Old bikes have that intangible something...

Not everybody is into old motorcycles, or, for that matter, even what has become known as "modern retro" bikes.

That fact is not without good reasons. Old bikes can be cantankerous heaps of junk—to be blunt about it, some of them were little more than that back when they were new. They usually have old tech systems that recently-minted mechanics may have little or no training in how to work with—contact breaker points, primitive ignition systems, and finicky carburetors, for example.

The ride, handling, and brakes on old bikes can be, well, pretty bad. That is not to say that is a general rule, but it can be very apparent to riders who have done most of their riding on more competent, advanced modern bikes.

That probably explains why a lot of old bike owners, collectors, and restorers are riders of a certain age who became riders way back when on the now-old bikes they collect. Indeed, sometimes they have owned an old bike or two that they literally have owned for a few decades since new! Restorers tend to be very capable mechanics with extensive experience, tools, and maybe a machine shop.

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Read full story at: UltimateMotorcycling.com