Every few years the word "classic" gets re-defined. After all, at one point the Rolling Stones were on the cutting edge of rock, whereas now the band is considered to be a classic band. A Ford Mustang used to be the car to buy, simply because it was the newest thing around. Now, however, people are buying Mustangs because they are considered classics. But what about motorcycles? When it comes to motorcycles, what makes one used motorcycle classic and the other used motorcycle junk?
Point Of View
When it comes to vehicles, it takes about 20 years before a car goes from being a means of transportation to a classic. When it comes to motorcycles, however, the rule is not necessarily the same. What is classic to one may not appeal to someone else. There are, however, some motorcycles that are always considered classic, like Indian motorcycles and old Harleys. But much like one man will like the Beatles and another will like Elvis, a "classic" motorcycle can mean many things; it just depends on what you like!
Finding a Classic
Some people purchase a motorcycle and keep it for twenty years or more, until that motorcycle becomes a classic. Most of us, however, don't have the ability to do that. We have to find our classics when we can. Even though it sounds strange, every classic is a used motorcycle. Whenever you look at a used motorcycle site or lot, you may be overlooking a classic. The tricky part comes in discovering whether or not the used motorcycle you are looking at is truly a classic. Sometimes beautiful pieces of machinery can be hidden under years of neglect and rust.
A Labour of Love
If you truly want a classic, you may have to find an old one and restore it yourself. Restoring a used motorcycle is not generally that difficult. Motorcycles tend to be easier to put together and replace than old cars, and they are often much less costly as well. In fact, if you choose to restore a classic used motorcycle, you can generally figure out how to do it with some help from mechanic minded friends and a manual or two. Some make restoring classic motorcycles their career and sell the motorcycle for much more than it cost them, making an amazing profit. They can restore a used motorcycle in only a few weeks. For the novice, however, it may take a few months before the your bike is up and running the way you'd like it to be.
The big thing to remember when it comes to finding and restoring a classic used motorcycle is to find what you like. If you prefer Goldwings, even though they are generally not considered to be classic, restore one! If you'd like something a bit more traditional and interesting, try looking for an old AMF motorcycle. No matte what you choose to look for, the process of combing through used motorcycles and restoring the chosen one can be the adventure of a lifetime!
