Shops that specialize in "old" bikes | GTAMotorcycle.com

Shops that specialize in "old" bikes

WheelieWonka

WheelieWonka

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I have an urge to have an "old" sports bike. A 90's or naughties Fireblade, SRAD, ZXR or YZF. The cool bikes of the MTV days.

Does anybody know shops that specialize in retros or restorations? Once Spring starts I will start hunting online but I expect most of the postings in places like Kijiji to be in bad shape, so I am going to start with a prover mechanic tune up anyway. Happy to have a reputable shop do it before I make a choice.

A ZXR400 was my second bike, after I learned the ropes with a 125. Moved countries and sold it. Still miss it. Maybe it's nostalgia but I love the round-cute look compared to the angular-modern-aggresive design.

Based on my experience (and recently watching 44 Teeth do Budget Bike Battles), inventory of old bikes is more available in Europe. I am not expecting the same here, I'm afraid my old sports bike project is not going to be cheap, but that's OK.
 
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I wouldn’t consider any of those bikes to be especially old, although in number they are. Most shops should be able to handle them. Where are you located?


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I live in Leslieville. My current main bike is a Street Triple RS I got at GP Bikes.

The not-so-old 90's or naughties bike would be more of a coffee runs and project bike. Although I have a friend in England that got himself a Ducati Sport Classic as a second ride and ended up selling his main/other bike.
 
Many shops that are also dealers won't touch anything over 20yrs old. Just not woirth it for them, however there are many independants around. Some 'specialize" ie; just more familiar with, certain brands so pick what you want , then shop for a shop.
 
crankcall said:
Many shops that are also dealers won't touch anything over 20yrs old. Just not woirth it for them, however there are many independants around. Some 'specialize" ie; just more familiar with, certain brands so pick what you want , then shop for a shop.
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For vehicles over a decade old, dealerships are normally a terrible idea. Techs are good at current models that they see a ton of. Some techs have been around for a bit so the last few generations have decent ingrained knowledge too. Bring them something with carbs or no diagnostic port and most dealer techs are flailing. Even if they liked mechanicing in the past, part swapping during the day takes the will to mechanic at night away.
 
crankcall said:
Many shops that are also dealers won't touch anything over 20yrs old. Just not woirth it for them, however there are many independants around. Some 'specialize" ie; just more familiar with, certain brands so pick what you want , then shop for a shop.
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The newer techs in dealerships have limited exposure to old school items like carb rebuilds and syncing, point/condenser ignitions.

Best to look for small garage oriented mechanics. There is one in Georgetown I think Twin Seasons and Robert in Mississauga that I have relied on. Cash goes along way with some of them.

Luckily there seem to be plenty of places for ordering the older parts.
 
Merkid said:
The newer techs in dealerships have limited exposure to old school items like carb rebuilds and syncing, point/condenser ignitions.

Best to look for small garage oriented mechanics. There is one in Georgetown I think Twin Seasons and Robert in Mississauga that I have relied on. Cash goes along way with some of them.

Luckily there seem to be plenty of places for ordering the older parts.
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I’ve always had good experiences with snow city and although I’ve never used them I’ve heard good things about 109 cycle


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WheelieWonka said:
I have an urge to have an "old" sports bike. A 90's or naughties Fireblade, SRAD, ZXR or YZF. The cool bikes of the MTV days.

Does anybody know shops that specialize in retros or restorations? Once Spring starts I will start hunting online but I expect most of the postings in places like Kijiji to be in bad shape, so I am going to start with a prover mechanic tune up anyway. Happy to have a reputable shop do it before I make a choice.

A ZXR400 was my second bike, after I learned the ropes with a 125. Moved countries and sold it. Still miss it. Maybe it's nostalgia but I love the round-cute look compared to the angular-modern-aggresive design.

