Restoration company for zxr

[the_nurse46]

Hello,

So I found a zxr400 with 5k on clock and bought it last week for good price. However, having always had immaculate newer bikes I would like to restore it to its original condition. I do not have the skills or knowledge to fully strip bike then rebuild. I would like to have frame, swing arm and top yoke re painted, then fairing repainted in a different colour. Also wheels and foot pegs repainted.

Any suggestions please of good place to send it to?

[Gunk]

It will cost a small fortune to farm that out, I would seriously try and have a go yourself, there are loads of tutorials on YouTube, plenty of expert advice on the owners forums and if you're not in a hurry, just take your time and find a mate with some basic knowledge to help you with the tricky bits.

I'm restoring a Fireblade at the moment and haven't wielded a spanner for 25 years and I'm loving it, so roll your sleeves up by a tub of Swarfega and get stuck in!

[trickywoo]

Gunk said:

roll your sleeves up by a tub of Swarfega and get stuck in!

This. Or buy one someone else has already done.

[Gunk]

trickywoo said:

This. Or buy one someone else has already done.

I agree, if you are not going to get the pleasure out of restoring it yourself (as there's never any profit it 1990's sportsbikes) why bother.

[D-Angle]

Selling it on and seeking out a good example that has already been restored will probably be cheaper ovrrall.

[the_nurse46]

Thanks all for the advice. It is already excellent condition but little marks here and there annoy me. Been looking for a while and couldn't find as new one I wanted. Suppose latest they made was 2003 so can't expect to find as new one.

[podman]

It rarely makes financial sense to restore a bike but it is very satisfying, I was much the same as you when I got my LC mate, worried to tackle things and I had a distinct lack of room.

I used a restoration company to rebuild my engine and do some work regards finish, in hindsight, I paid way over the odds, they had never worked on an LC before and made what I now know to be, very basic mistakes.

However a bit down the line, I have a collection of approriate tools, more room and knowledge so ill tackle most things, the LC forum has been a huge help regards suppliers , help/advice, parts and meeting people who have become firm friends.

My advice to you would be to join the relevant forum(there will be one of two for sure) and ask them who they use,whats the best way to tackle particular jobs and what type of finish is best where (for example, id say your top yoke was probably brushed alloy, so your dont really want it painted or powder coated)

Good luck anyway and get some pics posted when the time comes.

[the_nurse46]

Cheers podman. I have a mate who builds his track bikes so I may request his services and try to take this on. It is not about making any money it's just about having a nice bike that I really wanted when I was 18 in 98/99 but just couldn't afford. Of course it's an old bike now and doesn't ride as nice as the new bikes I have owned but having seen your stable (may all be sold now podman) it would be nice to have an "old" as new condition bike.

I will get some pictures along the way and keep some updates going.

[kingb]

There is a place here in Sussex that could help. They are a car body shop the the owner is really into bikes and does some airbrush air too.

The main guy is called Chris and he actually just did a ZXR400 - looked lovely when he was finished.

https://www.facebook.com/Owlsbury-Accident-Repair-...

There are pictures on the FB page

More here - https://www.facebook.com/Chris-Pugh-Airbrush-Art-7...

Edited by kingb on Tuesday 1st December 14:31

[R8Steve]

I have a CBR400RR in pretty much as new condition following an extensive restoration for reasons similar to yourself.

I would give it a go yourself as it's not that difficult (and i'm no mechanic) and very satisfying.

Good luck and will be good to see the end result.