Okay, so I’ve been wanting to mess around with a classic bike for a while, and I finally took the plunge. I snagged a Honda 90 – a real beauty, though she needed some love. Here’s how it all went down.
The Hunt and the Haul
First, I had to find the thing. I spent weeks scouring online marketplaces, checking out local listings, and even asking around at some vintage motorcycle meetups. Finally, I found one that looked promising – a bit rusty, but mostly complete. I drove out to some guy’s farm, checked it over (as best as I could, I’m no expert!), and made the deal. Loaded it up in my truck, and brought my prize home.
Getting Down and Dirty
Once I got it in my garage, I really got a good look at what I was dealing with. The chrome was pitted, the seat was ripped, and the engine…well, it didn’t start. Time to roll up my sleeves!
- Started by giving the whole thing a good scrub. Years of grime and dust had to go.
- Then, I tackled the rust. Lots of wire brushing, sanding, and elbow grease. I used some rust remover stuff too, which helped a lot.
- Next, I took apart the carburetor. It was gunked up pretty bad, so I soaked it in cleaner and blew out all the little passages.
The Engine Woes (and Triumphs!)
The engine was the biggest challenge. I checked the spark plug – it was fouled. Replaced it with a new one. Still nothing. I tested the compression – it was low. Oh boy. This meant taking the engine apart, which I was kinda dreading. I removed the cylinder head and…yup, the piston rings were shot. Ordered new ones, and after a bit of wrestling (and a few YouTube tutorials), I got them installed.
Putting It All Back Together
With the engine rebuilt (fingers crossed!), it was time to reassemble everything. I cleaned and painted some of the parts, replaced the old, cracked tires, and even found a replacement seat cover online. Slowly but surely, the bike was starting to look like something.
The Moment of Truth
Finally, the day came to try and start it. I filled the tank with fresh gas, turned the fuel valve on, and gave it a kick. Nothing. Another kick. Still nothing. I checked everything again, made a few small adjustments to the carburetor, and then…kicked it again. It sputtered…then roared to life! I couldn’t believe it! It was a rough idle, but it was RUNNING!
Riding High (Finally!)
After some more fine-tuning and a few test rides around the block, I finally took it out for a proper spin. It was amazing! The feeling of riding that little Honda, knowing that I brought it back from the brink, was just incredible. There’s still some work to do, but for now, I’m just enjoying the ride.
