SOHC.co.uk Forums > CB350/400
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McCabe-Thiele (Ted):
I agree with your observations about restoration costs, even the Bangers & Cash team made a massive loss on the early Land Rover they restored.
When I used to watch the US TV series American Chopper the remark "It's all about the build" rings so true.
Ken4004:
--- Quote from: Yetanotherbike on September 02, 2026, 11:34:40 AM ---I suspect many people go into bike restoration with rose tinted spectacles. But the fact is, they cost a lot of money to restore. In the world of classic cars the situation is far worse. I think very few people make any money from either. My own view is that if you enjoy restoring it and you can take satisfaction from your hard work as well as knowing that you've saved a classic bike from becoming spare parts, then it's money well spent. Some people throw vast amounts of money away on clothes, gambling, TV, whatever, but at the end of the day restoring bikes actually gives you something , even if it's cost a lot to get there.
--- End quote ---
I totally agree, with my restoration I probably broke even if you exclude all the hours spent but great sense of achievement and satisfaction thats worth its weight on gold in my opinion.
It was I also keeps me out of trouble well thats what the missus says.
McCabe-Thiele (Ted):
One of the things about a restoration project is that there are so many aspects to the process, particularly if you are retired.
Maintaining or learning new skills that require mental and/or physical effort. Forget Suduko we have instead the puzzle of assembly.During the process there is the quest for knowledge from sites like this, learning new skills, reading manuals or online information. Improving our IT skills when posting photos etc. The challenge of restoring a part or the quest in finding a NOS, pattern or used part. The angst of things not always going to plan, learning from our mistakes, sharing our problems or solutions with like minded folk.
Unlike say furniture restoration, we have the option to not only admire our finished project, when the urge takes us we can ride on the open road, sometimes feeling the adrenaline rush of our lost youth, whats not to like?
Athame57:
--- Quote from: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on September 03, 2026, 12:59:42 AM ---
Unlike say furniture restoration, we have the option to not only admire our finished project, when the urge takes us we can ride on the open road, sometimes feeling the adrenaline rush of our lost youth, whats not to like?
--- End quote ---
Yup. When I got my bike eight years ago she was in a sad state and I would soon realize I had paid too much for her as well. Lots of bits quietly missing and even home made bodges on her, but now she is a lovely bike and a lot of people who remember the 400/4 especially stop me to let me know it. I've never had a bike so long and become so personal, definitely a part of me now. :)
Ken4004:
The only issue I have now is I would like to do another restoration but haven’t got the room for another bike and after completing my first restoration don’t want to sell it because it’s a fun bike to ride.
When I first started the restoration quite a few years ago I thought it would be quite straightforward and didn’t realise how hard it can be to find parts .
The other issue is because I was still working I didn’t get the time to work on the bike and we all know that it takes many hundreds of hours to complete , it was only when I retired I had to time to complete it and in fact it only took me another 6 months to get it on the road.
My long suffering wife thought it was a complete folly and thought I would never finish it and had visions of me dying first and leaving her the task of dealing with it, great to prove her wrong.
Now I am a great believer in always being able to learn something new from other people and I must say that in general this group has been very supportive and helps spur you on when it gets tough going which I am extremely grateful for and may long it continue.
It would be great to meet up with people from this group in the Sussex and surrounding area so I can put a face to some of the names .
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