Are motorcycles as hard to work on as cars?

Wanting to know since I may go for my motorcycle license soon. Or are they easier to maintain and do custom builds?

 

You better have very small fingers.

 

I've restored a couple of bikes and really enjoyed it. They arent any worse than working on a newer car. The older bikes are simpler obviously. A huge plus is the size. You can stuff it in the corner of the garage when its not being worked on. I've tossed around the idea of getting another older bike(80's) and restoring it. They make a nice project. My style is the 80's Shadow/Virago style. I love riding them. Dont care for sport bikes.
Harley's are cool but way too much money. Simple to work on though. The non-rubber mounted engines are awful to ride.

 

If I get a bike, I want it to be a Triumph Bonneville. Saw that thing recently and it's pretty nice looking.

 

I just sold my 85 Honda V65 Magna to my son. That sucker was quick. But i'd rather cruise on my Goldwing.

 

Some bikes require special tools to work on,but otherwise similar to a car. There are some assemblies where you need 3 hands and,as said before,teeny fingers!

 

Bikes! The other money pit. Lol i love mine but it hates me. There like anything else once you figure it out there pretty simple.

 

I agree with 80's shadow style. I find parts are hard to come by on some of the older bikes unless its got a bit of a following.

 

I love working on bikes. I love riding them even more.

Just a touch more maintenance than a car. Monthly lubing of the chain, adjusting cables, etc. But not a bunch.

I think I sunk 8 hours a month into maintenance on my old beater bike. A new one would require less, of course.

Well worth it.

And YES, small hands help at times, or get really good at removing the seat and gas tank (and any fairings the thing might have) to let you get your hands and tools into those tight places.

I say GO FOR IT!!!

 

They are not very good in the snow, so I sold mine.

 

I think motorcycles are easier to work on then cars. But I only deal with sportbikes.

 

Stick with an OIL/AIR cooled ones that don't need valve adjustments and it's a piece of cake.

 

I have a 1978 cb 750 chopper (in my photo album) 1980 cb 900c cafe racer that I ride everyday, 1996 cbr 600 that was my first street bike and a 1960 harley iron head that Ill never have the money to restore. Plus many other various dirt bikes my whole life and I think they are way easier and cheaper (again accept the harleys and triumphs and BSA etc.) to restore. Especially the late 70s and early 80s hondas. Theyre really cheap and easy to find parts. Ive got less than $6,000 into my 2 hondas and they make harley guys look twice. Ive almost got that in the mav and It still not on the road. Living in the desert its easy to ride year round so I guess im partial. Can you tell Im an avid rider? lol

 

I had a 69 bonneville. Sold it instead of restoring it.

 

Cool. My first bike was a 78 cb550K. I cut my teeth on that one as far as riding and learning how to fix them. I really like the old Honda 4's. HMMM, that would make a nice project.