Based on my experience (and recently watching 44 Teeth do Budget Bike Battles), inventory of old bikes is more available in Europe. I am not expecting the same here, I'm afraid my old sports bike project is not going to be cheap, but that's OK.
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I used to restore small bore 2 strokes (1960s & 1970s) in a former life in Alberta.
Do your research and buy the best condition bike you can get your hands on.
It is much easier to buy parts of a 50 - 60 year old bike than one only 10 years old.
Some common tire sizes from the era you are looking at are no longer available.
Just ran into that with a 1987 Honda CBX250.
Try looking at the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group.
A lot of old mechanics belong to it.
Round and cute has always been my choice!!
 
WheelieWonka said:
I live in Leslieville. My current main bike is a Street Triple RS I got at GP Bikes.

The not-so-old 90's or naughties bike would be more of a coffee runs and project bike. Although I have a friend in England that got himself a Ducati Sport Classic as a second ride and ended up selling his main/other bike.
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It wouldn't have to be a"sometimes" ride. Up until about 5 years ago the Squeeze and I regularly headed south for a week on a 86 Wing. I'm planning a week long jaunt on my 76 CB750F.
 
Keep one thing in mind, a lot of shops today will not even safety a bike that is 20 years old, so you need to find a place that will do that. You also want to find a place not too far from where you live to take it to if things go wrong. Do some searching first. If you do a lot of your own maintenance, then it's not as important.
 
WheelieWonka said:
I have an urge to have an "old" sports bike. A 90's or naughties Fireblade, SRAD, ZXR or YZF. The cool bikes of the MTV days.

Does anybody know shops that specialize in retros or restorations? Once Spring starts I will start hunting online but I expect most of the postings in places like Kijiji to be in bad shape, so I am going to start with a prover mechanic tune up anyway. Happy to have a reputable shop do it before I make a choice.

A ZXR400 was my second bike, after I learned the ropes with a 125. Moved countries and sold it. Still miss it. Maybe it's nostalgia but I love the round-cute look compared to the angular-modern-aggresive design.

Based on my experience (and recently watching 44 Teeth do Budget Bike Battles), inventory of old bikes is more available in Europe. I am not expecting the same here, I'm afraid my old sports bike project is not going to be cheap, but that's OK.
Click to expand...
 
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Carburetor…….jetting……..is wizards work now. Lol.
 
I did not know about the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group. There's very cool bikes there! A full on retro might too much for me but I admire those who have them.

Great point from a few people above that most mechanics don't see old tech as much so they aren't comfortable with it. It's making me a bit nervous to be honest.

@TK4 I am in Leslieville.
 
WheelieWonka said:
I did not know about the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group. There's very cool bikes there! A full on retro might too much for me but I admire those who have them.

Great point from a few people above that most mechanics don't see old tech as much so they aren't comfortable with it. It's making me a bit nervous to be honest.

@TK4 I am in Leslieville.
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Don't get too nervous. A bike of the vintage you're talking about is still very modern, aside from the carbs. If it's a relatively common and long running model like those you noted and you spend enough to get one in good shape it won't require much attention from a mechanic as long as you look after it.

You should also check out the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club linked below. I think it's right up your alley.

 
First step then is to get a bike I like in good condition. Any advice on this? I assume inventory will start picking up once Spring starts but sellers might try to cash in on the Spring excitement, everybody wants to be back on the road, and I assume prices will be high and quality will be a crap shoot.

Shall I wait or it will be the same any sunny month? Where do people like to buy bikes privately here, Kijiji, Autotrader, Facebook Marketplace, this forum, other?

I am not new to bikes but I am new to riding them in Ontario.
 
WheelieWonka said:
I did not know about the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group. There's very cool bikes there! A full on retro might too much for me but I admire those who have them.

Great point from a few people above that most mechanics don't see old tech as much so they aren't comfortable with it. It's making me a bit nervous to be honest.

@TK4 I am in Leslieville.
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@AFJ, sorry if this question sounds naive but: what goes on in these swap meets? What do people swap/sell?

Is is mostly just to meet and hang out with other members? Swap parts? Sell bikes? Show them off?
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