Vintage Motorcycle Shop

[Rizingson]

First post and glad to be here, hoping to find some interesting ideas for cool shops.
I didn't see an introductory thread so hope this is OK here.
I've been retired for a few years, and now just enjoy wrenching on, restoring, riding and showing my bike collection at various venues. I built my shop on my property back in 2008 and quickly out grew it. Hope to add over a 1000 more sq ft this summer. It is stick built with footers and stem walls, outside finish is stucco designed to match my house.

Here's a peek from the outside.

It features 2 bike lifts for maintenance and restoration work.

I enjoy doing restorations and completed 3 last summer. Here's a pic of one in progress.

Since it is a "working shop" (me only, and only on my own bikes) it does get dirty at times and smells like a real garage rather than a club house or man cave. I moved my collection in before I realized I should have made the floor last longer and easier to clean. Old bikes will leak oil and gas no matter how careful you are. I hope to not make that mistake with the planned new addition.

Here's a few more pics of the main area.

And some overcrowding!

I have an office as well as roughed in bathroom. Bathroom and mezzanine are currently used for parts storage. During winter I store my tractors in it as well, but that's why I need to add on as I barely have working space then.
Office has the sound system components as well as CAT-5, Cable and phone hook ups. There's also a fully monitored security system to keep my anxiety level down when I'm gone.

I hope to post some pictures of the new construction latter when I finally get started

 

[Bears Fan]

Great looking collection, but you have too many bikes in the garage, so my suggestion is cut the collection in half and give them to me so you have more room to maneuver...Problem solved

 

[Rizingson]

..... but you have too many bikes in the garage, so my suggestion is cut the collection in half and give them to me so you have more room to maneuver...Problem solved

Sounds like something my wife would be happy to see
"Knock on wood", I won't have to thin the heard for at least another decade.

 

[justbummin1]

Welcome to GJ! Nice collection of bikes. In that second pic is that Kaw a 500 triple? My dad bought one of those new back in the day and that thing was wicked! power curve that went straight up, right up to when it hand grenades anyway. Would love to add one to my little collection but the prices of survivors is crazy.

 

[Rizingson]

.... In that second pic is that Kaw a 500 triple? ...... Would love to add one to my little collection but the prices of survivors is crazy.

You have a keen eye! Yes that is an H1D 500 triple. They definitely had plenty of power for the frame geometry initially when released, but were tamed down a bit in the later editions. Also a pricey collectable today since they were certified by the NHRA as the fastest production motorcycle from 1969-71. Only to be surpassed in '72 by the H2 Kawasaki known as the "widow maker".

 

[bochnak]

Damn....nice collection!

 

[SK Eric]

Awesome collection! So getting one from the center of the room to ride must be like one of those old thumb puzzles.

 

[upndown]

Got Bikes?

 

[Rizingson]

......So getting one from the center of the room to ride must be like one of those old thumb puzzles.

You got that right! Use to have aisles that made everyone accessible for a quick ride, but now it's a PITA. The new addition will house the completed projects that are in long term storage. It's tough to keep 20 in ready condition given the ethanol and battery issues as it is.

Back when I had empty rows

 

[Steevo]

Awesome shop, and a great collection of vintage rides.
Most of those were new during the years I worked as a motorcycle mechanic, so that looks just like the shops I worked in back then.

Really lovin' the Honda Benly's and scramblers, and the Hawks.

 

[Fredriz]

Nice Vintage Motorcycle collection

 

[Rizingson]

Thanks for the comments Steevo.
Wanted to attach an elevation drawing of the new wing, which will extend past the original structure and include another garage door as well as pedestrian door.

 

[ZRX61]

A disturbing lack of Kawasaki's, I only see two

 

[moodubs]

wow now thats some garage and collection, keep up the good work

 

[Stuart in MN]

I thought I had a lot of bikes, but this is kind of like looking at a Where's Waldo picture.

