Bike restoration advice

It would help responders to know:

   where are you located; what’s your knowledge /experience level for restorations; what budget/time constraints?      

1. Factory Workshop Manual
2. Factory Parts List
3. Norman White book
4. Mick Hemmings videos from the NOC shop

Also, do not stint on the surprisingly large number of special tools needed (see the list in the Workshop Manual).

Take lots of photos of the bike as it is . A hundred would be a good start. Couple of hundred even better. You will be glad of them.

Remove the tank and side panel so you can see more. Compare with the restoration images. Start to build a detailed picture of what is there now and how it should look according to the books.

Start listing what needs attention or replacing and what is good. Be vary of some repo parts. Refurbish the original parts if you can. Quality is usually much better. How's the wiring? Fit a new loom or rewire from scratch with a kit? Check the advice. Tank all rusty inside and along the seams? 

Start to decide what standard you want to restore it too compared to your budget- clean driver or concours? Parts are relatively cheap but the cost does accumulate. I would guess at 4-5k for a thorough restoration assuming you are doing 90% of the work yourself so that is parts and services. I was only freshening my 69 up nothing major and I am in it for £1500 and not sure where it all went!

Make the calls according to your budget such as fitting new rims and spokes and polishing the hubs or just making do. Usual story that if you restore one part it shows up the faults in the other parts so you may end up going all in. Put a couple of plans together with alternative budgets.

Investing in a buffing wheel and mops for the ally side casings, z castings etc would be a good move. Just a couple of hours work on a side casing can make a world of difference.

How much allowed for diving into the engine for rings, valves, heads, bearings etc?  Maybe start an investigation on engine condition- compression test, leakdown test etc while the bike is in one piece. Maybe a smart move to get it running and riding 1st just to test out the engine, box and brakes. 

Loads of great people with invaluable advice on this Forum to help you on your way.  If you wanted a hand with any of the work- put the call out and am sure someone could give you a hand or point you in the right direction.

Cheers

Eddie

FD motorcycles near Halstead, I think, are vg painters and have also done plenty of work on Commandos including racing them.

Hi Rhys

Happy to recommend all the advice given already and add that we have two good Branches nearby in Surrey and Hampshire. Our Surrey branch meets  near Dorking and the Solent Branch meets  in Denmead - north of Portsea Island. details are given on this site and in Roadholder?

Good luck with your restoration and send us some pics!

Peter

photos show fairly typical rust etc from standing a long time. The rear brake pedal/footrest has been moved rearward a few inches, and therefore the cable is kinked( not good). ( footrests are often moved rearward for better riding position, but never seen that way before!)

   To do a full restoration means taking whole thing apart: for example, chipped lower fin on cylinder head and rusty barrels and wheel rims.

   Plenty of boxes/label/ plastic bags for sub assemblies are vg idea, and even more for when parts are rechromed etc!

You've got plenty of work on your hands, but take your time and do it right. It's your dads bike!

Buy Norman White's book and dive into the journey.