold it. to this day he regrets selling it.......
yzvet426
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yzvet426 12/23/2011 12:23pm
12/23/2011 12:23pm
From your list I'd look for an early coffin tank. Maico. I'm blank on the year but I'm picturing a down pipe yellow aw open class 76 maybe. Damn my brains locked up
newmann
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newmann 12/23/2011 1:25pm
12/23/2011 1:25pm
yzvet426 wrote:
From your list I'd look for an early coffin tank. Maico. I'm blank on the year but I'm picturing a down pipe yellow aw open class...
From your list I'd look for an early coffin tank. Maico. I'm blank on the year but I'm picturing a down pipe yellow aw open class 76 maybe. Damn my brains locked up
Like my neighbors 76 AW250. Slow slow slow though though though. Gotta go with the big block version with the Maico. My 74 CR125 race bike would kick the ever lovin' shit out of this one. I'd go for the red one I posted up above.

mmcmx
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mmcmx 12/23/2011 1:29pm
12/23/2011 1:29pm
'78 Cappra VB Smile
NetMXer
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NetMXer 12/23/2011 1:33pm
12/23/2011 1:33pm
Looking at your list, the CR125's and TM125's are both easy to find parts for as well as bikes themselves. The 74 YZ250 is rare and expensive, as are the parts. That would not be a good bike to start with. You will certainly spend a lot of time searching for parts.
Charles Bronson 12/23/2011 2:07pm
12/23/2011 2:07pm
You could do a Maico 490, last year of the dual shock. Problem is, the current crop of 450 foopers will be pretty pissed off when they get roosted by a 32 year old two stroke. god damn those are bad ass bikes.

I dont know the class names in vintage anymore, but are you doing to do the one that allows disc brakes? i believe they call it super-vintage? if that is the case, i would do a Damon Bradshaw-esque WR500 for sentimental reasons, and because although its aircooled, they made the things in to the early 90s.

heres a great video explaining the Maico story.

https://youtu.be/BmkDqh0fTRc
captmoto
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captmoto 12/23/2011 3:57pm
12/23/2011 3:57pm
ThePipe wrote:
I think an 81 RM250 would be cool to do. Shove the steering stem in a set of 43mm triples and start ripping. If I had...
I think an 81 RM250 would be cool to do.
Shove the steering stem in a set of 43mm triples and start ripping.
If I had a shot at one, I'd do it
I dragged my feet on an 81 last Christmas and missed out. It was $600 and was a good condition racer. They are harder to find than you would think.

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Charles Bronson 12/23/2011 4:03pm
12/23/2011 4:03pm Edited Date/Time 12/23/2011 4:03pm
I had a 74 Heikki Mikola replica Husky 250 with the orginal paint on the tank and orginal set of metzler tires on it. My father "disposed" of it while I was out of town. I hav not spoken to him since. That was 1997. Seriously.
yzvet426
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yzvet426 12/23/2011 9:02pm
12/23/2011 9:02pm
I was thinking this 440

kwebster447
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kwebster447 12/23/2011 9:24pm
12/23/2011 9:24pm
I have a '79 yz250 for sale that would be a great starter restore.
Fiberglassflyer 12/23/2011 9:42pm
12/23/2011 9:42pm
I've noticed that the 1978-1979 Maico 400 and 440 seem to get overlooked by people doing restorations.Is there a particular reason for this?Huh I sure loved mine back in the day.
MCfan4life
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MCfan4life 12/23/2011 10:20pm
12/23/2011 10:20pm
I'm partial to 92-96 CR250's Whistling
fastener
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fastener 12/23/2011 10:46pm
12/23/2011 10:46pm
Click on the link below to see a little collection located in Northern California that might give you an idea or two. Coupe rode for Maico back in the day and now works for Parts Unlimited. Great guy with an absolute incredible eye for detail.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sIfiorMCng
OW38B
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OW38B 12/24/2011 11:28am
12/24/2011 11:28am Edited Date/Time 12/24/2011 11:29am
Just picked this up last week. 77 RM250

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