looking to get my hands dirty

[andym]

I've decided to get a bike or two to rip apart and see how they work and possibly sort... I have a basic tool kit which has done well on my bikes when they needed anything done, but I don't have any specialist things for specific bikes... sooooo

Can anyone recommend a good project or two?

Usually I can find where bolts come from and occasionally (very occasionally) I can put them back in the same places, so something for someone who knows a few basics.

I've done car brake systems, clutch, waterworks, minor electrical stuff and various other bits and pieces.

Bikes I'm still quite new to, but I've done a couple of carb strip and rebuilds, full braking system on an intruder 125, clutch strip and rebuild on a scooter, minor bits and pieces here and there.

I've not stripped and rebuilt an engine (would like to have a bash, but don't want to wreck my bike).

Also, how understanding are bike scrap yards if I'm looking for bits and pieces to 'play' around with?

[Howling Terror]

Interesting you mentioned scrap yards for bikes. As in are there any?

We have a large bike breakers in town. They do all the stripping and mainly sell online. Their prices for complete bikes seem expensive.

I'd be tempted to look on gumtree and local ads. (buyer beware etc)
I'm not sure what type of engine you want to learn about. air cooled 2 strokes or simple pushrod 4 stroke.

Then obviously you'll need a workshop manual.

Not had to completely strip an engine myself and to be honest I haven't the inclination and not confident enough in my abilities or pockets.

Good on you for having a go.
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[Teflon-Mike]

As a Learning excersize, see Snowie;'s The Pup-Project
Full tear down and overhaul CAN be rather bludy expensive.
See grahamd1's Loooong project CD175 for more affirmation of how expensive it can get, how much time, blood sweat and tears are involved.
Bikes can be done on teh 'cheap' but anything that can be easily and ecconomically sorted probably doesn't need enough doing you learn much from it.
Buying a wreck just to pull apart, wont cost so much, but you probably wont have much but a pile of bits at the end, and while you might learn what bits look like and get some idea of where they go and what they do, you wont learn much about 'fixing' things unless you put them back together.... and thats where it starts costing, in new bushes, bearings, gaskets, pistoin rings, etc etc etc...

Have long thinks aboyt what you really want to achieve; projects are great fun, but they ALWAYS take more time, money and hassle than you ever anticipate.

I've always got 'something' on the go; I ought to know better, but even so... they STILL always take more than I hope or plan for!
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[Shaft]

First thing I would consider is if you can get all the bits for it, not much point in embarking on a learning resto if you can't buy replacement parts, you'll probably get bored and give up, unless you like a serious challenge.

That probably means leaning towards a Honda (they seem to have the best parts back up) and if the criteria is being able to tear it down to the last nut and bolt, with not much concern about getting your dream bike as the finished article, a C90 would be a good place to start.

Plenty of basket cases out there (although they aren't as cheap as you might think) and it seems as though every last screw and washer can be bought.
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