Wondering how to build a custom motorcycle? Our expert guides are full of practical advice to take you through the difficult bits—from buying the right bike to choosing the best books and manuals to steer you through the hard parts.
Learn how to plan the project, select the correct tools and improve your abilities—whether it’s using a grinder, firing up a welder, or wielding a spray gun.
Ready to tackle your first motorcycle paint project? In Part One of this guide, we outlined the first three steps: theory, planning and the all-important prepping procedures, ending with a final coat of smooth spray putty. This week, we’re laying down the paint itself, using aerosol cans. So grab those tins and let’s get cracking.
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Whether you’re trying to save a few bucks, or you just like the challenge of doing everything yourself, at some point you’ll probably consider painting your own motorcycle. But not everyone has their own air compressor at home, or a spray booth and a decent spray gun. But who says you can’t paint a motorcycle…
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Whether you’re customizing a bike or building your own work stand, welding is a great skill to have. In Part One of this guide, we covered some theory, and looked at the various welding processes and machines you might want to consider. This week, we’re diving right in with the basics of how to get…
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Most of the bikes that grace these pages that have had some welding done on them, somewhere. If you’re building your own custom bike—or even if you just like fiddling in your garage—welding is an invaluable skill to have. It’s also a slightly intimidating prospect for the initiated, so this is a two-part guide. This…
Read more »If you’re working on your bike, even if just doing mild maintenance, you need to be aware of torque. It isn’t only…
Read more »This week, I want to talk about one of the most indispensable tools in my shop: the Dremel rotary tool. I love…
Read more »Our resident expert mechanic Matt McLeod reveals what he looks for when buying an angle grinder. Where would we be without the…
Read more »Nearly every time you’re working on your bike, there are three types of tools that you’ll need: Wrenches, screwdrivers and pliers. Let’s…
Read more »Our resident expert mechanic Matt McLeod reveals how he plans a custom motorcycle build. I’m not sure about you, but I hate…
Read more »Our resident expert mechanic Matt McLeod reveals what he looks for when buying a used motorcycle. I take a checklist with me…
Read more »We’ve all been there. You’ve seen this great bike at a show, or online, and you’ve gotta build something like it. You…
Read more »If you live in a major city, there are probably motorcycle workshop classes near you. But what if you can’t get to…
Read more »Adapted from the new book The Build: How the Masters Design Custom Motorcycles by Robert Hoekman Jr., including interviews with some of…
Read more »Untitled builds interesting and usable old school motorcycles in a small workshop under the railway arches in north London. And they’re doing…
Read more »After weeks of wrenching and filming, our Honda CB550F is back together. The hard work at E3 Motorcycles has paid off—and it’s…
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