Okay, so I finally got my hands on this 1982 Honda 900 Custom. It’s been a dream of mine for a while to restore one of these classic bikes. Let me tell you, finding one in decent shape wasn’t easy!
The Hunt
I spent months, maybe even a year, scouring online classifieds, checking out local bike shops, and even asking around at a few vintage motorcycle meetups. I found a few that were either way too expensive or completely rusted out. I was starting to lose hope, to be honest.
The Find
Then, one day, I stumbled across an ad for this ’82. It was a few hours away, but the pictures looked promising. I called the owner, and after a long chat, I decided to make the drive. And man, am I glad I did! It wasn’t perfect, it was the best one I’d seen, and the price was right.
Getting it Home
I borrowed a buddy’s truck, drove down there the very next day, and loaded her up. It was a bit of a struggle, but we managed to get it home safe and sound. I was excited to getting started, I pushed it into my garage.
The Assessment
Once I had it in the garage, I gave it a good, long look. Here’s what I found:
- Engine: Seemed to be in okay shape, but definitely needed a tune-up.
- Body: Some rust, a few dents, but nothing too major. The original paint was faded, but I was kind of digging the vintage look.
- Tires: Completely shot. Needed to be replaced, no question.
- Brakes: Felt spongy. Definitely needed to be bled and checked.
- Electrics: A bit of a mess. Some wires were frayed, and the battery was dead.
The Plan
I decided on a restoration. I wanted to get this bike running smoothly and looking good, without losing that classic charm. I started ordering parts – tires, brake pads, a new battery, a bunch of filters, and a few other bits and pieces.
The Work Begins!
First, I tackled the basics. I changed the oil, replaced the spark plugs, and cleaned the carburetors. After a bit of tinkering, I managed to get the engine to fire up! It was rough, but it was running!
Then came the brakes. I bled the lines, installed new pads, and after a few adjustments, they felt much better. I replaced the old, cracked tires with some fresh rubber. And finally, I started on the electrics. It took some time, but I managed to sort out the wiring, replaced the battery, and get all the lights working.
It’s still a work in progress. I’ve got some cosmetic work to do. But she’s running, she’s rideable, and she’s mine!
