Inside the restoration business

Chances are if you’re reading this wonderful newspaper then you’re into motorcycles. If not you’ve probably picked up it up by mistake... although I do suggest giving it a chance anyway. On the assumption you do have a passion for all things two-wheeled, and based on the fact you’re reading the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club’s musings, hopefully we’ve caught your eye regarding old bikes. Simply put, it’s what we do… and rather well, to be honest.

We like to think we have a pragmatic approach to the scene and will happily advise anyone who asks for help or assistance. There’s no charge for most of what we do other than membership fees and age related DVLA-approved machine dating. In fact, you probably can’t put a value on some of the stuff we can offer and here’s perhaps one of the best pieces of advice you’ll ever get free of charge from a bike club: do not look at old motorcycles as a serious way of generating an income. Unless you know the market inside out, have a track record in vehicle repairs, an innate knowledge as to what will turn a profit versus what won’t, plus a very large wedge of cash you’re prepared to gamble with, walk away now! Buy old bikes because they are fun to ride, enjoy the mechanical maintenance side of ownership, rise to the challenge of restoring at least one, but do not expect to get rich.

Even if you are supremely skilled with spanners and can repair almost anything, the chances of making a long-term career are slim. Countless business ventures have risen and collapsed within a few years simply because the money is not there. Granted, there are a few notable exceptions; businesses that have been built on reputation and a loyal customer base. These same companies charge a decent wedge for a decent job and their clients are happy to pay that rate. Where most classic motorcycle restoration and repairers fail is customer expectation management. Old hands who have owned classic bikes and know their foibles accept that nothing is likely to be cheap or easy. Sadly, newbies and returnees don’t or won’t grasp this elementary fact. It’s relatively simple to give a customer an outline appraisal of what might be needed to restore a motorcycle, but that figure rapidly escalates and almost always without exception. No one can see inside an engine, no one can foresee what damage might lurk beneath apparently sound paintwork and few can predict how long it may take to find the parts necessary to finish the job.

Given an outline evaluation, many customers believe this is the end figure but it’s not; it’s only an estimate, not a firm quote. And only a fool would give a written quote without either factoring in a worst case scenario or adding a contingency fund. Of course customers want and expect to know how much a job is going to cost and this is where many a client/restorer relationship has been dashed on the rocks. Quote for just a top-end engine overhaul and then find the engine needs a total rebuild… who’s not going to miffed if this one comes around to bite you on the behind? And of course we’ve only touched on money so far not time. How long does it actually take to restore a bike? Err… how long have you got? Parts availability is a massive issue and when you’re waiting for components to come in from around the globe, time is a huge factor. Oh, and who’s hunting and tracking down those parts? Of course it’s the man on the spanners, or one of his team, and someone (the customer) will be paying for that time. If you can manage expectations, work to deadlines, balance budgets and turn a profit then you might, just might, make a go of it. And this may go a long way to explain just why the VJMC has so many members out there willing to help and assist others in running, servicing, maintaining and restoring old Japanese motorcycles. As ‘the man’ said: “It ain’t always about the money son!” vjmcmembershipuk@gmail.com