The vintage motorcycle project part 4 - before you start get organized

This is going to be hard but before you loosen that first nut, you need to make a plan to be organized. Although this series of articles is dealing specifically with the restoration of a 1971 Triumph Bonneville, the lessons on organization can and do apply to all restorations. Lessons in organization can also apply to all motorcycle work.

Start with your local discount store. Buy several plastic containers in various sizes, with and without lids. Clear a shelf (or two or more shelves) in your workshop for these bins. The bins don’t have to be special parts bins; anything can and will work. A supply of zip top plastic bags in various sizes will also come in handy. If you purchase freezer type bags, you can record what is in the bag using a permanent marker right on the strip on the bag.

Next label your bins. As you are removing nuts and bolts, springs and wires, you assume you will remember every detail. Chances are you won’t. Labeling everything will become more important the more stuff you take off of the machine. For items too large to fit easily into a bin or a bag, label with a card tag and wire twist tie. You can make the tags yourself or look on the internet for parts tags in bulk. The cost won’t be great but the convenience will be.

If you don’t already have a manual for the make, model, and year of your motorcycle, find a manual and purchase it. Many manuals are available online. There are also aftermarket books available for just about every type of motorcycle and written for and by mechanics. These will come in handy as you will learn from the experts as they share what to do and what not to do.

And finally, take notes and document each and every step. A camera in the shop can be invaluable. Take pictures and record what the bike looked like before you started and with every stage of the teardown. This will help jar your memory later as you put it all back together.

For more articles in this series, see the sidebar to the right.