The most daunting moment of any project is the transition from “looking at the bike” to “taking it apart.” It’s the moment the bike stops being a vehicle and starts being a collection of components. To ensure your project doesn’t end up as a pile of mystery bolts in a cardboard box, you need a […]
You don’t need a five-figure tool chest to build a vintage bike, but you do need more than a rusty pair of pliers and a butter knife. Vintage bikes have been sitting for decades; their bolts are seized, their screws are soft, and their clearances are tight. If you’re starting from scratch, here is the […]
Mileage, Memory, and a New Space at 69… I find a unique kind of clarity when I’m weaving my way down a twisty Ohio back road. It’s a rhythm that I have been addicted to for most of my life. Recently, I crossed the 69-year mark on the odometer of life. It’s a number that […]
Calling BS on the “Too Much Trouble” Myth I recently came across a video where a young rider dismissed vintage motorcycles as being “too much trouble,” claiming that anything without a warranty and modern electronics isn’t worth the headache. While I understand the appeal of a bike that starts every time you poke a button, […]
You’ve got the bike. It’s sitting in your garage, and you’re itching to tear it down. Wait. Before you remove a single bolt, you need to become a student of your machine. Vintage bikes weren’t built like modern ones; they have quirks, “mid-year” production changes, and specific engineering “isms” that can catch you off guard. […]