What’s your number?

[Scout63]

When restoring a bike I’m pretty picky about getting everything right and shiny, probably about a 9 on a 10 scale, while some here are solid 10’s.

After the bike is on the road though my standards drop considerably.  I’ll let a broken tach cable go for weeks or months, or an oil drip may wait all summer.  I wash the bikes maybe every two months. I’d say my pickiness number for daily riders is about a 6.

I’m always surprised that I can pay attention to such detail during builds and then let it all go out of my head for routine maintenance.  It’s as if I never learned anything.

I’m interested in everyone’s approach to maintenance (not what you should do, but what you do do).

[mondtster]

When it comes to mechanicals, I am a perfectionist. Broken stuff or poor performance really bugs me. I like using my machines however, so a little dirt and grime from riding things is acceptable. The only time a bike I own will be spotless is probably the day of purchase and the day of sale.

[berniebee]

I've owned many bikes. (none purchased new)  If they are not in very good condition, I fix 'em up to about an 8-9 and keep them there. Mechanically and electrically, I keep my bike pretty near perfect, but a small ding on the fender, discoloration on exhaust pipes or a sewn seat repair I can live with.  I do like to keep my bike very clean and the shiny parts shiny. I'm not too hung up on originality. For example, my SP project doesn't have several of it's original parts. It will be wearing Made-in-China copies of Japanese turn signals which look somewhat like the round 850 T3 blinkers.

When it comes to bikes, I'm a serial monogamist, so that makes it easier to be persnickety about maintenance.

[Guzzistajohn]

I've only "restored" one and that was in 1998 but I think I've managed to take pretty good care of her and ride too. She's undergone a few modifications, like Dusty Hill from ZZ Topp says, "a hot rod is never done"

 I'll give myself a 7 or 8 

[stonelover]

Bikes are built to be ridden, not trailer queens. Daily use will take them out of concourse condition, but that's ok. Miles make smiles!

[twowheeladdict]

I don't ride with things broken or in need of replacement (oil, tires, etc), but I only take the bugs off after a ride as well as lube the chain and top off the fuel tank.

Deep cleaning only happens when taking the bike parts off for other reasons like service, repair, storage, etc.

I like to cover my bikes away from home so getting grit off is important to keeping the finish good.

[LongRanger]

What’s my number? I thought this was a question about retirement savings.

[GeorgiaGuzzi]

867-5309

[Rough Edge racing]

I build bikes from piles of unrelated parts. The mechanical and structural is in order..I prefer an old finish showing signs of use and adventure

[guzzisteve]

It's all a matter of opinion, and what you consider 10.

[cliffrod]

I don't have a number. 

I want my machines to run great and be completely reliable or easily fixed.  I know people with perfect bikes.  Glad they're happy.  That's good enough for me.   

Some of those experts even help me make my bike run perfectly because they know me welL.  There's no better friend than a friend that loves your motorcycle, even when it's not perfect and never will be.  I've spent a career doing perfect stone work for others.  I just want to relax and be bike happy in my own world.

The important Guzzi factory special & race bikes didn't have fancy paint or cosmetics.  Just shoot some primer and get to work. Paint doesn't win races.  Paint doesn't set new world records-





'Nuff said...

[PhilB]

I don't restore things.  I fix them to work well, and ride them to death.
I prefer a well-worn original to a restored bike anyway.

Here is my 1960 Heinkel, in 1989.  It had about 60K miles on it then.  I still have it, and it's over 80K miles now, which is pretty good for a scooter.




Here is the dash on my 1962 Maico Maicoletta.  It only has about 20K miles on it, but it's all original.  I still have it, too.




And here is my 1993 Ducati M900 Monster in 2016, on the weekend kit turned over 250K miles.  Looked like hell, but still ran great.
Don't have it anymore; it got killed by a hit-and-run driver in 2017, at 265K miles.  Otherwise I'd still be riding it, and be over 300K by now.




So, "my number" is probably between 2 and 3.  ;)

PhilB

[tazio]

What’s my number? I thought this was a question about retirement savings.

And I was thinking Sleep Number..

[larrys]

The Monster was a 10 when I got it and it will stay a 10. The Cal between 9 and 10. Have owned a few road dogs that I just left dirty and rode the crap out of them. Now I don't ride all that much so they're easier to keep nice.
Larry