 

[Rizingson]

A disturbing lack of Kawasaki's, I only see two

Of course Honda's make up most of the collection but there are a few Kaw's as well. Not sure which one's you missed. Maybe one of these.

Kawasaki's first belt drive bike.

Or the '69 Roadrunner, Kawasaki's first dual range transmission bike.

You may have spotted this ultra rare B8S Super 150. One of 5 that I'm aware of in the country!

A couple more shots of it.

 

[panthersteve]

WOW

nothing more needs to be said

 

[Bronson]

You Sir, are in need of serious help!
Welcome to the GJ, glad to see another bike guy here.
I am a huge Honda fan and have a half dozen or so vintage Hondas, either restored or awaiting resto.
Did You see the B8S in last MOTORCYCLE CLASSICS?
I know where there is one about 30 miles from Me, but I don't think it is for sale.

 

[coma13]

Wow! Incredible collection.

 

[crawler07]

Great collection I have a 3 70's street bikes and its hard keeping up with them like you said with the ethanol and batteries I cant imagine how you do it!

Love that roadrunner its one of the only Kawasaki's I have ever wanted im a Honda Yamaha kinda guy.

Thanks for sharing I showed my wife your bike collection and I think you helped her realize I don't have to many bikes lol.

 

[Rizingson]

Did You see the B8S in last MOTORCYCLE CLASSICS?
I know where there is one about 30 miles from Me, but I don't think it is for sale.

Is this the article you are referring to? If so that is the standard B8. There are several other variations.

http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/c...aki-motorcycles/kawasaki-b8-zmwz14ndzkel.aspx

So for a little background on the B8 series:
They were first made in late '62 with 125cc engine and were the first complete bike Kawasaki made. As Kawasaki America was not yet set up, the bikes were imported and rebadged as Omega to be sold by Ken Kay The first ones badged as Kawasaki didn't happen until late '64 IIRC. Most of the first imports were B8T's that had 125cc engine and came in the standard color of Maroon. I've seen a quite few of those, but never one in the condition I deemed worthy to rescue. Kawasaki had 4 main colors, but most models in the mid '60s had only one or two standard colors. If the dealer was willing to order 100 or more units and wait 3 months, they could get the optional colors. That didn't happen as far as I know. In 1965 the B8S model came out with a larger bore bringing the cc's up to 150. It was available only in '65 and '66. The standard colors were Black and Balboa Blue (which is what mine is) and the optional colors were Rocket Red and Maroon like the standard color of the B8T. As hard as it is to find a nice B8 or B8T, the B8S is even more rare. Recently one was sold on ebay, that had only been on the dealer floor and never sold before, for just over 9K. There is also a B8M model which is sometimes referred to as the "red tank" Kawasaki and was that company's first racing bike (motocross). The B8 series is mainly designed for touring and meant to compete with the Honda CA95 Benly, Suzuki S32-2 Olympian and Yamaha YA-6 Santa Barbara. This one fits well in my collection with those other 3 models I currently have.

 

[Stuart in MN]

The B8 series is mainly designed for touring and meant to compete with the Honda CA95 Benly, Suzuki S32-2 Olympian and Yamaha YA-6 Santa Barbara. This one fits well in my collection with those other 3 models I currently have.

I have a 1966 S32-2 myself, it's all there but needs a restoration. My oldest Kawasaki is a 1968 W2SS.

 

[Todd.Brock]

Looks like my hog would fit right in!!!!
Thanks for sharing your collection

 

[Rizingson]

Looks like my hog would fit right in!!!!

That was my very first bike, a black S65 which I rode the heck out of. My best friend had a red one and we raced them constantly. Whoever weighed less that day usually won. I've found his old bike (yes the exact one) and replaced a couple items such as seat and muffler and is now retired on display in my basement as well as an S90 purchased by my brother at 14 yrs of age, which required a bit of work to bring it back to life. I've also got a black S65, in need of restoration, but it is not my original one.

Here's my old friends S65.

