Try to find a project that is mostly all there, it doesn't really matter about condition you can usually get bits repaired or remade. If there are any papers, that's great, make sure to keep everything, old road tax disks, receipts or invoices , they may all help with eventual new registration.

Having secured a suitable project and got it in to the workshop, do as much research in to the model as possible. The biggest help would be the frame number followed by the engine number, get in touch with the club that represents your particular marque, usually they are very helpful and can usually identify the model year of manufacture and sometimes a lot more.

Having got this far you will be itching to dive in and take it apart, DON'T. Get the camera out, take as many pictures as you can from every conceivable angle to every area that you can get a close-up of, where the wiring loom goes, how the wheel spacers are placed, what goes on in the headlamp shell, where do the control cables go, how the forks are fitted. Don't forget all the odd brackets and engine mounting. You can never have enough photo's in between being a pile of bits and reassembly you WILL forget!

You are now nearly ready to start the dismantling process. Make sure you have a tidy workspace, plenty of storage boxes, a roll of small plastic bags ,cleaning rags, pen and paper, (make notes they are really helpful), a good selection of tools and above all a camera, most parts will come apart readily after a bit of thought main problem is rusted up bolts and some parts that will be very tight, don't resort to too big a hammer, seek some help. There is nearly always someone that has done the same job before. Take pictures of the dismantling process , put nuts, bolts washers small brackets from specific areas in a plastic bag and include a label, i.e. "nuts, bolts, washers and brackets from rear mudguard", "engine mounting studs and nuts" etc. etc. They all look very similar when in a big pile, the big parts are all recognisable, take care of them, DON'T throw anything away.

The actual restoration of all the component parts of a motorbike is very dependant on a very wide range of different skills you may be able to undertake some or all of these, examination of the dismantled parts will determine the next step these will include:

• Grit blast cleaning possible welding repair and painting to all tin ware
• All parts that will need re-chroming
• all parts that need replacing, bearings, bushes, brakes, suspension parts, control cables
• Wheel rebuilding
• Engine and gearbox repair rebuild
• Electrical systems

The best way to find somebody that 'can do' is seek help from the local bike club of your marque they is nearly always a person that will give help and advice, that's how friendships are formed through our great hobby.

As parts begin to get finished store and protect carefully, it's always good to try and start re-assembly with the frame and stand most parts will in some way hang on to the frame, next is usually the forks rear suspension mudguards wheels engine with many other parts in obvious places, this is where all your photos will become invaluable ' which way up or round does this bit go' try to use new nuts bolts and washers wherever possible, be careful of new paint work.