My brothers old S90, also the first bike I taught my wife to ride back in '72.

She'll kill me for posting this: Her very first riding lesson on the S90

....and 40 yrs later for our anniversary pics, same girl, same bike and me!

 

[Rodney Schultz]

Wow, it must be like memory lane every time you start to think about a bike. I assume they all have a story behind them. Awesome collection and the ones on display in the basement are over the top. You need to create a museum space, not just another larger storage space!

Rodney

 

[moonpool145]

All i can say is this is exactly what i aspire too.

Dreams do come true. Wow

 

[kabinenroller]

What a great collection! And hobby shop! I have always been interested in Hondas, in 1969 I bought a new SL90, (the first tube frame model)
A number of years ago I decided that I missed that bike so I looked for a replacement. I located an all original very low mileage example and brought it home. It still wears the original 1969 license plate and original tires. I plan to freshen it up and display it in my shop next to my Bonneville and Centaur folding scooter.

 

[Rizingson]

A number of years ago I decided that I missed that bike so I looked for a replacement. I located an all original very low mileage example and brought it home. It still wears the original 1969 license plate and original tires. I plan to freshen it up and display it in my shop next to my Bonneville and Centaur folding scooter.

Very nice looking SL90, and hard to find in that condition. Don't let that one get away, as they are a one year only bike with prices going up everyday.
Got any pics of how you display them in your shop? I'm looking for good ideas for a wall hanging method!

 

[Bronson]

Yes, that was the article I referenced.
The one I saw was in the back room, buried among a hundred or so old Kaws.
the shop is still there, although it is no longer in business.
The reason it caught My eye was the KAWASAKI AIRCRAFT badge on the tank. As I recall, it was pretty complete and original looking, although I didn't know what I was looking at at the time.
I love Your collection.
I sold a couple of project Benlys last year.
I am currently in the process of restoring a SL-350, a SL-100, a XR-75, a 56 Harley 165, and a couple of 77-78 Harley Davidson XLCR Café Racers.
I have very limited display space, so 3 of My Tiddlers are in My sunroom.
A 69 Z-50 AK-1, a 80 XL-80, and a 72 CL-70.
My pride and joy is My Then Came Bronson replica, currently on loan to Buddy Stubbs Harley Davidson Museum in Phoenix.

 

[Bronson]

Awesome picture, You are a lucky man!

 

[Todd.Brock]

Cool story about the s65! I am 265 and surprisingly it will still move me about 25 downhill with a breeze. Mine was bought by my wife's grandfather in Aug 1969 for 50 bucks. He never got it to ran. I ended up pulling it out of the barn in 2009, new piston rings, clutch , brakes, carb rebuild, battery etc and she runs! I don't ride it often , but it's a hoot. Especially the fact that the horn, speedo, lights, indicators all still function. Everything is all original except for some wear items, which are NOS.

 

[Rizingson]

.....I have very limited display space, so 3 of My Tiddlers are in My sunroom.
A 69 Z-50 AK-1, a 80 XL-80, and a 72 CL-70.
My pride and joy is My Then Came Bronson replica, currently on loan to Buddy Stubbs Harley Davidson Museum in Phoenix.

Those are all very nice examples of the model. (I can't even decide which is my favorite) I love all three. I remember watching the TV show and really enjoying it as a youngster as well.

Seems there are a few motorcycle lovers on this site, good to know. Wasn't sure there would be, I also have many wood working tools I keep in a different Garage, and thought that would be my retirement hobby for many years. I still don't mind doing wood work, but I can't have the dust take over my bike shop.

 

[harleybuilder]

Fantastic collection. ..any QA50 in the stable?

 

[kabinenroller]

Quote:
Originally Posted by kabinenroller View Post
A number of years ago I decided that I missed that bike so I looked for a replacement. I located an all original very low mileage example and brought it home. It still wears the original 1969 license plate and original tires. I plan to freshen it up and display it in my shop next to my Bonneville and Centaur folding scooter.
Very nice looking SL90, and hard to find in that condition. Don't let that one get away, as they are a one year only bike with prices going up everyday.
Got any pics of how you display them in your shop? I'm looking for good ideas for a wall hanging method!



Thanks, yes I know how rare the SL90 is, I plan to keep this one forever!
At this point the display area in my shop is being occupied by my Messerschmitts. My motorcycles are on the opposite wall kind of just parked. My plan is to make a small area for the bikes similar to were the cars are. I also have some British bikes in the shop right now, I have semi restored them for a friend. When they leave I will have more room.
Here is the cars display and the bikes as they are presently:


And the bikes-


Jim

 

[Kiwi Canuck]

Welcome to GJ, I have 6 bikes and my wife is wondering why so many, I have the room for more but you Sir have just gone too far with that collection.

I am always amazed at how much time is involved in buying a classic bike, never mind how much effort it is to sell one, that must have taken a fair bit of time getting that collection together.

Love seeing the Suzuki's in your collection, I would love an orange GT380 (or is that a 550) looks like you also really like the older Honda CT90's as you have quite a few of them.

Cheers

David

 

[captainkarl]

Great collection! Do you do all your own work?

 

[Rizingson]

Thanks everyone for your comments as well as questions.
Hope I can answer a few questions in one post here

Harleybuilder, there are no QA50's in my collection yet, but hope to find one eventually. I do have a Z50 however.

At this point the display area in my shop is being occupied by my Messerschmitts. My motorcycles are on the opposite wall kind of just parked. My plan is to make a small area for the bikes similar to were the cars are. I also have some British bikes in the shop right now, I have semi restored them for a friend. When they leave I will have more room.
Jim

Very impressive show area. Those cars are amazing, I've never seen one in person. I think that little scooter is really cool! I love the designs of many of the early scooters from the 40's into the 60's!

Cool gas pump you have by the cars. My son-In-Law is really into pumps so I keep a gas pump in the display area of my basement as well.

Love seeing the Suzuki's in your collection, I would love an orange GT380 (or is that a 550) looks like you also really like the older Honda CT90's as you have quite a few of them.
Cheers
David

David, I have examples of all the trail bikes Honda made including the C100T, C105T's, CT200's as well as some CT90's.
That is a '75 GT550 you saw with the huge padded sissy bar. I haven't removed it yet, but did tour cross country on a '73 GT550 back in the '70s and used a sissy bar to tie things to.

Here's a closer pic of the GT550

I've got quite a few Suzuki's as a matter of fact, currently restoring a '67 Bearcat B105p to go with my K15 Hillbilly.
Here's a couple more.
Both 50cc bikes, an M31 step thru "Suzi" and an early MD model.

Stuart in MN, you mentioned you had the Suzuki S32 you were restoring. Mine has been shown a few times already and it is a fun bike to ride. Pre-mix only, but has electric start.
Here's a pic of my '66 S32.

Great collection! Do you do all your own work?

First I always look for the most complete survivor I can find. Then only if necessary I disassemble and send out for media blasting and paint. I then reassemble the bike as well as do all my own mechanical and electrical work required.
Hope this is OK to post here, but this is a link to 3 refurbs I did last summer from another forum.

http://www.hondatwins.net/forums/1-project-logs/34089-busy-summer-rebuilds-3-total.html

 

[Bronson]

Rizingson, You may enjoy this site. Some of My bikes are in there, and a Bio of the real Bronson. He was My dear friend, I gave the Eulogy at His wake.

www.jimbronson.com

 

[Stuart in MN]

Your S32-2 is much nicer than mine, for sure. Mine has the valanced front fender; I'm not sure if that was dependent on the model year, or is the fender like yours was a 'sport' option.

My brother bought a 1975 GT550 new, his was black but it had the sissy bar. I used it to take my motorcycle license test.

 

[Rizingson]

Thanks for posting the link, I never knew the whole story! Think I'll go watch the pilot again